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2003
The archaeological excavation at La Roque Castle in Castelgard, France, appears to be like any other dig. At least it does until archaeology student Kate (Frances O'Connor) and assistant professor Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) discover a note from their boss Professor Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly) dated 1357, but the chamber .. Read more
| Starring | Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Donner |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
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Timeline
The archaeological excavation at La Roque Castle in Castelgard, France, appears to be like any other dig. At least it does until archaeology student Kate (Frances O'Connor) and assistant professor Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) discover a note from their boss Professor Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly) dated 1357, but the chamber has been sealed since the mid-14th century. Knowing that Johnston is visiting the dig's main funder, cutting-edge computer company ITC, Kate and Marek head for corporate headquarters along with Johnston's son Chris (Paul Walker), and team members Stern (Ethan Embry) and Francois (Rossif Sutherland). To their astonishment, the team finds that ITC inadvertently discovered a wormhole leading to Castelgard circa 1357, that they have the ability to transport 3D objects through the hole, and that Johnston is trapped there with the team being his only hope for rescue. But is ITC telling them the whole truth
| Starring | Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Gerard Butler, Billy Connolly, Ethan Embry, Anna Friel, Michael Sheen, Lambert Wilson, Matt Craven, David Thewlis |
|---|---|
| Director | Richard Donner |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 55 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Sci-Fi/Fantasy |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 10 Apr 2004 Production year: 2003 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (4)
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Despite the distinguished alliance of director Richard Donner and writer Michael Crichton, this time-travelling fantasy is almost too daft to laugh at. Lesser talents might have treated it more lightly and successfully, but Crichton (Jurassic Park) and Donner (Lethal Weapon) press too heavily on the significance of events, leaving the absurdities to take over. It's saved from complete disaster, thanks to Billy Connolly, who plays a professor leading an archaeological dig in the Dordogne valley. When the professor gets thrust back in time by the shady corporation sponsoring the dig, his son (Paul Walker) and fellow students follow to try and rescue him and find themselves in a 14th-century war in which the villainous English are browbeating the saintly French. Despite the clunky dialogue and outrageous situations, the momentum maintains our interest, while the plot keeps us amused if not bemused. Even so, there comes an exasperating moment when you are grateful for Aldous Huxley's famous assertion that time must have a stop.
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Risible adventure, so daft to be almost, but not quite, endearing; the performances are beyond redemption.
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Most helpful member's review
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28 out of 29 people found this review helpful
Get over it other reviewers, right now.
OK enough. If it's one things movies have taught us it's you can judge a book by it's cover. Paul Walker in a historical time travel romp rated 12. Who honestly watches this then gives it a bad review? What else were you expecting? Seriously? It's a daft time travel flic with knights and catapults. There! Theres your movie. Expect anything more and endup dissapointed, AND it'll be your fault. I liked it because I rented a silly wee adventure movie made straight for sunday family viewing. Please don't expect anything more and you might be impressed. So what if the accents aren't accurate! Thats not what you're watching and you know it. One of Richard Donners worst movies, but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy it. I liked it and if you read this, take it in and rent the movie you might too.
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Most recent members' review
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9 out of 11 people found this review helpful
So bad I had to write about it
A historical adventure Sci-Fi based on a Michael Crichton novel with Richard Donner directing, it seemed to have most of the right ingredients! I actually missed this at the cinema so was really looking forward to watching the DVD.
Imagine my disappointment then, when the film began racing ahead to the action, totally forgetting that it was balancing ever so precariously on a wafer-thin plot-line and mercilessly leaving what is possibly the worst cast ever assembled completely dazed and confused!
After a very brief introduction of the characters and explanation of what’s going on, the film jumps headfirst into what is actually some fairly decent action. Apart from that, the dialogue has no 'bite' and is often unclear, with everybody just talking over each other.
There is predictably bad acting from the aforementioned dodgy cast and some of the loose ends are never quite tied up, strengthening my impression of this as a weak, badly thought out adaptation.
All in all, this is the worst movie I've seen for some time! It’s just too implausible for my liking and that's coming from someone who thought Jurassic Park was believable!
I suppose there is a slim chance you may enjoy this if you're a fan of films such as the recent Planet of the Apes re-make or of 3rd rate MDF acting skills in general (Walker is the new Mark Wahlberg/Keanu Reeves!), otherwise save nearly 2 hours of your own timeline and avoid it like the plague! -
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Timeline
The archaeological excavation at La Roque Castle in Castelgard, France, appears to be like any other dig. At least it does until archaeology student Kate (Frances O'Connor) and assistant professor Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) discover a note from their boss Professor Edward Johnston (Billy Connolly) ...
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