Based on the popular video-game, "DOA" is about an annual martial arts tournament on an island where the top fighters are gathered for a series of duels to select the winner for the US$10 million prize. Among the contenders are an Asian princess, a female wrestler, a couple of thieves and the daughter of the tournament's creator.

Expect lots of 'Matrix"-styled stunts, courtesy of master choreographer Corey Yuen who also directs this actioner.

It's time to play the game! The video game-to-movie franchise just got even bigger with Corey Yuen's babelicious action flick attacking a cinema near you. Trust Paul WS Anderson to be somehow involved in this one (he's the brains behind the "Mortal Kombat" and "Resident Evil" series). "DOA: Dead or Alive" follows his usual formula of focusing on yummy eye candy and mind-boggling action in place of a strong solid storyline.

The plot centres on a martial arts tournament held every year on a secluded island, with the victor taking home a $10 million prize. Among the numerous contestants taking part, only a few actually stand out (all of them are girls by the way) and are worth mentioning: Princess Kasumi, hoping to uncover the truth behind his brother's disappearance in the previous tournament; Tina Armstrong, a pro wrestler whose dad is also taking part in the competition; master thief Christie Allen, who hopes to steal the cash money; and Helena Douglas, whose father is the creator of the Dead or Alive tournament.

Already guaranteed an enormous built-in fan base due to the action packed video game series, the movie follows exactly what the game is about: senseless bouts and never-ending fights! In fact, the film feels so much like the game that each of the characters have their own 'lifebars' and the winner announcement after each battle! They even paid tribute to the game series spinoff "DOA: Xtreme Beach Volleyball" in one of the movie's unnecessary 10 minutes.

Speaking of the fight sequences, they are all very nicely choreographed and energetically staged but still lack the proper oomph. Everything in the movie is so stylised and digitally enhanced that it's difficult to tell whether the people fighting one another are even in the same room. Plus, the not-really-caring attitude of who's who in the movie - due to the above-mentioned threadbare script and lacklustre performances - doesn't really help matters either.

Speaking of which, Aoki, who was practically 'wooden' thoughout the movie, could certainly do with a lot more emotions. She even seemed to be talking without moving her lips! Creepy! On the other hand, Pressley was funny and likeable and gave wit and spice to her wrestler character. Lastly, ex-pop star Valance shows quite a lot of on-screen charisma and could definitely go far in Hollywood if she doesn't attach herself to too many B-grade action flicks like this one.

Forget about the weak storyline or mediocre acting. Enjoy "DOA: Dead or Alive" for what it is: very shapely people in very revealing clothing kicking the hell out of one another. Some of you might get dizzy from the freeze-frames, split screens, whizzy graphics and close ups of various body parts, but in the end, you can be sure of one thing - you have to admit that you somehow enjoyed the film, no matter how awful it may be.

Let's face it. "DOA" is all about 'T and A'.

With its derivative "Matrix"-styled moves, can we expect Technique and Artistry in the action and fighting stunts of its stars? How else can we have a pouting queen like Princess Kasumi (Devon Aoki) bringing a whole imperial army of battle-ready soldiers on their knees, skipping over their heads and then soaring over the hill into the sea? But no. "DOA" is all about 'T and A'.

Under the direction of globally-acclaimed stunt choreographer Corey Yuen, there has to be a certain amount of Talent and Appeal. Or how can one expect to draw the crowds to yet another screen adaptation of a videogame? So many such adaptations had been so disappointing that even its videogame fans had sworn to avoid them. No. "DOA" is only about 'T and A'.

With its 'kill 'em all' tournament on an idyllic island as the main plot, can this movie be about inducing Testosterone and Adrenaline among the viewers? All that no-holds-barred duelling and brawling ought to make us grip our arm-rests in Tension and Anticipation over which of the charismatic heroines would be the victor. But again, no. "DOA" is just about 'T and A'.

Now, if your patience is running thin over what this 'T and A' is, it should be obvious right from the start. "DOA" is all about Tits and Ass! Well, weren't you attracted to this movie by the hot babes on the poster? Didn't you hear about that eye-boggling sequence where one of the top contenders (Holly Valance as Christie) knocks out three guys after coming out of the shower - all in the process of putting on her bra?

No? Then how about that touted beach volleyball game where the female stars, like Jaime Pressly and Sarah Carter, go 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Bikini Line' and dive for the ball? Yeah, if it is eye-candy you are going for, then "DOA" delivers - with digitally-enhanced boob sizes and Wonderbras. Now, if you are asking for stuff like a credible storyline or reasonably good acting, you are asking way too much.

To be fair, the main female cast deliver what is expected of them: cool poses and nifty moves for the camera. Aussie singer-turned-actress Valance is the hottest of the lot, while Natassia Malthe (as non-combatant Ayane) is the weakest. However, the most irritating performance comes from Eric Roberts (as the villain Donovan) who hams his way through the movie.

I suppose there are also a lot of loopholes in the subplots about a search for a long-lost brother and a burglary attempt at the DOA headquarters. Sorry, I just can't list them here. I was justifiably distracted.