Review of Time Bandits (1981) by Mark D — 04 Mar 2011

To be honest, there is a part of me that doesn't understand why I like this movie. Some of the effects haven't aged very well, some of the humor falls flat, historical accuracy is absolutely botched, and the ending will leave you bewildered.

So how could you like it? The world that Terry Gilliam has created is so vivid, so brilliant, that you won't believe your eyes. The story here is pretty funny, about a little boy who becomes swept up by 6 dwarves traveling across time to steal the greatest riches in history.

They are pursued by the Supreme Being and the minions of Evil (literally, and this guy is so unhinged its hilarious). Some of the humor is great, and definitely things kids won't get. Like finding out Robin Hood's band of merry men are a bunch of violent psychopaths, Napoleon was goofing off during all of his battles watching puppet shows, and other situations.

If after reading that sentence you said out loud, "That sounds so stupid!", this movie isn't for you. One person I know described this as a "kids film for adults that only kids can understand.

" I can't say a whole lot beyond that, this is one of those films you can't rationally describe, you just have to watch it and take it in.