Time Bandits - (1981)

Director Terry Gilliam was always more of a behind the scenes guy on Monty Python, providing all the weird animated segments. Since then he’s become a very famous director, most notably directing one of the greatest science fiction/fantasy movies of all time, “Brazil” (at least if you ask me) and of course one of the greatest comedy movies of all time, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (just ask anyone). And although I can see some kids (and adults) being weirded out by “Time Bandits”, I just love it, and I’d say it’s a great family movie…for certain families.

It’s about a little boy named Kevin, whose ignored by his technology obsessed parents, while he’s really into history. Then one day, some dwarves come through his closet with a map, which they stole from God. The map can transport you through time, and the boy is dragged along with them when God bursts into his room looking for the map. Along the way he meets Napoleon Bonaparte, Robin Hood, Agamemnon, and Evil. Evil wants the map for himself so he can escape from the dimension God trapped him in, creating the conflict, as if being chased by God isn’t enough. I love it, it’s so epic, and the ending, which may seriously bother some people and be nightmare fuel to children, is perfect. I always liked sick kid’s movies, like “Gremlins” and Tim Burton’s “Batman” movies, and I’m sure plenty of kids can handle the movie, and would even love it. Some kids may find it dated nowadays, being raised on CGI vomit and other crap, but forget about the kids for a second, if you’re interested in this premise, then you’ll love it. If you think it sounds too weird or silly, then you probably won’t like it, but it’s your loss because it’s a really awesome movie.

This movie also has the absolute greatest movie cast assembled ever in any movie. It has Sean Connery, John Cleese, David Warner, Tony Jay, Michael Palin, Ian Holm, Jim Broadbent, and Kenny Baker (you know, R2-D2 from “Star Wars”). Most of these people are only in one part, but that what makes it awesome. John Cleese is only in one scene as Robin Hood, and it’s easily the funniest part of the whole movie. Sean Connery is Agamemnon, and actually gets some touching moments with Kevin. David Warner, one of the greatest actors ever, is completely awesome as Evil. The movie deserves credit just for getting such an awesome cast together. They could’ve just all sat on a toilet for 2 hours, and it still would’ve been great. But of course, the main character is the little boy, Kevin, played by Craig Warnock, who actually does really good, and went to go on to do no movie ever again.

The song featured in the film is “Dream Away”, by producer and ex-Beatle George Harrison, and it’s pretty good. The special effects are also amazing, as they’re *actually* special effects, using models and stop-motion animation. The good ol’ days. Overall, I love this movie, if any of this sounds appealing you’ll love it, and overall it’s a reminder of how good movies can be.