Like Titanic before it, there’s little surprise as to what will eventuate in the film Pompeii.

In its ancient heyday, the city was a decadent holiday destination, where many of Rome’s rich had not-so-humble abodes. Yet, Pompeii continues to be remembered for its cataclysmic destruction caused by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The impact of the eruption on human life has been hauntingly captured in the plaster castings that allow us to see the exact position a person was in when he or she died.

The film’s star was in attendance at the film’s Australian premiere. Kit Harington has gained renown for his role as Jon Snow on the immensely popular Game of Thrones TV series. Harington obligingly supplied a charming opening address, confiding that like many others, he enjoyed his time in the harbour city, having climbed the bridge and gone on a cruise on the harbour.

Known as ‘the Celt’, Harington plays a slave who had his entire village slaughtered before his eyes as a boy. Having grown into a fierce warrior, he is taken to Pompeii to compete as a gladiator for the entertainment of the masses and a newly arrived Roman Senator.

On his way, he encounters Lady Cassia (Australia’s Emily Browning), whose horse has de-carted in a nasty accident and must be put down. Tasked with the job, the Celt reveals to her both his immense strength and his kind heart, causing an instant romantic frisson to form.

Lady Cassia, whose parents are nobles of the city, has returned home to escape from a lecherous Senator (Kiefer Sutherland) who is intent upon imposing his unwanted affections upon her. Unfortunately for her, the Senator also happens to be an important political guest for her parents, with influence over the future of Pompeii.

A gladiatorial games is held to provide a suitable spectacle, which will see a battle for survival from rival gladiators, a battle for Lady Cassia’s heart, and ultimately a climatic battle against the fiercest volcanic eruption in recent memory.

For the first three-quarters of this film, I was happy to play along—it didn’t start all that badly, and given the genre, it was filled with adequate bravado and machismo. But, sadly by the end, you were almost cheering for the volcano to put an end to what was rapidly descending into a regrettable climax.

Given the hoards of Australian fans lining the cinema entrance to simply get a glimpse of their GOT hero, one can only imagine how much attention Kit Harington has been showered with during his trip in Sydney. His foray into the big screen may not be the most memorable, but he has his character down pat; and, despite his small stature, he appeared memorably muscular and eye-catching in his role.

Before the film was screened, the audience was treated to an extended preview of the upcoming Game of Thrones Season 4, due to premiere on Foxtel April 7. It proved the highlight of the evening.

If you enjoy action films and aren’t too particular about clichéd romances and thinly drawn villains, you might enjoy Pompeii. It’s a fun film, not to be approached with too high an expectation—and if all else fails, there are sufficient muscular specimens and alluring ladies to distract one’s gaze.

Directed by: Paul WS Anderson

Starring: Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Kiefer Sutherland

Rating: PG

Runtime: 105 mins

Release Date: 20 March

Reviewer rating: 3/5