10,000 B.C.

As historical fiction, "10,000 B.C." is probably a dollop less accurate than "The Other Boleyn Girl" and a pinch more on the mark than "The Flintstones." As over-the-top spectacle, it doesn't quite match the powerful popcorn standards of director Roland Emmerich's other films, including "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow."

But as a night out for teens and young adults, "10,000 B.C." has its merits as both an action-fantasy film and a coming-of-age story that advocates thinking beyond the id. Plus, it boasts some serious eye candy.

In "10,000 B.C.," D'Leh (Steven Strait) is a young man who has grown up in a tribe of mammoth hunters who live in huts on a mountaintop. His father (Kristian Beazley) once was the Yagahls' top hunter, but he took off mysteriously, and D'Leh has been known as the son of a coward most of his life.

The tribe's spiritual leader, Old Mother (Mona Hammond), translates visions into prophecy. Her most crucial claim is that Evolet (Camilla Belle), a blue-eyed girl found as another tribe's only survivor, will become the mate of a great Yagahl hunter who will save his people.

Bonded as outsiders from a young age, D'Leh and Evolet have always been in love, and he yearns to prove himself the hunter of prophecy to win her. After his moment of truth, D'Leh knows he's no hero and returns the white spear bestowed on the top hunter. But when "four-legged demons" — raiders on horseback — attack, capturing Evolet and others, D'Leh sets off with his father's best friend, Tic'Tic (Cliff Curtis), rival Ka'ren (Mo Zinal) and initially rejected young Baku (Nathanael Baring) to rescue Evolet and the rest.

D'Leh and friends confront not just the raiders but also vicious prehistoric critters. D'Leh scores one for humanity by treating one deadly beast with compassion. He then becomes a seminal soldier-statesman, rallying other tribes to face a common enemy and fighting for his woman at the same time.

The acting in general is better than one might expect in an effects-heavy film. Strait ("The Covenant") is surprisingly expressive, and Belle ("When a Stranger Calls") makes Evolet a person, not a victim. Curtis ("Whale Rider") excels as a warrior mentor, while Affif Ben Badra makes a strong impression as a spurned tyrant-lover.

Though the film bears many similarities to "Apocalypto," it makes things easier for viewers by having the dreadlocked Yagahls speak English. Some other dialogue is subtitled, but an interpreter conveniently pops up midway through. The movie would benefit from axing most of the pretentious narration delivered by Omar Sharif.

"10,000 B.C." is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence. Running time: 108 minutes.