If nothing else, 2002 might be remembered as the Year of Lame Time-Involved Science-Fiction Films.

First came the effects-heavy but boring remake of "The Time Machine" (which made most of us long for the far superior original version) and now, just a few weeks later, here comes "Clockstoppers," a teen-oriented science-fiction adventure that too closely resembles the "Back to the Future" movies.

And while it's bad enough that "Clockstoppers" attempts to swipe crucial story and character elements from those movies without so much as a thank-you, it also relies on "Matrix"-type effects (as well as an intrusive, MTV-heavy soundtrack) in an attempt to cover up a hole-ridden plot and bland, unappealing characters. (So it's probably a good thing that the slightly lamer "The Time Machine" is still playing in theaters; it makes this one look a little better by comparison.)

Up-and-comer Jesse Bradford stars as Zak Gibbs, a high school senior who has a somewhat strained relationship with his college professor father George (Robin Thomas), who never seems to have time for his son. But what makes Zak really mad is that Dad does seem to have time for his research projects, including one developed by a former student, Earl Dopler (French Stewart), who has been prematurely aged because of experiments with "hyper-time."

Zak accidentally comes into possession of one of Dopler's devices — a wristwatch that actually speeds up its wearer. So he uses the watch's powers to pull a series of pranks and impress a pretty fellow student (Paula Garces). But the device really comes in handy when the shady Henry Gates (Michael Biehn) kidnaps Zak's dad to gain control of the "hyper-time" process, and it's up to the teen to save his father . . . and possibly the world.

While some of the camera work is interesting, the film's mid-to-low budget is betrayed by the surprisingly shoddy makeup work (using hair "frosting" in this day and age to make Stewart look "older" is simply laughable).

As for the film's lead, Bradford may have been charming in "Bring it On," but here he comes off as petulant and whiny, while Garces seems to be simply going through the motions.

Perhaps that explains why the irritating Stewart goes so far over the top and why Biehn chews the scenery. But what could possibly explain the filmmakers virtually ignoring the talented Julia Sweeney, who is wasted in a go-nowhere role as Zak's mother?

"Clockstoppers" is rated PG for violence (vehicular, gunplay, slapstick and some explosive mayhem), as well as some mildly vulgar humor (including animal bodily functions). Running time: 94 minutes.

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