After his disappointing performance as a dastardly villain in The Avengers, Sean Connery returns engagingly to the big screen in Entrapment, a millennium action thriller. He plays legenday gentleman thief Robert MacDougal, a man of great charisma, humor, and charm --- in other words, James Bond turned burglar. This is the type of role Connery was born to play, and most fans never tire watching him do so. He was, after all, the first 007 (in 1962’s Dr. No). Even though Connery appeared in only 7 of the 18 Bond movies, many still consider him the best by far. But remember, as one of the characters in Entrapment points out, “He’s over 60 years old now. He’s not Spiderman anymore.”

If ever there was a female counterpart to Connery, it’s Catherine Zeta-Jones, his co-star in this romantic caper film. Connery, who also served as one of the producers, handpicked Zeta-Jones for this part. A wise move! The talented Welsh actress brings beauty, intelligence, and elegance to the role of Gin Baker, an insurance investigator who poses as a thief in order to trap MacDougal.

These two dynamic individuals alternate between mutual attraction and distrust as they plan a daring heist scheduled on the eve of the millennium. Happily for the audience, MacDougal must first train his new partner. (Think My Fair Burglar.) In these eye-candy scenes, Zeta-Jones, dressed in a skin-tight leotard, moves her gorgeous body stealthily through imagined secuity laser beams. Looking more like a ballet dancer than an actress, she shows that same physical agility displayed in The Mask of Zorro during her sexy sword fight with Antonio Banderas.

In spite of a 40-year age difference, Connery and Zeta-Jones seem believable as a romantic couple through most of the movie. Unfortunately, similar credibility does not hold true for the confusing script. Although containing a couple of entertaining surprises, it forces the main characters into silly situations, including a ridiculous head-dunking scene after one sucessful burglary. On the plus side, director Jon Amiel (Sommersby) keeps the action coming at a steady pace. Intriguing shots of hi-tech security systems and computer imagery add to the film’s visual impact. And a thrilling climax at the Twin Towers in Kuala Lampur takes one’s breath away.

Morally, Entrapment leaves much to be desired. An unsatisfactory ending suggests if you are just clever and charming enough, crime does pay.

(Released by 20th Century Fox, Entrapment is rated “PG-13” for sexuality, violence, and strong language.)