NEW YORK. In the animated comedy “The Addams Family 2,” (PG, MGM) the beloved characters from the imagination of Charles Addams are as creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky as ever, and the humor remains dark and macabre, but overall good-natured.

In other words, this dreary animated sequel to the 2019 film offers more of the same, despite a team of four new screenwriters and returning directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon.

NEW YORK. Honesty, we’re assured, is the best policy. For an object lesson in just how badly awry even a well-meaning ruse may go, viewers can consult the earnest musical drama “Dear Evan Hansen” (PG-13, Universal).

NEW YORK. Sprightly wit paces the elegant martial-arts showdowns in director and co-writer Destin Daniel Cretton’s Marvel Comics-derived adventure “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (PG-13, Disney).

A treat for grown-ups, the film is too laden with extra-biblical ideas to be recommended for impressionable moviegoers. As for older teens, they’ll likely shrug off its overly-elaborate mythos as so much window dressing.

NEW YORK. Since premiering on Nickelodeon in 2013, the Canadian-produced cartoon series “PAW Patrol” has succeeded in gluing the eyes of many a tot to their TV or computer screens.

With the arrival of “PAW Patrol: The Movie” (Paramount), the titular rescue crew of pups bring their adventures to a multiplex near you. The result is a breezy, tenderhearted film suitable for all.

VATICAN CITY. It was quite fitting for a Catholic actor and a Christian director of a new streaming series on the life of Jesus to meet Pope Francis on the feast of St. Clare of Assisi, patron saint of televisions and screens.

NEW YORK. For most of its running time, the lighthearted adventure “Jungle Cruise” (PG-13, Disney), adapted by director Jaume Collet-Serra from a Magic Kingdom theme park ride, registers as a diverting, if insubstantial, fantasy.

But the gratuitous addition of a scene in which a principal character outs himself as gay and briefly parrots the LGBTQ party line precludes endorsement of the film for youthful viewers.

NEW YORK. Pedigree is important where horses are concerned, and the equine-themed animated adventure “Spirit Untamed” (PG, Universal) comes with a multimedia lineage.

It descends both from the 2002 film “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and the ongoing Netflix series “Spirit Riding Free,” which first aired in 2017.

NEW YORK. Though it’s adapted from a book that’s over a decade old, “Monster” (R, Netflix), director Anthony Mandler’s screen version of Walter Dean Myers’ 1999 novel for young adults, feels remarkably timely. This tale of a Harlem youth caught up in the criminal justice system gains credibility, moreover, by avoiding pat answers.

NEW YORK. “The Father” (Sony Classics) has nothing new to say about the challenges of dementia.

Yet, in adapting his play with co-screenwriter Christopher Hampton, director Florian Zeller does succeed in presenting the difficulties resulting from that illness in an innovative way. His drama portrays the mental confusion of a man in his 80s by keeping the viewer off-balance as well.

COLORADO SPRINGS. The Respect Life Apostolate of the Diocese of Colorado Springs has purchased a license allowing individuals to buy and stream the move “Roe v. Wade” by April 30. Those who purchase the movie must begin watching it by the end of the month. After that, they will have 30 days to finish viewing it. Visit www.roevwademovie.com/respectlifeapostolate to get more information and buy the film.