Movies

A reimagined ‘Time Bandits’ takes viewers on a delightful historical adventure

BBG News

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the quirky and imaginative, I was thrilled to hear that Terry Gilliam’s “Time Bandits” was being adapted into a television series. Having grown up watching Gilliam’s fantastical films, I was excited to see how the premise would be stretched into a longer format.

“Beginning Wednesday on Apple TV+, ‘Time Bandits’ – a new series based on Terry Gilliam’s 1981 comic fantasy film of the same name – expands its captivating concept while staying true to the original. Developed by Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Iain Morris, this engaging television show is filled with humor, liveliness, and enjoyment.”

Despite sharing some similarities in tone and humor, it’s advisable to disregard the differences between Gilliam’s film and the series. The movie is characterized by its uncouth, violent, and grotesque elements, while the series is more sentimental and toned down, with exceptions for monster appearances. Notably, the bandits, portrayed by little people in the film, including David Rappaport and Kenny Baker of R2-D2 fame, are now full-sized actors. However, there are still little people present in other roles, hinting at potential storylines for future seasons.

Just like earlier, the main character is a spirited English boy named Kevin (Kal-El Tuck). Unaware to him, his bedroom functions as a gateway to new realms through time and dimensions. The show hints that both Kevin and his room possess unique importance. Kevin is an overzealous know-it-all with impulsive history lessons that bore his parents, who are fixated on their screens; his sister, Saffron (Kiera Thompson), a fresh addition to the series, finds him amusing, pitiful, and somewhat off-putting – typical sibling behavior. She will have a major impact on upcoming episodes.

One evening, a wardrobe in Kevin’s room started trembling and radiating light, and when he peeked inside, he was transported to an unfamiliar beach in a distant time. There, he witnessed a Viking being pursued by Saxons. It wasn’t as thrilling as the knight bursting into his room in the movie, but it gave Kevin quite a scare. Seizing the moment, he called out to the fleeing man and asked why Vikings had suddenly abandoned their violent ways and taken up farming instead.

The following night, this group of self-proclaimed “Time Bandits” infiltrated his room. Fugitives from the wrath of the Supreme Being, they had purloined a cosmic map to carry out heists through various time periods and make off with the spoils. (They weren’t particularly skilled at this.) Each member boasted a distinct character and area of expertise, much like the crew of Doc Savage or the IMF.

Lisa Kudrow’s character Penelope is portrayed as the head of their group, yet she emphasizes their teamwork. However, when recounting their achievements, no matter how insignificant they may be, she must alternate between using “I” and “we.” Furthermore, Penelope carries a mended but still aching heart. A consistent gag involves her forgetting Kevin’s name, making the humor endure with its frequent repetition.

Introducing the bandits to Kevin, Penelope describes Bittelig (Rune Temte) as having “the force of seven regular men” and a “sensitive side.” Judy (Charlyne Yi), referred to as the “master psychologist,” either clarifies what’s already clear or makes mistakes. Alto (Tadhg Murphy), an expressive actor, serves as their master of disguise, while Widgit (Roger Jean Nsengiyumva) is their sometimes reliable map reader. The eclectic mix of characters seems unlikely for anonymous low-level workers of the Supreme Being, but it wasn’t until I penned that sentence that I gave it much thought.

In simpler terms, Kevin gets drafted into their group in order to escape the wrath of the Supreme Being, who first appears as a large three-faced head but later is unveiled as Waititi. Clement, one of the co-creators, portrays the sinister character Pure Evil, who likewise desires the map. They send a demonic emissary, played by Rachel House, to obtain it. Both Good and Bad present challenges for them.

Written and co-directed by Gilliam and Michael Palin, “Time Bandits” is a Python production featuring Palin in various hapless roles throughout history and John Cleese as an aristocratic Robin Hood. The movie’s structure resembles a sketch comedy show with a continuous narrative, moving from the Napoleonic Wars to Sherwood Forest, ancient Greece, the Titanic, and more. Its humor is reminiscent of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and “Life of Brian,” blending historical and mythical contexts with contemporary perspectives, issues, and language. Rowan Atkinson’s “Blackadder” series and the recently canceled pirate comedy “Our Flag Means Death,” on which Waititi served as executive producer, director, and co-star, share a similar narrative approach.

The show continues with a similar theme. It has many self-contained stories, with some episodes even featuring multiple storylines. In just the first 46 minutes, we travel to a battle at sea in 18th-century Macao, witness Stonehenge being built, and discover ancient Troy where robbers intend to steal a famous horse, only to find it is large and made of wood.

In their upcoming journeys, they will explore Prohibition-era New York, the majestic Maya civilization, the vast African desert, the frozen Ice Age, and Georgian England. However, not everyone is on board with these escapades – Kevin disapproves, particularly when it comes to “borrowing” artifacts – and they must contend with relentless pursuers and the challenges of unforeseen terrains.

Halfway through the filming process, Yi left due to allegations of sexual harassment against him. These accusations were brought forth by unidentified individuals, but the production team could not validate them. The handling of his departure is somewhat awkward, and it required significant rewrites. However, Yi’s absence did not significantly impact the overall narrative of the film.

In Gilliam’s film, there is a deep narrative hidden beneath its straightforward portrayal, which effectively engages viewers for two hours. However, as this is an extended series with plans for more episodes, additional depth becomes necessary. While each installment offers enough variation to keep interest, the prolonged length calls for something more. We delve into characters’ motivations and backstories, uncover emotions, and witness significant speeches that add meaning. Towards the latter part of the season, some speeches may appear overtly dramatic or contrived. Yet, humor swiftly returns to lighten the mood.

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2024-07-26 14:19

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