A lot of films have the ability to make a minute feel like a lifetime, but "Clockstoppers" is the first to construct an entire story around the idea.
In the hands of Jonathan Frakes - Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation - it's an agreeable but disposable sci-fi romp that doesn't take full advantage of its hi-tech concept.
Like most teenagers, Zak Gibbs (Bradford) wants a car. Unlike most teens he doesn't get a paper round or mug a pensioner, choosing instead to scour the house for junk he can flog on eBay.
Stumbling upon an old wristwatch, Zak thinks he's onto a winner. What he doesn't realise is this timepiece - sent to his science professor dad by a mad inventor - is a secret device that allows him to stop the world in its tracks...
Not surprisingly, the ticker is sought by an evil businessman (Biehn) bent on world domination.
So, having used the machine to impress pretty Venezuelan student Francesca (Garcés) and help a DJ friend win a talent contest, Zak finds himself running for his life.
Apart from the occasional neat twist - the only way to stop someone in 'hypertime', apparently, is to zap them with liquid nitrogen - this fantasy adventure is no better than all those wacky capers Disney used to churn out in the 60s ("Son of Flubber", "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes", and the like).
Calling the villain Gates and adding some pricey effects does little to dispel the feeling we've seen it all before.
Clockstoppers (2002)
