Like Transformers, this enterprise — this franchise — has put the merchandising first, succeeding as opposed to preceding a line of toys. (Trademark Hasbro.) The movie, opening deflatingly in 17th-century France before advancing to a science-fictional “not too distant future,” is a live-action cartoon from the maker of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, Stephen Sommers, or at any rate is live-action as far as its actors, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Sienna Miller, Dennis Quaid, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Christopher Eccleston, et al., though the actual action is predominantly computer-generated cartoon, dead and deadening on arrival. It comes to a bitter end when a sequel is pledged: “You know, Duke, this has only just begun.” Gulp. (2009) — Duncan Shepherd
This movie is not currently in theaters.