The Time Machine [2002] (DVD)

“Remakes don’t work!” certainly you can argue this for many films made recently, Lost In Space and Planet of the Apes spring to mind…what about ‘The Time Machine’ the 2002 remake of the classic 1960 movie that won an Oscar for it’s innovative special effects? THE STORY This is an adaptation of HG wells famous sci-fi novel about a Victorian scientist that creates a machine capable of travelling through time. That’s the basic premise of the novels and both films but the similarity ends there neither film really is that faithful to the book if anything the 1960 version is more recognisable as Wells story but I wont concentrate on giving a comparison ...  Read the complete review

The Time Machine had many of the ingredients that could have made a good film. A solid basis in HG Wells book (which I haven't read, although I hear is a classic), directed by Wells' great-grandson, at a time when special effects are capable of doing justice to science fiction films, with the lead being played by the fantastic Guy Pearce (helping us all forget Neighbours by creating unforgettable performances in Memento and L.A. Confidential). All this just makes it even more of a shame that this film was a real disappointment. The (apparently) altered story-line opens with the nervous and nerdy Professor Alexander Hartdegen (Guy Pearce) proposing to ...  Read the complete review

H G Wells' Time Machine is a delight in many ways, none moreso than the notion of being able to travel through time. The original film was also riveting, and captured much of what Wells had imagined very well. However, this 2002 remake, although laden with impressive special effects, fails to really send the punch home. When Alex loses the woman he loves following a robbery gone wrong, he puts his incredibly talented scientific brain to use to try and create a time machine, so he can go back and save her. However, once successful, his journey through time takes on a more exploratory role, propelling him into the future and seeing what befalls all of us many ...  Read the complete review

Recently this was on the telly and, having wanted to watch it for some time, I took this oppotunity to sit down and finally get round to watching it. I have been a fan of Guy Pearce ever since the amazing MOMENTO and still remember his performance in NEIGHBOURS all those years ago. However, this has always previously been one of those movies that just seemed to pass me by. Directed by the great-grandson of the original author, H.G.WELLS, you would be forgiven for thinking that this was the definitive film version of the bestselling 1895 novel on which it is based. Not so... maybe the presence of failed pop diva, SAMANTHA MUMBA in the cast should've been an ...  Read the complete review

Goodness me, I suddenly realised how long it had been since I?d written a really negative review. Never mind, I?ve got just the thing... There?s nothing like a good science-fiction film... and this most recent attempt to adapt HG Wells?s novel The Time Machine really is NOTHING like a good science-fiction film. And the sad thing is that bits of it look so promising on paper. Guy ?don?t mention Neighbours? as a brilliant but quietly tortured leading man. Orlando ?no, not him, the black guy? Jones when he was still on a roll from Evolution and lots of room for snazzy special effects. But then you have Irish pop-poppet Samantha Mumba?s first screen role ? ...  Read the complete review