Firefly

5. Crash

The debut film from Million Dollar Baby screenwriter Paul Haggis, Crash is a bold effort that attempts to tackle the issue of racial conflict in a refreshingly unstinting way for a mainstream film.

Tracking thirty-six hours in the life of a disparate group of Los Angelinos linked together by a car crash, Haggis makes us squirm in our seats as succession of characters become involved in heated exchanges that either bring to the surface long-buried prejudices or fan the flames of hatred already out in the open. The fine cast includes Don Cheadle, Thandie Newton, Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock.

4. King Kong

The Lord Of The Rings filmmakers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh remake the touchstone film of fantasy cinema with the faithfulness of adoring fans, producing a beautiful beast of a B-movie, thrilling and touching.

Jack Black is the desperate filmmaker who journeys to an unmapped island and its jungle hellhole, where he and his crew encounter a land riddled with monsters and ruled over by a giant ape. Yet again, Andy Serkis pulls off the feat of making the creature, Kong in this case, one with whom we can empathise.

3. Serenity

After a future war, a group from the losing side ply a trade of smuggling and theft - until they get involved with a girl whose secret could change the balance of power in the galaxy. The excitement and spectacular set-pieces are in place, but they are balanced by strong characterisation, distinctive dialogue and effective performances.

2. Batman Begins

Christopher Nolan delivers an impressive cinematic renaissance for DC Comics’ Dark Knight, and a blockbuster with more intelligence than most. Christian Bale dons the cape, heading up a quality cast including Michael Caine, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.

At the core of Batman is a moral dilemma, and questions about the distinctions between justice and revenge - the fact that this interesting characterisation is framed within a suitably broody, handsome and dynamic film makes it all the better.

1. Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

The evil Lord Voldemort finally steps forward to threaten young wizard Harry Potter in the fourth instalment of JK Rowling’s saga. Mike Newell takes the reigns this time, and tackles the not-inconsiderable task of creating a movie from a doorstepper of a book.

You can rely on Rowling’s Harry Potter books and their film adaptations to really put their hero and his friends through the wringer. It’s not a nice world they inhabit - there’s jeopardy at every turn. This time around, there’s also the pangs of adolescence to contend with. Darker and better than its predecessors.