Timecop

1994

Timecop

Critics Consensus

It's no Terminator, but for those willing to suspend disbelief and rational thought, Timecop provides limited sci-fi action rewards.

45%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 42

36%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 57,663
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Movie Info

Based on a comic book story, this futuristic film follows the time-travel exploits of policeman Max Walker (Jean Claude Van Damme). In 1994, Walker's wife Melissa (Mia Sara) is about to tell him that she is expecting their first child when they are attacked by a group of criminals. Walker is shot and beaten and lies helplessly on his lawn while he sees their home and his wife blown up by the killers. Ten years later, Walker remains an employee of the Time Enforcement Commission, a federal agency which was set up in 1994 after the U.S. government learned that time travel technology is feasible. The commission's role is to prevent time travel to protect U.S. economic interests. Walker learns that the corrupt Senator McComb (Ron Silver), who helped establish the agency, is exploiting it for personal gain, trying to establish a monopoly on time travel so that he can enrich himself in the stock market. Walker travels back in time to stop McComb from murdering his former partner. At the same time, Walker hopes to rescue his wife, and he learns that the attack on his home was ordered by McComb to stop Walker from foiling his plans. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme
as Walker
Ron Silver
as McComb
Mia Sara
as Melissa
Bruce McGill
as Matuzak
Gloria Reuben
as Fielding
Scott Bellis
as Ricky
Jason Schombing
as Atwood
Scott Lawrence
as Spota
Penny Perry Davis
Kenneth Welsh
as Utley
Brent Woolsey
as Shotgun
Brad Loree
as Reyes
Shane Kelly
as Rollerblades
Richard Faraci
as Cole
Steve Lambert
as Lansing
Kevin McNulty
as Parker
J.J. Makaro
as 1st McComb Guard
Yves Cameron
as 2nd McComb Guard
David Jacox Jr.
as 1st McComb Man
Mike Mitchell
as 2nd McComb Man
Lon Katzman
as Handlebar
Jacob Rupp
as Palmer
Sean O'Byrne
as Aide Lawrence
Gabrielle Rose
as Judge Marshall
Malcolm Stewart
as Nelson
Alfonso Quijada
as Photographer
Yvette Ferguson
as Atwood Secretary
Glen Roald
as Doorman
Theodore Thomas
as Pete
Lon Katzmann
as Handlebar
Duncan Fraser
as Irish Cop
Tony Morelli
as Tweed
Nick Hyams
as Newsboy
Kelli Fox
as Aide Secretary
Pamela Sue Martin
as TV Commentator
Tom McBeath
as TEC Technician
Frank Cassini
as TEC Agent
Kim Kondrashoff
as 1st Security Guard
Veena Sood
as Nurse
Cole Bradsen
as Boy
James Lew
as 1st Knife
Charles Andre
as 2nd Knife
Scott Nicholson
as 1st Guard
Ernie Jackson
as 2nd Guard
Tom W. Eirikson
as 3rd Guard
Laura Murdoch
as Virtual Reality Woman
Dalton Fisher
as Washington Cop
Doris Blomgren
as Old Woman
Ian Tracey
as Soldier
Callum Keith Rennie
as Stranger
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News & Interviews for Timecop

Rank Jean-Claude Van Damme’s 10 Best Movies
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Critic Reviews for Timecop

All Critics (42) | Top Critics (13)

  • Van Damme is compelling only when he takes his clothes off.

    Jan 16, 2013 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

    Gene Siskel

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • For the most part, Hyams' lackluster direction and the repetitive quality of the action sequences squander an intriguing premise and impressive production design, leaving few moments that elicit the sort of 'Wow!' response such fare needs in order to pros

    Nov 2, 2008

    Brian Lowry

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • SF specialist Peter Hyams, doubling as usual as director and cinematographer, leaves his record for mediocrity unblemished in this silly time-travel tale.

    Apr 18, 2007 | Full Review…

    Jonathan Rosenbaum

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • Hyams is no stranger to large-scale sci-fi, so his management of the massive sets and slightly mechanical fx is more than adequate.

    Jun 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • Years of tireless persistence have begun to work in Mr. Van Damme's favor. It's hard not to enjoy his energy, even if his acting gifts still leave a lot to be desired.

    May 20, 2003 | Rating: 3/5

    Janet Maslin

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Maybe it's the formula, maybe it's all that time travel, but you just can't help thinking you've seen it all before.

    Apr 12, 2002 | Full Review…

    Christopher Harris

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (42)

Audience Reviews for Timecop

  • Nov 28, 2017
    Van Dammes Time travel film is no Terminator but as far as Van Damme films go it's pretty good which isn't saying much, The action was ok but the story wasn't very well done and the effects are pretty bad, It's a shame Van Damme is an after thought when it comes to Action stars but he does his best even with a pretty poor script.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • May 07, 2016
    "Jean-Claude Van Damme" honestly was a horrible decision to have him portray the movie's protagonist "Walker". Set in the year 2004 the plot to "Timecop" is time-travel has just been invented and many people have realized how easily it is to cause the end of the world. Knowing this a company was created for "Law Enforcement" to stop time travelers from causing the end of the world. The movie opens with "Melissa" portrayed by "Mia Sara" awaiting her husband in a shopping mall. The scene isn't the best opening to an Action/Sci-Fi. Throughout the movie the audience gets to experience the antagonist "McComb" portrayed by "Ron Silver" who wants to become president so he time travels to 1994 to tell his younger self how to do this. "Ron Silver" as the antagonist, he gives the audience quite a superb performance as "McComb". The film's climax is entertaining to watch but fails to feel realistic to the audience. As satated previously there could not have possibly been a worse choice than "Jean-Claude Van Damme" to play "Walker". "Mark Isham", "Timecop's" film score composer created thrilling and entertaining music for the scenes that it's in. Another issue with the film is its script; its full of bad dialogue and plot holes. Although the movie does have its moments that at times are humorous. Director of cinematography "Peter Hyams" does a good job filming, but occasionally using close-ups. If you are a person who enjoys 1990's Sci-Fi/Action movies then I recommend you watch "Timecop" as it is filmed well, has a great antagonist and has a splendid film score. Although the movie is not perfect, it has some issues these being bad scrip full of plot holes, unrealistic scenes and a horrible choice for a main character. I give 1994's "Timecop" a 6/10.
    Steve G Super Reviewer
  • Sep 11, 2011
    Incredibly stupid-looking and cheesy, which makes it smarter than what the pre-production standards ever ambitioned. This cool action flick has basically everything, including an odd camp aroma from the 80s that few movies maintained. Talk about irony... 55/100
    Edgar C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 09, 2011
    This is one of the Van Damme films I have in my collection, the time aspect might be flawed but it's a lot of fun. The seriousness of the time travel is the interesting part of the film, it feels like an action version of back to the future. Van Damme is a lot better cast here and the film benefits from the strong presence he provides. This is much better than it deserves to be, most of the 90s films were very one dimensional but this is a surprising action film. The lead characters could've adopted some of the time saving aspects, Van Damme could've acknowledged the weird confrontation at the end by telling his wife that he saved her today. Not a classic by any means but a good film that holds up even today. 23-09-2017.
    Brendan N Super Reviewer
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