By: debbie lynn elias
Based on the classic sci-fi novel by H.G. Wells and up-dated from George Pal’s 1960 film version (of which I am a BIG fan), “The Time Machine” is the story of scientist and inventor, Alexander Hartdegen, a man obsessed with proving that time travel is possible. Fueled by the loss of his beloved fiancé Emma, Alexander builds a time machine and hurtles 800,000 years into the future, finding mankind has de-volved into two “human” species, the Morlocks and the Elois, with Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest taking on even newer and more devastating meaning.
Directed by H.G. Wells’ great-grandson, Simon Wells (no proprietary rights problems here) in his first live-action venture, set in the late 1890’s New York, “The Time Machine” stars Guy Pearce stars as Alexander, a brilliant physics professor obsessed with time travel, whose beliefs and theories are shared by some unknown German patent clerk named Einstein with whom he corresponds. Following the murder of Emma, Alexander sequesters himself in his laboratory for four years where he develops and builds his time machine. A beauteous contraption of brass, glass and polished wood complete with the comfort of a reclining barber chair for travelling comfort, this 2002 version of Wells’ vision is itself alone worth the price of admission! Going back in time to moments before Emma’s death, Alexander believes he can change the course of history and although he prevents Emma’s murder, he cannot prevent her death, as she is ultimately run over by a team of horses. This course of events gets those well-oiled wheels in Alexander’s mind turning even faster, causing him to opine that if the past holds no solution to his quest, then perhaps the future does.
Using computer-generation and the look of time-lapse photography, as in the original film, we see time passing all around Alexander at an incredible rate. Seasons change, days turn into nights, days into weeks, months and then years, technology, architecture and even the very structure which he knows as home, all evolve and progress courtesy of a breathtaking and exhilarating ride in his machine. Initially stopping in 2037, Alexander finds us colonizing the moon compliments of big-screen multi-tron ads for condos on the Sea of Tranquility right next to the 18 hole Neil Armstrong Golf Course! A trip to the New York Public Library introduces Alexander and the audience to a photonic known as Vox who holds all the information known to mankind in his computerized-holographic self. In homage to the history of “The Time Machine” itself, on inquiry to Vox for information on time travel, Alexander is shown photos of comic Books, other sci-fi classics, the H.G. Wells book and literature on the 1960 Pal film with running commentary on each. Nice nod by Simon to great-grandpa!
In that Vox has no information to assist Alexander’s quest, he goes further into the future where adventure is the watchword. Man’s quest to colonize the moon has resulted in its exploding, changing its orbital path and as a result, causing the destruction of the earth. Time, however, marches on, and nature takes it course. Ice ages come and go, life forms regroup and regenerate and man takes on two distinct forms. The Morlocks, having evolved underground, thanks to computer-animation, are pale, poorly groomed, bestial and to put it bluntly, ugly as sin. On the other hand, the Eloi, are a gentle, tranquil and unambitious, cliff-dwelling people, hunted as food (and mating vessels) by the Morlocks.
Found by the tropical Eloi beauty Mara, Alexander befriends her and her young brother, eventually travelling to the Morlock underworld to rescue her from an almost certain fate. Along the way, he meets up with his old friend Vox who fills him in on the events of the past 800,000 years, and encounters a new nemesis, the Uber-Morlock, played for all its campiness by Jeremy Irons. Looking like a stoned Edgar Winter, chalk-faced, seemingly blind, but at least with long white hair combed and possibly bathed (a direct contrast to the average Morlock), Uber-Morlock explains the Morlock caste system and the various genetic hybrids and specialties that have developed, which accounts for his superior intellect, extra-sensory perception and mind-altering abilities.
Pearce carries the majority of the film on his shoulders and gives a credible and intriguing performance while Irons is, as always, deliciously malevolent. Orlando Jones is outstanding as the cleverly written photonic librarian Vox. Men everywhere will undoubtedly be asking for more of the beautiful Samantha Mumba whose sexy innocence and intellect meshes well with Pearce’s work as Alexander.
Although much of the Morlock animation falls short, Wells nevertheless has a keen eye for detail and obviously shares the same vivid visualization and imagination as his great grandfather which veteran screenwriter John Logan (“Star Trek: Nemesis”, “Gladiator” and “Any Given Sunday”) only enhances with his 21st century update of the original Wells classic novel. With a nice mix of light humor, action, adventure and some thought provoking ideas, “The Time Machine” is an interesting look at “What If.” And it’s got some really cool gizmos to boot.
