Effects are definitely not special.

OUTLANDER ** 12A

HOLLYWOOD loves a catchy way to sell a movie that can be said in as few words as possible and delivers exactly what it says on the tin.

Outlander may very well have been pitched as Beowulf meets Predator, but it's like buying a tin of tuna steak and opening it to find it's chopped pork and ham.

Here's a lesson for all filmmakers doing sci-fi in any way, shape or form. Get a big budget.

These days, audiences are far too savvy about CGI.

We know good effects cost a fortune and we can't be fooled when they look cheap and laughable. Case in point, Twilight.

It was the romance that carried that movie and Robert Pattinson's square-jawed looks, not the cheesy, made-for-TV, speeded up, flying vampire effects.

Same applies here. There's a scene involving a fight with a wild bear shot entirely in close-up.

A technique pioneered by Doctor Who in the Seventies to hide the naffness of latex-covered monsters. They say you can see the money on the big screen.

And here you can, all pounds 10 of it.

As for the story, Jim Caviezel (The Passion Of The Christ) is Kainan, a soldier from another world whose spaceship crash lands in Norway of 709AD.

He's captured by Viking warrior Wulfric (Jack Hustion) and held prisoner until he saves the life of their king, Rothgar (John Hurt).

But wreaking havoc and destruction in the surrounding villages is the Moorwen, a monster brought to Earth as a stowaway on Kainan's ship.

So Kainan, Wulfric and Hellboy - yes, that's Ron Perlman playing the bloodthirsty Gunnar - team up to slay the Moorwen.

At best, it's a really good bad movie, with rubbish effects and some very cheesy acting.

Its 15 rating will rule out a younger teen audience. But they are missing little as they see better effects and stories on shows such as Doctor Who and Primeval. Disappointing stuff.

CAPTION(S):

BLOODTHIRSTY: Ron Perlman