When one character says he thinks a land mine is a dud, it's hard for a viewer not to sigh and mutter, "I think this movie is a dud, too." It's such a shame, because "The Monuments Men" would seem to have a whole lot going for it. The basic, based-on-real-events story is fascinating: during World War II, art experts helped to recover masterworks the Nazis were stealing. And "Monuments Men" is gifted with a starry cast - George Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray. Alas, though, the script wanders all over the place without developing much drama in any storyline. Clooney's direction can't choose between old-timey comic adventure and serious wartime drama - and Alexandre Desplat's woefully heavyhanded music doesn't help the tone. (Clooney and Grant Heslov adapted the script from Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter's book "The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.") Just a very disappointing movie.

- KRISTINA DORSEY