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Timeline
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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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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"...The acting and FX are great, especially Connolly..."
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
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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26 out of 43 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 (I was annoyed at the time but am now quite thankful!) 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 (made all the worse by the deadpan cast who seemed to accept the ludicrous 'loophole in time' scenario far too easily), the film jumps headfirst into what is actually some fairly decent action. Apart from that, the dialogue has no 'bite' and is often unclear, everybody just talking over each other (just like a group of 21st century archaeologists in 14th century France would do? Okay, maybe we should be kind and put that down to realism!); there is predictably bad acting from the aforementioned dodgy cast (though fortunately most of them get killed off pretty quickly!) 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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18 out of 20 people found this review helpful
Timeline is actually okay
I was a bit wary of this film after reading some of the reviews on the site, and was actually pleasantly surprised. Having read and thorougly enjoyed the book I expected this to fall way short, and in a lot of ways it did. However, given that this type of film rarely comes close to the written version, I thought it best to watch the film with an open mind and not compare it to the book. In doing so and watching it with my wife, who had not read the book, we both enjoyed the film and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure film. Perhaps some of those people who slated this should stop trying to be Barry Norman for a few minutes and actually give it a chance.
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Better than expected
Timeline was a much better film that I was expecting.
It stayed pretty true to the main themes of the book and did a good job of keeping me entertained for the couple of hours it lasted.
Sure, it's not scientifically realistic. And I'm sure there are a ton of historical errors.
But it's a movie! It's purpose is to entertain, to thrill, to captivate. And it did all of that with gusto.
Go in expecting a cinematic masterpiece and you will be disapointed.
But go in expecting a good, solid, middle of the road piece of entertainment, and you'll come away thinking 'hey, that was pretty good.' -
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Not bad ... could be worse
I was looking forward to seeing this from the moment I heard it was being made ... the avid fan of Michael Crichton that I am!
The storyline (from what I remember) follows that of the book fairly closely, and is relatively enjoyable. However, I just can't see 'The Big Yin' (Billy Connolly to those who know no different) in a serious acting role ... it just doesn't work for me. Plus you have all those dodgy French accents floating about ... Anna Friel being the main culprit.
In places the dialogue is poor and is often shouted for the benefit of the hard of hearing.
3 out of 5 may be a big generous, but I did sit through it and enjoyed it (a little).
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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.
-
26 out of 43 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 (I was annoyed at the time but am now quite thankful!) 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 (made all the worse by the deadpan cast who seemed to accept the ludicrous 'loophole in time' scenario far too easily), the film jumps headfirst into what is actually some fairly decent action. Apart from that, the dialogue has no 'bite' and is often unclear, everybody just talking over each other (just like a group of 21st century archaeologists in 14th century France would do? Okay, maybe we should be kind and put that down to realism!); there is predictably bad acting from the aforementioned dodgy cast (though fortunately most of them get killed off pretty quickly!) 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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18 out of 20 people found this review helpful
Timeline is actually okay
I was a bit wary of this film after reading some of the reviews on the site, and was actually pleasantly surprised. Having read and thorougly enjoyed the book I expected this to fall way short, and in a lot of ways it did. However, given that this type of film rarely comes close to the written version, I thought it best to watch the film with an open mind and not compare it to the book. In doing so and watching it with my wife, who had not read the book, we both enjoyed the film and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good adventure film. Perhaps some of those people who slated this should stop trying to be Barry Norman for a few minutes and actually give it a chance.
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14 out of 23 people found this review helpful
OOOoooooooooooh DEEeeeeeeeaaar!!!
What could have been an enjoyable silly movie is instead an unwatchable shoutfest with duff dialogue and Billy Connolly.
Oh and everyone talks (shouts) over each other just like the Goonies did only then it was charming, here it is merely irritating.
Shame on you Richard Donner! -
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! -
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
Daft but fun
Well of course it's a ridiculous plot but it romps along at a decent pace and never slows down enough for you to get bored. Wooden acting and absurd script? Yep, but you won't mind unless you're looking for a rather more serious type of sci-fi. So if you read books about the science of Star Trek this probably isn't for you. If ou can suspend disbelief and don't care too much about plausibility, it probably is.
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7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Not bad ... could be worse
I was looking forward to seeing this from the moment I heard it was being made ... the avid fan of Michael Crichton that I am!
The storyline (from what I remember) follows that of the book fairly closely, and is relatively enjoyable. However, I just can't see 'The Big Yin' (Billy Connolly to those who know no different) in a serious acting role ... it just doesn't work for me. Plus you have all those dodgy French accents floating about ... Anna Friel being the main culprit.
In places the dialogue is poor and is often shouted for the benefit of the hard of hearing.
3 out of 5 may be a big generous, but I did sit through it and enjoyed it (a little). -
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Entertaining
Not a great film - granted. In fact the idea of the film greatly supasses the actual film. But Billy Connolly was great and Anna Friel is gorgeous.
Worth a rent -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
A Good Movie?
This is a film of the Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, Rising Sun, Prey) book of the same name. As usual some parts of the book are omitted or slightly changed in some way but it is one of the best examples of this that I have seen.
The basic plotline remains solid (unlike Runaway Jury!) and the representation of the medieval scenes look good. Well worth watching! -
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
I'm Slightly Dissapointed...
...by all the negative reviews on this film, hah, I bet you thought I was going to say something different!!
In all fairness, I think too many people are taking this film a little too seriously. As one person on here makes a fair point, IT'S SCI-FI, HOW MANY SCI-FI FILMS ARE ACTUALLY MEANT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!?!
Yes, Anna (Lady Clare) Freil's accent is pretty poor, except when she's actually speaking French, strangely enough...
And Yes, the science is a little far fetched, but come on, it's about Time Travel, well, Worm Holes to be precise, so the science doesn't have to be plausible...
I'm not very keen on David (Robert Doniger) Thewlis' accent, why he had to play an American is beyond me, he'd be just as scary with his own accent...
Also, I think it's good to see Billy (Professor Johnston) Connolly, playing a serious role in a major motion picture, I thought he was very capable.
I personally enjoyed the individual interaction of the separate characters best; Walker (Chris Johnston) and O'Connor (Kate Ericson), Walker and Butler (Andr? Marek), Butler and Friel, Connolly and anyone, rather than as a big group.
But, in the end, it's just plain ordinary enjoyable film. So it's not gonna win any Oscars, but it's just a good laugh!!
I especially liked the character Decker, or De Kere, heheh...
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.
-
Risible adventure, so daft to be almost, but not quite, endearing; the performances are beyond redemption.
-
"...The acting and FX are great, especially Connolly..."
-
"...Entertaining... a visual treat... Superb..."
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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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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