WHERE once Hollywood actors were known for striking looks, soon they might be striking, in reaction to the computer wizards sending in the clones.

Final Fantasy's computer-generated humans look so real - at least until they move eye, limb or mouth - that the silver screen A-list and California's plastic surgeons are said to be in a sweat.

Maybe that is to put a spin of Shane Warne proportions on a potential Hollywood future of cyber-movie pin-ups, where there would be no extravagant pay packets and star tantrums, but you never know.

What is certain is that computer-animated futuristic movies will have to be vastly better than writer-director Hironobu Sakaguchi and Motonori Sakakibara's Final Fantasy, for all their cutting-edge graphics.

This labyrinthine sci-fi tale is the latest video game spin-off, from PlayStation apparently, and once more it would have been better left to spotty teenagers with fidgety digits and an aversion to daylight.

The year is 2065 and extra-terrestrials as see-through as jellyfish have invaded Earth to devastating effect. The last resistance movement will be led by sexy scientist Dr Aki Ross (voice by Ming-Ma Wen, babe body by male fantasy) and her sage mentor, bearded baldie Dr Sid (a sonorous Donald Sutherland).

Dr Ross's plan is to utilise the spiritual properties of plants and animals to see off the aliens with the aid of a hunky assault team. However, while she favours nature, General Hein (James Woods) prefers weapons of mass destruction. That is the science bit; the rest is a laboured, confusing plot, a script as lifeless as England's tail-end batsmen and yet more blockbuster spills without thrills.

Despite the movie's sub-title, there is ironically no spirit within Final Fantasy: a model show with no personality. Hollywood's real flesh and blood, warts and all, can breathe again.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

(PG, 120 minutes)