Absolute Drivel

Rating: 1/10 (13 May 2001)

Overblown effects, protracted, idiotic plot, two-dimensional acting, pathetic "emoting" in lieu of any real feeling, ludicrous, uninspired, unbelievable dialogue.
For the life of me, I can't fathom how something with effects so big (and obviously expensive) can't have a halfway decent plot and semi-believeable dialogue. It's as if the producers threw 95% of the budget into the effects and 5% into the
screenplay, which seems like an afterthought at best.
Talk about wasted talent! Brendan Fraser is a fine comedic actor whose talents are barely tapped in this sophomoric tale of derring-doo doo. Remember those paint by numbers paintings as a kid. This is acting by the numbers. I can just hear the director saying, "OK, now you've got to look sad here."
Unlike good movies where you tend to get drawn in and involved in the plot and actually begin to care about the characters, I was well aware I was watching a movieÑfinding it exceedingly hard to suspend my disbeliefÑand never developed any empathy whatsoever for any of the characters.
I've decided after this film NOT to go see any film just because of the effects. You can have the greatest effects, but if you have a banal plot and insipid dialogue, you have a worthless piece of celluloid.
The only niche I could genuinely see enjoying this film are 10-year-old boys who are intrigued and excited by the gee-whiz factor. If you're over 10 and know what plot and characterization are, skip it!