THE RUINS — ** — Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore; rated R (violence, gore, profanity, brief nudity, brief sex, vulgarity, brief drugs); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15; Century Sandy and South Salt Lake; Cinemark Jordan Landing; Megaplex District, Gateway and Jordan Commons; Redwood Drive-in

"The Ruins" offers further proof that what works on the printed page doesn't necessarily work on the big screen.

This rather bloody horror movie is based on the best-selling novel by Scott B. Smith, a book that was so creepy it got horrormaster Stephen King's stamp of approval. And its screenplay was written by Smith himself, who he kept most — if not all — of the story intact.

However, much of that same plotting comes off as ridiculous and laughable here, when it's supposed to be terrifying. And too often, the movie version of the tale is full of cheap scares and graphic, often gruesome gore moments.

"The Ruins" follows two young American tourist couples, Jeff and Amy (Jonathan Tucker and Jena Malone), and Eric and Stacy (Shawn Ashmore and Laura Ramsey).

The four are in Mexico to soak up some sun, though another tourist, Mathias (Joe Anderson), has promised to take them to a Mayan temple that's hidden deep within the jungle.

But when they actually get to the excavation site, they're threatened by horsemen who are armed with guns and bows-and-arrows, and who seem keen on keeping them there.

Worse, the temple is covered in some sort of seemingly carnivorous plant life that keeps attacking and trying to somehow "infect" the clueless vacationers.

Director Carter Smith (who is no relation to the screenwriter) seems as lost in the jungle as his characters are. There's little suspense, though the scenery is pretty spectacular looking.

And the cast doesn't appear to know whether they should be screaming or laughing. British actor Anderson's unconvincing German accent is largely responsible for that.

"The Ruins" is rated R for strong scenes of graphic violent action (shootings, stabbings, plant life attacks and disturbing self-surgery sequences), strong, often nauseating scenes showing gore and blood, strong sexual language (profanity, slang and other suggestive talk), brief female and partial male nudity, a brief sex scene (implied), and brief drug use and references (prescriptions pain killers and analgesics). Running time: 91 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com