'In Time' (2011)
20th CENTURY FOX
DIRECTED BY: Andrew Niccol
DIRECTED BY: Andrew Niccol
STARRING: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy
What can be tricky about sci-fi movies is that they can have great ideas, but the execution can greatly influence (at least, to me) those ideas and their worth to the viewer. Time literally is money here, and the question In Time' asks is whether you'd choose to be mortal with time, or immortal with *time*. In Time does with alot of excellent ideas that are not only detailed and relevant, but relatable; too many allusions to Occupy and rich (vs) poor, that as a whole, would make for an excellent Oscar contender for its effective blend of science fiction & modernism.
What can be tricky about sci-fi movies is that they can have great ideas, but the execution can greatly influence (at least, to me) those ideas and their worth to the viewer. Time literally is money here, and the question In Time' asks is whether you'd choose to be mortal with time, or immortal with *time*. In Time does with alot of excellent ideas that are not only detailed and relevant, but relatable; too many allusions to Occupy and rich (vs) poor, that as a whole, would make for an excellent Oscar contender for its effective blend of science fiction & modernism.
However, there's this thing called Hollywood, that can add famous actors, unnecessary action, plot holes, and drama who-hah, that can take away from the brilliance in In Time's ideas. That's not to say this is a bad movie; again, ideas, and it's a damn good movie. It's just unfortunate that it doesn't take itself seriously to be something more. Because, AGAIN, this has brilliant ideas, with wonderful details and tid-bits, even alluding back to a vault password using Darwin's birthday and "Survival Of The Fittest".
In my opinion, I wish it took itself more seriously, but what can you do... well, really, that's kinda where you'd have to even the field. You have a great science fiction idea, but how far can you stretch it through 109 minutes? Well, sprinkle in some car chases, gangs fighting for time, Olivia Wilde, Leonard from 'The Big Bang Theory', a creepy lookin' sheriff, suits, allusions to Occupy...
I can't argue with the material; the screenwriters took it as far as they could with the audience, but overall, I wanted more. I wanted more seriousness to its brilliant ideas; but in the end, there's not much to complain about. It's a runaway drama that did alot of good things, and at least it had me thinking after the credits. If you want a smart sci-fi movie that isn't Rise of the Planet of the Apes, this is definitely worth your time.
☆☆☆
- Ant
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