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The Time Machine

Play trailer Poster for The Time Machine PG-13 Released Mar 8, 2002 1h 36m Sci-Fi Action Adventure Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
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28% Tomatometer 154 Reviews 37% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
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.
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The Time Machine

The Time Machine

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media A good movie based on H.G. Wells' classic novel. Rated: 4/5 Dec 29, 2010 Full Review Todd McCarthy Variety Although it gets off to a decent start, this "Time Machine" breaks down when it gets to the distant future, which in this case isn't a good place to be stranded. Mar 27, 2009 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies An underappreciated movie anchored by a fine lead performance by Guy Pearce. Rated: 4.5/5 Aug 26, 2022 Full Review Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies While I appreciate the ambition... all it made me do is want to watch the one from 1960. Rated: 2/4 Jun 26, 2021 Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Many things have changed from both the famous source material and the 1960 feature by George Pal that simply aren't as amusing. Rated: 3/10 Nov 9, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Yash B "The Time Machine" genuinely starts off being interesting and engaging. The movie had a solid premise and I wanted to see where it would go next. I feel like it all of a sudden changes halfway and then the movie feels like a mashup of a lot of underdeveloped ideas. I do think the movie moves at a good pace and is entertaining to watch, but it feels unfocused and pretty messy. Overall, this is a decent sci-fi movie but I feel it doesn't really know what it wants to be, and it makes it also a bit forgettable, despite being pretty fun at times. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/21/24 Full Review Angel M The movie is highly underrated and under appreciated. Many Criticize the movie for starting as a love interest Tragedy that turns into a thriller action movie. Basically complaining that it switches genres and tone so quickly. However the switch in tone helps Resonate and bring the core theme/ plot down to earth . It brings the theme of letting go and ultimately getting over the death of a loved one down to earth by giving Alexander a new unfounded purpose that life threw at him to give him purpose. This grounds a time travel movie and truly gives us a more adult feeling to the movie. Not to mention the amazing acting from the protagonist and easy to pick up and watch feeling that the movie Facilitates by its short but sweet 1hr and 30 minute run. One things for sure, it most definitely doesn’t deserve a 28% at its worst it’s an average movie sitting at around 5/10 or 6/10 but at its best it’s easily a 7/10 a well rounded movie that’s a fun watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/14/24 Full Review Robert M The Time Machine by H.G. Wells is a classic book that was brought to the screen in 2002. So, while it is over 20 years old it really brings to life the Syfy and fantasy adventures. It really starts off, IMO on a high note and gets you drawn into the movie, there are a few parts mid-stream that seemed rushed or just mediocre, but then at the end it kicks back into gear, and I think ends on a really good note. Love is never lost if it is kept in your heart and held dearly. What would you do if you had the power to traverse time and save your loved one (s) if you could. well, didn't work here but sometimes it is the effort that wins. one day they will be united in God's embrace, but until then there is a world to save and a new generation of Humankind to teach! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/04/24 Full Review Ed A Excellent film. I must admit that I am a sucker for time travel movies. I loved the 1960 version and this one as well. Don’t pay attention to the negative reviews. Decide for yourself. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/24 Full Review Kenneth P This could have been and interesting movie except for some of the horrible and acting and weird storyline. I think the original movie was far better and stuck to H.G. Wells book as written. Check out the original with Rod Taylor and enjoy a much better movie. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/11/24 Full Review Doak P It's like they took the worst parts of Avatar and LOTR, added some of the visuals from the 1960 version and a few cheesy references to other sci-fi authors, and then wrote a bad script. Simple, inane dialogue that was made for translation and little else. Read the book. That's worth your time. This is not. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 04/16/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

The Time Machine

The Time Machine: Official Clip - All the Years of Remembering The Time Machine: Official Clip - All the Years of Remembering 2:02 The Time Machine: Official Clip - What If? The Time Machine: Official Clip - What If? 2:11 The Time Machine: Official Clip - Going Forward The Time Machine: Official Clip - Going Forward 2:12 The Time Machine: Official Clip - The Morlocks' Diet The Time Machine: Official Clip - The Morlocks' Diet 1:17 The Time Machine: Official Clip - Time Travel, Practical Application The Time Machine: Official Clip - Time Travel, Practical Application 2:12 The Time Machine: Official Clip - 800,000 Years of Evolution The Time Machine: Official Clip - 800,000 Years of Evolution 2:07 The Time Machine: Official Clip - The First Attempt The Time Machine: Official Clip - The First Attempt 2:13 The Time Machine: Official Clip - The Morlocks The Time Machine: Official Clip - The Morlocks 2:13 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis 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.
Director
Simon Wells
Producer
Walter F. Parkes, David Valdes
Screenwriter
John Logan
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG, Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
Warner Brothers, DreamWorks Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Intense Action Violence)
Genre
Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 8, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$56.7M
Runtime
1h 36m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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