Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that kids will see a good deal of cartoonish violence (a man's arm is ripped off during an arm wrestling match, a hungry dwarf captures a rat and eats it, severed feet hang from the ceiling of an ogre's ship). Also there are scary creatures, and depictions of a supreme being and his nemesis that some will find objectionable. The bandits are pursued by the Supreme Being, i.e., God, who seems to have created the world in a slapdash manner. They also encounter the Evil Genius, or Devil. Throughout, the movie advocates reading and an appreciation for both the factual and mythological aspects of human history. Its dwarf protagonists also address themes of tolerance.
Families who see this film might discuss how humor of this nature, somewhat satirical and dark, often has very serious things to say. Did you detect any serious themes behind this comedy, such as questioning authority, the nature of the universe, or the nature of time?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Paul Trandahl
A contemporary boy accompanies a group of rogue bandits as they travel throughout history. The result is an imaginative visual feast. But be warned: a considerable vein of black humor and irreverence runs through the movie, giving it a sharp edge not often found in kids' fantasies.
Young Kevin is fascinated by history, but his materialistic parents are too busy planning their dream kitchen to pay attention. When a group of bickering dwarves appears in Kevin's bedroom, he's in for the history lesson of his life.
The dwarves are time bandits, former employees of the Supreme Being who have stolen his map of time and space and plan to loot history of its greatest treasures. Kevin accompanies them through a time hole, and is soon rubbing shoulders with such luminaries as Napoleon, Robin Hood (John Cleese), and Agamemnon (Sean Connery), as well as giants and ogres.
The group is manipulated by the Evil Genius, the nasty rival of the Supreme Being, into entering his Fortress of Ultimate Darkness, where he steals the map for himself in order to destroy the world. Now the time bandits must recover the map and prevent armageddon.
TIME BANDITS is an enjoyable romp meant to appeal to the adventurous child in everyone. Directed by "Monty Python's Flying Circus" animator Terry Gilliam, the movie takes its young hero on an absurdist tour through various times and places in history.
At the visual level, the film is full of impressive and atmospheric images, ranging from an exotic Greek city in the middle of a desert, to our heroes' ship stuck on the head of a giant so tall that his head is literally in the clouds.
But at the story level, Time Bandits is somewhat inconsistent. Kevin, the film's protagonist, has no specific purpose until the very end, which prevents viewers from getting too involved in his journey. One segment, in which Kevin accidentally saves the life of King Agamemnon of ancient Greece, actually does build up some emotion. Kevin and the King start to bond, but then Kevin is whisked away and it's off to another adventure.
The film's satire is frequently harsh. Napoleon is obsessed with his short size, Robin Hood is a bit of a greasy politician, and God comes across as a bored bureaucrat. To cap it all off, Kevin's parents (who we are clearly not supposed to like) are blown up at the movie's conclusion.
Older kids may find the black humor hilarious, but it's questionable viewing for the very young. Still, the film's virtues easily outweigh its flaws and it's a perfect movie for those who prefer their fantasy with a bit of bite. Teens who appreciate this Pythonesque take on history are advised to check out Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Rate It!
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ViolenceConsiderable cartoonish violence. A man's arm is ripped off during an arm wrestling match. The Evil Genius blows up many of his dimwitted minions. A firing squad executes prisoners. A hungry dwarf captures a rat and eats it. One can see the feet of previous victims hanging from the ceiling of an Ogre's ship. There is an attempted suicide. Kevin's home is burned down and his shallow parents are blown up at the movie's conclusion. |
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Social BehaviorThroughout, the movie advocates reading and an appreciation for both the factual and mythological aspects of human history. Its dwarf protagonists address themes of tolerance for those different from oneself. |
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