The Time Machine - 2002

Warner Bros. Pictures, DreamWorks SKG, Parkes/MacDonald Productions

Directed by Simon Wells

Cast:

• Alexander Hartdegen – Guy Pearce
• David Philby – Mark Addy
• Emma – Sienna Guillory
• Moorlock Leader – Jeremy Irons
• Flower Shop Worker – Alan Young
• Vox – Orlando Jones
• Mara – Samantha Mumba
• Kalen – Omero Mumba

Story: In January of 1899, a young physics and applied engineering professor at Columbia University is about to propose to Emma. Professor Hartdegen meets Emma at the skating rink at Central Park, and they take a stroll into a secluded area of the park where he proposes. Unfortunately, a thief is lying in wait for them and in the ensuing robbery, Emma is shot and killed. Professor Hartdegen is devastated and retreats into his home laboratory. His goal: to build a time machine that will allow him to return in time to prevent Emma's death. Yet even when his machine is complete, Emma dies in a different scenario. He finds he cannot change the past, so he goes forward instead to find the answer to the riddle. In the year 2030, he encounters Vox, the compendium of all human knowledge at the New York City library, who informs him that time travel is no more than science fiction, so he determines to go farther into the future. In 2037, he finds the world is in shambles because they have thrown the moon out of orbit, and when he climbs aboard his machine to escape the carnage, he is knocked unconscious and unwittingly travels to the year 802,701. Here he is discovered by Mara, an Eloi who has learned “the stone language” and can communicate with him. He soon learns their agrarian community is threatened by the Moorlocks, creatures who live beneath the earth and hunt the Eloi for Food.

Review: Four generations later, we have a revision of this classic science fiction film by none other that the great grandson of H. G. Wells. While entertaining and well presented, this film bears only a superficial resemblence to the original of 1960. Underlying the plot is the question of Fate. Why can't you change the past? The concept of Eloi and Moorlock are somewhat consistent with the original film and the novel, but their roles have significantly changed. The Eloi are fishers and farmers, and they live in cliff dwellings made of bamboo and other natural materials. The Moorlocks are still subterranean creatures, but now they are divided into castes, some bred for hunting, others bred to control. Where the hunters are physically superior, the controllers have telephatic powers which allow them to keep the hunters at bay. Our protagonist is Alexander Hartdegen, not H. George Wells, and his motivation for creating the time machine is love, not commerce or scientific knowledge. The addition of Orlando Jones as Vox allows for the failure of Hartdegen to return to the past, since he contains all human knowledge from the 21st century and some beyond. Guy Pearce presents a believable character, and Samantha and Omero Mumba are excellent in their roles as the brother and sister Eloi who discover and befriend him. Mark Addy is Philby, and an excellent addition to the cast as Hartdegen's mentor and friend. Jeremy Irons portrays the Moorlock Leader with a rare and insightful talent that only he can generate. While his character is not evil in the sense we normally believe, he is still a thoughtful being who offers Hartdegen the opportunity to return to his own time. Rated PG-13 for violence, this film is highly entertaining but certainly not destined to be a classic. It is, however, an interesting revision of the original plot with some well thought out twists and turns, and the romantic angle of the film is sure to keep the ladies interested.

The Time Machine - 1960

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), George Pal Productions, Galaxy Films Inc.

Directed by George Pal

Cast:

• H. George Wells – Rod Taylor
• David Filby / James Filby – Alan Young
• Weena – Yvette Mimieux
• Dr. Phillip Hillyer – Sebastian Cabot

Story: On January 5th, 1900, four friends gather at the home of H. George Wells on an invitation to dinner. George, the host who has called this meeting, arrives late, looking very disheveled. He tells them he has just returned from the future, the year 802,701 AD where he has discovered the human race has divided into two distinct species, the Eloi, who live a Elysian life where everything is handed to them, and the Morlocks. The Morlocks, he discovers, are cannibals who keep the Eloi as cattle, conditioning them to respond to old air raid sirens and walk peacefully to their deaths like sheep tot he slaughter. His time machine is trapped in a Sphinx built by the Moorlocks, and he must discover their weakness before he can recover it to return to his own time. When he has finished with his tale, he dismisses his guests and returns to the room where the time machine is. We hear the machine power up, and when Filby and Mrs. Watchett go in, the machine is gone, and three books are missing from the shelf.

