The beginning of the year is notable for scraps of remains from the end-of-year award validation season, and a great decrease in overall quality. 2014, however, brings upon the world a slew of heroes set on changing the formula, including RoboCop, Spartans and even Legos. Here are some of the most anticipated film releases coming to theaters between first and finals week.

“The Legend of Hercules”
Directed by Renny Harlin
Summit Entertainment
Jan. 10

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There’s a lot of confusion going on with this film in particular. Previously known as “Hercules: The Legend Begins,” “The Legend of Hercules” is one of two Herculean films being released this year, with Paramount Pictures’ “Hercules” featuring Dwayne Johnson’s extremely ripped body, set for release in July. Summit Entertainment’s take on the legend, however, stars Kellan Lutz (Emmett Cullen in the “Twilight” series) as the famed son of Zeus, who must return from exile to redeem his name. A healthy mix of “Gladiator,” “300” and shiny armor will give “The Legend of Hercules” an admirable shot at getting an early lead over its competitor.

“Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit”
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Paramount Pictures
Jan. 17

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Jack Ryan is perhaps author Tom Clancy’s most famous character, as well as the star of four previous films, most notably 1990’s “The Hunt for Red October,” all of which were received generally well. Chris Pine is the fourth actor to take on the titular role in a film that, unlike any of the previous Jack Ryan films, is an originally penned script rather than one of the late Clancy’s stories. Ryan is a CIA agent suspicious of a potential terrorist attack involving Russian businessman Viktor Cherevin (Kenneth Branagh). As he goes to find the source of his worries, he deals with conspiracy, assassins and the breakdown of his marriage. This new take on Ryan, with some clear Jason Bourne inspiration, will need some carefully planned thrills to revitalize the acclaimed series.

“Ride Along”
Directed by Tim Story
Universal Pictures
Jan. 17

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“Ride Along” is a curious film that, despite its clear buddy-cop comedy theme, hasn’t revealed its essential plotline through marketing. The trailers for “Ride Along” advertise Kevin Hart as Ben Barber, a security guard who is taken on a patrol day around Atlanta with his brother-in-law to be (Ice Cube) to prove his worth. That’s about it, and all of the above could very well occur in the film’s first 15 minutes, giving enough time for a truckload of other shenanigans to happen. Who’s to say – but Hart is a rising star thanks to many recent popular film and television appearances, and Ice Cube is humorously charismatic. No quick judgments on “Ride Along” yet, but it may just end up being a trip worth taking.

“I, Frankenstein”
Directed by Stuart Beattie
Lionsgate
Jan. 24

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What better time for a glorified action romp about Christian mythology, with monsters and demons and gargoyles and the like, than late January. “I, Frankenstein” meets all expectations, starring Aaron Eckhart as Frankenstein’s monster, Adam, who is caught up in an uncontrollable fantasy war between Bill Nighy’s demonic army, Miranda Otto’s legion of gargoyles and the humans of the present day, who he must defend with his life. It’s Frankenstein’s monster outside of Frankenstein’s history, readapting the brand to fit a more modern need: gothic-style, evil slaying in epic 3D fashion. “I, Frankenstein” will certainly fill the quota with gusto.

“The Lego Movie”
Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Warner Bros.
Feb. 7

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Everyone has an inner child, and at the sight of “The Lego Movie,” that inner child is probably bursting with overexcitement. An average minifigure, Emmet (Chris Pratt) is assumed to be the last Master Builder, destined to save the Lego universe from the evil President Business (Will Ferrell). Emmet gets a buildable dream army to fight by his side, including an old mystic (Morgan Freeman), the spunky Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), his spaceman friend (Charlie Day), superheroes of the DC Universe (Will Arnett, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Cobie Smulders) and a multitude more. A mix of CGI and stop-motion, The Lego Group is constructing the ultimate playset, featuring cameos and pieces from throughout their history, in an attempt to make “The Lego Movie” the year’s first true blockbuster.

