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We have all heard the phrase, “time is
money”. Never has that been more relevant
than the new sci-fi, crime thriller IN TIME. Andrew
Niccol wrote and directed this slick, stylish
ride and he creates a fascinating, thought provoking
future. Part Robin Hood, part Bonnie and Clyde,
with a little Logan’s Run tossed in for
good measure. Not a perfect film but easily one
of the best action movie experiences of the fall.
The story takes place in a future where people
stop aging at 25. The problem is that they are
also engineered to only live one more year after
that. It’s a world where time is literally
money. All trade, wages, buying, and selling is
done in minutes, days and hours, instead of cash.
Like most people in the “ghettos”
Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) lives day to day
trying to earn enough time to stay alive. Sylvia
Weis (Amanda Seyfried) lives in a zone where only
the wealthy dwell. She is one of the elite who
have no worry of time since her family owns most
of it. She can live forever if she wants and never
have to watch the clock. When the truth comes
out about how time is managed, Will and Sylvia
join forces on a crime spree to get time back
in the hands of the people.
This film simply looks cool. Timberlake is cool,
the use of digital graphics is cool, the concept
is cool. All of these elements come together to
give it a sci-fi swagger. The casting choices
also add to the overall experience. For the most
part the cast all look to be in their mid to late
twenties even though their character may be 50
or 60 years old. Olivia Wilde (Rachel Salas) plays
Timberlakes mom when in reality Justin is actually
older. That creep factor makes the world they
live in more intriguing. Niccol also does a fantastic
job of making sure every item in the scene adds
to the swagger; whether the cool muscle cars the
“time keepers” use or the creative
sprinkling of time references. It all works together
in a cohesive manner.
Keep in mind that this film is Sci-Fi. So yes
there are a few plot holes and questions that
can’t be answered. You can choose to focus
on these minor points and miss out on the fun
ride, or embrace the genre and enjoy the experience.
I suggest doing the latter. IN TIME is rated PG-13
for violence, some sexuality and partial nudity,
and strong language. The main issue would be the
violence and crime aspect. This is a film that
is made completely for the 17 and up movie goers.
Younger kids will be lost in the story and there
are elements that they should not be subjected
to. The partial nudity is a brief skinny dipping
scene in very dark murky water. Nothing to see
here folks. There is the one allowed F bomb and
a few other strong expletives tossed around. But
it isn’t common place or rampant. The sexuality
is a make out scene between the two main characters,
but it too is very brief. I give the film 4.5
out of 5 stopwatches. I was able to easily over
looked the few holes and found it a chic, modern
day Bonnie and Clyde flick that was entertaining
and conversational. Timberlake brought sexy back
to music and here brings swagger back to the cinema.
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