The Time Machine ★★ 2002 (PG-13) Well, the special effects are pretty cool but this sci-fi adventure has little to do with H.G. Wells' 1894 novel. Eccentric scientist Alexander Hartdegen (an anorexiclooking Pearce) lives in New York, circa 1900. He's devastated when his fiance Emma (Guillory) is killed and is determined to change fate by building a time machine. But going back in time changes nothing so Hartdegen goes forward to discover why he can't change things. He accidentally winds up in 800,000 when the Earth is once again pastoral and its inhabitants are divided into the gentle surface-dwelling Elois and the monstrous, cannibalistic subterranean Morlocks. Irish singer Mumba debuts as Mara, whom Hartdegen falls for, and a heavily made-up Irons is the Uber-Morlock. Unfortunately, the story is dull rather than what it should be—rousing in a who-cares-about-logic, B-movie way. 96m/C VHS, DVD. US Guy Pearce, Samantha Mumba, Mark Addy, Sienna Guillory, Omera Mumba, Jeremy Irons, Orlando Jones, Phyllida Law, Yancey Arias; Cameos: Alan Young;
Director:
Simon Wells;
Writer:
John Logan;
Writer:
Donald McAlpine;
Cameo:
Klaus Badelt.
