The Time Machine (2002)
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29% of critics liked it
(150 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(154,095 ratings)
The classic science fiction novel by H.G. Wells becomes this big-budget adventure directed by the author's great-grandson Simon Wells. Guy Pearce stars as Alexander Hartdegen, a scientist, professor, and inventor in 1895 New York City who believes that time travel is possible. The sudden and… More The classic science fiction novel by H.G. Wells becomes this big-budget adventure directed by the author's great-grandson Simon Wells. Guy Pearce stars as Alexander Hartdegen, a scientist, professor, and inventor in 1895 New York City who believes that time travel is possible. The sudden and unexpected death of his fiancée spurs Alexander to build a time machine, which he hopes to use in an effort to change the past. When he is unable to change the past, Alexander hurls himself more than 800,000 years into the future, seeking answers about the nature of time, but instead encountering a dystopian world where humanity has divided up into two races, the peaceful Eloi and the subterranean Morlocks. Befriending the beautiful Eloi woman Mara (pop singer Samantha Mumba), Alexander must set out to save her from the underground world of the Morlocks when she is captured by them. Along the way, he is aided by Vox (Orlando Jones), a bio-mechanical being from the 21st century. Ultimately, Alexander makes a shocking discovery about the true nature of the Eloi and Morlocks and decides that the only way to change the future is to alter the present. Due to exhaustion, director Wells was briefly replaced during the last few weeks of production by Gore Verbinski, director of The Mexican (2001). The Time Machine co-stars Jeremy Irons and Mark Addy. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Simon Wells
- Written By
- John Logan
- Genres
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- In Theaters
- Mar 8, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- DreamWorks SKG
Critic Reviews
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Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
If H.G. Wells had a time machine and could take a look at his kin's reworked version, what would he say? 'It looks good, Sonny, but you missed the point.'
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Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
One of those staggeringly well-produced, joylessly extravagant pictures that keep whooshing you from one visual marvel to the next, hastily, emptily.
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Dennis Lim, Village Voice
If it's remembered at all, it will be as a time capsule of early-21st-century blockbuster cowardice and redundancy.
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Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
They gave The Time Machine a major overhaul and ended up with a clunker.
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Desson Thomson, Washington Post
Amazingly stilted before accelerating into its exciting finish.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Guy Pearce
as Alexander Hartdegen
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Samantha Mumba
as Mara
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Mark Addy
as David Philby
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Sienna Guillory
as Emma
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Phyllida Law
as Mrs. Watchit
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Alan Young
as Flower Store Worker
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Omero Mumba
as Kalen
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Yancey Arias
as Toren
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Orlando Jones
as Vox
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Jeremy Irons
as Uber-Morlock
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Doug Jones
as Spy Morlock
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Lenny Loftin
as Soldier #1
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Dan McCann
as Hunter Marlock
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Gary Toy
as Eloi
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Connie Ray
as Teacher
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Craig Davis
as Hunter Marlock
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Max Baker
as Robber
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John Koyama
as Eloi
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Myndy Crist
as Jogger
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Hiro Koda
as Eloi
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Richard Cetrone
as Hunter Marlock
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Jacob Chambers
as Spy Morlock
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Clint E. Lilley
as Hunter Marlock
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Josh Stamberg
as Motorist
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Joey Anaya
as Spy Morlock
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Michael Chaturantabut
as Eloi
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Eddie Conna
as Hunter Marlock
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Jonathan Eusebio
as Eloi
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Roel Failma
as Eloi
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Jeremy Fitzgerald
as Hunter Marlock
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Bryan Friday
as Hunter Marlock
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Grady Holder
as Hunter Marlock
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Yoshio Iizuka
as Eloi
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Diana Lee Inosanto
as Eloi
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Malaea Chona Jason
as Eloi
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Dorian Kingi
as Spy Morlock
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Laura Kirk
as Flower Seller
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Mark Kubr
as Hunter Marlock
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Kevin McTurk
as Spy Morlock
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Jeffrey M. Meyer
as Central Park Carriage Driver
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John W. Momrow
as Fifth Avenue Carriage Driver
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Gail Monian
as Eloi
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R.C. Ormond
as Eloi
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Jeff Podgurski
as Hunter Marlock
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Maro Uo Richmond
as Eloi
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Thomas Corey Robinson
as Soldier #2
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Christopher Sayour
as Hunter Marlock
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Petra Sprecher
as Eloi
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Steve Upton
as Hunter Marlock
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Jonathan Valera
as Eloi
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Bryon Weiss
as Hunter Marlock
- Josh Todd
- Philip Bosco



