With Luc Besson’s name attached, Lockout always had a lot to live up to, even if it the French cinema legend was only responsible for the original concept and dabbled in the writing of the script.

Even with such minimal input this Guy Pearce sci-fi actioner does carry some of the trademark Besson style and production values.

Unfortunately it also carries some hectic editing which tends to leap about the place, frantically trying to keep a frantic pace the whole way through. Luckily the story is simple and well-trodden (it’s basically Escape From New York in space) so the is little chance of getting lost along the way.

On the positive side, Guy Pearce makes for an excellent anti-hero, playing Snow - an ex-government agent forced into rescuing the US President’s daughter who has got herself kidnapped on a prison space ship orbiting the Earth.

The supporting actors also do a top job and even when delivering some of the cheesiest lines outside of a Jason Statham film. Joseph Gilgun (Rudy from the TV show Misfits) deserves a special mention as the more deranged of the two psychotic brothers who are leading the riot in the prison.

His character of Hydell is a deranged sadist and Gilgun obviously enjoyed the role with some relish, almost stealing the film.

The effects are another highlight and are perfect on a big screen and even if the CGI is occasionally over the top at times, the production is excellent.

Lockout does what it does really well, it’s just a shame there was not a little more time spent on the plot and the script.

However, Lockout was never supposed to be an Oscar contender and as pure escapism it works perfectly. Just put the brain in neutral and wallow in some big dumb fun.

Extras:

Interviews with Stephen St Leger, Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace and Joe Gilgun.

The impossible interview with the impossible Joe Gilgun.

BluRay also includes deleted scenes and featurettes on building MS One.

Lockout is out now on DVD and BluRay on Roadshow Entertainment.