So, you really want to direct?

Video games have become a bigger industry than the movies, so it was bound to happen: The games themselves would become films.

And as Ebert & Roeper would say, “Rise to Honor” and “007 Everything or Nothing” would each get two thumbs up.

Kung Fu fighting

Remember those really cool martial arts movies that were popular in the ‘70s? The karate champion with the nerves of steel, who dispatched with an endless supply of bad guys? That’s exactly what “Rise to Honor” is like. Only in this version, the story pauses whenever there is a fight to force gamers to get in the action.

Not only did the “Honor” makers get action star Jet Li to lend his likeness and voice to the game, they also hired a fight specialist, Cory Yuen, to serve as the “action director.” What results is cinematically rhythmic kung fu fights, in which the bad guys take turns attacking and the punches come in bunches. Absolutely mesmerizing.

Playing the game is just like watching a movie: There are some well created video sequences to explain the plot that leads the digital Jet Li into trouble. Then the fighting begins. Move the right thumb stick in the direction of the bad guys and Jet does the rest, unleashing a fury of fists, elbows and toes. Simple, yet challenging. Other button combinations require some figuring out, like blocking and countering moves, but they’re quickly mastered. And, like any good action film, there’s no need for pesky reloading when Jet is popping off his guns, as he does as the story progresses.

“Rise to Honor” has some of the best visual design around. Although Jet Li’s computerized alter ego has a crazy look in his eye and the characters’ moves are kind of cartoonish, the cities they travel to are fully realized. “Honor” wisely plays a movie clip while it loads the next wave of punks all queued up for your spin-kicking pleasure. And the game automatically saves after every level, so there is none of that “get-it-right-the-first-time” pressure.

Just like a movie released on DVD, this game also boasts a behind-the-scenes featurette and chapter selections for levels you’ve already completed.

Problem is, it’s too hard to eat popcorn while playing.

Bond, James Bond

Yeah, I know. If you’ve seen one James Bond movie, you’ve seen them all.

But have you ever played one?

Besides being one of the best games to come out so far this year, “007 Everything or Nothing” actually makes a great Bond adventure.

All the elements are packed in: Pierce Brosnan’s well-rendered face and vocal talents; dangerous femme fatales Heidi Klum and Shannon Elizabeth; quality evildoers, one of which is voiced by Willem Dafoe; and a bunch of cool vehicles supplied by Q (John Cleese). Even Judi Dench is here. Show me another video game with a Dame in it.

The Bond movies of recent years all open with an action appetizer -- a narrow escape or adventure that has no bearing on the rest of the film. In “007 Everything or Nothing,” that’s the tutorial level, a fun touch for Bond movie fans.

As you play through the game, a score is kept by how successfully you complete each mission. Enough points unlock new characters and gadgets.

Game play is challenging, but luckily it has three skill level settings. In the movies, Bond makes it looks like such a walk in the park. Not so when the game is on its hardest setting.

And get this: Bond’s old nemesis Jaws is back for more fun.

Cement shoes, anyone?

Here’s what an average hour of playing “Mafia” is like: You get 15 minutes worth of watching cinematic movies in which the characters’ mouths don’t move very well; then 15 minutes of mundane driving/running errands through nicely rendered cities of the 1930s; then top it off with a four-day wait while the game loads each new level.

Shoot us now.

*

Games

Rise to Honor

Good: Seamless transitions between action and story.

Bad: Controls could be more complex.

Details: PlayStation 2 platform; $39.99

Rating: Teen (violence)

007 Everything or Nothing

Good: One of the best games so far this year.

Bad: There has to be something, right?

Details: All platforms; $49.99

Rating: Teen (suggestive themes and violence)

Mafia

Good: When they finally do load, the cities and cars are rendered beautifully.

Bad: Wake us when it’s time to play.

Details: PlayStation 2 and Xbox platforms; $49.99

Rating: Mature (blood and violence)