As you have probably heard, SCI FI is trying to shed its nerdy image by changing its name to SyFy. So what better way to usher out the geek and bring in the chic than with … an epic costume miniseries about the battle of good and evil in a mystical, faraway land?

In Sci Fi's two night miniseries, "Knights of Bloodsteel" (April 19th and 20th at 9pm), the population is getting desperate on the island of Mirabilis, where bloodsteel, a "sorcery grade ore" that provides magical powers to its owner, is running low. Bloodsteel seems to be able to fuel anything from a compass to a human being who wishes to turn invisible at will. Naturally, the wise old leader (Christopher Lloyd, "Taxi" & "Back to the Future") wants to get his hands on the fabled unlimited bloodsteel source before evil Dragon Eye, who needs it to turn the land into his evil empire. Everybody with me?

Photo Credit: Carole Segal/SCI FI

So, David James Elliott ("JAG") stars as Serragoth, a macho Scotsman bounty hunter who gets teamed up with an elf (Natassia Malthe), a swaggering gambler (Christopher Jacot), and a goblin (Dru Viergever) to track down the bloodsteel. The four knights must overcome Dragon Eye's henchmen and possibly squeeze in a little "will they/won't they" during some swordplay along the way. About that swordplay, Elliott said, "I really enjoyed the swordfighting sequences as dangerous as they were. Almost lost my eye – a little mishap with the sword."

But you might not immediately spot the Naval Officer "traipsing through some pretty nasty terrain" wearing hair extensions for two months. Especially since he said it was "great fun to really dive into such a rich character. When I finally shaved and took the hair out, I could barely recognize myself." Elliott further described his transformation as "a daunting task. You feel like you have a bunch of raisins pressing on your hair."

Photo Credit: Carole Segal/SCI FI

Tragically for SyFy's hip new audience, "Knights" is basic fantasy cliché and has problems right from the start. It takes place in some vague past time within a general Celtic-like region that looks like Lord of the Rings meets Xena meets the local Renaissance faire. But somehow, Dragon Eye's dark lair is equipped with a mobile video uplink that keeps him up to date on the search for bloodsteel (and dare I say, the latest Idol elimination). And the accents aren't much better. I mean I know everything sounds more magical in British, but the "Knights" actors just can't fake it well enough not to illicit giggles.

The direction is clumsy, with evil lines being delivered as though each one should be followed by a cackle and daunting music. And the social commentary is loose at best, coming in 2nd to lengthy fight scenes and gaspy torture. So if you're a big fan of Lloyd, Elliott, or fantasy in general, check it out for yourself. But you may find yourself wishing that bloodsteel produced enough power for Lloyd to fire up the DeLorean and give you those four hours back.

SCI FI Two night event: April 19th and 20th at 9pm.