They're all essentially interchangeable by now, you know ? these animated movies with talking animals. Or insects. Or cars. It's hard enough for adults to tell the difference between them, but for kids, who are supposed to be the target audience, this year's flock of such films must be boggling their young minds.

Which, in this case, is a pity. Because "Barnyard" actually has a clever concept (the animals walk upright, talk and hang out like humans when the farmer isn't around) and it handles such sensitive topics as birth and death with unexpected grace.

The all-star cast includes Kevin James, who's charismatic as the irresponsible Otis the cow, Courteney Cox as a pregnant cow who's new to the farm, Danny Glover as the wise, old mule and Sam Elliott as the cow who's in charge of the group.

PG. 83 min. Two and a half stars out of four. Neptune Theatre

Ricky Bobby goes straight, then he turns left. Then he goes straight, then he turns left again. Around and around, over and over. Such is life in NASCAR, but it's also true of this auto racing comedy. Like the sport it spoofs, the movie has its thrilling moments but mostly feels repetitive ? it's constantly moving but never really goes anywhere.

It's also just too much like "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy", but not as good Same star (Will Ferrell), same director (Adam McKay), same writers (Ferrell and McKay again). Same basic character (a fervently clueless doofus who's unflappably confident in his abilities), same plot (he's at the top of his game but experiences a downfall at the hands of a new rival), same outcome (he returns to the top of his game having gained a smidgen of humility, if that).

PG-13. 97 min. Two stars out of four. Little Theatre

Famously, this wasn't shown to critics before opening day. Something to do with letting the fans see it first, allowing them to enjoy a purer moviegoing experience.

Ordinarily this makes critics very cranky, but in this case it was the perfect choice. Because this is the kind of movie that's ideally suited for the rowdy, crowded communal experience, the likes of which we haven't seen since "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." It's a rare example of a film not just living up to the hype, but surpassing it. And it's the best time you'll have at the movies all summer, if not all year. Samuel L. Jackson is the guy you want at the controls, starring as an FBI agent escorting a murder witness on a redeye flight across the Pacific Ocean.