Hollowman (2000)

Well, I suppose it had to happen eventually. A Paul Verhoeven directed film that I didn’t think was at the very least terrific; although Hollowman is a film that Verhoeven himself has since described as ‘hollow.’ It’s another take on The Invisible Man tale; Kevin Bacon plays Sebastian Caine, a man developing a serum that allows the user to become invisible. After testing on animals, Caine takes the decision to undergo the procedure himself, with unwanted consequences when the injection to bring him back fails, leaving him invisible. Caine is an insufferable individual, leaving you cold when the horrors of remaining invisible become a reality for him, meaning you don’t particularly care what happens to him. But you certainly for worry for those around him. Verhoeven is a director that is to be trusted when it comes to potentially problematic sexual depiction, and there’s no exploitation here; Verhoeven makes it clear how dangerous an invisible individual could obviously be. He tones down his legendary eroticism in favour of the dangers of reality, and although it’s a message that’s vitally important here, the playfulness and satiric nature that is normally ever present in his films is hugely missed. The special effects however, are absolutely stunning, especially in the sequences of transformation, whether it be man or monkey that’s undertaking the procedure. Hollowman lost out to Gladiator (2000) at the Oscars for effects, and although Ridley Scott’s historical epic is much the better film, Hollowman’s special effects are arguably superior. Certainly Verhoeven’s least engaging output to date (of those that I’ve seen) but it leaves me no less excited for Benedetta. 4.8/10