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Time Machine, The Starring:
Guy Pearce, Samantha Mumba, et al.
Director: Simon Wells
Rating: PG-13
Review
Posted: 7.31.02
By
John Teves
Scientist and
inventor Alexander Hartdegen (Guy Pearce) is determined to prove
that time travel is possible. His determination is turned to
desperation by a personal tragedy that now drives him to want to
change the past. Testing his theories with a time machine of his
own invention, Hartdegen is hurtled 800,000 years into the
future, where he discovers that mankind has divided into the
hunter and the hunted.
The Time Machine begins on a
deserving note, but quickly becomes a chaotic and tiresome mess.
The Time Machine has some incredible special effects and a cast
that, on the whole, tries valorously to make the story original.
Pearce is an
accomplished actor and his work in this film proves that he's
capable of delivering tremendous performances, yet he doesn't
seem to be emotionally captivated with his character. Co-star
Samantha Mumba is entirely believable as the Eloi and Jeremy
Irons is superior as the leader of the enslaving Morlocks.
Though the Time Machine is not an altogether unpleasant film,
it's just unsubstantially imperfect.
>Read
Craig Younkin's Film Review!
The Time
Machine appears in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 on this
single-sided, double-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced
for 16X9 televisions. The Time Machine presented an absolutely
spectacular image. Sharpness looked immaculate. The image always
remained crisp and defined. I detected no jagged edges, and no
evidence of edge enhancement. Print flaws appeared totally
absent, with no speckle or blemish in sight. The film provided a
brilliant palette. The colors looked bright and vivid throughout
the movie. Black levels were solid, and shadow detail was
appropriately heavy. All in all, the movie looked spectacular.
The film is
presented in both Dolby Digital 5.1 & DTS soundtrack. Both
tracks were zestful with the DTS version adding a little more
bounce. The audio quality sounded immaculate. Dialogue seemed
natural. The score offered adequate clarity. Effects also showed
good dynamics and replication. All told, The Time Machine
featured a track that benefited the film.
Extras:
Commentary
by director Simon Wells
Commentary
by
producer David Valdes, visual effects supervisor
Jamie Price and production designer Oliver Scholl
Theatrical trailer(s)
Deleted scenes
Making of the Morlocks
Making of "The Time Machine"
"Fight
Choreography" Feature
In its entirety, The DVD offers
generally positive picture and sound plus a charitable amount of
extras. The Time Machine could have been a tremendous film, but
particular elements made this film dreadful. I will confess that
the film had my attention for a good duration, however as the
film developed the film metamorphosed into an average
half-witted film. Fans of the SCI-FI genre may want to give this
one a look, yet I dont verily think they will be excited about
it.
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