Voyage of Time: Life's Journey

PG-13

2016

1 hr. 30 min.

Documentary

List

68%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Filmmaker Terrence Malick examines the origins of the universe, the birth of stars and galaxies, the beginning of life on Earth and the evolution of diverse species.

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Critics Consensus

Voyage of Time: Life's Journey might be minor Malick, but for acolytes -- or viewers up for an absorbingly deliberate look at the cosmos -- it's well worth a watch.

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William L

There are some positively beautiful shots of nature in this exploration of existence at all levels, from a microscopic to a cosmic scale. Stunning visuals that will make you appreciate the stark, shocking nature of existence itself. Shame that they're grouped up with CGI that was dodgy even when new, and hyper-pompous minimalist narration. Real shame. (2/5)

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/20/22

Full Review

matthew b

"Mother." 'Voyage of Time: Life's Journey' is a documentary that isn't meant to be enjoyed but to be experienced, which I know sounds cliche, but just because something may seem cliche doesn't mean it's not true. In this documentary, Terrence Malick takes us through the evaluation of the universe, nature, and human life. Breath-taking shots throughout with the camera picking up every detail that the human eye fails to spot. From the deepest part of outer space to the concrete cities of earth. Malick movies are the light, the air, the wind, the water, and the definition of wholesome. If you're familiar with Malick's other work, then I say check this one out. Not for mainstream audience that's for sure.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

When I walked into the theatre to see this movie, I thought it would be a nice scientific documentary, but boy was I wrong. This film consisted of Brad Pitt reading pretentious confusing poetry (eg. Love, Life....., what is it all about?) in an excruciatingly slow voice. This was probobaly the worst film I have ever seen in my entire life. Absolute garbage.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I watched the 90 minute version and I am going to guess that most people would prefer the 45 minute which I imagine shares much of the narrative, if narrative it is. It isn't a narrative as much as a long form version of the voice overs pondering "father" (here, mother) which appeared on Tree Of LIfe. Over 90 minutes it might become irritating if you re in the wrong mood, but it is a Malick film so why watch it in the wrong mood? The visuals are stunning, hallucinatory and oddly charming at times. FRom strange visions to baby dinosaurs and everything in between. Totally mad, totally lovely.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Gorgeous to look at but it unfortunately feels as if they had a bunch of left over footage from Tree Of Life and just made that into a movie. Grade: C+

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/01/18

Full Review

brendan n

Artistic but will divide all the audience viewings, much like any Malick film. I found it interesting if a little self indulgent by the filmmaker, no clear message but full of visual wonders. The narration is a little cringe worthy and not the ideal choice to have on a documentary like this. You may find yourself struggling with the views by the filmmaker as well as the slow pacing but you can't deny the ambition attempted. I think it works for the most part but a few things held it back from becoming a grand spectacle, you can't fault the cinematography which is near perfect. 25-03-2018.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Terrence Malick

Director

Cate Blanchett

Narrator

Terrence Malick

Writer

Dede Gardner

Producer

Nicolas Gonda

Producer

Sarah Green

Producer

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Kate Erbland

indieWire

This version... bogged down as it is by insipid narration and a punishing running length, makes this Voyage of Time a trip not worth taking.

Rated: D

Jan 2, 2017

Full Review

Sam C. Mac

Slant Magazine

The elusive and suddenly quite prolific Terrence Malick is fascinated, and beguiled, by nothing less than the legacy of all existence in his long-gestating, avant-nature doc.

Nov 21, 2016

Full Review

Jordan Hoffman

Vanity Fair

I can hear some of your rolling your eyes all the way from here, but if anyone is going to take you on said voyage, let it be a filmmaker as skilled as Terrence Malick.

Sep 12, 2016

Full Review

Luke Gorham

In Review Online

Voyage of Time proves itself devoid of this self-indulgence, and instead executes a more intimate exploration of Malick's worldview - an invitation rather than a baptism.

Aug 13, 2020

Full Review

Cathy Brennan

One Room With A View

It's pretty, and occasionally it taps into a feeling that approaches profundity. However, those moments are not enough...

Rated: 3/5

Mar 26, 2019

Full Review

Tomas Trussow

Film Inquiry

Blanchett's narration is a constant barrage of inane interrogations caught in the abstract. It's as if she's signing postcards to Mother Nature and just flinging them into oblivion.

Dec 5, 2018

Full Review

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Terrence Malick examines the origins of the universe, the birth of stars and galaxies, the beginning of life on Earth and the evolution of diverse species.

Director: Terrence Malick
Executive Producer: Tanner Beard, Mary Bing, Yves Chevalier, Daniel Hammond, Gabriel Hammond, Christos V. Konstantakopoulos, Jacques Perrin, Ryan Rettig, Donald Rosenfeld
Screenwriter: Terrence Malick
Production Co: IMAX Corporation, Sophisticated Films, Plan B Entertainment, Wild Bunch, Sycamore Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (A Sequence of Nudity|Some Disturbing Images)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital