Timeline (DVD, 2004, Widescreen)

Based on a novel by Michael Crichton, which I am informed by my son was much better than the film --- well, nothing new there!

Regardless of my son's comparative remark I have no basis from which I can comment on the quality of the novel versus of the film. I suppose I'd be willing to read "Timeline" in print because I enjoyed the film so much. After all most time travel films essentially are part of the escape genre, and if you keep this in mind Donner delivers in spades!

The concept is interesting, a charcter becomes lost in time and is confronted by a sinister force, or villain. Okay, the science is probably a little weak. However, the plot is bolstered by the archeology team that is both the core of the story and essentially executes the "rescue." The cast forms an admirable ensemble although, as one might expect, Billy Connolly churns out his customary charming and compellingly believable performance.

It's fatal to pick time travel apart with a slew of "what ifs." Donnor and cast deliver a fast-paced, exciting film that's fun to see again, not just too often. If the book is better great I'll probably enjoy reading it!

We originally bought this movie because we enjoyed Gerard Butler's performance in Phantom of the Opera and Reign of Fire.
This film is so well done, and so thoroughly enjoyable, that we have watched it 5 times since purchasing it about a month ago! It has humor, action, chivalry, romance, swashbuckling medieval warfare, intrigue, danger...all in all the plot is very well laid out and keeps you on the edge of your seat, and all of the characters are portrayed very well. No nudity or anything of that sort, so if that is what you are looking for, look elsewhere; but if you want a very enjoyable, very family-friendly movie (other than a few curse-words, of course) then you will not be disappointed with this fine, fine film.

This is 2 reviews blended in one; the first, the movie as a standalone, and the second, as an adaptation of the book.


THE MOVIE:
The movie was not very good. It moves quickly and is filled with action but suddenly dies half way through and grinds to a slow finish. They don't really take time to explain much, rather they press forward with the story and unsuccessfully try to allow the characters to explain important points as the film runs it's course.

The story is creative and could be exciting. Archaeologists go back in time to the place they had been excavating. The man who is sponsoring the archaeological dig is a bad guy, someone seeking to make money off of the scientific find of the ages, time travel, even if it costs a few lives.
The acting is OK, the direction is OK, the editing OK, the screenplay is horrible, and the costumes, landscapes, sets and period pieces are somewhat authentic although stylistic and cliche. The battle scenes are poorly choreographed and not exciting. The only thing of note that was accurate would be the siege engines. That was done well.

All-in-all, the movie is poor. It is an OK escape, a film that may be worth watching but which does little to add to the genre of action/adventure films. A below average outing.


THE MOVIE AS AN ADAPTATION OF THE BOOK:
This is where the movie really falls flat.

If you read the book, don't expect much from the movie. Everything is changed. Characters, their motivations and fears, reasoning and abilities, strengths and weaknesses, relationships and interactions with each other, are all changed from the minute the film begins. A few good characters are completely dropped and several others are significantly changed from the book. The best character from the book, Andre Marek (played by Gerard Butler) is uninteresting at best.

The plot, the scientific explanations of time travel (which the movie just explains was an accident), the historical figures, the confrontations and protagonists, are all different and lack the depth and richness they possessed in the book. This was a pathetic attempt at adapting a book to film.

The book, as usually is the case, was much better than the movie. I can accept that. The basic premise of the book is carried over; that is to say that "based upon the novel by Michael Crichton" is an accurate while also misleading description. This movie just does not maintain any similarity to the book aside from the basic premise. It was very disappointing.

I truly enjoyed the book and felt that it could have been better adapted. I don't know if Crichton (the writer of the book) was involved in the movie, but if this were an adaption of a book that I had written, I would be very unhappy with the hack job that Hollywood did on a novel that was well researched, well written and thick with character development, historical accuracy and suspense.


MY RATING:
So, to sum up; if you are looking for an adventure, set in medieval times, this may suffice as mindless entertainment. As a standalone film, disregarding the book, the movie is a 2 or 3 out of 5, if I am generous

As an adaptation of the book, I would give this a 1 out of 5, very poorly done and extremely disappointing compared to a very good book.

So, I arrive at an average rating of 2. Had I not read the book, I may have rated the film a 3, but that is a bit generous because the movie just doesn't hold up as an entertaining adventure. Sorry.

