Video/DVD Review: Time Bandits
What Parents Should Know
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, etc.).
Two characters are blown up at the end, but they aren't
depicted as very nice people. 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 can talk about 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?
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 joins 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 Evil Genius, the Supreme Being's nasty rival, lures the group into his Fortress of Ultimate Darkness and steals the map so he can 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. A considerable vein of black humor and irreverence runs through the movie, giving it a sharp edge not often found in kids' fantasies.
The film's look is and special effects are impressive and imaginative, but the plot and characters are somewhat inconsistent and the satire is frequently harsh. 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.
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