Even though
Here's the premise: A watch has been created that can stop or slow time, and the teens that have it are trying to keep it from the clutches of pursuing bad guys. Judging from reports about the acting, the writing, and the lack of ideas, it sounds like the special effects team may have been the only ones working on the film who had anything interesting to do.
Mainstream critics quickly dismissed it as derivative and dumb. Robert K. Elder (
Kirk Honeycutt (Hollywood Reporter) calls it "a lackluster children's action film … The script, credited seemingly to half the members of the Writers Guild, makes little attempt to establish the plausibility of the science fiction elements. OK, so the wearer of this watch winds up in hypertime, but how do cars and anyone nearby manage to enter this Coney Island of time and space?"
Roger Ebert offers a more positive summary: "Unlike
Some religious press critics had similar complaints, but for others it passed muster.
The USCCB critic says, "
None of this troubles Holly McClure (Crosswalk): "This clever family-friendly movie will appeal to adults as well as kids and teens. The unique special effects, the fun time-stands-still scenes and teen heroes who save the day make this a positive story about family relationships."
Michael Elliott says, "Inconsistencies and unexplained gaps in its logic might frustrate the more demanding moviegoer. For the casual viewer,
But Ted Baehr (
John Evans (Preview) argues that the moderate action and some "suggestive comments" make the film "objectionable viewing for pre-teens and very questionable for teenagers." He also has a notion that young viewers who experience this "frantic action with loud, startling music" may become hyperactive.