2008: "Babylon A.D."

<b>Overview: </b>In this futuristic science-fiction thriller, Vin Diesel plays a mercenary escorting the gorgeous Melanie Thierry and her guardian Michelle Yeoh (as a protective nun) from Russia to New York City. Big trouble ensues en route. The film was based on a French novel and was slated for release two years before it finally got dumped by Fox at the tail end of the summer. <br><br><b> Budget: </b>$70 million <br><br><b> Gross: </b>$72 million (worldwide) <br><br><b> Critical reception: </b>7 percent favorable on Rotten Tomatoes <br><br><b> Admittedly rank element(s): </b>Where to begin? The cryptic dialogue (matching Diesel's acting); the lack of chemistry between the stars; the bad editing hampered by the truncated running time that makes the plot almost indecipherable? <br><br><b> Guilty-pleasure highlights: </b>All of the above (if you're in a camp mood). And if not, it takes back seat to a series of familiar yet satisfying action sequences set amid the usual, post-apocalyptic wastelands with their resident crazies going one-on-one with Diesel. Also, the camera loves anything Yeoh does.
chi-20110819-summer-blockbuster-movies-picture-002

Overview: In this futuristic science-fiction thriller, Vin Diesel plays a mercenary escorting the gorgeous Melanie Thierry and her guardian Michelle Yeoh (as a protective nun) from Russia to New York City. Big trouble ensues en route. The film was based on a French novel and was slated for release two years before it finally got dumped by Fox at the tail end of the summer.

Budget: $70 million

Gross: $72 million (worldwide)

Critical reception: 7 percent favorable on Rotten Tomatoes

Admittedly rank element(s): Where to begin? The cryptic dialogue (matching Diesel's acting); the lack of chemistry between the stars; the bad editing hampered by the truncated running time that makes the plot almost indecipherable?

Guilty-pleasure highlights: All of the above (if you're in a camp mood). And if not, it takes back seat to a series of familiar yet satisfying action sequences set amid the usual, post-apocalyptic wastelands with their resident crazies going one-on-one with Diesel. Also, the camera loves anything Yeoh does.

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