‘Time Bandits’ Review – Apple TV+’s Reimagining Falls Short of the Original

In at present’s fashionable period of tv, adapting cult classics from yesteryear has change into a daring, however rewarding endeavor for studios trying to reimagine among the extra underrated old-school IP. With creators trying to introduce their favourite tales to a brand new era whereas satisfying the nostalgia of longtime followers, Apple TV+’s newest isn’t any stranger to this daring, high-stakes pattern. Embracing the problem whereas working to keep up the 1981 function movie’s absurdist allure is Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement’s reinvention of the fantasy journeyTime Bandits. Retaining the wackiness and surrealism from Monty Python legends Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin’s traditional, the 10-part sequence dives lots deeper into the characters and myriad of worlds by time portals. Whereas there’s a agency, beating coronary heart to the sequence due to its solid — led strongly by Lisa Kudrow — the bumps alongside the best way weaken its general allure.

Although it does an honest job of building a definite tone and magnificence, with comedy paying homage to What We Do in the Shadows and Wellington Paranormal, Time Bandits will get misplaced in itself and at occasions feels extra for adults than it does for its lead viewers of kids. Holding true to the unique’s classes in historical past combined with horror components and dry, observational humor, Waititi and Clement, alongside writing companion Iain Morris, perceive the task. However there are additionally just a few snags within the pacing throughout episodes that decelerate curiosity. Furthermore, the present’s option to depart from the unique movie, which was cherished by followers for its inclusive casting on the time, is undoubtedly noticeable and partly peculiar.

What Is ‘Time Bandits’ About?

Time Bandits follows the adventures of 11-year-old historical past fanatic Kevin Haddock (Kal-El Tuck) and his adventures with a ragtag crew of bandits who journey by time. As Kevin grows enthusiastic about his upcoming birthday, his fascination with the previous is clear in his routine conversations about historic occasions and enjoying board video games alone. If that didn’t sound unhappy sufficient, Kevin is commonly mocked by his dad and mom (James Dryden and Felicity Ward) due to his pursuits and is normally picked final for soccer video games, even behind a toddler with crutches. His youthful sister Saffron (Kiera Thompson), who talks like a Geordie Shore character, continuously asks that her brother be “regular,” however he can’t assist it – he’s an previous soul who feels misplaced. Because it so occurs, his life takes an sudden flip one evening when intruders led by the obliviously bossy and unafraid Penelope (Kudrow) and her group of bandits emerge from a time portal in his bed room’s closet.

Kevin’s adventures take off after he’s whisked away by the bandits, who’re on a quest to evade the Supreme Being (Waititi) and navigate by key historic junctures utilizing a stolen map of the universe. Because it so occurs, this map guides the bandits by a number of dimensions, together with encounters with Viking raids, Mayan sacrifice rituals, Nineteen Twenties Harlem, the Ice Age, and different vital historic occasions. Penelope and her crew — Judy (Charlyne Yi), Alto (Tadhg Murphy), Widgit (Roger Jean Nsengiyumva), and Bittelig (Rune Temte) — depend on Kevin’s in depth historic data to outlive their perilous journeys, which embrace some very humorous moments in addition to jokes that do not absolutely land. Because the sequence combines humor and horror-like components with historical past classes, the bandits, alongside Kevin, face a number of challenges, together with the nefarious Pure Evil (Clement), who dispatches his demonic minions to retrieve the map with which the universe will be managed. In his nook of huge baddies is a huntress named Fianna (Rachel Home) with a terrifying visage that may certainly have youngsters a bit spooked, and the humorous Tweedledee and Tweedledum characters of Headface (Mike Minogue) and Stomachface (Karen O’Leary), which additionally doubles as an entertaining Wellington Paranormal reunion.

‘Time Bandits’ Suffers From Incomplete Supporting Characters

A few of Time Bandits‘ greatest classes come from historical past and the significance of understanding it from a number of views. But it surely additionally leans into how the acceptance of 1’s self, full with all of the distinctive quirks and traits, is essential. Regardless of the passive parenting mannequin Kevin is held to and the way others deal with him, his adventures with the bandits permit him to develop and discover his place, proving he could make a distinction. As he helps the bandits by some wild occasions, Kevin discovers his personal id and aspirations, finally recognizing how his passions are priceless belongings. Tuck manages to indicate off his assertive expertise due to Kudrow as a strikingly heartfelt and beneficiant scene companion, and whereas their on-screen relationship is rooted in friendship, their endearing mother-son dynamic faithfully units up the present’s enchantment. Tuck is an actual expertise and somebody we should always see extra of after his absorbing efficiency, whereas Kudrow is of course charming and provides likable, layered depths.

