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Dan Owen reviews
- Cert:
- Running time: 96 minutes
- Year: 2002
- Released: 31st May 2002
- Widescreen Ratio: 2.35:1
- Rating: 6/10
Director: Simon Wells
Screenplay: John Logan (based on the novella by H.G Wells)
Cast:
- Prof. Alexander Hartdegen: Guy Pearce
Uber Morlock: Jeremy Irons
David Philby: Mark Addy
Mara: Samantha Mumba
Kalen: Orlando Jones
VOX NY-114: Omero Mumba
Sara: Sienna Guillory
Mrs Watchit: Phylidda Law
Remakes are very tricky things for a screenwriter (let alonea director) to get right.,Classic movies are usually remade simply because theoriginal films have a built-in audience that will most likely make thefilm a box-office hit regardless of its quality (take a bow Tim Burton’sPlanet Of The Apes)
Of course, films famous for their special-effects also pose a temptingtarget for ideas-starved filme executives – as merely updating a filmstylistically and technically is often thought of as a just remake. Itboggles their minds to consider that the best remake of recent times wasSteven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven – which remade a relatively poorfilm into a funky success.
H.G Wells’ The Time Machine, published in 1895, is a novella thatultimately paved the way for science-fiction to tackle the idea oftime-travel, and so is quite rightly considered the grandfather of thisoverused sci-fi device. His book was successfully adapted to the silverscreen once before by George Pal in 1960, but now Simon Wells(great-grandson of H.G, no less) is adapting this great work ofliterature once more for a contemporary audience.
In fact, screenwriter John Logan has actually decided to remake theoriginal film, which is held in such high regard by filmgoers already.As a consequence, the movie is less the second adaptation of a greatnovel, and more a weak retread of an existing film adaptation (withniftier effects, obviously).
To be fair, Logan makes some pleasing additions to the overall plot (abetter reason for Guy Pearce’s hero to actually invent time-travel,amongst others). Director Wells updates the environments and creaturesto fine effect, while still managing to retain a style the originalmovie had – particularly regarding the Time Machine’s design and effectswizardy whilst travelling through a “speeded up” world.
Guy Pearce, fresh from critical acclaim inMemento,is pleasingly na=EFve as the supposed genius Hartdegern, although he’s quiteclearly on autopilot in a role that isn’t too difficult to play. Samantha Mumbais surprisingly good as the female lead – playing Mara, a member of thefuturistc Eloi race who understands Pearce’s ancient English language.Again, no acting here is really a sizeable test for any true thespian,but Mumba acquits herself very well in her first starring role – as doesher younger brother Omero Mumba as Kalen.
Jeremy Irons delivers a pleasing rasp of evil to proceedings as the”Uber Morlock”, but his expected beefy role is criminally just a onescene moment (believe it!). A special mention should go to Orlando Jones– whose role in this movie is the sole example of true originality andwit, managing to shine in his brief sequences as a holographic librarian(for want of a better word!)
The Time Machine is an enjoyable, lightweight romp that should pleasekids under the age of twelve, while those old enough to remember theground-breaking original film, or who have read H.G Wells’ novella, willbe left wanting. By and large, the changes made to this remake are soundenough, although the addition of a romantic tragedy for Guy Pearce isnever a wholly satisfying starting point for the adventure.
However, save for a few bad moments, the special-effects are generallyquite good – although it’s a shame the Moon disaster sequence has had tobe cut to shreds in light of September 11th (featuring, as it wassupposed to, the destruction of New York skycrapers by flamingmoonrock). The cannibal Morlocks are a huge improvement over thelumbering dolts of the original film, and the weedy Eloi of Pal’s movieare also far more believable in Wells’ remake.
It just doesn’t quite gel together somehow. Wells’ pace is fast andspirited, but just when it gets interesting the film rushes into aclimax that, ultimately, just leaves you perplexed it’s over so quickly!Indeed, Jeremy Irons role in this film should have pushed things to thenext level… but he instead signals the imminent end!
Overall, it’s difficult to hate The Time Machine, especially if itwere a TV-Movie Special (which it resembles in scope and stylethroughout). Thankfully it does improve on some key elements of the bookand George Pal’s movie, while the special-effects are pleasing – butpedestrian by today’s standards. Sadly, all the depth, nuance, andsocial commentary of the book is totally abandoned, together with theinherent charm of George Pal’s effort, while the thrill of thetime-travel never truly excites as it should.
Curiously, I always hated the original film once star Rod Taylor arrivesin the Eloi/Morlock future Earth… but with this 2002 remake thingsactually started to improve around this exact same point… only tofalter because of an unnecessarily abrupt finale, the stupid waste ofJeremy Irons, and an unsatisfying conclusion. But, this is nowhere nearthe worst remake I’ve ever seen, but I can’t help thinking they shouldhave adapted the book again, and not just remade George Pal’s movie witha few 21st Century bells and whistles…
Review copyright © Dan Owen, 2002.E-mail Dan Owen
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.