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Daft Punk, "Electroma" (Vice Records)

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Vice Records

In this image released by Vice Records, the latest DVD by Daft Punk, "Electroma," is shown.

French electronica duo Daft Punk - Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo - have become known as much for their visual presentation, in both their innovative videos and stage performances, as they are for their groundbreaking music.

Keeping in tune with their robotic stage personas, Daft Punk's experimental film, "Electroma," provides a stunning array of visuals and an eclectic soundtrack. But its lack of dialogue and vaguely executed story probably won't register with many outside their hardcore fan base.

The existential plot is quite simple: A pair of robots - blandly named Hero Robot No. 1 and Hero Robot No. 2 - set off through a desert landscape and eventually come to what can only be called a robot town.

From there they attempt to become more human, with fleshy foam latex poured over their helmets to create human faces - which look so comical it makes you hope that's the point. The pair are quickly shunned and driven from the town by their metallic brethren.

Without playing too much of a spoiler, another drawn-out desert trek ensues and climaxes in a moment of self destruction.

The End.

The cinematography of the rocky California desert is quite impressive - all the more so with Bangalter helming a film camera for the first time here - while music from Brian Eno, Todd Rundgren and Curtis Mayfield (among others), along with a moody orchestral score, does an amiable job of conveying some emotion on the part of the robots.

However, a soundtrack with Daft Punk's own music might have been a bit more appropriate.

There's been criticism from some for what they see as blatant stealing from films by Gus Van Sant and Vincent Gallo - particularly the final trek through the desert - and anyone simply looking for an entertaining movie will see this as a self-indulgent waste of time.

The film garnered very mixed reviews at a special screening at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and the same will no doubt apply to audiences who take in the fans-only "Electroma."