Jumping in and out of time (Time Bandits (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Time Bandits (DVD)
Date:	14/04/08 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Typical Monty Python-style comedy

Disadvantages: Not as good as their other stuff

Time Bandits is the 1981 film brought to us by members of the Monty Python team. Written by Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam, and directed by Gilliam himself, it is a comedy of Monty Python-like proportions.

The Plot

Six crazy dwarves have stolen a map containing holes in space and time scattered across the universe. Kidnapping an 11-year-old boy along the way, they have time travelled all over the place, watched closely by the Evil Genius, who will stop at nothing to obtain the map for his own evil purposes.

The Cast and Performances

This film is famous for its extras. Among the six dwarves, the most famous is probably Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the star wars films. Warwick Davis, who played Willow Ufgood in Willow also features. John Cleese stars as Robin Hood, Sean Connery as King Agamemnon, and Ian Holm as Napoleon. There are cameos from Ralph Richardson, Shelley Duvall, Jim Broadbent and Katherine Helmond. David Warner is good as the Evil Genius. The cast all perform well, but no one is spectacular.

My Opinion

I do like this film, but it is not a patch on the Pythons' regular efforts, nor on other films such as The Life of Brian. The plot is so random that it is hard to follow, and teh comedy is so ridiculous you have to laugh. It is a very good film, but there is a distinct trend of throwing some famous names and a few comedy situations at it to make it work. Work it does, but not because of the script.

Conclusion

A funny film, but below par for the Python team.

I rate this film at 3 stars out of 5.

The DVD is available from amazon.co.uk for £8.99.

This review may also be posted on ciao.co.uk.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Time Bandits (1981)