“DNA” may be a rip-off of “Jurassic Park”, “Alien” and “Predator” but it’s still a seriously entertaining movie. I honestly don’t know why this film didn’t get more recognition because it’s got some good action sequences and some of the special effects are impressive too.

Ash Mattley (Mark Dacascos “Drive”, “Double Dragon”) is a scientist in Borneo on a mission to stop his old colleague, Dr. Carl Wessinger (Jürgen Prochnow “Das Boot”, “Judge Dredd”). Wessinger has managed to use Mattley’s research to extract an enzyme to resurrect a fossil. Now, a powerful and deadly creature that once terrorised the ancient natives is loose.

Mark Dacascos is really underrated as he gives a pretty good performance here for a guy that’s mainly known for doing stunts. With his long hair here, he looks a lot like Brandon Lee (“The Crow”). No wonder, Dacascos was cast in a television series based on “The Crow”. Prochnow is okay as the bad guy. Robin McKee (“Speed”) is pretty forgettable as Claire Sommers. The creature looks pretty good in some shots, especially when it is clear that practical effects are being used. However, some of the C.G.I. has not aged terribly well. The other characters are not very memorable.

Yes, there is no denying that a lot of the elements of “DNA” are taken from other movies. Despite all that, I was still entertained. Some of the C.G.I. effects are mediocre but a lot of the effects in this film are grand. The action sequences are definitely exciting and there are genuine moments of tension. The performance from Dacascos is enjoyable. Yes, the final battle in this film is very much like the finale of “Predator” but so what? I really don’t know why this movie got bad reviews because other than being unoriginal, it’s actually great.