Previews are usually awfully indicative of what the upcoming feature's going to be all about.

Before Elektra, I was privy to Ice Cube blowing stuff up and some girl yearning to become a pretty, pretty figure skater.

So I figured, action flick with a soft, squishy core? Correcto!

The "critics," whoever they are, have been panning Elektra like it's Catwoman, but it doesn't really deserve such a slight.

Elektra's up front about what it is -- a comic book translated to screen starring Jennifer Garner in fetish gear -- so I don't know why anyone would whine about its lame villains or lack of convincing dialogue.

It's not supposed to have that stuff. It's just supposed to be entertaining.

And is it? Certainly.

Elektra comes back from her Daredevil death with dagger-wielding superpowers, works it as a hired assassin and becomes wrapped up in saving the lives of a super-irritating tween and her studly pops (ER's Goran Visnjic).

The special effects are watered down Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and none of the characters, except the grumpy lead, are really developed any further than "good guy with white hair" and "bad lady with green nail polish."

But I promise the only people who'll notice these and other cinematic flaws are the tools who've decided Elektra sucks before they even see it.

The rest of you will kick back and take in an eye-candy-heavy action flick with a decidedly feminine touch (hey, one fighting fem's lethal weapon is a sparkly gold chain) and enough shots of Garner's sumptuous bum to keep you satisfied until the next Alias.

-- Reviewed by Caralyn Green