Season 1 – Time Bandits

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Audience Member I didn't have high hopes going into this show since the movie was a favourite of mine growing up. But I was genuinely very surprised and once I got past the first episode I enjoyed every minute of it. Stellar performances and a silly but intelligent whit. Very disappointed this was not renewed for another season. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/25 Full Review Lee C Really wanted to like this since critical reviews said it was better than the original movie. The effects, costumes, and sets are first rate and look great. The problems are really in the writing. (...and in missing the beloved little people from the movie, altho some do turn up!). Most of the cast are very good. Kevin, especially, as the boy who hooks a ride with the scavenger band through time, is excellent. I feel for the worthy cast as I think the dialogue doesn't keep up with the otherwise interesting trips thru time and space and the actors come away looking simple. Next, about halfway thru the season, the stories seem to become very TV formulaic, and lose their charm. The original Time Bandits (movie) were a ragtag band of misfits, but they knew how to steal. Here, Penelope and the gang can't seem to grab much of anything worthwhile and, in one episode, Penelope is actually upset that she is given gold bars ( rather than having to steal them ). Historical figures are all childish characatures. Casanova, for instance fells women with a single glance, but is captivated by the ultra-plain, Judy, since she just ignores him ( sound familiar?). All told, the episodes are not unpleasant, but a little silly. I still prefer the somewhat darker movie. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review TI H TIME BANDITS follows a small group of likeable but incompetent thieves who have stolen a magic temporal map of the universe from a spectacular entity that calls itself the Supreme Being. The evil being chases them through time and space as they visit famous locales and hobnob with notable characters in history. The storytelling is very funny and loaded with satire. Our POV character is a boy named Kevin, who gets sucked into their adventures as he tries to save his parents, whom a demon has turned into lumps of coal. A new addition to this plotline is Kevin's sister, who enters the time portal late and spends the first season trying to track down her brother. ////// As a fan of the original, I approached this television series with caution. My trepidation vanished within the first ten minutes. The moviemakers do an excellent job of giving us updated special and visual effects--a far cry from 1981's capabilities--yet, somehow, they manage to keep the visuals kitsch, honoring the freakshow aesthetic of Terry Gilliam's original film. ///// I'm only on episode five as I write this, so there might be secrets ahead. I hope they explain how this merry band of bandits carry all their loot through Earth's timeline. Why do they not know what dollar bills from 1920 are? And do they have a base of operations? And what are they, demons, because they once worked for the Supreme Being. Do each of them hail from an Earthly time and place? And why steal? Where do they spend their treasure? Not much point in being a bandit if they can't find time to relax in a certain milieu and wallow in their hard-won wealth. They seem intent on stealing for the sake of stealing and no other reason. Even when offered something for free, they lament that they aren't stealing it. /// So far, this is not the kind of show that I watch to see what happens next. The plot is thin. Instead of mounting tension, the moviemakers give us lighthearted fun. Every episode is a journey through hilarity. If that sounds good to you, give TIME BANDITS a watch. UPDATE: I was enjoying the show so much I binge-watched the rest. I didn't give the story much credit. It does have a point to it, and the climax was better than I had expected. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/25 Full Review Tom F The episodes improved through the season, but still mostly a missed opportunity with little payoff. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/22/25 Full Review Bill G That was long and drawn out; long and boring. There were some things that I found funny and entertaining (but far apart and sporadic). …I CANNOT see a second season. I am a long time fan of the movie. When I found the new tv series, I was excited. Then, to also find out that Taika Waititi was part of the series; I wondered what amazing things were in store for me (to watch). But I can’t believe that they pulled a 2010 M. Night Shyamalan, The Last Airbender movie on us. Disappointed. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 12/17/24 Full Review Ricky C My 10 year old just got into Doctor Who and we loved watching this together. Did not hear about it until year end best list. Wish Apple did more to promote. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/15/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Time Bandits — Season 1

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