Ten convicted criminals – both men and women – are put on a deserted island. They have 30 hours to fight it out, before a bomb rigged to each of their ankles will detonate. Freedom and cash go to the lone survivor.

And you get to watch it all on the Internet.

It’s an interesting premise, one utilized in “The Condemned,” the newest release from Lionsgate and WWE Films. Trailers for the film, starring former WWE superstar and Texas’ own “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, promise plenty of thrills, violence and adult content.

“The Condemned” delivers on all three counts.

The plot, not so surprisingly, is relatively simple.

A multimillionaire television producer named Ian Breckel (Robert Mammone) scours the globe for 10 convicted murders, one of which happens to be a former Army Special Forces officer named Jack Conrad (Austin). Conrad, as it turns out, is not such a bad guy, one who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time (it’s explained in the film).

Though the movie takes a while to set up the plot and actually put “the condemned” on the island, the action quickly takes off from that point. As a matter of fact, the first contestant’s death takes place within seconds of the prisoners being put on the island. And the bodies quickly begin to pile up from that point, as people are killed with bombs, knives and fire.

It’s as grisly as it sounds, perhaps a bit too much in one particular scene involving a female contestant and the island’s lead villain (Vinnie Jones). But for audiences that don’t mind a few over-the-top scenes of graphic violence, and plenty of language, “The Condemned” is a worthwhile experience.

Of course, it’s an action flick featuring a former professional wrestler, so plot holes are to be expected. For instance, how can a famous TV reporter track down Breckel for an interview, but the FBI has no clue as to his whereabouts? And how were the prisoners able to get around such a large island so easily?

Even so, most who venture out on opening weekend to see “The Condemned” won’t care if the script is Oscar-worthy (it isn’t). They’ll simply want to see Austin kick some ass and take some names on-screen, as he once did in the ring.

And Austin, in his first starring role, does just that.

At 6-feet-2 and 250 pounds, Austin looks the part of an action star. And being a wrestler for the majority of his adult life adequately prepared him for the choreographed fight sequences in “The Condemned.”

Most importantly, Austin’s professional wrestling experience also did wonders for his acting chops. After all, it was his trademark sneer and charismatic personality that made him a star in the first place, and may very well help him become a cinematic action star as well.

And, just as violence-crazed Internet viewers do on “The Condemned,” you get to watch it happen.

RATING: 3 ½ stars (out of five)

“The Condemned”
Stars: Steve Austin, Vinnie Jones, Robert Mammone
Release: April 27, theaters nationwide
Rated: R, for language and violence
Run time: 1 hour, 50 minutes
On the web: watchthemdielive.com

Clint Hale | 210SA