Starring: Cam Gigandet, Anson Mount, Freddy Rodriguez, Xzibit,Kathleen Robertson, Robert Knepper

    Director: John Stockwell

DESIGNED as a pre-U.S. election spoiler in advance of Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty,” action orientated film “Code Name: Geronimo” was screened on the National Geographic Channel in the United States — where it was titled “SEAL Team Six: The Raid on Osama bin Laden” — but gets a theatrical release until early 2013.

Whether its release will have any impact on the reception to “Zero Dark Thirty” is debatable, but it will more likely appeal to those who liked “Act of Valor” and other more simplistic military action films rather than anyone interested in the background of the search for Osama bin Laden.

The film’s National Geographic Channel screening attracted more controversy because of its rushed pre-election transmission and the role of executive producer Harvey Weinstein (who happens to be a staunch Obama supporter) rather than its content. But even taken as a quickie film designed to piggyback the raid itself it offers modest entertainment.

Whereas Bigelow’s film barely features Obama beyond a photograph or television image, “Code Name: Geronimo” features his visage — in television interview segments and photographs — in resolute appearance, with the story padding its recreation scenes with straight-to-camera interviews and news-style footage.

While Bigelow’s film is largely about the hunt for bin Laden, with the actual raid only featuring for the last 40 minutes, “Code Name: Geronimo” focuses on the U.S. Navy SEAL team responsible for the death of the al-Qaida leader during the attack on his hideout in Pakistan.

The core story follows the team — who have nicknames like Stunner, Mule, Trench and Cherry — as well as the CIA analysts who provided the information about bin Laden’s whereabouts. William Fichtner (who played a special forces type in “Black Hawk Down”) gives the film a bit of class as CIA agent Mr. Guidry, while Cam Gigandet (who starred in the first “Twilight” film as well as “Easy A” and “Never Back Down”) and hip-hop star Alvin Joiner (who starred in “Derailed”) are on-hand to provide the muscle as members of the SEAL team.

It is all pretty much by-the-numbers stuff as the team is finally informed who its target will be, with the nighttime raid on the compound familiar to anyone who has seen “Act of Valor” or an episode of “The Unit.” Director John Stockwell (who made “Blue Crush” and “Crazy/Beautiful”) keeps things simple, while Paul Haslinger’s score helps keep the pace up, but in the end “Code Name: Geronimo” feels like pretty much what it ended up being — a hastily made television film.

The film is now being screened in Hong Kong. (SD-Agencies)