Doom (R, 2005)

A group of Marines, led by Sarge (The Rock), are sent to Mars to investigate a containment breach: an archeological research facility has lost scientists and data. The scientists have run into the fallout from a gone-wrong experiment conducted by a previous crew on this now "dead planet," namely, super-strong, super-mean genetic mutants. They pass on their "infection" by piercing flesh, preferably the neck, whereupon a 24th chromosome pair is transmitted into the victim, who dies then revives, ready to kill everything in sight, zombie-style. Among these researchers is forensic archaeologist Samantha Grimm (Rosamund Pike), whose brother John (Karl Urban) is one of Sarge's best marines.

Predictably bloody and gory, DOOM's violence is video-gameish and relentless. The Rock is entertaining, showing off his hard body and investing workmanlike dialogue with some humor. When an archeological research facility on Mars comes under assault by monstrous mutants, he and his men are assigned to recover survivors and data, but most important, to contain the threat. Sarge's dedication to the mission seems exceedingly simple. The unit is assigned to retrieve data and keep the mutants from moving through the same passageway (called the "Arc") through which he and the guys have arrived on Mars. If this means everyone dies along with the mutants, so be it.

The Rock is the most charismatic object on screen, gazing hard at each opponent, whether mutant, civilian, or wayward commandee, to ensure each feels his incipient wrath. Though Sarge loves his signature Doom weapons (including the Bio Force Gun, nicknamed the "BFG"), he is not granted the film's fan-treating first person shooter point-of-view sequence. While it's clever, it also suggests the limits of such perspective for movies, where consumers can't interact. Watching the weapons take out creature after creature, while the guitar-track grinds on, you find yourself waiting for The Rock to show up again. He's where the action is.