I've become a pretty big Terry Gilliam fan over the years. Monty Python doesn't do much for me, but his films like Brazil and Baron Munchausen I think are incredible. I expected more of the same going into Time Bandits. I was slightly disappointed, but the whimsy and adventurous nature that's present in all of his films is certainly here.

Time Bandits is not exactly what I was anticipating. It's arguably one of the strangest films I've ever seen taking elements from history, fantasy, and sci-fi. There are dwarves, pirates, Spartans, spaceships, wizards, giants, you name it, it's here. Does Gilliam provide some fantasy logic to make it all make sense? Not really. The fact that our world sometimes makes no sense, but Time Bandits doesn't always follow it's loosely established rules and it pulls many things out of the "location where the sun doesn't shine". That said, it's fun from beginning to end and I think that's really all you can ask for. It's certainly unlike any film that would be released nowadays.

You watch films like this for the wacky adventure and it absolutely delivers on that part. The different times and "worlds" that the crew travels to are incredible. Each one is different from the last and brings a new set of characters to follow with some fun and hilarious moments. The production design in this is something to behold. All of the environments and costumes are beautiful. The use of practical effects and camera tricks is top notch and could be considered the best effects of the 80's.

The cast is great and immediately charming. Craig Warnock being a curious and kindhearted kid is obviously someone you're going to root for, but the little people who bring him along on their journey are honestly the heart of this film. They bring a constant source of humor and wit that would be missed greatly if they were absent. The actors making cameos as historical figures are great even if they were really bizarre choices for those roles. Ian Holm is one of the most underappreciated actors and to see him as Napoleon made me really happy. Sean Connery was a fascinating choice for Agamemnon, but again, it's fun.

There are some genuinely frightening things in Time Bandits especially in the last quarter. There are some creatures created by the antagonist that would scare the Bejesus out of me as a kid. There's also death, shooting, stabbing, and many other things that kids would be terrified of, for sure.

That ENDING. Probably the most off-the-wall, bonkers conclusion I have ever seen in my life. Completely unexpected, but I loved it.

I'll definitely have to give this film another shot later on with a different mindset because I bet I'll appreciate it more. The crazy story and structure had me scratching my head at points, but it's an undeniably good time.

List: 2024 Goals

Last Review: Carry-On

I've become a pretty big Terry Gilliam fan over the years. Monty Python doesn't do much for me, but his films like Brazil and Baron Munchausen I think are incredible. I expected more of the same going into Time Bandits. I was slightly disappointed, but the whimsy and adventurous nature that's present in all of his films is certainly here.

Time Bandits is not exactly what I was anticipating. It's arguably one of the strangest films I've ever seen taking elements from history, fantasy, and sci-fi. There are dwarves, pirates, Spartans, spaceships, wizards, giants, you name it, it's here. Does Gilliam provide some fantasy logic to make it all make sense? Not really. The fact that our world sometimes makes no sense, but Time Bandits doesn't always follow it's loosely established rules and it pulls many things out of the "location where the sun doesn't shine". That said, it's fun from beginning to end and I think that's really all you can ask for. It's certainly unlike any film that would be released nowadays.

You watch films like this for the wacky adventure and it absolutely delivers on that part. The different times and "worlds" that the crew travels to are incredible. Each one is different from the last and brings a new set of characters to follow with some fun and hilarious moments. The production design in this is something to behold. All of the environments and costumes are beautiful. The use of practical effects and camera tricks is top notch and could be considered the best effects of the 80's.

The cast is great and immediately charming. Craig Warnock being a curious and kindhearted kid is obviously someone you're going to root for, but the little people who bring him along on their journey are honestly the heart of this film. They bring a constant source of humor and wit that would be missed greatly if they were absent. The actors making cameos as historical figures are great even if they were really bizarre choices for those roles. Ian Holm is one of the most underappreciated actors and to see him as Napoleon made me really happy. Sean Connery was a fascinating choice for Agamemnon, but again, it's fun.

There are some genuinely frightening things in Time Bandits especially in the last quarter. There are some creatures created by the antagonist that would scare the Bejesus out of me as a kid. There's also death, shooting, stabbing, and many other things that kids would be terrified of, for sure.

That ENDING. Probably the most off-the-wall, bonkers conclusion I have ever seen in my life. Completely unexpected, but I loved it.

I'll definitely have to give this film another shot later on with a different mindset because I bet I'll appreciate it more. The crazy story and structure had me scratching my head at points, but it's an undeniably good time.

List: 2024 Goals

Last Review: Carry-On

you are so mercifully free from the ravages of intelligence.

im soooo all-powerful evil being. what fun. i adore the production design on this! Grimy Child-like Fantasy is the best genre. beautiful costuming and set design. shelley duvall!!!!! also enjoyed the ending where the main character's parents fucking explode and that's just. it. british people you dogs!!!

you are so mercifully free from the ravages of intelligence.

im soooo all-powerful evil being. what fun. i adore the production design on this! Grimy Child-like Fantasy is the best genre. beautiful costuming and set design. shelley duvall!!!!! also enjoyed the ending where the main character's parents fucking explode and that's just. it. british people you dogs!!!

What you'd expect from an 80s fantasy adventure family film mixed with the unbridled creativity of Terry Gilliam. Certainly chaotic and impressive, but I personally felt a lack of emotional throughline with our main character. Though with the way this movie ended, I'm not entirely sure what I should expect from that department. This Criterion 4K does look gorgeous and highlights the extraordinary production, but this does feel like a movie that belongs on VHS.

What you'd expect from an 80s fantasy adventure family film mixed with the unbridled creativity of Terry Gilliam. Certainly chaotic and impressive, but I personally felt a lack of emotional throughline with our main character. Though with the way this movie ended, I'm not entirely sure what I should expect from that department. This Criterion 4K does look gorgeous and highlights the extraordinary production, but this does feel like a movie that belongs on VHS.

The wackiest thing I’ve ever seen and if you gave me a million guesses I would never have got the ending

The wackiest thing I’ve ever seen and if you gave me a million guesses I would never have got the ending