A combination of romance, comedy and adventure, Time After Time might not be a timeless story (the 1970s look doesn't help in that regard), but it remains a very good one, even after 25 years. (Besides, how can you hate a film in which H.G. Wells ends up at McDonald's?)

The film presents an interesting two-question premise: What might have happened if H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) actually built a time machine? And a friend of his (David Warner) turned out to be Jack the Ripper?

After introducing the Ripper (we don't see him, but there's no mistaking Warner's voice), the story begins in 1893 London, where Wells and friends are gathering at his home for an evening of drinks and chatter. (Astute watchers will notice that this is directly taken from the beginning of Wells' Time Machine, where the Machine is presented to the Traveler's friends.) One Dr. Stevenson (Warner) is late for obvious reasons, and it turns out that Scotland Yard is on his tail. Discovering Wells' machine, he decides to escape through time.

It turns out that Wells has the automatic return override key in his pocket, and when the machine comes back, he decides to go after Stevenson and bring him to the authorities, thinking that the future will be a 'socialist utopia' and not ready for the Ripper. Ending up in 1979 San Francisco, he tracks Stevenson by visiting foreign currency desks at most of the city banks. Not only does he find Stevenson, he also finds love in the form of 'liberated' Amy Robbins (Mary Steenburgen). The three come together in a late-night showdown at a local H.G. Wells' exhibit.

Being the writer of two 'lost' Sherlock Holmes novels, director Nicholas Meyer knows how to weave together history and fiction (example: Amy Robbins was the real name of Wells' wife). While the time-travel angle may lose some people, the story remains intrguing. As with any time-travel film, there are some paradoxes - don't get me started on the whole 'so why does he end up in San Francisco instead of London?' question... even Meyer himself can't quite answer that one. (Still, the film ended up being a good test run for Meyer's script work on Star Trek IV, what with the similarities between the two projects.)

If you're used to Back to the Future-quality effects to carry the story, you won't find them here. Being a low-budget film, there were lots of little tricks used to do the time-travel sequences, and Meyer touches upon them in the commentary. Paradoxes and inexpensive effects aside, the heart of the film resides in the lead actors, who do wonders with the story. McDowell, as he is now, was mainly known as an actor who plays a very good bad guy. So when Meyer sent him the script, he leapt at the chance to play the hero for a change. Seeing him try to order McDonald's is priceless. (It's even more funny when you hear that before shooting this film, McDowell had spent hardly any time in America.)

Mary Steenburgen is an engaging presence, even if she does go a little overboard with the 70s colloquialisms. Still, she and McDowell make for a good couple, and it never hurts when your two romantic leads end up together for real. In the commentary, McDowell tells us (and his kids) that if you want to see two people falling in love, watch this film.

David Warner always makes for a good villain, and it's no different here. Though I'm sure it would've been probably better for him to be a little less civilized, as the difference between the two parts (Stevenson and the Ripper) is incredibly pronounced and jarring. It doesn't help the tension, either - as it's hard to believe this London doctor could be Jack the Ripper with no hinting of the brutality behind the calm.

Being a film buff, Meyer wanted composer Miklos Rozsa to echo his work from The Thief of Baghdad, and it sounds great with a nod to the old WB fanfare, and a pretty good love theme. Shame that the soundtrack CD is hard to find these days...

Warner's DVD presents the film in its original 2:35:1 aspect ratio. After seeing the film in dirty, muddy VHS, watching it in widescreen is like night and day. There are nicks here and there, but it is generally a quality picture. Audio is presented in the original Dolby Surround mix, so there's no drowning out by the music.

The extras are useful for a catalog release. The highlight is a commentary with Meyer and McDowell. It's a pleasant listen, with plenty of anecdotes and praise to keep one's attention. McDowell talks openly about the romance that developed into a twelve-year marriage with Steenburgen. Meyer's response? "I thought I was being a great director." (While he is an intelligent and talented writer/director, after hearing his commentaries for the Star Trek films he directed plus this one, I'm convinced the man carries himself a wee bit too much. Or maybe I'm just missing the sarcasm.) It sounds like the two weren't recorded together, but there's a fair bit of byplay regardless. The only other extras are trailers for this plus the 1960 and 2002 versions of The Time Machine. However, WB has given the film very nice treatment, and is worth seeking out. Recommended.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good Date Movie
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12