Mutant Chronicles

In this ambitious but inept sci-fi thriller, Earth has been ravaged by cybernetic warriors created by an extraterrestrial machine that turns humans into mutants. Now, in the 28th century, most of humankind has migrated to Mars, and four massive corporations control what's left. A religious leader, Brother Samuel (Ron Perlman), whose order has chronicled the history of the machine, secures resources from corporate titan Constantine (John Malkovich) to mount a suicide mission aimed at locating and destroying the nefarious device. Cynical, hardboiled Major Mitch Hunter (Thomas Jane) and beautiful but deadly Corporal Valerie Duval (Devon Aoki) are among the soldiers recruited for the job, which promises lots of action but little chance of success. Mutant Chronicles delivers fast-paced thrills early on, but the plot slows to a crawl thereafter as director Simon Hunter plods through several reels of exposition. Adapted from a role-playing game, and featuring one-dimensional characters who spout clichés, this is not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Simon Hunter and costar Ron Perlman, a “making-of” documentary (107 min.), interviews with cast and crew (26 min.), webisodes (18 min.), “Green Screen & Storyboard Comparisons” (14 min.), a Q&A at the San Diego Comic-Con (12 min.), a “Promotional Teaser Short Film” with commentary by Hunter (7 min.), a “making-of” for the “Promotional Teaser Short Film” (3 min.), deleted scenes (8 min.), an “HDNet: A Look at Mutant Chronicles” segment (5 min.), stills galleries (for visual effects, concept art, and storyboards), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is the BD-Live function. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (E. Hulse)