Tim Travers and the Time Traveler's Paradox

It's obvious to me now that all the 10 star reviews are quite suspect and clearly from an alternate reality. Even being generous, you couldn't ever give this film more than about an 8 out of 10. So fanboys or paid shills? Who knows.

There isn't much need to go into details since other negative reviewers have covered things well enough, so I'll just say that they are pretty much spot on. Oh well.

Apparently going back in time and killing your younger self _doesn't_ wipe you out of existence but breaks something fundamental about the nature of reality. I learned this while attending a screening at deadCenter Film Festival 24. Once freed from the constraints of The Paradox, Tim proceeds to use the time machine as more of a Tim Travers factory, producing many Tim Travers who each attempt to forge their own path with their own new experiences. This is confusing and disrupting to everyone else and indeed to reality itself which proceeds to become more and more chaotic. It was a crazy ride which I quite enjoyed.

Just the right amount of goofy banter, delving into both hard science fiction concepts, and philosophizing of creation myths, and delivering ridiculous and witty interactions between characters. Lead Sam Dunning does a great job commanding the screen with a truly shocking variety of concepts to showcase, Felicia Day was hilarious and ate up every scene she was in, and writer/director/actor Stimson Snead had me cackling at every turn. The additional cast was also full of top notch talent- super fun to see the likes of Joel McHale, Keith David, and Danny Trejo joining the cast. Was able to attend the premiere at the Cinequest Uplift Film Festival and clearly the whole cast and crew had a blast making the film. Truly, could not tell where each next step in the film would come from, and was constantly surprised at the left turns it took every chance it got.

It's hard to get the combo of sci-fi and comedy right, especially when you are trying to be truthful to the source material. This movie strikes a balance between being scientifically accurate in its dialogue and making sure you laugh along the way. Time travel isn't exactly a proven scientific fact, but the director did go as far as having an MIT professor write up an actual equation for the theoretical time travel in the movies plot and included it in the movie!

Just when you think Tim Travers has delivered it's most outrageous moment, it sneaks up and delivers an even more outrageous moment that makes the last one look tame. The story progresses quickly, leaving you blindsided by how this TARDIS-style train wreck is unfolding.

If you are looking for a comedy that leaves you in stitches, look no further than Tim Travers & the Time Travelers Paradox!

Tim Travers is what I like to call a beer movie. Have a beer or two, or a whiskey, or your chill-out of choice, sit down, and let yourself laugh. Don't overthink it. The science quoted is cutting edge, but the plot is a deliberate call back to late 20th century camp and cult.

Sam Dunning delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance for a man who is playing opposite himself much of the time. It is completely believable, a la Eddie Valiant in Roger Rabbit. I was surprised that despite the entirely similar wardrobe (there are differences) and minimal visual changes, I could typically figure out which Tim was on screen by facial expression and small tics given to each version. The only flaw in this film is that Tim's redemption arc is subtle, and the two key scenes could be missed or misread (especially if you've had an extra beer to go with your beer movie.) However, Sam's Tim absolutely delivers the sort of redemption one can believe for a fundamentally self-absorbed man who can't stop himself from catering a bit too much to himself.

While Tim himself is funny (if for all the wrong reasons -- enjoy them) the supporting cast, even one-scene wonders and tough-guy Danny Trejo, deliver surprisingly good laughs. Especially when the film takes the time to show where reality, not movie logic, starts setting in for some folks and they try to tap out only to be sucked back in because you can't unknow things.

The movie does go on a bit long, and I'm never a Felica Day fan. That said, the movie keeps up the pace by taking everything at an almost caffeinated pace. I also feel that many women will appreciate the Deliah character because of how relatable her arc is -- seeing a man who could be something great, but just chooses to instead lean into everything that makes him hard to like. I love that this film doesn't somehow force a romance, but instead lets Deliah give a realistic portrayal of a disgusted woman.

Lots of easter eggs for those of us who grew up on 80s and 90s films. I don't always like that (it can feel too cheap an attempt at nostalgia) but all of them were played note-perfect and with the sort of nods and cues in the film that tell the audience that is was absolutely on purpose and meant as homage or parody.

Is it the stuff of camp and cult legend? I have no idea. Time will tell. But if your Friday night gang can appreciate a rude joke and has ever descended into absurdity, this is a solid choice for movie night.