A film by Richard Donner
Timeline is based on a novel by Michael Crichton. The book is a fast paced story about time travel and the effect people may have on a previous era. The book was a lot of fun to read and while it may not have been plausible, it didn t matter because of how well Crichton told the story. The movie, unfortunately, did not succeed in this way.
We begin the movie in the present day. A man appears in the desert, but he is dressed in medieval garb. He dies, but a man from his company appears at the hospital to claim his body to take any and all records regarding this man. Obviously something is up. We shift over to the site of an archaeological dig. Chris (Paul Walker) is working with his father, the Professor (Billy Connely). The Professor wonders why Chris is still hanging around since Chris has shown a minimal interest in history. Despite that question, Chris and his father have a good relationship. The Professor suggests that it is because of Kate (Frances O Conner). Kate is one of the Professor s assistants and Chris has feelings for her. The feelings are not returned.
The Professor leaves the site to meet with the company funding the dig (the same company that picked up the dead man from earlier). He is gone for a couple of days, but as the dig continues, there is something strange: an authentic message from 1357, signed by the Professor, and asking for help. The ink is carbon-dated, the signature matches, but it is 600 years old. It makes no sense. The Professor is supposed to be with his financers, but the science authenticates the message. Chris, Kate, and some other members of the dig head to New Mexico to find out the truth from the company.
It is revealed that the company accidently discovered time travel (to one specific time and place, France 1357) and that the Professor went back. The problem: he didn t make it back and now they need someone to go, find the Professor, and bring him back. That would be that same group of archaeologists. The company has people with military skill, but nobody who knows the language and the culture. The archaeologists know the language and culture. They are sent back to find the Professor.
While they are back in 1357 France they are both trying to find the professor and also to not change history by their actions. The book was such an interesting concept and it played out so well in the novel. The movie tried to duplicate the book and was fairly faithful (from what I remember). It just didn t work. What came off as fun and exciting in Crichton s novel just didn t transfer very well to the screen. Timeline felt a little cheesy and dumb and not nearly as much fun as it promised to be. While it is supposed to be a mindless, fun movie, it just isn t very good and is a bit of a let down. Timeline isn t worth your time (nor mine).
2.5 out of 5 pugs
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