This is not a ground-breaking or brilliant film. Not by a long shot. But if you want cheesy sci-fi so you can shut off your brain and go "Cool!" at some nifty special effects, then this is a good bet. The giant robot effects are really quite well done, and the story isn't so bad that it can't be ignored. But whatever you do, DO NOT watch the sequel.

In a post-WWIII future, all wars have been outlawed. The major superpowers have now devised an amusing way of settling differences: putting daring pilots inside massive bipedal robots, which then fight each other in rural settings. In this case, two superpowers clash over control of Alaska. Our hero is Achilles (Gary Graham of 'Alien Nation'), and his rival is the maniacal Alexander the Russian (Paul Koslo, "The Omega Man"). Scientists have also created what are known as "test tube babies", people genetically engineered from birth to be robo-warriors. One of these is Athena (Anne-Marie Johnson, 'In the Heat of the Night'), a challenger to Achilles's throne.

While admittedly a minor item on the resume of celebrated director Stuart Gordon ("Re- Animator"), "Robot Jox" is lightly engaging sci-fi entertainment. On occasion, there are flashes of skin, and bits of gore, but it's mostly harmless PG rated stuff. It's nowhere near the brilliance of some of the directors' H.P. Lovecraft adaptations, but it's not exactly trying to be. Enhanced by typically impressive David Allen stop motion effects, it provides a nice diversion for any person eager to see giant robots doing battle. Production design, lighting, costumes, and music are all well done on a low budget. Gordon begins the movie with a bang, and ends it with a similarly rousing big confrontation between Achilles and Alexander.

Gordon appreciably finds acting roles for some of his old hands, like Robert Sampson, Jeffrey Combs, Ian Patrick Williams, and his wife Carolyn, although some of them really don't have a lot to do. Michael Alldredge ("The Incredible Melting Man") is good fun as a dude named Tex Conway. "Karate Kid II" villain Danny Kamekona, Hilary Mason ("Don't Look Now"), prolific voice over artist Jason Marsden, and Thyme Lewis ('Days of Our Lives') co-star.

This decently paced escapism kills time for an agreeable and painless 85 minutes.

Followed by "Robot Wars".

Six out of 10.

50 years after a nuclear war, the superpowers handle disputes in a different way. Giant robots fight one-on-one battles in official matches, each piloted by a man inside, known as robot jockeys.

The contest for possession of Alaska will be fought by two of the best. Achilles for the USA, Opposing him is a Alexander, a ruthless Russian adversary who has killed his previous nine American opponents.

With a traitor feeding the Russians secret weapons information and new, genetically- engineered jox looking to take his place, Achilles faces obstacles at every turn in the hardest battle of his life.....

Like Arena, and Crash and Burn, the movie is cheaply made, badly acted, and choc full of bad effects. But its like a really bad accident, you cannot keep your eyes off the screen.

The film is set in four locations, Achilles Room, the local bar, the holding wing for the robot, and the fighting arena. It ventures off to space once where the Russian can fire a rocket, and that's it.

Its fun when the robots fight, as the actors don't really say anything, but other than that, its pretty pants. Almost like a really poor relation to Rocky IV, in its layout, its novelty soon wears off after a while, leaving you with a film that has nothing new to offer you.

But it is the best film ever featuring a traitor in a Stetson jumping from a height and still screaming long after he landed and died....