Keanu Reeves just manages to convince as the icy, emotionless outsider, but its his supporting cast that make this film almost unbearable. Jennifer Connerly and Jaden Smith are unable to convey any sort of emotional connection as mother and step son. Kathy Bates delivers an implausible performance as the secretary of defence and in his cameo role as a noble prize winning professor, John Cleese is awkward and uncomfortable to watch.

The cinematography is gritty in an attempt to instill a sense of impending doom, although the result gives the film a rather unimpressive and clumsy finish. The CGI effects are awful and certain scenes within the film only just pass as acceptable and are not even on par with films far older.

The script is poorly conceived and offers little for the audience by way of emotional connection which results in absolutely no compassion being felt for any of the cast. We should be rooting for the human race to win, I was rooting for the film to end, and then it did, all too abruptly and without any explanation as to why or what the result of Klaatus visit would achieve.

In short this film is neither interesting or entertaining and certainly one to miss, there are far better science fiction films to be seen.

Score: 2/10

The visual effects are very well conceived and never overused adding a little spectacle to the fantasy when its needed most. What lets this film down though is the predictable plot and rather bland performance by Michael Angarano who tries his hardest to keep up with the lead roles but never comes close to their skill and martial arts elegance.

Despite its many short falls, this was an entertaining film due to the abundance of elaborate and well shot fight sequences in which the distinct lack of shaky hand cams is a welcomed guest! If you are in the mood for a lighthearted film whose fight scenes are stylized with soaring wire work and gravity defying digital sorcery rather than blood and bruises beat-downs this is the film for you.

Score: 5/10