XIII: The Conspiracy

A buff young man (Stephen Dorff) wakes up in the woods amnesia-struck, with the Roman numeral XIII tattooed on his neck, and a photograph and computer chip offering the only clues to solving his predicament. His uncommon ease with survivalist skills suggests a military background, which come in handy after he finds himself suddenly being chased by government agents who believe he was responsible for the assassination three months earlier of the first U.S. female president. Originally broadcast on NBC, this 2008 thriller miniseries will give action fans more than a little sense of déjà vu, since it liberally rips off thick chunks from novelist Robert Ludlum's series built around the character of Jason Bourne, but lacks both the style and intelligence that made the books or subsequent film adaptations (starring Matt Damon) so much fun. As Ross Tanner, the hunted man, Dorff is a hunky but dull presence, and even though Val Kilmer (as a mercenary called The Mongoose) tries to stir the action up with his usual hamming, he's not onscreen long enough to keep XIII from sliding into monotony. DVD extras include cast and crew interviews, as well as behind-the-scenes footage. Not recommended. (P. Hall)