“The Monuments Men”
Directed by George Clooney
Columbia Pictures
Feb. 7

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In some kind of mix between “Inglourious Basterds,” “Three Kings” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” George Clooney brings his directorial and acting talents back to the screen in one of 2013’s most anticipated films, delayed late in the year to its current February release date. With a platoon of six other Allied art specialists, among them Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Jean Dujardin, as well as Cate Blanchett as art historian Rose Valland, Clooney navigates German territory toward the end of World War II, his team determined to rescue art masterpieces stolen by the Nazis. Based on the true story of George L. Stout, with a fantastic cast to boot, “The Monuments Men” is a rare award-potential movie highlight that’s coming early in the year.

“RoboCop”
Directed by José Padilha
Columbia Pictures
Feb. 12

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The first “RoboCop” was an unrelenting tool of violence and destruction, with some human issues from his past off to the side. Mostly, the original “RoboCop” film was a satire on American culture, which this new version, helmed by Brazilian director José Padilha, appears to be as well, but to a lesser degree. In 2028, though a less dystopian future than the original film depicted, OmniCorp, one of the world’s leading robot technology conglomerates, transforms Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman) from an average police detective and father into a robotic officer after an explosion nearly kills him. “RoboCop” will sacrifice some of the unrelenting bloodshed and violence that made the original a classic for a more humanistic tale with questions about morality, which could very well lead this franchise revitalization in the right direction.

“300: Rise of an Empire”
Directed by Noam Murro
Warner Bros.
Mar. 7

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“300” is memorable for its design rather than its story, necessarily – creative camera angles, appealing use of slow motion and visually grand 3D artistic shots that encapsulate everything director Zack Snyder thought of when he imagined cinematic excitement. Snyder serves as writer and producer on “300: Rise of an Empire,” handing off his main job to relative newcomer Noam Murro, who mixes new cast members with old to try and bring the full “300” experience back to the screen. The film focuses on the Battle of Artemisium, a naval invasion by the Persian army, led by the god-king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) against Greek city-states in 480 B.C., led by Greek General Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton). Murro has the ultimate task of sequel directing ahead of him, but with the right amount of muscle, he may just be able to pull it off.

“Divergent”
Directed by Neil Burger
Summit Entertainment
Mar. 21

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Aside from “The Hunger Games,” young adult book adaptations didn’t have the biggest success in 2013 – “Beautiful Creatures,” “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” and “The Host” all failed to meet expectations, both financially and critically. “Divergent” is the latest in a line of titles with sci-fi qualities strewn throughout to try its hand at coaxing movie audiences into the daze of its leading star. In this case, Shailene Woodley, plays Beatrice “Tris” Prior in a futuristic Chicago where citizens are divided into factions based on their personality. When Prior discovers she is “divergent,” not fitting into any one category in particular, she uncovers an authoritarian plot to exterminate her kind and take control of the troubled society. The novel, a recently finished trilogy by Veronica Roth, has received popular acclaim for its imaginative scope, which will hopefully translate well to the film’s finished product.

“Muppets Most Wanted”
Directed by James Bobin
Walt Disney Studios
March 21

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2011’s “The Muppets” was a delightful revival movie that managed to bring classic characters, none of whom are strangers to fame, back to the big screen with a very big bang, winning an Oscar in the process. “Muppets Most Wanted,” which takes previous stars Jason Segel and Amy Adams out of the equation, tries to continue the legacy, and the results look promising. While on a new world tour together, the Muppets are caught in a European crime escapade by an evil Kermit the Frog look-alike, Constantine, and his sidekick Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais). With celebrity appearances aplenty led by comically accented Ty Burrell and Tina Fey, returning musical aficionado Bret McKenzie and the first film’s slew of Muppet characters, “Muppets Most Wanted” is potentially the best gift that will be waiting at the end of winter quarter.

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