The Time Machine

2002

The Time Machine

Critics Consensus

This Machine has all the razzle-dazzles of modern special effects, but the movie takes a turn for the worst when it switches from a story about lost love to a confusing action-thriller.

29%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 152

37%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 171,773

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Movie Info

The classic science fiction novel by H.G. Wells becomes this big-budget adventure directed by the author's great-grandson Simon Wells. Guy Pearce stars as Alexander Hartdegen, a scientist, professor, and inventor in 1895 New York City who believes that time travel is possible. The sudden and unexpected death of his fiancée spurs Alexander to build a time machine, which he hopes to use in an effort to change the past. When he is unable to change the past, Alexander hurls himself more than 800,000 years into the future, seeking answers about the nature of time, but instead encountering a dystopian world where humanity has divided up into two races, the peaceful Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks. Befriending the beautiful Eloi woman Mara (pop singer Samantha Mumba), Alexander must set out to save her from the underground world of the Morlocks when she is captured by them. Along the way, he is aided by Vox (Orlando Jones), a bio-mechanical being from the 21st century. Ultimately, Alexander makes a shocking discovery about the true nature of the Eloi and Morlocks and decides that the only way to change the future is to alter the present. Due to exhaustion, director Wells was briefly replaced during the last few weeks of production by Gore Verbinski, director of The Mexican (2001). The Time Machine co-stars Jeremy Irons and Mark Addy. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (for intense sequences of action violence)
  • Genre:
    Science Fiction & Fantasy
  • Directed By:
    Simon Wells, Gore Verbinski
  • Written By:
    John Logan, Simon Wells
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $56,684,819
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    DreamWorks SKG

Cast

Guy Pearce
as Alexander Hartdegen
Samantha Mumba
as Mara
Jeremy Irons
as Über-Morlock
Orlando Jones
as Vox
Yancey Arias
as Toren
Mark Addy
as Dr. Philby
Sienna Guillory
as Emma
Phyllida Law
as Mrs. Watchit
Max Baker
as Robber
Alan Young
as Flower Shop Worker
Myndy Crist
as Jogger
Omero Mumba
as Kalen
Lenny Loftin
as Soldier #1
Connie Ray
as Teacher
Josh Stamberg
as Motorist
Laura Kirk
as Flower Seller
John M. Momrow
as Fifth Avenue Carriage Driver
Jeffrey M. Meyer
as Central Park Carriage Driver
Lennie Loftin
as Soldier #1
Thomas Corey Robinson
as Soldier #2
Richard Cetrone
as Hunter Morlock
Hiro Koda
as Eloi
Eddie Conna
as Hunter Morlock
Christopher Sayour
as Hunter Morlock
Jeremy Fitzgerald
as Hunter Morlock
Craig Davis
as Hunter Morlock
Grady Holder
as Hunter Morlock
Bryan Friday
as Hunter Morlock
Clint E. Lilley
as Hunter Morlock
Mark Kubr
as Hunter Morlock
Jeff Podgurski
as Hunter Morlock
Dan McCann
as Hunter Morlock
Bryon Weiss
as Hunter Morlock
Steve Upton
as Hunter Morlock
Doug Jones
as Spy Morlock
Joey Anaya
as Spy Morlock
Dorian Kingi
as Spy Morlock
Jacob Chambers
as Spy Morlock
Kevin McTurk
as Spy Morlock
Michael Chaturantabut
as Eloi
Jonathan Eusebio
as Eloi
Roel Failma
as Eloi
John W. Momrow
as Fifth Avenue Carriage Driver
Diana Lee Inosanto
as Eloi
Malaea Chona Jason
as Eloi
Hiro Kida
as Eloi
Yoshio Iizuka
as Eloi
John Koyama
as Eloi
Gail Monian
as Eloi
R.C. Ormond
as Eloi
Maro Uo Richmond
as Eloi
Petra Sprecher
as Eloi
Gary Toy
as Eloi
Jonathan Valera
as Eloi
Rick Wentworth
Gavin Greenaway
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Critic Reviews for The Time Machine

All Critics (152) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (108)

View All Critic Reviews (152)

Audience Reviews for The Time Machine

  • Mar 17, 2014
    Film full of potential, but is an awful train wreck, The Time Machine is one of those films that has an ambitious idea, but wastes it due to the fact that the script is lazily written, the cast though impressive just don't deliver anything great, and the film feels tiresome, strained and unimpressive. I really wanted to enjoy the film, and though the idea was good, the execution was poor. I really hated the finished film, and this a forgettable affair that is a pure waste of time. Don't go in expecting a wonderful film, everything here is over the top, poorly constructed and just doesn't have that spark to really make the story take off. As it is, it's a film that has an underdeveloped story that is quite boring despite its premise. There is never anything going on, on-screen to really make this film stand out. Save yourself the trouble, this isn't worth seeing. The film just wastes its potential and never takes off and what could have been a great film, ends up being a failed attempt at remaking a classic. This is lazy filmmaking, and it doesn't deliver anything entertaining to the viewer. I really was let down by this film, and it could have been an entertaining remake; however it just ends up being a failed film that isn't memorable whatsoever. Don't watch the film; you'll be glad you did. This one just doesn't thrill and its ideas never come to fruition due to its script limitations. Everything about the film feels out of place, and it ends up being a dull, boring, and overall stupid movie that just ends up being a total waste of film.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Feb 06, 2012
    Poor remake that doesn't take the classic to any new heights
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
  • Oct 12, 2011
    Failed attempt to adapt Wells' novel, trying to be funny but didn't work
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Jun 08, 2010
    I remember reading a book that was pretty similar was this movie. I was happy to see this. It's a good movie.
    Dead A Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

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