Timeline... Ugh!

[CheddarLimbo]

This flew under my radar when it first came out, so I know I'm late to the party and all, but...I just saw this last night and what a kick in the pants!

The acting was abysmal, and the plot practically nonsensical. It's based on a Michael Crichton book which I'm told is actually pretty good. But like most Hollywood treatments of popular novels it starts bad and only gets worse.

In this movie, a bunch of sexy young archeology students find a message written by their missing professor/mentor on artifacts they unearth at a dig. They're from hundreds of years ago, but appear to have his handwriting calling for help. These guys (and once plucky young gal!) rally together and go confront The Big Bad Corporation type company that the professor was dealing with and discover that he's been sent back in time using some tricked out Hall of Mirrors Disco Platform Steam Machine.

So, obviously, the next step is to get all decked out in your Scarborough Faire outfits and go back to get him! You're bringing three Marines with you, so what could go wrong, right?

It's all downhill from there. There's forced dramatic tension, not one but TWO failed attempts at love interest side-plots, unlikely and ridiculous twists, and character motivations that are an absolute mess. Every eight minutes or so somebody makes a totally moronic decision to do something that only serves to confuse and frustrate the audience.

Anyway, I'm done now. ~whew~ Just in case this monster was inching its way up your Netflix queue, ditch it fast! It's a real stinker.

[rym]

Yeah, I've seen the movie - but that was after reading the book. As you surmised, the book is much, much better than the movie.

I'd highly recommend reading the book if you had even the faintest inkling of enjoyment from the movie.

[ABOMINATION]

The book is awesome! I haven't seen the movie but from what I've heard it stinks really bad. On the other hand the book is great and is unputdownable.

[champrjk]

The movie wasn't terrible, just not that great. If you can get it at a library you might as well watch it. I wouldn't mind watching again. As for the book, I haven't read it yet. I think I just might do that.

[Jandarforever]

The book is excellently written, and the story is very compelling because of the science and action. What is so sweet about Crichton's books, is that they center around something that could happen. It's all fictional of course, but his stuff is based off the work of many scientists which adds a heavy sense of realism to his stories. That and the awesome way he creates suspense with the action, makes his stuff top notch. What I do when I read a book is try and imagine what a cool movie the story would be, visualizing what a sweet scene various parts would be. So when they come out with an insanely sucky movie made from the book, it just makes me want to pack up all my stuff, move to Hollywood, and show those nitwits a thing or two about movie making (not that I have any experience, but I'm sure a ten year old kid could do a better job making The Lost World). I saw the end of Timeline and it looked pretty dumb. The acting was awful, the special effects for going back in time were TERRIBLE! Very sad.

[ABOMINATION]

Originally Posted by champrjk

The movie wasn't terrible, just not that great. If you can get it at a library you might as well watch it. I wouldn't mind watching again. As for the book, I haven't read it yet. I think I just might do that.

Once you start reading one book by Michael Crichton, you have to start reading them all. Thats how good they are.

[nyys]

The book was great... but I also enjoyed the movie, even went out and bought it.

[champrjk]

Originally Posted by ABOMINATION

Once you start reading one book by Michael Crichton, you have to start reading them all. Thats how good they are.

I'll have to check out my local library and see if they have any of his books.

[nyys]

Originally Posted by champrjk

I'll have to check out my local library and see if they have any of his books.

My favorite Crichton book is Sphere, but the movie was awful IMO.

[Metaknight]

I liked it for awhile, but there was some weird parts. Like that guy who got pushed down died? And I agree, bad acting...

[Jandarforever]

Originally Posted by nyys

My favorite Crichton book is Sphere, but the movie was awful IMO.

The book was actually pretty disappointing for me. Here we are, thinking that some super awesome alien ship or creature is down there at the bottom of the ocean, and then we find out it's some weird spiritual type power. I had absolutely no idea there was a movie about it.

[ABOMINATION]

I love the Jurassic Park and Lost World books. I also love the Jurassic Park movie alot but the Lost World movie stunk to high heaven; mostly because of the terrible acting by the kid.