Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mediocre time-travel sci-fi has violence, cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Time Trap
What's the Story?
In TIME TRAP, Hopper (Andrew Wilson), an archeology professor, has ventured into a cave in Texas in an attempt to look into the rumors of there being a fountain of youth deep within. When he goes missing, Taylor, Jackie (Brianne Howey), Cara (Cassidy Gifford), Veeves, and Furby venture off in search of their favorite professor. They find the cave, and upon their descent, they encounter problems. Their new ropes break, causing Taylor to break his wrist. There are mysterious screams and howls. Upon finding an alternate entrance, they discover that Furby, who was to stay aboveground, tried to descend the cave and fell to his death. They soon make the terrifying discovery that they have entered a kind of time warp in which seconds in the cave pass like years outside the cave. It's up to the group to figure out a way to find Professor Hopper and find a way back to their own time, or at least escape from the cave.
Is It Any Good?
This movie is an interesting concept that falls short in the execution. While Time Trap makes a lot happen on a low budget, the story leaves a lot of potential unexplored. The very best science fiction isn't about the largest budget or the best special effects -- it's about taking the concept and fully exploring all of the ramifications of that concept. In the future, there are both cavemen and astronauts, and rural Texas is filled with tumbleweeds and brambles. There's no explanation of why this is -- the vague hints of there being a sequel at the end don't offer much in the way of resolution. It leaves far too much out there somewhere in the proverbial space/time continuum.
The acting is decent, if not exceptional, but the dialogue has some moments that come off as forced attempts at levity during moments of life-or-death conflict and danger. Not to spoil anything, but the ending is a little too convenient, and the characters are a little too happy with where they find themselves. The result is a movie that's merely so-so.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about science fiction movies. How does Time Trap compare to other science fiction films you've seen?
How does this compare to other "time travel" movies you've seen? Why is time travel such a popular theme in books and movies?
Was the violence in the movie necessary to the story, or did it seem deliberately put in for excitement?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 19, 2017
- Cast : Andrew Wilson , Cassidy Gifford , Brianne Howey
- Director : Mark Dennis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Pad Thai Pictures
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : STEM
- Run time : 87 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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