THE CAVE

The best thing Bruce Hunt's ludicrous film has going for it is are the fantastic cave sets. Whether CGI or cardboard, the cavernous rooms, stalactites (never mind that these aren't generally an underwater phenomenon), slot canyons and crevices, wall of ice and room of fire (no, really) are cool. The plot -- high-tech spelunkers encounter freaky creatures and run for their lives -- is strictly by the book, and quickly grows tiresome. And when Cole Hauser is your leader, it's a long haul through dullsville. One thing does get better in the film's second half: With most of cast of identical male models killed off, it's easier to follow who's who. Still, The Cave should be avoided by those who are claustrophobic, fear large albino winged lizard things, possess applicable knowledge of science, or who can't sit through two hours of rote action adventure. (AH)