6.1 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.0 | |
Overall | 3.9 |
Sebastian Caine heads a top-secret research project to unlock the secret of invisibility. When the formula works successfully on animals, an ecstatic Caine recklessly disobeys orders and experiments on himself. The invisible Caine, fueled by latent megalomaniac tendencies, quickly becomes intoxicated with his new-found power.
Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Kevin Bacon, Josh Brolin, Kim Dickens, Greg GrunbergThriller | 100% |
Horror | 67% |
Action | 21% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, Korean
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 1.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.0 |
For a director who has worked mainly within the science-fiction and action genres, Paul Verhoeven has always proven to be controversial. His films tend to push the boundaries of violence and sexual content and he has always been a favorite target of the M.P.A.A. Despite the controversies, Mr. Verhoeven has produced stellar work with popular favorites such as Robocop, Total Recall and Basic Instinct. Unfotunately, Hollow Man isn’t even close to being up to par with his best work.
Sebastian Crane (Kevin Bacon) is a brilliant, arrogant and just plain annoying research scientist. He and his team of smartly dressed and wise-cracking doctors have been tasked by the government to figure out how to turn a man invisible and back again. As their experiments on animals meet with more and more success, Sebastian ups the stakes and turns the experiment on himself. Unfortunately for Sebastian and anyone in his path, his invisibility serum isn’t as easily reversed on humans as it was on the various animals it was tested on. While his team works to make him visible again, Sebastian is driven mad and to senseless acts of violence.
One of the few light-hearted moments in this brutal film.
As only a seven year old release, the film elements of Hollow Man are in excellent shape and this Blu-ray version of the film sports a reference-grade transfer. Encoded with the stellar AVC codec, the film looks pristine and free from any defects. Much of the film takes place in a sealed laboratory complex with an abundance of fluorescent lighting. This gives many of the film's scenes an eerie blue tint that adds to the sterile and clinical nature of the film. Black levels throughout the film are rock sold and shadow detail is extraordinary. Fine detail is also very impressive. Much of the film features an abundance of complex CGI effects that are very impressive to behold in high definition. When I saw this film theatrically, I recall the effects having a very digital look to them. This Blu-ray presentation actually improves the look of these effects and, though the added detail of a high definition presentation, makes the effects ever so slightly more realistic. This is yet another example of the stellar work being done at Sony!
I was a bit surprised at the sound mix for Hollow Man. Presented in uncompressed PCM 5.1, the track is actually quite subdued. Dialogue was well presented and perfectly placed within the mix. The late, great Jerry Goldsmith's outstanding score is also amazing to behold with rich strings and powerful sizzles and stings. The film's many action scenes tend to crank the volume of the mix up a few notches while still maintaining fidelity and never resolving into a fuzzed out mess. While most of the film is predominantly front-loaded, there are some nice moments where the surround channels deliver some interesting directional effects. Be sure to listen carefully during the "hide and seek" scene between Sebastian and his coworkers. As Sebastian invisibly moves around the room, his voice will follow his movements around your surround channels. Nice touch!
Here's What's Included:
-HBO Making of: "Anatomy of a Thriller"
-"Fleshing out the Hollow Man"
-VFX Picture in Picture Comparisons
-Previews
Despite the problems I have with Hollow Man as a film, many of the special features on this disc are worth investigating. The HBO Making of documentary is a bit on the soft side, but the "Fleshing out the Hollow Man" feature is a very in-depth look at the making of the film with a surprising amount of good behind the scenes information. This film really does have some remarkable special effects, and the VFX Picture in Picture comparisons do a nice job of showcasing the work that went into creating them. Utilizing a picture in picture window, this feature showcases three particular shots from the film in their before and after incarnations. Additionally, Hollow Man features a set of previews for upcoming Blu-ray releases, but no Hollow Man trailer.
Hollow Man is a film that I have a very hard time with. I find the brutality of the film to be gratuitous and pointless. As the film provides no real depth to the characters, Sebastian's acts come off as being included to add shock value to the story. As far as the technical merits of this Blu-ray are concerned, this is another exceptional presentation from Sony. Video is near reference grade and the PCM audio brings Hollow Man to the next level of excellence. Supplements are also nicely assembled and include a revealing Picture in Picture special effects feature. While I can't recommend Hollow Man as a film, if you seek wonderful video and audio quality, look no further.
Extreme Unrated Set
2007
2006
1987
1997
Ultimate Collector's Edition
1986
40th Anniversary Edition
1979
2009
1990
2008
1995
2001
3-Disc Set
2010
2008
1982
2011
2014
Unrated Extended Edition
2005
1992
バイオハザード:ディジェネレーション / Biohazard: Degeneration
2008
2002