Review: Of the two films I am comparing here (Time Machine -2002 will follow), this is the more accurate to the book. Interestingly, Rod Taylor portrays H. George (H.G.) Wells, the author of the novel and the main character in this timeless fiction classic. His guests are Alan Young, Sebastian Cabot, Tom Helmore, and Whit Bissell. The dialog is clear and to the point, and while George relates his tale of time travel, the guests do not interrupt. Given the technology available in 1960, the scenery and settings are exceptional. Photography and Cinematography are excellent as well, and the acting is believable for the story. The departure from the book comes at the end, when George returns to the future to help the Eloi and Weena. An interesting point if the film, which was made for $750,000.00 in 35 days, is that Yvette Mimieux was only 17 years old at the time the shooting began and turned 18 during the filming. Violence is minor and profanity is non-existent in this George Pal classic, and there should be no problem allowing the children to watch. Collectible for science fiction fans and anyone who appreciates pre computer special effects.

Real Steel - 2011

Touchstone Pictures, Dreamworks SKG, 21 Laps Entertainment

Directed by Shawn Levy

Cast:

• Charlie Kenton – Hugh Jackman
• Max Kenton – Dakota Goyo
• Bailey Tallet – Evangeline Lilly
• Finn – Anthony Mackie
• Ricky – Kevin Durand
• Aunt Debra – Hope Davis
• Marvin – James Rebhorn
• Cliff – Marco Ruggeri
• Tak Mashido – Karl Yune
• Farra Lemkova – Olga Fonda

Story: A former boxer and now fight promoter and operator is near the end of his ropes. His boxing robot has just been destroyed by a bull in an exhibition fight, he owes money to just about everyone, and his friend and partner is about ready to sell her father's gym, a remnant from the days of human boxing. A process server comes and hands him what may be the best solution to his problem. His ex-wife has passed away, leaving their 11 year old son alone. His sister in law wants to adopt the boy, but since her husband is wealthy, Charlie Kenton acts like he will fight the custody hearing and, Marvin, the husband, offers him $100,000 to let the custody go through, half now, half when they return from Italy at the end of the summer. Charlie takes the money, thinking he will use it to buy another robot and leave his son, Max, with Bailey, his partner, for the summer. But Max has other plans. Together, father and son embark on an adventure that reunites them and inspires Charlie to take up the challenges before him.

Review: Okay, we've had robots who learn to think (Terminator, I,Robot, Bicentennial Man), a plane that learned to think (EDI) and computer systems who have learned to think (Colossus, SkyNet), so why not a robot who learns to box? At least this one doesn't do the thinking for himself, although since there will be a sequel in 2014, who knows. For now, let's concentrate on the plot: the age old story of a father reuniting with his son. Sure, its been done, but when the acting is good and the story is given a new twist, it will keep you entertained, if not enthralled. Jackman brings his talents to the forefront in this role, a departure from the grizzled Wolverine and the computer hacker in Swordfish, and his performance creates the air of reality in the film. Evangeline Lilly is easy to look at and plays the part of the tomboyish woman brought up around athletes, savvy businesswoman, and neglected love interest well. Dakota Goyo fits the role well, and you feel the emotion when he speaks and looks at Jackman. “What's with those eyes?” While his role is small, using James Rebhorn as the husband of the sister in law who wants custody of Max was an excellent move. I have long admired the ability of this character actor to pull you into the scene. And speaking of character actors, Kevin Durand is quickly becoming one of the more versatile players, doing good guys and bad guys with equal skill. Real Steal is a treat for the family, a film that will entertain and surprise you with its ability to bring you in. Too early to tell if it's a collectible, but you never know.