“Fool’s Gold,” the new release from Warner Bros. Studios starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson attempts to utilize well-worn treasure-hunting plot ideas and themes. The film ultimately fails, but does provide a few light-hearted, humorous stops along the way giving all-too-brief entertainment.

Matthew McConaughey stars as Benjamin Finnegan, a surf-bum/treasure hunter with a rusty salvage boat named Booty Calls. He’s been trying to locate the Spanish Queen’s dowry of 40 chests of exotic loot that has been lost since 1715.

Like kind of a walking example of Murphy’s Law, what can go wrong for Finnegan can and will. As he finds a key piece of evidence that they are looking in the right place for the treasure, his rust bucket boat sinks. To make matters worse, while all this is happening, he misses the appointment in judge’s chambers dealing with his own divorce to estranged wife Tess (Kate Hudson) and now defaults everything to her.

This movie’s plot line has been filmed countless time before and most often more effectively than what is presented here.

McConaughey can do comedy, as evidenced in films such as “Failure to Launch” and “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.” He can effectively present himself as an action hero as seen in “Sahara,” “U-571” and “Reign of Fire.” But when a film calls for both, as it does here, Matthew struggles to meet the expectations of either convincingly.

Kate Hudson’s performance as Tess is also a major disappointment. Hudson has done some very fine work in her career, but this is not one of those roles. She lets the movie control her every move. Nothing about her portrayal is fresh or vital.

Most audience members will feel sorry for Donald Sutherland after seeing “Fool’s Gold.” His performance as Nigel Honeycutt is so plastic and safe, one has to ask why he took the job in the first place. Are there so few roles for aging actors that some are forced to take mediocre parts just for a payday? Wouldn’t a respected actor who has given countless classic performances over that last forty years rather retire than cast his name with such drivel? Maybe he’s merely the fool mentioned in the title.

Very little about “Fool’s Gold” is worth the price of admission. Audience members may laugh here and there throughout, but ultimately this is a one-trick pony whose trick is well worn by the time the end credit roll.