Murphy fans must have been hopeful he had put a string of dodgy films behind him when he superbly voiced the part of the donkey in Shrek.

This was an assured return to form for the wise-cracking former stand-up who had uwisely got himself mixed up in the under-par Dr Dolittle and Nutty Professor movies.

However, the comeback has ground to a halt in this lamely written comedy set in space but for no particular reason.

We know Murphy can deliver - but here he gives the impression of a comedy Corvette Stingray running on sewing machine oil.

He plays fast-talking Pluto Nash, the successful owner of the hottest nightspot on the moon.

Unfortunately, his club has all the dynamics of a determinedly earth-bound home to Bacchus - say, Widnes in 1996.

For some reason, lunar gangster Mogan (Pantaliano) wants to get his hands on it - but Pluto doesn't want to sell.

This under-powered action comedy never gets out of first gear, with Murphy vainly trying his best with the dreary dialogue.

Quaid is wasted as an obsolescent android, while John Cleese turns yet another toe-curling cameo (this time as a posh English chauffeur) that confirms his career is on the skids.

There are a few mirthful moments - Hillary Clinton's mug shot on a dollar bill - but most of the time it's an uphill struggle.

There was absolutely no point setting the movie on the moon - any opportunity to humorously play up the lunar setting is studiously avoided.

For an adventure purportedly located in space, this never leaves the ground.

Tim Evans