Action/Horror/Thriller. Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, Anna Walton, Devon Aoki, Tom Wu, Steve Toussaint, John Malkovich, Sean Pertwee. Director: Simon Hunter

British director Simon Hunter makes a strong bid for the worst film of the year with his second feature, a futuristic action-adventure that locks and loads, but only shoots blanks.

An otherworldly contraption is buried deep within the earth, beneath an ancient stone seal. By 2707, Earth’s natural resources have almost been exhausted.

Global corporations compete for control of the remaining coal and gas. During one skirmish, cannon-fire breaks the stone seal, thereby unleashing hordes of mutants who drag victims into the machine to swell the enemy ranks.

A monk called Samuel (Perlman), who believes it is his destiny to save mankind, asks corporation commander Constantine (Malkovich) for a team of troops to storm the machine’s stronghold.

Mutant Chronicles is a steaming pile of junk labouring under the illusion that a few snazzy visual effects are sufficient to satisfy thrill-seeking audiences for the best part of two interminable hours.

The film mimics the look and relentless gore of one of those noisy arcade machines.

In Hunter’s film, the heroes troop from one dull chapter in the story to the next by pointing their weapons at the advancing hordes of blood-crazed mutants and pulling the triggers.

Philip Eisner’s script and the performances are appalling. Jane, Perlman and company would probably look embarrassed if they were lit better.

“Do you think the enemy will stop with this world? They will follow you, and find you,” warns Samuel.

That sounds ominously like the threat of a sequel.