Time Machine, The MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: +2

The vivid imagination of science-fiction author H.G. Wells explodes onto the screen in this remake of a 1960 movie based on his 100-year-old novel. Directed by the authors great grandson, Simon Wells, THE TIME MACHINE spins the tale of time traveler Alexander Hartdegen (Guy Pearce). In the early 1900s, the eccentric science professor creates an elaborate machine capable of traveling back in time or forward into the future. After his effort to alter past events fails, Alexander speeds forward to a computerized, futuristic world in 2030, but his final destination finds him 800,000 years into the future. There he discovers a natural, primitive Garden of Eden-like paradise, occupied by people called Eloi, where he meets beautiful Mara (Samantha Mumba) and her young brother Kalen (Omero Mumba). Suddenly, THE TIME MACHINE becomes a horror film as the cannibalistic Morlocks, who live below ground, attack the gentle Elois. Non-stop action ensues as Alexander fights back to save the captured Mara and Kalen. Having failed in the past, can Alexander change the future? Outstanding special effects create images that will both thrill and terrify audiences and fans of science fiction.

As the ground seems to spew them out, the hideous, apelike Morlocks, suddenly appear, grabbing some of the passive Elois. Ruled by Uber-Morlock (Jeremy Irons), the personification of evil, the Morlocks will put some of the captured women in cages to be used as breeding vessels, but most of the sheep-like Elois become food for the subterranean monsters. Mara explains to Hartdegen that because of the Morlock, her people never look back on the past or forward to any future, giving life no meaning. Now thats scary! The contrasting lives of the Elois and the Morlocks, like evolution theory taken to the extreme, find the stronger Morlocks eventually surviving alone. In his travels, Alexander learns the civilized world he lived in, fell apart in 2037, when the moon disintegrated. THE TIME MACHINE has no sexual content, however, a few mild crudities and one exclamatory profanity slightly mar the dialogue. The story is pure science fiction and not intended to be taken as real, but some of the violent scenes are certainly not appropriate for young children. However, its bleak view of a Godless universe will, hopefully, make viewers thankful for the reality of Gods faithfulness and many blessings.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: DreamWorks SKG, 1000 Flower St., Glendale, CA 91201, and Warner Bros.