Time After Time (B or 3/4 stars)
'Time After Time' (a sci-fi/fantasy/thriller directed by Nicholas Meyer) proposes that in 1893 London, H.G. Wells (Malcolm McDowell) not only wrote about time machines, but actually made a working model. One night, a guest at one of his dinner parties creeps downstairs to put it to the test. This man turns out to be Jack the Ripper (David Warner), looking for an escape from the feds, & now H.G. Wells must pursue him 86 yrs. forward in time, to 1979 San Francisco. There, the inventor/writer falls in love with Amy Robbins (Mary Steenburgen), a young woman whom he must protect from becoming one of Ripper's next victims.
The best component of 'Time After Time' is the "fish out of water" element - a naive outsider who is thrust into the hubbub of a modern-day life. It's funny to see Wells cope with modern traffic patterns, TV, electric toothbrushes, & the concept of fast food restaurants. And it's fascinating to watch how H.G. Wells becomes increasingly dismayed by what he sees is the future (not the utopia that 19th c. people may have hoped for). It's funny, segments of Wells' pursuit of the Ripper is less entertaining than watching him struggle to grasp the complexities of life in the 1970's {haha}.
McDowell is fine as Wells. It was nice seeing McDowell in a role like this. David Warner plays Jack the Ripper as your typical psychopath. I kinda wish he was more diabolical (in execution); but he seems to be having fun in the role, nevertheless. Mary Steenburgen is charming & appealing as Amy. She has a unique little personality, she's smart, liberated, and yet, she's placed in many a vulnerable position throughout the story. However, at times, her actions/reactions are more like those of a stereotypical female victim in a horror flick than a heroine worthy of H.G. Wells' attention.
There are a lot of nice touches in 'Time After Time' (solid cinematography, stylish period details, an engaging musical score). Though 'Time After Time' blends some fun sci-fi portions with a more grounded detective story, the tone of the film is more of a lighthearted fantasy/romance with a few sci-fi/thriller elements thrown in for good measure. I didn't outright love 'Time After Time' (some inconsistent characters, minor plot holes). But despite its flaws, this time-travel film still remains a fairly entertaining & interesting 2 hours. 'Time After Time' offers time well spent.
The best component of 'Time After Time' is the "fish out of water" element - a naive outsider who is thrust into the hubbub of a modern-day life. It's funny to see Wells cope with modern traffic patterns, TV, electric toothbrushes, & the concept of fast food restaurants. And it's fascinating to watch how H.G. Wells becomes increasingly dismayed by what he sees is the future (not the utopia that 19th c. people may have hoped for). It's funny, segments of Wells' pursuit of the Ripper is less entertaining than watching him struggle to grasp the complexities of life in the 1970's {haha}.
McDowell is fine as Wells. It was nice seeing McDowell in a role like this. David Warner plays Jack the Ripper as your typical psychopath. I kinda wish he was more diabolical (in execution); but he seems to be having fun in the role, nevertheless. Mary Steenburgen is charming & appealing as Amy. She has a unique little personality, she's smart, liberated, and yet, she's placed in many a vulnerable position throughout the story. However, at times, her actions/reactions are more like those of a stereotypical female victim in a horror flick than a heroine worthy of H.G. Wells' attention.
There are a lot of nice touches in 'Time After Time' (solid cinematography, stylish period details, an engaging musical score). Though 'Time After Time' blends some fun sci-fi portions with a more grounded detective story, the tone of the film is more of a lighthearted fantasy/romance with a few sci-fi/thriller elements thrown in for good measure. I didn't outright love 'Time After Time' (some inconsistent characters, minor plot holes). But despite its flaws, this time-travel film still remains a fairly entertaining & interesting 2 hours. 'Time After Time' offers time well spent.