Sandra Bullock is back, alas without Keanu Reeves, in this waterborne addition to the panic button series, as dying rejected computer genius Willem Dafoe masterminds a solo takeover of a cruise liner from which he plans to remove a fortune in diamonds before blowing it up.

Unfortunately for him, not all the passengers and crew manage to abandon ship on schedule, including Sandra and her new boyfriend, a speed-happy LA cop (Jason Patric).

Desperate editing and thumping music try to crank up the ensuing suspense as the liner ploughs onward.

Bullock's 'endearing' mannerisms, however, prove very annoying here and Patric, though he throws himself into the action stuff in terrific style, has all the charisma and range of expression of a beached whale.

The result is a grind rather than a ride and, despite some big-money action scenes, you'll probably be glad when it's over.

Supporting acting is like the film, generally under-powered.