Click to read the article
The Time Machine (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
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
Reviews for The Time Machine
Wells' movie is more content to rip off Tomb Raider than remain faithful to his great-grandfather's book.
The Time Machine is a witless recycling of the H.G. Wells story from 1895, with the absurdity intact but the wonderment missing.
While clever and fast-paced, a truncated ending makes this feel like a film that suffers perhaps from postproduction tweaking.
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.
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.
... surprisingly inert for a movie in which the main character travels back and forth between epochs.
Latest News for The Time Machine
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- The Time Machine at Rotten Tomatoes
- The Time Machine at IGN
- The Time Machine at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

