DVD review (region 1)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven
Starring Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue, Josh Brolin, Kim Dickens
Release date Out now

A scientist becomes invisible. But as he physically disappears so do his morals…

Since the beginning of his Hollywood career Paul Verhoeven has rarely been a director known for his subtlety, and Hollow Man is no exception.

Kevin Bacon plays Sebastian Caine, a seedy scientist working on a top secret project with his team (Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Shue and a pre-Heroes Greg Grunberg). Their aim: to develop the ability for humans to become invisible. When he becomes a human guinea pig in order to further the research, Caine becomes permanently invisible, which turns him into an insane rapist and murderer. The movie becomes a high octane thriller as cast members meet gruesome deaths and the team tries to figure out a way to stop the invisible man who, conveniently enough, also develops super strength and endurance.

It’s a shame that Verhoeven couldn’t curb his excess on this film. The moral dilemmas presented are fascinating and gripping enough without the inevitable descent into a series of explosions, chases and fights. That said, the special effects are astounding, and the documentary included on the disc underlines how effective and subtle they are.

The problem with Hollow Man (even in this director’s cut, which includes a few additional scenes) is that it never really establishes what it wants to be; and when it does settle down, it takes by far the least interesting option. It’s well made and entertaining enough, but the definitive take on the Invisible Man story is still waiting to be made… Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 6/10
Enjoyable but slightly ridiculous sci-fi thriller.