TV Movie Review: The TimeShifters (TBS)

One suspects that what TBS did right this time was to make sure the scripters and the director of the movie had actually had some contact with SF. That doesn't happen often. Director Mario Azzopardi's credits include Stargate SG-1, The Outer Limits, Highlander, and -- well, you get the idea. Kurt Inderbitzin and Gay Walch, who scripted the film, have fewer SF credentials, but their others are sufficiently impressive.

Which is not to say there aren't flaws. The chase scene that ensues after Merrick gives the ThrillSeekers the slip looks like every other run-through-the-city-to-the-subway-station bit ever done. Then there's the spot where he leaps from one speeding subway car to another he and Liz have just disconnected and nearly loses his grip. Of course, he might have managed better if he'd either put his suede jacket on or left it behind. There are some corny soap-opera elements like Merrick's non-relationship with his son that gets too much attention for its level of importance. They are forgiveable, because what doesn't happen is the gratuitous kissing and/or sex scene between male and female protagonists that seems to be considered a basic construct of most made-for-TV science fiction movies.

Even with its flaws, though, The TimeShifters is not a bad two hours in front of the tube. The action is believable, the dialogue interesting and the F/X level just right. There are sly digs at the news media's obsession with catastrophe and the human fascination with disaster. The basic theme, though, is one of responsibility. As in Jurassic Park the question is not whether we can use exciting new technology, even though we may not know all the possible consequences of doing so, but whether we should.

TBS will broadcast The TimeShifters again Sunday, October 23, at 7:05 PM Eastern. As these things go, it will likely be available on video and/or DVD at some point as well. Get out the popcorn and enjoy.

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