So when he discovers one of his father’s new inventions
(an odd wristwatch) lying around the basement and slips it on,
he is suddenly able to enter hypertime and quickly learns how
to manipulate the device to gain the best advantage - making
his friends appear cool, getting revenge on the people who make
his life a misery and, of course, appealing to Francesca, the
much-sought after Venezuelan sex-bomb who has recently started
school.
Only trouble is, the people who own the watch want it back
and will stop at nothing to get it - kidnapping Zak’s father
in a bid to develop it for their own, evil ends.
The villains in question are led by Michael Biehn (of Aliens
and Terminator fame), but he is afforded so little screen-time
that he makes very little impression and seems content to play
it to maximum pantomime effect, exuding very little menace or
fear.
Bradford, meanwhile, can pull a neat trick on a bicycle but
relies too heavily on his good looks, while the alluring Garces
suggests at greater things but is reduced by the director to
playing second fiddle, or finding new ways of showing off her
figure in a series of teasing outfits.
And yes, this may be a kids film designed to keep the little
ones happy (and probably will), but given that it is described
as one for the whole family to enjoy, the failure to genuinely
appeal to the mature viewer renders it something of a missed
opportunity (Toy Story and Shrek
do it far better).
Clockstoppers is by no means a terrible film - it is light,
enjoyable in places, boasts some neat special effects and an
attractive young cast - but its workmanlike approach offers
nothing new to the genre and you can’t help but feel that
you’ve been here too many times before.
