Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Having reviewed George Pal's 1960 version, I felt it only fitting to go on and review Simon Wells' 2002 version of Time Machine. This version has been widely panned here on Epinions and elsewhere, and I can see their point. I went into this expecting to totally hate it...didn't happen. I loved it in spite of it not staying true to the original masterpiece.

So. This time around you have this guy, Alexander Hartdegen instead of George, who is about to propose to his lady-love when they are accosted by a mugger and she is killed. What's a guy to do? Well, build a time machine so he can go back and save her from her fate! What?? What do you mean it didn't work? Oh dear.. so poor Alexander makes it his mission to jump ever forward in time to find the answer to why you cannot change the past.

I would love nothing more than to compare and contrast this to the Pal version, but that would give far too much of it away. I hate reviews that give away key things, so that ain't happening. Sorry. I will say that I was happy to see them at least include the mannequin thang and the sky-view from the original to denote time passage.

Guy Pearce is Hartdegen, inventor of the Time Machine. I hated his character in Count of Monte Cristo (2002) but liked this character very well. Pearce is believable as the anguished Hartdegen. He does 'determined anger' very well.

Mark Addy is Hertdegen's best friend, David Philby.. a character kept from the original. While Addy did a fine job here, I will always like him best as Chaucer in A Knight's Tale. Addy turns facial expression into an art form.

Jeremy Irons plays the Uber-Morlock, leader of the far-future underground race of Morlocks to perfection. Irons is one of my many favorites, and he did not disappoint in this. He plays the evil part subtly, which is right on the money.

The DVD
*runs 96 minutes.
*Audio commentary by director, producer, editor and visual effects supervisor
*Deleted scenes
*Featurettes: "Creating The Time Machine", "Creating the Morlocks"
*Storyboards

Rated PG-13 and I honestly cannot recall why that is. Perhaps the violence of the mugging?

I have to go against my fellow reviewers and give this 4 stars. I do recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of sci-fi. The acting and the directing were top-notch, the special effect were great. Just know that it is pseudo-remake with many liberties taken. Watch it on it's own merit. currently selling for around $20 at Best Buy.


This is my second submission into the Lean-n-Mean W/O hosted by Sleeper54. Everyone is invited! For details see Tom's page at http://www.epinions.com/user-sleeper54


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older