What starts out as a novel concept -- a prison in outer space -- quickly degenerates into scrap heap escapism with Lockout. Guy Pearce seems more annoying than charismatic as Snow, a man facing serious jail time who’s given the option of an early release if he can save the President’s daughter, Emilie (Maggie Grace), from an incarceration vessel known as MS One.

Shades of Escape from New York, Lockout points a laser-guided focus on plot but offers very little attention on character development. The principals exist in a black and white environment where the good guys are heroic while the bad guys are detestable scum.

Although the film required two directors, James Mather and Stephen St. Leger, at the helm, there’s hardly any imagination here. The tempo feels predictably safe and the visual effects look rushed.   

Still, chemistry between Pearce and Grace comes across with a workmanlike efficiency even though they are limited by the material. Co-written by the directors and Luc Besson, Lockout flails about with forced humour, edited in order to provide big moments for actors who are not stars. Despite an impressive track record with L.A. Confidential and Memento, Pearce can’t exactly claim to be a movie star in the traditional sense. He hasn’t been nominated for an Oscar, and his reputation at the box office seems clouded at best. Grace brings less of a pedigree with roles in Taken and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 failing to exude any kind of starry buzz. With that said, as the film rolls on into the latter stages, Pearce becomes more comfortable playing a hero and saviour. Grace projects a model’s beauty and delivers the film’s glib one-liners quite nicely.

At 90 minutes, Lockout doesn’t suffer from the usual malaise of pacing problems. By the time you get settled in your seat, the film nearly finishes. There’s not much to remember in terms of showmanship – the aforementioned effects appear cheap and lacking in the thrill factor. Does the film justify an investment from the viewer? Probably not for those with high expectations.

(Released by Film District and rated "PG-13" by MPAA.)