Timeline (2003)

Ok, first of I understand there was a book...I don't usually do this with books brought to the screen, but if you forget there was a book, this movie is rather entertaining. Not a blockbuster certainly, but every bit a popcorn muncher...The writing was well done, even if a bit corny in parts, and the acting was pretty good to for a bunch of lesser knowns...the story is about the discovery of a time dislacement wormhole discovery, that allows a group of archeologists to transport back in time to rescue their professor, who inadvertently fell into the wormhole, or something like that.The movie is kinda fun to watch, and the characters are played with quite a bit of zesty enthusiasm...I liked it and have seen it three times now...

I hadn't read the book, but the two sentence pitch synopsis sounded promising. And there was definitely plenty of Hollywod talent involved in all aspects of production. Enough has been said of the things wrong with the film, some other notable impressions are in order. Butler is a standout. As is the brief turn by Sheen. Unfortunately, Walker, who grew to be a very serviceable actor, can show a bit in over his head. O'Connor can deliver key lines with as needed dramatic American flair (better than Thewlis). There is a point after one of their escapes where they're all in a circle panicking and McDonough is really losing it. The ensuing necessary developments and twists progress the plot well. Action sequences are top notch. A little more here, a little less there...could have easily been a much more engaging motion picture.

It has been quite a while since I saw this but I have seen this movie twice, once about half a year ago and the other time as a kid. The plot is that a group of archaeologists are digging up a castle but when one of the archaeologist's father goes missing, they also happen to find some of his distinctive belongings inside the site, even carbon dated back 600 years, when England was feudal with France. They find out that his father was part of an experiment to actually go back 600 years thanks to a time machine. They must go back, rescue him and leave. The acting is standard, the plot is pretty dull when they go back in time, they find the father almost instantly - but no. It just pads out the story more for the next hour. To it's credit, I do like the idea but a problem is that it takes advantage of almost none of the mystery that it could inspire. It's not a bad movie but at the end of the day, it's not very good.

I liked the movie for it shows a young, charming and beautiful Gerard Butler. He does well as the earnest modern day man transported to the Middle Ages where he reveals himself to be a man of honor and nobility. The movie is a poor interpretation of a phenomenal book and does little to translate the reality of the main characters to film. But for those of us who admire the talented Mr. Butler, it is a must-see. Paul Walker, though very handsome, is not a convincing character. Unfortunately, Frances O'Connor's role is built upon Mr. Walkers's. Billy Connelly is his own inimitable self and holds his own with any one. A must-see for Butler fans, but forgettable in the scheme of things.