Today’s quick review: Time Bandits. Kevin (Craig Warnock), a young boy who dreams of adventure, gets his wish when a band of would-be thieves led by Randall (David Rappaport) barge into his bedroom and whisk him along on a journey across time and space. Guided by a map of the universe stolen from the Supreme Being, the bandits intend to rob history’s greatest figures. But as they travel, an ancient evil (David Warner) plots to steal the map.
Time Bandits is a kids’ fantasy adventure from director Terry Gilliam. Time Bandits is a surreal romp through history that portrays the universe as a rather peculiar place. The movie features Terry Gilliam’s distinctive style: a blend of far-flung fantasy, straight adventure, and wry social and moral commentary. The result is an unusually mature kids’ movie that’s all over the map when it comes to plot and characters.
Time Bandits’ greatest strength is its creativity. The movie draws on a variety of historical settings, a quirky alternate cosmology, and the foibles of modern living in weaving its adventure. The various elements don’t always play nicely together, but they do make the film unique and unpredictable. The movie also features an ensemble cast full of familiar faces, including Ian Holm, John Cleese, Sean Connery, Michael Palin, and Jim Broadbent.
However, Time Bandits doesn’t hang together very tightly. The plot develops by the seat of its pants. The bandits’ trips to different time periods are largely disconnected from one another, and the main plot takes a while to get going. The characters are colorful enough, but there’s not much in the way of character growth. The tone is also somewhat mature for a kids’ movie, with more violence than usual and a hefty dose of cynicism.
Give Time Bandits a shot if you’re a fan of Terry Gilliam’s style or unusual kids’ films. Time Bandits is an eclectic movie that takes an investment from the viewer to fully appreciate. For the right viewer, it’s a unique experience, but not everyone will appreciate its style. For a cruder, more satirical historical comedy, try History of the World: Part 1. For a smoother, modern take on a kids’ time travel adventure, try Mr. Peabody & Sherman.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for unfettered creativity harmed somewhat by its loose structure and odd tone.