The Time Machine

2002, Sci-fi/Action, 1h 36m

156 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

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. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

Scientist and inventor Alexander Hartdegen (Guy Pearce) is determined to prove that time travel is possible. His determination is turned to desperation by a personal tragedy that now drives him to want to change the past. Testing his theories with a time machine of his own invention, Hartdegen is hurtled 800,000 years into the future, where he discovers that mankind has divided into the hunter ... and the hunted.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Intense Action Violence)
  • Genre:
    Sci-fi, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Simon Wells
  • Producer:
    Walter F. Parkes, David Valdes
  • Writer:
    John Logan
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $56.7M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    DreamWorks SKG, Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Alexander Hartdegen
Samantha Mumba
Samantha Mumba
Mara
Mark Addy
Mark Addy
David Philby
Sienna Guillory
Sienna Guillory
Emma
Phyllida Law
Phyllida Law
Mrs. Watchit
Alan Young
Alan Young
Flower Store Worker
Omero Mumba
Omero Mumba
Kalen
Yancey Arias
Yancey Arias
Toren
Orlando Jones
Orlando Jones
Vox
Jeremy Irons
Jeremy Irons
Uber-Morlock
Simon Wells
Simon Wells
Director
John Logan
John Logan
Screenwriter
John Logan
John Logan
Co-Producer
Walter F. Parkes
Walter F. Parkes
Producer
David Valdes
David Valdes
Producer
Laurie MacDonald
Laurie MacDonald
Executive Producer
Arnold Leibovit
Arnold Leibovit
Executive Producer
Jorge Saralegui
Jorge Saralegui
Executive Producer
Donald McAlpine
Donald McAlpine
Cinematographer
Oliver Scholl
Oliver Scholl
Production Design
Wayne Wahrman
Wayne Wahrman
Film Editing
Deena Appel
Deena Appel
Costume Design
Bob Ringwood
Bob Ringwood
Costume Design
Klaus Badelt
Klaus Badelt
Original Music
James E. Price
James E. Price
Visual Effects Supervisor
Matt Sweeney
Matt Sweeney
Special Effects Supervisor
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Critic Reviews for The Time Machine

All Critics (156) | Top Critics (42) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (112)
Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media Full Review… Todd McCarthy Variety Full Review… Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune Full Review… Michael Wilmington Chicago Tribune Full Review… Richard Luck BBC.com Full Review… Steven D. Greydanus Decent Films Full Review… Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Full Review… Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Sean Collier Box Office Prophets Full Review… Debbie Lynn Elias Behind The Lens Full Review… Felix Vasquez Jr. Cinema Crazed
View All Critic Reviews (156)

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
    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.
    Super Reviewer
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