Pompeii - C-

Rated PG-13, 102 minutes

Ridiculous and trashy "Pompeii" entertaining in the right mood

Kiefer Sutherland

Part historical film, part love story and part disaster film, Paul W.S. Anderson's new film "Pompeii" isn't as bad as it could've been (where's his wife Milla Jovovich?) but that doesn't mean it's great, either. A pricy, mildly entertaining piece of junk, "Pompeii" is a silly mix of swords-and-sandals history and disaster, with the elaborate sets, costumes and special effects the real star of the show. Set in 79 A.D., Pompeii tells the epic story of Milo (Kit Harington), a slave turned invincible gladiator who finds himself in a race against time to save his true love Cassia (Emily Browning), the daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been unwillingly betrothed to a corrupt Roman Senator (Kiefer Sutherland) as Mount Vesuvius erupts in a torrent of blazing lava, threatening to destroy everything around them. Anderson, most memorable for making the crowd-pleasing "Resident Evil" series, fills "Pompeii" with an impressive final action sequence (who doesn't love an exploding volcano in 3D?) and some nice special effects, though Anderson seems to be strangely fond of destroying miniature sets. Other than the sublime visuals, there's not much else to speak of. Supposedly, Anderson and crew spent 7 years researching all of this, but you wouldn't know it: the story and plotting is creakier than the ground below the volcano, while the acting is short of high camp, with a game Sutherland in particular chomping on whatever scenery he can get a hold of. Harington, of HBO's "Game of Thrones" and "Sucker Punch's" Browning make for a pretty pairing, though they're given little to do but hold a fake sword and run. A lot. The explosive star of "Pompeii" is really that volcano, and the real fun doesn't begin until it finally erupts with full 3D force in the final act, and if you're familiar with history you know it all ends in a blaze of glory. "Pompeii" is a mildly enjoyable, trashy epic fashioned as only Anderson could do it, so grab your 3D glasses and let the lava flow.

Wes's Grade: C-