Adapted from Maurice C Dantec’s cult 1999 novel ‘Babylon Babies’, this post-apocalyptic sci-fi film began life as un film de Mathieu Kassovitz (‘La Haine’), but ended up as an overblown, over-budget vehicle for Vin Diesel. Hired by sleazy Russian gangster Gorsky (Gérard Depardieu) to deliver beautiful child prodigy Aurora to New York, cynical mercenary Toorop (Diesel), braves foul weather, corrupt people-traffickers, base-jumping villains and drone attack planes.

Along for the ride is kick-ass nun Sister Rebecca (Michelle Yeoh), who keeps quiet about the custody battle involving Aurora’s ‘birth’ parents. Her scientist father (Lambert Wilson) genetically manipulated his own unborn daughter to create the first superhuman; her mother (Charlotte Rampling), now the head of a New Age religious cult, plans to present the girl as the new Messiah. Unfortunately, a ‘Matrix’-style shoot-out offers a glib, violent solution to what is otherwise an intriguing emotional conflict.

Director: Mathieu Kassovitz

Time Out rating: 2/6

Source: Time Out London Issue 1984, Aug 28-Sept 3 2008