Rating: 
Summary: A Waste of Two Hours
Review: At first Hollow Man seemed like it was going to be a good movie. Then it got kind of stupid towards the end. I had kind of enjoyed it until the invisible guy gets tourched and then blown up, and lives. Just because he is invisable doesn't mean he is invincible. It was entertaining until it started to get rediculus. That's all.
Rating: 
Summary: So close... and yet, so far.
Review: The two obvious flaws with Hollow Man are the character development and the last half-hour. Major flaws indeed, but flaws that could have easily been repaired. One could easily blame Verhoeven himself, but close inspection of the film reveals several glimmers of potential insight that give one the hope that this is merely another example of High-Budget Hollywood Hijinx. This is one of the films that I long to see the original script for, to see how much on-screen was films execs utilizing their standard High-Budget sci-fi Special-Effects Extravaganza Formula (I find it hard to believe that screenwriters across the country are all convinced that what their big finale really needs is yet another big explosion). The movie starts with a glimmer of hope, but the ending devolves into yet another Aliens wanna-be (`My God, we're locked in here with the monster/creature/alien/madman/senator, and there is nowhere to run, therefore we must track down and defeat our slippery foe!') where the cast you've failed to gain any real affection for is slaughtered one by one in unique and interesting ways. It is the ultimate insult, that H. G. Wells' classic sci-fi tale of man's inherent evil has been reborn as an expensive hack & slash horror film. I have nothing against hack & slash, mind you. But there is a time and a place for everything, and this was neither the time nor the place. Not that I'm arguing against the film's depictions of violence, despite that fact that the film degenerates to the point where characters are actually throwing bags of plasma around the room in a cheap attempt to get as much blood as possible without too much MPAA approved violence. On the contrary, the films opening scene alone had a brutality and vividness to it that gave rise to my expectations (which were soon to be dashed against the rocks of a cheesy Hollywood ending). It effectively depicted the danger and foreboding of an unseen aggressor, like an extreme case of "Fearing the Unknown". I've also found people who complained, not that the film was violent, but that it was vulgar. Yes, it seems that Kevin Bacon makes up for his lack of nudity in Stir Of Echoes (The Rev Rates It 8) by showing as much Bacon Behind as possible. In fact, voyeurism becomes (or should have become) a major theme of the film, and not just through the aspect of an invisible man spying unawares. The parallel to the `Peeping Tom' aspect is the growing concern with the other scientists with not only seeing the invisible scientist, but constantly monitoring him as well. As for main character, in this case he is weak because he leaves little room for dramatic development. Sebastian Caine's descent into madness isn't as much a plummet as it is a hop from the curb. The head scientist is an egomaniacal, manipulative, frustrated workaholic. Gee, lets give the power of invisibility and see if it corrupts him. Instead of giving the film yet another form of Instant Evil (just add unlimited power, and watch your Chia Villain grow!), so much more could have been said about man's nature by corrupting the soul of someone you wouldn't expect to turn on his fellow man. The double-meaning title of the film itself pointed in the proper direction, yet failed to follow. Hollow Man not only referred to the eerie sight of seeing through the eye holes of a mask to the back of the head, or of clothing encompassing nothing as if a hollow shell. It also referred to Sebastian Caine, a `Hollow Man' containing nothing within but shallow desires and relentless hunger for power. While there are moments where this is eluded too, the film goes off on other little diatribes that detract from this, losing its real strength by trying to appear more involved than it allowed itself to be. In the end Hollow Man became a Hollow Film. It starts off showing the promise of a truly inventive film with a brain as well as a soul, and winds up as nothing more than another schlock sci-fi/thriller effects extravaganza with nothing to say but `Boo' and `Kablam'! And that, dear viewer, is the true horror.
Rating:
Summary: You'd have to be hollow in the head.
Review: All in all, Hollow Man is a decent thriller with good effects. Many people get coerced into giving this movie a good review from all the effects but you can't watch two straight hours just of computer effects. After it finishes with the disappearing it all goes downhill, often predictable and flawed. How many people would go crazy from being invisible? And as always, he has to kill everybody then escape. The fire system sprays water and you see him, more effects. I really like the part where the water's all over from the sprinklers and Kevin Bacon hits the electrical box with a crow bar and gets electrocuted but Elisabeth Shue, who happens to be several feet away from him, still manages to not get electrocuted.
Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining strong sci-fi thriller.
Review: The Plot:After years of experimentation, Dr. Sebastian Caine(Kevin Bacon in a strong performance) is smart but troubled and arrogant succesful scientist working for the gouverment defense department. Sebastian has successfully transformed animal into invisible state and then he find another way to bring back to thier original form. He thinks, he can go to Phase 3:human experimentation. He uses himself to be an invisible person and he sucessfully done it by with his group of scientists(Elisabeth Shue, Josh Brolin, Kim Dickens, Greg Grunberg, Joey Slotnick and Mary Randle). Sebastian is enjoying being invisible but the troubles comes, when he cannot turned back, the way he was. He becomes an troubled dangerous man, every day, he becomes worse, thinks he could get away with it, being invisible. Well written screenplay by Andrew M. Marlone(Air force one, End of days), An fine score by Jerry Goldsmith(Rambo Trilogy, The Omen Trilogy, Forever Young), strongly directed by Paul Verhoeven(Robo Cop, Total Recall, Basic Instinct, Showgirls and Starship Troopers). DVD has good entertaining commentary track from director Verhoeven, actor Bacon and screenwriter Marlone. Also isolated music track and commentary by Goldsmith. A lot of good extras. DVD has an fine widescreen(1.85:1) print and Dolby Digital 5.1 Ex surround is strong, has some moments of deep base. Not for all taste but visual effects of the film is srtong and different from another special effects films. A must for special effects fans, dont miss it. Grade:B+.
Rating:
Summary: Great Special Effects, Ho-Hum Plot and Characters, Old Story
Review: This flick (to me) was nothing more than a high-tech re-hash of the 1933 classic Invisible Man that starred Claude Rains and Gloria (Titanic) Stuart. Brilliant scientist finds secret of invisibility, becomes a no-see-um, becomes a murderous madman, and dies at the end. What saved this movie from a one-star rating in my book was the incredible special effects. Unfortunately, Paul Verhoeven has again used flashy SF to cover a very weak plot(Starship Troopers). The characters are nothing to write home about, and after the first 15 minutes, you can pretty much tell who will live and who won't. Liz Shue and Josh Brolin turned out fairly wooden performances, veering between romance and action in a rather clumsy fashion. Kevin Bacon reeked of "bad dude" from the get-go, but it seemed that his rampages started too soon, and for a very weak reason. The supporting cast was actually better than the main stars, and you actually felt sorry when they were offed by Bacon in a series of (very painful) methods. But, I must say, the most entertaining feature was when Bacon first became invisible. I think we all have wondered how much fun it would be, although most people would not revert to rape and murder to get their jollies. But, if you want a movie with wonderful SF, laughable characters and predictable plot twists, check this out. It is a good way to spend a wintered-in evening.
Rating: 
Summary: Invisibility done better, but still fun
Review: HALLOW MAN is yet another flick in the "Invisible Man" genre, with Kevin Bacon playing the researcher who discovers the secret to invisibility, and goes mad as a result. Bacon does a solid job in the title role, easily handling the meglomania that the character displays. Elizabeth Shue is basically wasted in what is little more than a "damsel-in-distress" role. The movie moves at a good clip, while the special effects are nothing short of stunning. The classic James Whale film, THE INVISIBLE MAN, with Claude Rains in the title role, is still the best flim of this type. HALLOW MAN, however, does provide a quick paced entertainment. Not a great film, but fun nevertheless.
Rating: 
Summary: Thrilling and entertaining...
Review: Contrary to all of this bad press about Hollow Man it's a very short-wave movie about the classical god-complexed scientist, loosing his ingenious but perverted mind in the ecstasy of success. Kevin Bacon, always a must see is like in The River Wild an excelent villain, while Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin are likeable, somewhat clumsy heroes. The movies special effects are breathtaking, yet not to overdone. Paul Verhoevens own style was never better balanced, just the right mixture of Starship Troopers and Basic Instinct. Nothing seems constructed or flat. Last but not least, there is this fantastic Score by Jerry Goldsmith, a haunting combination of Oscar nominated Basic Instinct an prize-winning The Omen. Hollow Man is certainly not the movie to re-write motion-picture-history but a well done, entertaining flick to kill a cold January evening. The DVD is, as to expect from Columbia a fine produced collecters peace. The bonus material features just the right parts of the movie, like Verhoeven always funny commentary and Goldsmith's thrilling score. Sounds and images are crystal cleare and invisible Sebastian's voice, moving unseen from front to rear and back is truly chilling. For fans of Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue, Paul Verhoeven or Jerry Goldsmith the movie delivers everything to have a lot of fun and as for the critics, I'de like to see a guy like Roger Ebert direct a movie. Paul Verhoeven still knows how to create a solid thriller. Finally a message from Germany to those guys at Columbia and Warner. Before you try to prevent the export of US DVDs to other countries by encoding them with techno stuff, ask yourself why noone wants to buy these trashy german products with NO bonus materials and brilliant mono sound like The Exorcist.
