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Movies / On DVD / The Time Machine
The Time Machine

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The Time Machine (2002)

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29 %
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Reviews Counted:7

Fresh:2

Rotten:5

Average Rating:4.7/10

Consensus: This Machine has all the razzle-dazzles of modern special effects, but the movie takes a turn for the worst when it switches from a story about lost love to a confusing action-thriller.

Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: Scientist and inventor Alexander Hartdegen 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... Scientist and inventor Alexander Hartdegen 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.

Based on the classic science-fiction novel by H.G. Wells, "The Time Machine" stars Guy Pearce ("Memento," "L.A. Confidential") in the role of Alexander Hartdegen. Making her feature film debut, Dublin-born singer/songwriter Samantha Mumba stars opposite Pearce as Mara, the woman who befriends Hartdegen in the distant future. The international cast also includes Orlando Jones ("Evolution"), Mark Addy ("The Full Monty"), Phyllida Law ("Saving Grace"), Sienna Guillory ("Kiss Kiss Bang Bang") and Academy Award® winner Jeremy Irons ("Reversal of Fortune," "Die Hard: With a Vengeance").

A co-production of DreamWorks Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, "TheTime Machine" marks the live-action directorial debut of Simon Wells, who previously co-directed DreamWorks’ animated hit "The Prince of Egypt." Wells directed "The Time Machine" from a screenplay by John Logan ("Gladiator"), based on the screenplay by David Duncan. Walter F. Parkes ("Gladiator," upcoming "Men in Black 2") and David Valdes ("The Green Mile") produced the film, with Laurie MacDonald, Jorge Saralegui and Arnold Leibovit serving as executive producers, and John Logan co-producing. The film will be distributed domestically by DreamWorks, with Warner Bros. handling the international release.

-- © 2002 Dreamworks Pictures [More]

Starring: Guy Pearce, Jeremy Irons, Orlando Jones, Samantha Mumba

Starring: Guy Pearce, Jeremy Irons, Orlando Jones, Samantha Mumba, Omero Mumba, Sienna Guillory, Mark Addy, Phyllida Law

Director: Simon Wells

Director: Simon Wells
Screenwriter: John Logan
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC

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Reviews for The Time Machine

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1 - 9 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
06/10/02
Guardian [UK]
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Wells' movie is more content to rip off Tomb Raider than remain faithful to his great-grandfather's book.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
05/27/02
Richard Luck
Richard Luck
BBC
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/27/09
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
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The Time Machine is a witless recycling of the H.G. Wells story from 1895, with the absurdity intact but the wonderment missing.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
03/08/02
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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While clever and fast-paced, a truncated ending makes this feel like a film that suffers perhaps from postproduction tweaking.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
03/07/02
Kirk Honeycutt
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
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This uninviting and pallid version, starring Guy Pearce, is intent on grinding all the sharp edges off the original story, in effect making the movie childproof, so no one can get hurt touching it.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
03/07/02
Elvis Mitchell
Elvis Mitchell
New York Times
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If Welles was unhappy at the prospect of the human race splitting in two, he probably wouldn't be too crazy with his great-grandson's movie splitting up in pretty much the same way.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
03/07/02
Kenneth Turan
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
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... surprisingly inert for a movie in which the main character travels back and forth between epochs.

Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
03/07/02
Paul Tatara
Paul Tatara
CNN.com
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1 - 9 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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February 06, 2002: The story that emerged is both familiar-an inventor (Pearce) travels about 800,000 years into the future and discovers that mankind has evolved into dominant Morlocks and subservient Elois-and updated. Opens in new window
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