Richard Donner, what did I ever do to deserve this film? After reading the great Michael Crichton Book on which it is based, I found that I simply had to view the film of the same name. I could only imagine the stunning visuals from the book brought to life at the hands of the film great Richard Donner - the man responsible for everything from Superman To Lethal Weapon. Boy, was I wrong.
Recipe for craptacular film:
Take great book.
Read great book.
Throw out all good parts.
Write screenplay.
Change main characters.
Throw all time travel logic out the window.
Change the entire reason for the story existing.
Mix well and dump into theatres.

There you have it - save yourself the time and read the book. You'll be glad you did.

I loved the movie because Gerard Butler starred in it. It was exciting and romantic. Acting was superb!!

I really enjoyed this movie & Gerard Butler is wonderful in it!! His character is the most enjoyable to watch.

we are just trying to find some of the older movies out there for cheap where we dont have to spend alot of money on them. never tried the ebay thing now we use it all the time..never had a problem with it yet.

This is a Science Fiction, Orson Wells, Back To The Future Type Movie. It does have a happy ending.

Good job! I received it quickly in great shape and it was just as promised. I appreciate such prompt service. Thanks.

I FOUND THE STORY VERY INTERESTING--TIME TRAVEL--THE ACTING WAS WELL DONE, PLUS THE SCENERY AND COSTUMES LOOKED QUITE AUTHENTIC TO THE PERIOD. WHAT I REALLY ENJOYED WAS THE HISTORY LESSON THAT CAME ALONG WITH THE MOVIE.

If you're a fan of romantic science fiction, which I am, you'll like the movie. If you need to get into the deep science- then go elsewhere. Gerard Butler devotees should be pleased, he has a very likeable character here. Like a lot of Crichton's work you have the "don't play God" warning for scientists. It is a fun, escape movie.

I loved that the movie came so quickly. The movie was in good condition and the price was wonderful.

I enjoyed this movie alot. I plan on buying the novel soon. My only complaint was that the French had archers with longbows, wich just wasn't the case in the Hundred Years Wars.
That aside it was fun, exciting, and thorougly entertaining.

I decided to buy this movie because I am an advid fan of Gerard Butler. This is a good time travel story, but in parts it is a bit "out there" in the believable factor. I'm glad I have it my collection

I loved the book. I read it 2x after getting it for x-mas. The books are always better, so how do you cram six hrs in two and still make it flow. I found the first few minutes very jumpy for those who did not read the book. Some changes were for the better, some not. Some people nit picked the details, unless you are an ancient language major, or history major, who cares. I want to be entertained not take a history lesson. You have to make concessions to make it fit and keep a narrator from explaining the little details, or fill the screen with subtitles, because this is a piece of fiction not a historical like the Passion. I liked the fact they cut the profanity that was is in the book. some of the actors needed help in a few scenes, but over all not being a history major, I enjoy history and I enjoyed the movie. It's funny how much I had imagined in my head, it was pretty close. I did imagine the inside of the castle with more light & decorated, less wood & more stone work based on the book. I'm glad I bought the movie.

This was an excellent movie. I loved it!

The movie starts out at an excavation site in Castelgard, France. They find a note dated back to 1357 from their boss, Professor Johnston, in a chamber that has been sealed since the middle of the 14th century. They know that Professor Johnston is visiting the dig's funder, ITC (a computer company), and Marek, Kate, Chris (the boss' son), Stern, and Francois go to ITC to figure out what has happened to him. They find out that ITC has accidentally discovered a wormhole leading to Castelgard during the year of 1357, and that ITC has the capabilities to send 3D objects through the hole, and that Johnston is trapped there and his only hope is to send another team after him. But ITC has a few secrets it's hiding from the retrieval team...

This movie is based on a book by Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park). It stars Paul Walker, David Thewlis, and Gerard Butler.

All in all, this is a great movie to add to your collection.

I bought Timeline because I am a Gerard Butler fan and wanted to see more of his work. Viewing the movie was a wonderful surprise, it hadn't done well in the critics ratings, but I should know by now not to listen to them, I really enjoyed the movie. It's got everything, action, romance, and being an armchair archaeologist myself, it also satisfied that craving. The story line wasn't all it could have been, but it answered most of the questions it raised. And though Butlers part wasn't the central theme, it was an intriguing one.

Some interesting characters, the three young leads are appealing, Billy Connelly always appeals. For time travel fans, it's a fine story of its type, for Renaissance Faire fans, it's a good view of a cleaned up though brutal Medieval life, there are some great images, especially the fire arrows and fiery trebuchet payloads crossing in mid-air during the castle siege. The book is better, of course, and I plan to reread it some day. The movie is fine although I don't expect to wear it out by re-viewings.