Those who have seen the trailer for Paul W. S. Anderson’s Pompeii have pretty much seen the film. Unfortunately, what looked really interesting to me turned out to be a disappointment.

The film, set between 62 and 79 A.D. near Pompeii, includes action, romance, violence, and the cataclysmic eruption of the Mount Vesuvius volcano. But before that eruption, another entire story takes place. Pompeii was something akin to a resort, and most of the leaders of the Roman Empire took full advantage of it, holding their gladiator kill-or-be-killed events in front of throngs of thirsty spectators hungry to see blood and death.

Milo – played by Kit Harrington (Game of Thrones) – started training to fight at age six. That’s a good thing, because he eventually becomes a slave who’s forced into the arenas after his parents are murdered.

It’s in Pompeii where he finds those responsible for the death of his parents. He also meets the lovely Cassia (Emily Browning), daughter of a wealthy merchant (Jared Harris). Against Cassia’s will, her father has offered her hand in marriage to corrupt Roman Senator Quintus Atticus Corvus (Kiefer Sutherland).

The more Cassia’s father tries to keep her close at hand for her intended, the more Cassia goes off on her own. When she meets Milo, it’s love at first sight. However, before Milo can think about any future with Cassio he must save his own neck.

He ends up in the ring with another well-built gladiator, Atticus (Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje). These two have to fight Corvus’s entire fleet of gladiators. Can Milo save his own life and his true love while Mount Vesuvius is spilling molten lava, spewing rocks and fire and the grounds are splitting open?

This movie has too much going on too quickly. Some of the special effects are worth seeing, but I did not enjoy the 3-D glasses that darkened an already dark picture. Although Harrington and Browning’s roles are ones teens might enjoy, they are not worth this ticket price. Nor is Sutherland a real treat as the obnoxious and depraved Senator.

While Pompeii tries to rival classic epics of the past, it’s simply a blip on the epic radar.

(Released by Tristar Pictures and rated "PG-13" for intense battle sequences, disaster-related action and brief sexual content.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.