‘Invisible Man’ More Escapism Than Substance

A new version of “The Invisible Man” materializes tonight on cable’s Sci Fi Channel. If H.G. Wells were alive, he probably wouldn’t hate it. But there’s a good chance he wouldn’t embrace it either.

Not as clever or enjoyable as it could be, this new adventure series at best is passable escapism from executive producer Matt Greenberg (“Halloween: H20”).

The two-hour debut centers on Darien Fawkes (Vincent Ventresca), a third-strike thief bound for the slammer until he reluctantly serves as a guinea pig for a daring experiment conducted by his brother (David Burke).

As a result of the operation, Darien’s brain is implanted with a synthetic hormone called quicksilver, which seals his skin like Saran wrap, enabling him to disappear in an instant.

Ah, but the quicksilver acts as a narcotic, creating an unbearable pain that increases with each vanishing act. Given a so-called “counter-agent,” Darien can survive. Without it, he will gradually go bonkers.

In one scene, Darien conceals himself while spying on a woman as she disrobes. Later, in an agitated state, he almost attacks a nude woman in a shower. Can you spot the trend here?

Supporting characters in Greenberg’s ho-hum teleplay include a sinister scientist (Joel Bissonnette), a manipulative bureaucrat known as the Official (Eddie Jones) and a disgruntled undercover agent (Paul Ben-Victor).

Ventresca, who co-starred in the short-lived ABC series “Prey,” lacks charisma but conveys the requisite range of emotions for director Breck Eisner, who works efficiently given the show’s ordinary special effects and tight budget. Ben-Victor, who played Moe in the recent “Three Stooges” biopic, has amusing moments as Darien’s prickly partner.

Booked for a run of original episodes while the broadcast networks lay low this summer, “The Invisible Man” might show improvement in the coming weeks. At the moment, however, it cannot be considered must-see TV.

* “The Invisible Man” premieres tonight at 5 and 7 on Sci Fi Channel. The network has rated it TV-14-VL (may be unsuitable for children under the age of 14, with advisories for violence and coarse language).