Clockstoppers

A caper matinee that owes its existence to the success of Spy Kids, this colorful, high-tech, enjoyably farfetched flick stars Jesse Bradford (Bring It On) as Zak, a resourceful high schooler who gets his hands on an experimental wristwatch that can speed up his molecules to the point where time seems to stand still for the rest of the world. Zak discovers that bringing the beautiful Francesca (Paula Garces) into "hyper-time" with him is a great date, but it isn't long before the nefarious government contractors who lost the watch find these two and give chase through hyper-time and real-time. Directed by Star Trek alumni Jonathan Frakes, Clockstoppers may be plagued by small nonsensical plot holes and other nitpicky problems (why make Francesca a foreign exchange student if Garces can't hold an accent?), but it's also infused with entertaining energy and is written with an adult-friendly crispness that's especially rare in movies aimed squarely at pre-teens. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include a 10-minute "making-of," and a pair of music videos: "Holiday in My Head" by Smashmouth, featuring actors Jesse Bradford and Paula Garces, and "It's the Weekend" by Lil J. Bottom line: a standard extras package for a decent family-friendly film.] (R. Blackwelder)