Though the motley crew of bandits is a winsome bunch, they’re not at all times attention-grabbing when break up up. They function robust comedian aid in shared conditions, however there’s nothing that actually units every of them aside. Kudrow and Tuck create an interesting magnetism, however the different characters simply don’t get sufficient depth or exploration of backstory. Curiosity wanes quick in scenes with out these two, prompting the assumption that Kudrow and Tuck are the one worthwhile time bandits within the sequence. The unfinished characters round them make for disjointed transitions between episodes that hinder pacing and disrupt the narrative. That is evident when Yi’s very humorous hot-and-cold psychologist character goes lacking, which sadly ties to off-screen allegations made by the actor a couple of co-star. After all, the main focus is Kevin and Penelope, however the creators wanted to offer their supporting solid a bit of extra consideration — as a result of they’ve the potential to be humorous, however there isn’t far more to them.

Regardless of Some Stable Episodes, ‘Time Bandits’ Is not a Standout

As a visually spectacular present and a continued testomony to Apple TV+’s theatrical quality entertainment, Time Bandits is enjoyable, for essentially the most half. It’s additionally, fortunately, a present that performs to its personal tune outdoors the Gilliam and Palin legacy and doesn’t regurgitate the cult traditional. However whereas the present remains to be extra good than dangerous and makes you genuinely inquisitive about a possible Season 2, it doesn’t stick out as one you’ll wish to rewatch. The jokes fall flat at occasions and can’t be in comparison with the laugh-out-loud quality of What We Do in the Shadows or Wellington Paranormal. They’re reminiscent however by no means in the identical league and have a tendency to hit on the quieter comedy present in these exhibits.

That stated, from Time Bandits‘ 10 episodes, two really stand out: “Mansa Musa” and “Ice Age,” and tragically, they arrive a bit of too late within the sequence. The creators handle to develop the world and its adventures with out dropping the unique’s coronary heart, however the present does a stronger job with these beloved components in these two episodes by a surplus of comedy and allure, creating a real potential for the sequence to proceed. Even because the wildly humorous Waititi and Clement because the Supreme Being and Pure Evil are imagined to be egomaniacal and completely self-consumed, we don’t really feel as linked or understanding of them. The 2, surprisingly, are simply not as humorous as they normally are. As a substitute, their aims are instructed to us reasonably than being proven, which kills any rapid connection we have to kind our personal opinion of their characters.

Time Bandits has some shiny moments that make the present enjoyable and honor the unique movie’s absurdist allure, however stumbles with pacing points, uneven humor, and underdeveloped supporting characters. The departures from the unique are noticeable and won’t go over too nicely with the viewers. Contemplating the sharp commentary made on the bandits’ many journeys and the clever dialogue on historical misinformation, Waititi and Clement’s lack of breaking stereotypes surrounding the little folks first seen within the movie might have been thought-about, as a substitute of pushing them to the background. Whereas the season finale units up a much bigger story for them, it ought to have been equally emphasised. This lack of depth within the ensemble solid diminishes Time Bandits‘ general affect, because it fails to face out as a sequence worthy of the cult traditional.

REVIEW

Time Bandits

Time Bandits struggles with pacing, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent humor, falling wanting capturing the unique movie’s allure and enchantment.

Professionals

• Lisa Kudrow leads the solid with a heartfelt and interesting efficiency, significantly in her dynamic with Kal-El Tuck, who performs Kevin.
• Visually spectacular scenes and historic chapters add an academic ingredient that retains the narrative participating and numerous, interesting to each kids and adults.

Cons

• Pacing points disrupt the general circulation and make it tough for viewers to remain absolutely engaged all through all episodes.
• The primary characters are well-developed, however the supporting solid lacks depth and distinction.
• Whereas it has moments of wit and allure, it usually falls wanting the laugh-out-loud high quality present in Waititi and Clement’s different works.

Time Bandits premieres July 24 on Apple TV+ with two back-to-back episodes, adopted by a brand new episode dropping each Wednesday.

Watch on Apple TV+