Land of the Lost fun in short bursts

Deliberately hokey sets and special effects makes for an unassuming take on Saturday morning TV.

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The root of Land of the Lost's charm is also the limit of its appeal. Against the stone-faced big summer blockbusters (most exemplified by the zero-fun Terminator Salvation), this adaptation of the camp mid-'70s series has deliberately hokey sets and special effects. This makes for an unassuming take on Saturday morning TV---a light retro distraction, but never more than that. Surrounded by dinosaurs, Will Ferrell does less mugging than ever as disgraced scientist Rick Marshall. When his invention of a Tachyon amplifier surprisingly works, his excitement is tampered when he finds himself in a parallel universe contending with aliens and running from a T-rex. Ferrell and co-stars Anna Friel and Danny McBride are lively as the dim human trio. Their adventure is episodic---fun in short bursts, but one may feel awkward watching it after noon and without a complimentary bowl of Froot Loops.