Timeline (2003)

  Plot Summary

Working in France, at the site of the 14th century, LaRoque Castle, a group of archaeologists unearth a monastery and structures from the nearby village, Castelgard.  International Technology Corporation (ITC) are funding the excavations but the leader of the excavations Professor Edward Johnson (Billy Connolly) becomes suspicious as his sponsors seem to be able to provide remarkably accurate information as to where his team should dig.  The Professor decides to pay his sponsors a visit at their head office in New Mexico.

While the Professor is away, a chamber in the monastery is discovered.  Two members of the team, Kate (Frances O'Connor) and Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) are lowered into the chamber.  Amazingly they find the glass from a pair of spectacles and a "help me note" from Professor Edward Johnson dated 1357!  Worried about the professor the student archaeologists and the professor's son, Chris (Paul Walker) contact International Technology Corporation for some answers.  The answers include some form of time travel...

Review

As with all "time travel" movies like Back To The Future or Stargate you really shouldn't think too much about them and just go with the flow!  Timeline is no different, the plot is full of holes but it also has a few good ideas.  Generally, it has been getting bad reviews and there are a number of elements where the movie is lacking.

There are a few silly parts which are difficult to ignore.  One part has Chris and Kate trapped in a burning house surrounded by English horsemen and then miraculously we see them climbing out a window and running away as if invisible!  The house they escape from looks a bit fake as well and the 14th Century town of Castlegard is very "set like" and doesn't appear realistic.  The little village has a "folk-park" or "theme-park" feel about it.

The script is not the best and this doesn't help create believable characters.  In any event not enough time is spent on developing the characters which leaves them a little thin.  Paul Walker (The Fast And The Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious) plays Chris, the son of Professor Johnson the archaeologist, but the father/son relationship isn't credible.  Billy Connolly who plays the Professor seems to rush his lines and the character didn't seem real.

Perhaps the best characters were played by Gerard Butler and Anna Friel.  Gerard Butler played the romanticising archaeologist, Andre Marek, and Anne Friel was Claire the 14th Century lady that he falls in love with.

There are some good parts in the movie and also a few clever ideas.  The battle scene at the climax of the movie, which is shot at night, is very well done.  I think there was the makings of a much better movie here.

Bottom Line: Good fun in parts with some good ideas but lacking script, characters and sets.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2003

Genre: Time travel adventure

Certificate: 12's

Director: Richard Donner

~ Main Cast ~

Paul Walker

Frances O'Connor

Gerard Butler

Anna Friel

Billy Connolly

Ethan Embry

Rossif Sutherland

RATING

ONLY IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO