Hollow Man (2000)

Scientists discover how to make people invisible, but their test subject becomes an insane killer who stalks them.

Director:

Paul Verhoeven

Writers:

Gary Scott Thompson (story), Andrew W. Marlowe (story),

Stars:

Elisabeth Shue, Kevin Bacon, Josh Brolin

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elisabeth Shue	...	Linda McKay
Kevin Bacon	...	Sebastian Caine
Josh Brolin	...	Matthew Kensington
Kim Dickens	...	Sarah Kennedy
Greg Grunberg	...	Carter Abbey
Joey Slotnick	...	Frank Chase
Mary Randle	...	Janice Walton
William Devane	...	Dr. Howard Kramer
Rhona Mitra	...	Sebastian's Neighbor
Pablo Espinosa	...	Ed, Warehouse Guard
Margot Rose	...	Mrs. Martha Kramer
Jimmie F. Skaggs	...	Wino
Jeffrey Scaperrotta	...	Boy in Car (as Jeffrey George Scaperotta)
Sarah Bowles	...	Girl in Car
Kelli Scott	...	Mom

Storyline

Elisabeth Shue is Linda Foster, a scientist who is working on a serum to make people invisible. When another scientist tries the serum and becomes invisible his colleagues figure another way to bring him back to the normal world.

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Plot Keywords:

scientist | invisibility | experiment | researcher | animal | 

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Taglines:

What would you do if you were invisible? How far would you go?

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Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and some sexuality/nudity

Details

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

El hombre sin sombra

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$95,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,634,386 (UK) (29 September 2000)

Gross:

ESP 1,778,455,868 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Global Entertainment Productions GmbH & Company Medien KG

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min 119 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the crew carries a half-invisible Sebastian back to the operating table, a metal skeleton was used. It was made of metal in order to make it heavy so the actors would give the impression of carrying a human body.

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Goofs

Since the viewing goggles used infrared radiation for seeing invisible objects, they could not see through a metal locker. However, the woman in the locker was leaning against, and hence warming, the door, and its her warmth that was shown.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sebastian: [another failed molecule design] Damn it!

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Connections

Referenced in Sex Adventure (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Jaguar"
Performed by Boss Hog

User Reviews

Cheesy and Hollywood yet entertaining!

"Hollow Man" seems to improve on second viewing. Yes, it is formulaic. Yes, it is cheesy but for all that it is unabashedly entertaining. On its release it was quite a disappointment considering the talent involved. On reappraisal this film is far better than any action movie delivered by Hollywood since September 11th 2001.

Kevin Bacon is a huge talent and his performance is excellent given the limitations of the script and SFX process. Elisabeth Shue is also extremely engaging. The problem lies in the script. What needed to be explored more fully is the use of such an extreme talent. The guy is invisible. So what can he get up too? All he achieves is the molestation of the beautiful Rhonda Mitra. Kevin Bacon is portraying an eccentric genius. Can he not think of something more inventive than rape?

The direction is pretty pedestrian for Paul Verhoven considering his remarkable talent in this field. "Hollow Man" is a continuation of Paul Verhoven's love affair with Special Effects. Unfortunately the SFX appear stagy and unsubtle. Some effects are very well done but not all of them.

The best effect is a simple one and proves Verhoven as a master of the medium. Kevin Bacon leaves a celebratory dinner but we do not see him leave. Elisabeth Shue turns and is confronted with an empty chair. This simple device works remarkably well because it is rather creepy and unexpected. More moments of such simple imagination and ingenuity needed to be introduced into the proceedings rather that the complete reliance on computer effects. Less is more, as they say.