Impressive visuals can't overcome the unimaginative plot of this thriller from director Paul Verhoeven that possesses neither the engrossing sexual paranoia of Basic Instinct (1992) nor the clever, tongue-in-cheek social satire of Robocop (1987) and Starship Troopers (1997). Although Verhoeven makes notable use of advances in computer-aided special effects technology to render the most realistic onscreen depiction of invisibility yet, the script by Andrew W. Marlowe turns into a depressingly derivative "haunted house" scenario. Meanwhile, only the thinnest motivation is provided for the transformation of Sebastian Caine (Kevin Bacon) from an egocentric but brilliant scientist into a homicidal, oversexed maniac. Wooden performances from supporting players Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin add nothing to the proceedings. What is left is hollow indeed -- a film that, like so many effects extravaganzas of its time, is a marvel on the surface due to a series of vividly memorable set pieces (the injection of serum into the veins of an invisible subject, the swimming pool sequence), but at its core is an empty shell. As with most Verhoeven films, defenseless animals and women are abused and gallons of blood are spilled, pushing the right buttons to satisfy genre buffs but leaving those in search of satisfying storytelling feeling invisible.