If there were ever a film that could be accused of not knowing its audience, it's "Titan A.E."

This handsome-looking animated science-fiction adventure would seem to have it made, with a built-in demographic made up of young animation fans and their families, as well as science-fiction devotees.

However, something's gone terribly awry here, since the results are probably too violent for little ones (the ambitious plotting may be over their heads as well), the rock and techno music soundtrack will surely grate on parents' nerves and the too-obvious odes to other sci-fi movies (including both the "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" film series) may turn off fans of the genre.

Yet, with all that, the film isn't unwatchable. In fact, there are several dazzling animated action sequences, and things get pretty intense in a couple other scenes.

In concept, "Titan A.E." may remind some of the television series (and theatrical film) "Battlestar Galactica." The year is 3028 A.D., and the human race is facing possible extermination.

Fearing what may happen if mankind reaches its potential, the Drej, a race of vicious, pure-energy alien invaders, have destroyed Earth. The survivors have scattered throughout the galaxy and are regarded as pariahs by other alien races.

But there's reason for hope. Before the planet exploded, one of Earth's leading scientists created the Titan Project, which could create an inhabitable homeworld. Unfortunately, though Titan survived the catastrophe, it's been lost in space.

So it's up to the scientist's son, Cale (voiced by Matt Damon), to find Titan and activate it. To do that, our reluctant hero will need a lot of help from the crew of the starship Valkyrie, which includes fellow Earthlings Korso (Bill Pullman) and Akima (Drew Barrymore).

The best way to look at the film is as a feature-length, animated video game — which is ironic, since one of co-director/co-producer Don Bluth's early claims to fame is the "Dragon's Lair" game.

And unlike Bluth's first work for the Fox Animation Studio, "Anastasia," this film features no musical numbers. However, he's unwisely padded out some of the scenes with songs by Lit, Powerman 5000 and other rock acts, which feels like a desperate grasp for "hipness."

Also, it's surprising how lame the character banter and dialogue is, considering the script writers were Ben Edlund (the "Tick" animated series), John August ("Go") and Joss Whedon (TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer").

Two things the film does have in its favor, though, are the rich blending of traditional cel animation and computer generated artwork, as well as a good voice cast, which includes Nathan Lane, John Leguizamo and Janeane Garofalo.

Of the bunch, Damon stands out as the film's lead, and because of his and Barrymore's individualistic voice work, we wind up caring more about what happens to their characters than we might have under normal circumstances.

"Titan A.E." is rated PG for animated violence, including laser fire and some pretty brutal brawling, gore and brief male nudity. Running time: 95 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com