Every minute presents an endless series of alternatives: wake or sleep, laugh or cry, yes or no, read this review or turn the page. But what if these aren’t choices at all? What if everything we do has been pre-ordained as part of some invisible grand design? This is the shocking truth that faces the hero of The Adjustment Bureau. Adapted from Philip K. Dick’s 1954 short story, writer-director George Nolfi’s fast-paced thriller ponders the ripple effect when one man defies the future mapped out for him.

Audiences who were bamboozled by the dream within a dream scenario of Inception will thrill to this suspenseful flight of fantasy. It’s smartly scripted and slickly directed, anchored by another compelling performance from the reliable Matt Damon.

He plays ambitious New York politician David Norris, who has overcome tragedy in his personal life to lead the charge for the US Senate and the White House, aided by campaign manager Charlie Traynor (Michael Kelly). On the eve of an important speech, David meets gifted dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) and the spark of attraction is palpable, culminating in a kiss.

The chance encounter proves a turning point in David’s potentially glittering future, leading to a startling revelation: he is not the master of his own destiny. Well-suited gents in hats, who look as if they have stepped off the set of Mad Men, work behind the scenes, ensuring that everyone keeps to their designed path. “You don’t have free will. You have the appearance of free will,” reveals lead agent Richardson (John Slattery).

Unfortunately, every once in a while, blind chance causes a blip, and for David, that blip was meeting Elise. An agent called Harry (Anthony Mackie), who has been assigned to monitor David, feels desperately sorry for the love-struck politician and conspires to help David defy the odds.

The Adjustment Bureau doesn’t drag its heels, cranking up the tension as bureau agents mercilessly apply pressure to David to ensure he bows to their will. Nolfi directs with confidence, seamlessly integrating flashes of digital trickery with the live action as the plot builds to a frenetic chase on foot through the streets of New York.

Screen chemistry between Damon and Blunt ignites a tasteful yet steamy sex scene. David is prepared to fight to the death for his love — and the agents are only too happy to nudge him to the brink and watch him fall.

A lonely chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) is stranded in the Mojave Desert, where he meets a desert iguana called Beans (Isla Fisher) in Rango. She takes him to the town of Dirt, which is on the brink of collapse because the water supply is running dangerously low. Wandering into the saloon, the chameleon re-christens himself Rango and pretends to be a famous gunslinger, who killed several critters with a single bullet.

The townsfolk are thrilled to have found themselves a hero and Rango becomes the town sheriff, who must protect the locals from predators including Rattlesnake Jake (Bill Nighy). A mouse called Priscilla (Abigail Breslin) believes that Rango will find water and save the community from extinction.

Rango is a feast for the eyes. The animation is immaculate, right down to tiny details such as the way the characters’ fur moves in the desert wind or the glint of tears in their eyes. Set pieces are breathlessly orchestrated, including an opening road sequence that sees the hapless hero ricochet at speed between moving vehicles.

Depp plies his usual verbal schtick as the lizard with theatrical ambitions and co-stars deliver lively vocal performances.