Reviews: 'The Protégé' Is Edgy And 'PAW Patrol' Is Engaging

Fans of Nickelodeon's animated TV series "PAW Patrol" are in for a big treat, as the popular preschooler show about six heroic pups is now in theaters, featuring a parade of stars lending their voices in the adventure including Tyler Perry, Ron Pardo, Will Brisbin, Marsai Martin, Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian, Dax Shepard and Randall Park.

And fans of the 2010 TV hit series "Nikita" will be thrilled to know that Maggie Q channels her famed title character in a big way in her latest thriller "The Protégé," alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton.

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Here's what to see/stream and what to skip:

“PAW Patrol: The Movie” — Tyler Perry, Ron Pardo, Will Brisbin; directed by Andrew Hickson and Cal Brunker

Touted as the “Avengers” or “Justice League” juggernauts of preschooler pop culture, Nickelodeon's animated TV series “PAW Patrol” finally gets a movie version in a tale of camaraderie, empathy and courage. It features the search-and-rescue team of six brave pooches and their fearless leader, a 10-year-old boy named Ryder (voiced by Will Brisbin).

Our heroes’ staunchest ally? The savvy dachshund Liberty (voiced by Marsai Martin), who has long since aspired to become a member of the patrollers. And this might be her best chance ever to get into the squad as she alerts the PAW Patrol of a looming threat in the heart of Adventure City.

And so begins the PAW Patrol’s next adventure, its most daunting mission yet, as it confronts the menacing newly elected Mayor Humdinger (voiced by Ron Pardo), who has just instituted his sweeping overreaching and unfriendly policies — like “No dogs allowed by order of the new mayor.”

Meanwhile, they all come together to help Chase (voiced by Ian Armitage), a warm-hearted police pup struggling with a traumatic past.

Will our heroes all prevail in the end as our fate lies in their paws?

See/Screen it. Heartfelt and engaging, the G-rated movie shows small children that we all need someone to lean on every now and then in order to thrive — though parents might find the pace rather too slow for their taste.

Watch the trailer.

“The Protégé” — Michael Keaton, Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson; directed by Martin Campbell

From Martin Campbell, the director of the James Bond reboot “Casino Royale,” comes “The Protégé,” a tale of vengeance in a world inhabited by deadly assassins seemingly trapped in never-ending games of cat and mouse.

Maggie Q stars as Anna, an alluring and fierce contract killer with an impeccable taste in fine dining, haute couture and arts. As a child in Vietnam in 1991, she was rescued by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson), who subsequently took her under his wing and raised her to become a formidable killing machine.

Everything seems to be working as expected in her life — until suddenly, out of the blue, Moody is attacked and killed, leaving Anna hell-bent on finding the killers at all costs. As Anna exacts her revenge, she will cross paths with another enigmatic killer named Rembrandt (Michael Keaton), who seems to be holding the key to her quest for reckoning.

Will she ever find Moody’s killers?

See it. Fast-paced, bold and edgy action sequences abound in the movie, further elevated by Q’s natural talent as an action star. However, at times, the film can feel somewhat predictable.

Watch the trailer.