The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Papa John’s gets a bigger emotional payoff in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty than Kristen Wiig does. The pizza chain and a dating site both get real plot jobs, and at times the movie plays like a gorgeous ad for quitting your desk job. The daydreams are the other letdown. The early ones are big and goofy, including a superhero brawl with his smug new boss down a city street, then they mostly vanish once the real trip starts. Greenland, Iceland, a skateboard ride down an empty mountain road, a jump from a helicopter into icy water: Ben Stiller shoots it all like a postcard you could step into, and he plays Walter so straight and sweet that the corny bits land. Critics gave it 52% on Rotten Tomatoes while audiences loved it. A 6.6 because it looks incredible and means well, even when the message comes with a side of breadsticks. $31.45 says you price out a flight to Iceland before the credits end, then close the tab.

What works: The travel scenes are stunning, and Ben Stiller plays Walter with a quiet sweetness that keeps the big gestures from feeling silly.

What doesn’t: The brand plugs are everywhere, and the fun daydreams mostly disappear once the real adventure starts.

Who it’s for: Anyone stuck at a desk who needs a nudge to finally use their vacation days.