B-movies end up as cult classics or unmitigated flops. Ghosts of Mars is a likely candidate for the latter, writes Steven Shukor.

The plot does have potential, painting a dark and bleak future for humans forced to live on the red planet, but its the low-rent, cheesy execution that falls flat.

Five cops, led by Helena (played by a buxom Pam Grier), are on a mission to transport prisoner James Desolation Williams, a notorious criminal, to trial.

There is little meat to dig into except for a few one-liners, in the first half.

Helena remonstrates her Lieutenant Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge) for being high while on duty.

Caressing, somewhat ambiguously, Lt Ballards shoulder, Helena (her attributes held at bay in a tightly fitted leather uniform) says: I need you as straight as possible.

You dont have to worry about that, Im straighter than you think, Ballards retorts.

Toe-curling exchanges indeed, but soon fellow-cop Jericho Butlers (Jason Statham of Snatch) bloody head is found on a stake beside dozens of others.

All hell breaks lose as Jericho understates: We have got a situation.

They are up against meat-slice throwing warriors, like a mob of Goths led by a Marilyn Manson type.

The heavy-metal ambience is unrelenting and it all culminates in a bloody shoot-out.

Following on a wave of box-office successes about the Red Planet, Ghosts of Mars, billed as a horror sci-fi, this has nothing new to offer.

Salvation came after 98mins.

l Out tomorrow.