‘Mutant Chronicles’ – The science fiction epic that wasn’t

‘Mutant Chronicles” has all the bells and whistles of an epic, possibly even a franchise starter.

But it bypassed theaters and made its DVD debut this week.

It’s not such a head scratcher. The film’s screenplay makes what’s spoken during “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” sound downright Shakespearean, and the lack of true star power robs the film of the kind of built-in gravitas sorely needed.

But it’s got gore to spare, some bristling action sequences and enough mood to warrant a guilty rental.

“Chronicles” begins in the past, a time when an alien machine landed on earth and started cranking out mutants at an alarming rate. The machine was eventually stopped, and when the action picks up the world has changed considerably.

Four corporations now run the world and are at constant war with each other for the leftover natural resources. And, worst of all, someone inadvertently kick-started the mutant-making machine again.

So it’s up to a small band of humans, led by Thomas Jane, to shut off the mutant valve for good.

Jane isn’t the most charismatic action hero, but he’s suitable enough for what passes as storytelling here. No one could punch up the stale dialogue on display, and a cameo by John Malkovich wisely ends before he’s forced to say much of anything.

Ron Perlman fares best as the heroes’ spiritual leader, but he’s an old pro at bringing a sense of sanity to science fiction features.

“Chronicles” dabbles with some potentially intriguing ideas, from the notion of faith in a topsy-turvy world to the notion that peoples would unite under corporations and not governmental bodies.

But the screenplay is all gums, and the meatier ideas get forced aside to make way for more video game style action. And frankly the action is occasionally terrific, as are the mutants in question who gouge out their enemies with fearsome claws.

“Mutant Chronicles” doesn’t stack up to big budget fare like “Terminator Salvation,” but it’s not a rinky dink SyFy production either.

It’s simply a misfire, one that rarely stops to catch its breath and realize just how silly it all sounds.

(Photo: Ron Perlman plays a man of faith in the futuristic “Mutant Chronicles.”/Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)

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