THE nostalgia kick for the 70s just goes on and on. And Saturday nights were particularly special. For those of us who had nothing better to do, it was a great night on the telly.

It's impossible now not to hear the fade out of the Match Of The Day theme without expecting it to be followed by the jazzy score that introduced Parkinson.

But before those two Saturday night staples came Starsky And Hutch. Of all the cop shows around at this time, this was the coollest. It was very slick, it was very exciting, it was very . . . 70s.

And that makes it ripe for a mickey take.

Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson give it a darned good try in this energetic spoof but the result is disappointing.

Stiller is Starsky, an anally retentive undercover cop who does everything by the book. Wilson is his less conscientious partner Hutch.

They are on the trail of a crook (Vince Vaughan) who is about to pull off the drug deal of the century.

It's a tough case to crack, especially as all Starsky and Hutch have to rely on are an over-dressed informant, an over-powered Ford Torino, and the duo's over-rated wits.

The humour in the film is very hit and miss, and the chances are if you've seen the trailer, then you've seen the best bits it does give away the funniest gag, involving Vaughan's daughter's bar mitzvah and a present that S and H destroy.

Pals Stiller and Wilson have worked together regularly and their familiarity gives an easy going feel to the cops' relationship (which subtly hints at something more than a heterosexual male bonding) and to many of the routines, which helps when the jokes wear a bit thin.

But it takes a while before any big laughs arrive, and from then on they are few and far between.

And while the casting of rapper Snoop Dog as the flamboyant Huggy Bear may sound inspired, it actually backfires as Snoop has about as much charisma as a dog.

And Starsky's car is much better looking.

OUT! rating: 5 out of 10

Film writer Stephen Webb reviews STARSKY AND HUTCH

Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson

Director: Todd Phillips

Certificate: 15

Running time: 100 mins

Showing from today at: UGC and Cineworld, Swindon