Bloodshot

With its pulpy story of high-tech revenge, Bloodshot has all the makings of an entertaining film — if it had a star willing to put forth an ounce of effort or filmmakers who cared about, well, filmmaking.

Instead, the plight of gifted soldier Ray Garrison and his second life as a resurrected super-assassin goes the sad way of most Vin Diesel flicks, focusing on eye-rolling action sequences and unwisely allowing the lifeless, monotone actor to say more than “Groot.”

Despite some suspect special effects work, there are minor thrills to be found in Ray’s generative ways and the enhanced capabilities of the trio of other wounded veterans rebuilt by Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce, giving his Direct-to-DVD best).

But first-time director Dave Wilson takes zero consideration for his film’s visuals, obscuring character interaction with a foreground object half of the time and haphazardly shooting (and cutting) chase sequences and battles.

Amidst such rampant amateurism, the lone cast or crew member to save face is Lamorne Morris (Winston from New Girl) as British computer wiz Wigans, whose comic relief is a balm for the inanity around him.

Yet without much else to prop up his efforts, Bloodshot falls apart early and often, daring bored viewers to care about the halfhearted mayhem onscreen.

Grade: D-plus. Rated PG-13. Available for digital purchase on March 24

(Photo: Sony Pictures)