Clockstoppers MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: +1/2

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies teamed up for this fast moving, action-packed science fiction adventure. CLOCKSTOPPERS revolves around a wrist-watch which speeds up the molecules in a person so that action around the person appears to stand still. Invented by Dr. Earl Dopler (French Stewart), a former student of college science professor George Gibbs (Robin Thomas), this amazing watch accidentally falls into the hands of Professor Gibbs teenage son, Zak (Jesse Bradford). Zak has lots of fun, along with his new girlfriend Francesca (Paula Garces), as they play pranks on friends using the watchs new power called hypertime. They even help one of Zaks friends win a disk jockey contest at a wild teenage disco. But the fun ends when ruthless, power-hungry Henry Gates (Michael Biehn), head of Quantum Technologies, and his cohorts come after Zak and the watch. Gates also has George kidnapped to fix a problem with hypertime. Zak and Francesca must join forces with Dopler to save George before Gates uses hypertime to take over the world. The adventure moves along at a maddening pace with loud music frequently bombarding the audience. Youngsters under 8 years are likely to find the frantic action frightening, but this standard, predictable adventure will probably appeal to the teens and younger crowd.

Like recent Nickelodeon releases, JIMMY NEUTRON: BOY GENIUS and RUGRATS IN PARIS, this film exhibits frantic action with loud, startling music. Young people seem to thrive on this mayhem, but according to some studies, like the effects of hypertime, pre-teens especially are likely to become more hyperactive in real life. At the same time, CLOCKSTOPPERS is a fairly decent film. Zak is unhappy because his dad has little time for him, but his parents appear loving and concerned about his well-being. And Zak risks his life to protect his dad from the thugs. Encouraging, but partly because of the target audience, Zak and Francesca do not become involved sexually and indicate mutual respect. However, one of Zaks friends makes some comical, suggestive comments about nude girls and having sex. He also suggestively rubs his finger across a girls photo. This action film has some intense car chases and crashes, people fighting, kicking and shooting, and spectacular, explosive property destruction, but the actions are not excessively graphic. Refreshingly, the dialogue has virtually no bad language. The suggestive comments and intense action account for the films PG rating, and make it objectionable viewing for pre-teens and somewhat questionable for teenagers.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, 5555 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90038