BABYLON A.D. (12a)

Aug 29 2008 By Roz Laws

MERCENARY Toorop (Vin Diesel) is living in the futuristic, war-torn Russian state of New Serbia.

He’s ordered by mafia boss Gerard Depardieu to take on the dangerous job of escorting Aurora (Melanie Thierry), who’s been hidden away in a convent by Sister Rebecca (Michelle Yeoh), to America.

What he doesn’t realise, as he sets off with buddy Mark Strong, is that she carries an organism that a cult needs to create a genetically-modified Messiah.

It sounds a bit bonkers, and it is.

This sci-fi thriller is all action and no substance, with a poor script, laughable dialogue and muddled plot devices copied badly from The Fifth Element and Children Of Men. Good actors like Charlotte Rampling are wasted, while Diesel struggles to show emotion.

If you’re happy enough watching things explode, this may satisfy you.

Mercury verdict: **