Rating:
Summary: It was a fun movie
Review: The sexual parts did unerve me, but as a thriller it was pretty good. I liked the effects, and its entertainment value alone didn't let me notice whatever holes the plot had. It just wasn't as bad as I heard, and I don't see what the big fuss is about. I liked it, not LOVED it. But I felt it was worth a rental, but I dunno if I wanna own such a racey film in terms of sexual content. But not bad, and good effects. Especially the gorilla in the beginning.
Rating:
Summary: There's something about a Paul Verhoeven film,
Review: you just know it'll be larger than life, Starship Troopers, Total Recall etc., Hollow Man delivers. Just. Its not a bad film, but it's not a good film either. I just couldn't appreciate the characters, especially Elisabeth Shue's, she just didn't fit. Basically the story goes something like this. Kevin Bacon plays a scientist (of the mad variety!), who discovers the secret of making things invisible. The problem with this is bringing them back visible. When the breakthrough happens, Bacon unofficially experiments on himself. With his new found freedom he slowly starts to lose his grip on reality, and takes things into his own hands, to get what he wants. Visually the film is stunning, the special effects look superb on DVD's superior quality. The audio is a classic Dolby Digital 5.1 mix, which enables you to hear every little noise like crystal, and every explosion with window shattering clarity. The special features are required viewing, just to find out how they managed those effects, with plenty of insight, the only drawback is that on the featurettes they seem to share the same interviews. Don't miss the trailer for the Final Fantasy movie which is also on the disc.
Rating:
Summary: Not that bad.
Review: With all of the buzz that surrounded the release of "Hollow Man" before its release on August 4th, it's easy for me to see why so many critics downed this movie as a lame excuse for special effects and violence. If you've seen the trailer, then you probably already know too much of what is going to happen, kind of like the fiasco that occurred with "Double Jeopardy." So basically, this is a movie where the viewer is left to decide whether or not it is any good. Personally, I found it to be quite enjoyable. Sure, it does fall into some of the all-too-familiar horror/thriller clichés, and it seems as though the final third could've been carried out in a different way. But if all you're looking for is a simple Friday night movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat in certain intense moments, then it is not a failure. "Hollow Man" is the only movie I've ever seen that hosts such a shocking opening scene. A small rat runs into a large cage, where it is lifted by an unseen force and eaten, with vivid detail. We soon learn that this is part of an experiment funded by the Defense Department in order to discover the key to the invisibility of mammals. The animals are merely test subjects under project leader Sebastian Caine, until he discovers the code to reverse the process. He keeps this discovery a secret from the government, telling his partner Linda McKay that he wants to go ahead with the third phase himself, which involves testing it on himself. Despite the risks at stake, she and Matthew Kensington go along with it, and soon, the process goes ahead and Sebastian disappears from human visibility. But when his reversal process proves a failure on humans, his morality begins breaking down, and he settles into a deranged lifestyle of mayhem and murder, willing to stop at nothing to keep his success a secret from everyone. With all of this in mind, "Hollow Man" is not a bad movie. It does contain its share of genuine thrills and scares, while also giving the storyline a sophisticated and intelligent feel in terms of its scientific aspects. The action does keep moving despite a couple of old-fashioned thriller clichés, but even then this may provide for a bit of relief. It does seem as though the third act of the film is a bit underachieved. With all the suspense that the movie builds up to, there seems to be so many other approaches the writers could've taken, but hey: this is a summer thriller movie, so it fits nicely into its genre. The special effects used for this movie are nothing short of amazing. What makes this movie all-the-more believable is that Kevin Bacon, playing Sebastian, is able to play opposite the other actors, even in the invisibility scenes. Special make-up techniques and computer animation and recreation make each completed shot seamless and simply stunning, and it does have to be said: this is one of the best special effects movies ever made. Actors also do a great job, and know what they are doing with their characters. Kevin Bacon is quite the evading psycho killer as Sebastian, and just the sound of his voice will send chills up your spine in the most intense moments. Elizabeth Shue is, as always, astounding in her role of Linda McKay, and when the action begins to mount, she is always on hand to keep it moving at twice the speed. She is also able to make audiences believe in her character's intelligence and ability as a scientist. Josh Brolin does a good job as the hero-for-a-day character Matthew, and despite his character's all-too-familiar entrances to save the day, he plays them all so well, like the idea is totally brand new. To sum it up, "Hollow Man" is a good movie. Not great; just good. It has the suspense, the thrills, and the action needed to make it a plausible thriller, though those looking for more substance will be at a bit of a loss. It can be smart and intelligent at times, while giving its audiences a simple story that is easy to follow and quite enjoyable.
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