"The Tattooist"

An Eyeworks Touchdown Films (New Zealand)/MediaCorp Raintree Pictures (Singapore) production, in association with New Zealand Film Commission, Daydream Prods. (International sales: New Zealand Film Commission, Wellington.) Produced by Robin Scholes. Executive producers, Julie Christie, Daniel Yun, James Dean, Paul Davis. Co-producers, Ng San-san, Chan Pui-yin. Directed by Peter Burger. Screenplay, Matthew Grainger, Jonathan King; original idea, Vela Manusaute.

With: Jason Behr, Mia Blake, Nathaniel Lees, David Fane, Robbie Magasiva, Caroline Cheong, Michael Hurst.

Samoan folklore and body-eating skin decor make fuzzy plot partners in "The Tattooist," an otherwise professionally mounted widescreen outing by Kiwi helmer Peter Burger, making his feature debut. With most of the action confined to the third act, this tale of a Yank emigre body-painter who finds his handiwork taking on a demonic aspect looks to make only a mild mark on theatrical markets.

After the son of a client in Singapore dies, guilty Jake Sawyer (Jason Behr) flees back to New Zealand, nursing a nasty cut on his hand from his tattooing instrument. When his former clients -- including sexy Victoria (Caroline Cheong) who blames him for her cousin's death -- start going mad or getting eaten by their tattoos, Sawyer tries to find out which angry spirit is using him to kill people, and why. Unfortunately, he's also recently tattooed his latest squeeze, Sina (Mia Blake). Illogical storyline and a wandering second act dilute the early tension, though once the action finally cranks up, the pic does start to deliver. Perfs are OK; ditto f/x by Albedo Visual Effects.

© Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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