When I went to view the remake of the George Pal version of The Time Machine, I went with an open mind, but also with high hopes. Surely the time (sic) which had passed between the classic version and this new one, would have allowed evolution to take its course and to deliver much of what the original merely hinted at. I was to be disappointed.
I have claimed that this new version of The Time Machine, is a remake of the George Pal version, rather than a new interpretation of the novella, as I feel that the major influences on this new work to be George Pal's adaptation and the "sequel" novel The Time Ships (with its verbal Morlock), rather than the director's grandfather's work.
The traveller in both works, I am proud to say, were played by Australians! (Rod Taylor and Guy Pierce). It was also nice to see Alan Young's cameo in the new version.
The original Time Machine film by Pal attempted to assume that its audience MAY think about the film. When the machine was exposed to others (ie The Morlocks), it was purloined and the Traveller on all other occasions made sure that he had secured the craft or stayed near it. Pierce's traveller, likes to wander and has little concern for such security.
Taylor's traveller only braved The Morlocks when he knew that fire would subdue them. Pierce's traveller has no such knowledge nor reservations about risking his life. One cannot but feel that this is an unlikely flaw.
Similarly, he is easily discouraged that he can't change the past. After working for four years on building a machine, he abandons his desire when he fails in the first attempt.
There is, in the new version, none of Pal's passion for our sense of responsibility to the planet; the contempt for the martial and ruthless nature of humans, and that saddened me. What was a story of a perceptive individual's desire for utopia, was perverted into a mixed up intergalactic, "the next girl will do" pseudo love story.
The special effects are good. Mark Addy and Christopher Lee are wonderful. Guy and the wonderful Phylidda Law are good also, but if you have the choice, miss it at the box office and opt for the video.
I have claimed that this new version of The Time Machine, is a remake of the George Pal version, rather than a new interpretation of the novella, as I feel that the major influences on this new work to be George Pal's adaptation and the "sequel" novel The Time Ships (with its verbal Morlock), rather than the director's grandfather's work.
The traveller in both works, I am proud to say, were played by Australians! (Rod Taylor and Guy Pierce). It was also nice to see Alan Young's cameo in the new version.
The original Time Machine film by Pal attempted to assume that its audience MAY think about the film. When the machine was exposed to others (ie The Morlocks), it was purloined and the Traveller on all other occasions made sure that he had secured the craft or stayed near it. Pierce's traveller, likes to wander and has little concern for such security.
Taylor's traveller only braved The Morlocks when he knew that fire would subdue them. Pierce's traveller has no such knowledge nor reservations about risking his life. One cannot but feel that this is an unlikely flaw.
Similarly, he is easily discouraged that he can't change the past. After working for four years on building a machine, he abandons his desire when he fails in the first attempt.
There is, in the new version, none of Pal's passion for our sense of responsibility to the planet; the contempt for the martial and ruthless nature of humans, and that saddened me. What was a story of a perceptive individual's desire for utopia, was perverted into a mixed up intergalactic, "the next girl will do" pseudo love story.
The special effects are good. Mark Addy and Christopher Lee are wonderful. Guy and the wonderful Phylidda Law are good also, but if you have the choice, miss it at the box office and opt for the video.