Clockstoppers

Zak Gibbs is a curious teenage inventor's son living in a lab filled with his father's gadgets. While exploring the workshop he finds a strange wristwatch with gleaming circuitry. When he puts it on, time freezes around him and even motion seems to pause. At first he treats it like a trick, but soon he learns to control the moments, extending or shrinking them. He teams with Francesca, a quick witted new friend, and they play with the power, testing limits and enjoying a freedom others cannot imagine. The watch becomes a badge of teen independence and a doorway to clandestine adventures that also wake up questions about responsibility and family rules, and tests his loyalties with his friends watching.

Directed by Jonathan Frakes, Clockstoppers arrived in 2002 from an original screenplay by Rob Hedden, Andy Hedden and J. David Stem. The film marks Frakes' first major live action feature and blends family friendly comedy with science fiction adventure worldwide.

Clockstoppers grossed $38,793,283 worldwide against a $26,000,000 budget, yielding a modest but solid return for a mid range family sci fi title that found life on home video and cable. Families enjoyed it in theaters and video for families everywhere.

While not a cultural juggernaut, Clockstoppers left a mark as a kid friendly take on time manipulation. The novelty of stopping and starting time appealed to younger viewers and contributed to a wave of similar films in the early 2000s. Its practical effects drew mild praise from critics and audiences.

Critics treated Clockstoppers as a light family adventure that leans on inventive effects and brisk pacing. Its core themes touch on curiosity and responsibility as Zak learns that power over time comes with consequences and the need to consider others. The film also offers heroism and friendship as a backbone.