Time Changer
for thematic elements.
Reviewed by: Dr. WJ Kimble
STAFF WRITER
| Moral Rating: | Excellent! |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | 10 to Adult |
| Genre: | Sci-Fi Fantasy Christian Drama |
| Length: | 1 hr. 39 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2002 |
| USA Release: |
October 25, 2003 |
Time travel
Setting: USA 1890 and 21st century
Are we living in a MORAL STONE AGE?
In what ways has our world lost things that are good?
A generation obsessed with selfish interests and greed
As Dr. John MacArthur, points out, we are living in a generation of self lovers who consider that sin to be a virtue…
“We live in a culture of self love, to put it simply, a culture that is consumed with self love, ego building, self esteem, feeling good about yourself, thinking you’re important, thinking you’re valuable, thinking you’re a hero, thinking you’ve achieved something, thinking you’re worthy of honor. We’re drowning in awards for everything imaginable and unimaginable. Parents are consumed with boosting the egos of their children with every imaginable means, as well as boosting their own sense of self value. This is the generation of self lovers.
And just by way of reminder, in 2 Timothy chapter 3 the apostle Paul classified “love of self” as a sin—in fact, a dominating sin. In one of his familiar lists of iniquities—there are numbers of them in his letters—he begins the list of iniquities in 2 Timothy chapter 3 with “lovers of self,” and then “lovers of money,” and then goes through the rest of his list. This describes deceivers, unbelievers, those outside the kingdom of God, those who do not know the truth. Self love is at the top of the list in terms of normal human attitude. Sinners are consumed with pride. They’re consumed with themselves. We have made that into the prominent, dominant virtue in our society.” —Dr. John F. MacArthur, The Master’s Seminary and Grace Community Church
| Featuring |
D. David Morin … Russell Carlisle Gavin MacLeod … Norris Anderson Hal Linden … The Dean Jennifer O'Neill … Michelle Bain Paul Rodriguez … Eddie Martinez Richard Riehle … Dr. Wiseman John Valdetero … Tom Sharp Dan Campbell … Rex Evan Ellingson … Roger Crystal Robbins … Mrs. Matthews Patti MacLeod (Patty MacLeod) … Norris’ Wife See all » |
| Director |
Rich Christiano |
| Producer |
Christiano Film Group Rich Christiano Paul Crouch Bobby Downes Kevin Downes Geoff Ludlow |
| Distributor |
Five and Two Pictures ChristianMovies.com |
As a young man, I would listen to the enchanting voice, of Rod Serling, as he would say, “The place is here and now; and the journey into the shadows that we are about to watch could be your journey.” And for a short period of time it was so, as each of us prepared to enter the outer reaches known as the “Twilight Zone.” But what if we could go beyond the “here and now”? What if time could be breached and we could travel, not only back in time but forward, into the future? What would we find? What new things would we discover?
Suppose for a moment that we could experience, first hand, the results of our actions? Would we be satisfied? Or terrified? Would it even matter? Let’s be honest, every one of us has done something that we wished we could undo. Some wrong that we wish could right.
Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin), a professor at Grace Bible Seminary, gets his chance, in the new sci-fi movie, “Time Changer.” Having just completed his new manuscript, “The Changing Times,” professor Carlisle is vehemently confronted by Dr. Norris Anderson (Gavin McLeod, “The Love Boat” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), who believes that this new manuscript could seriously alter the future. Having done all he could to convince the professor of the seriousness of his teachings, Dr. Anderson (with the help of his secret time machine) transports professor Carlisle more than a hundred years into the future.
Finding a newspaper laying nearby, professor Carlisle notices that the date is October 21, 2000. Through a series of minor mishaps, he quickly discovers that the times have changed considerably since 1890. Lost, confused, and overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of these new surroundings, he makes his way to the local library, where he meets Michelle Bain (Jennifer O'Neill—“Summer of ’42”), who (with great patience and understanding) meticulously helps him to understand the changes in society and its norms.
Hoping that he could find someone that he could relate to, professor Carlisle searches out a local church. Seeing a local laundromat, he meets Eddie Martinez (Paul Rodriquez, “Blood Work”), the owner, and asks him where the nearest church is. Of course, anyone who knows Paul Rodriqez’s work realizes that this is going to be a funny scenario.
Through it all, professor Carlisle realizes that his writings have had such a great impact on society that it created a generation that is obsessed with selfish interests and greed. Since he regrets having ever written his manuscript, he returns (presumably) to undo the wrongs that he had begun to set into motion.
Professor Carlisle’s naivete brings some of the more delightful moments to the picture. For instance, when he bows his head to pray for the food he is about to eat, a little girl steals his hot dog. In another scene, he enters the Signature Stadium 10 (a local movie theater) to watch his first movie and goes berserk as he vividly expresses his concerns about the language that was used. And everyone in the theater laughs when he enters a local department store and sees a mannequin dressed in women’s lingerie.
In true Hollywood style, Rich Christiano, the director and screenwriter, brought out the best in all his cast members. Philip Hurn, cinematographer, captures the very essence of the 1890 setting with a stunning portrayal of the twenty-first century. Hal Linden’s (of the “Barney Miller” TV series) portrayal of the dean of the college, who desperately tries to get the differences between Professor Carlisle and Dr. Anderson resolved, is astounding.
“Time Changers” is a refreshingly, delightful movie that is both relevant for our times and thought provoking. It is a truly remarkable movie!
“Time Changer” is a must see movie. Bring your family, friends, even your grandchildren. You will not be ashamed! It is clean, wholesome and delightfully funny! There is no swearing or nudity (in any form—not even the manniquin wearing lingerie is seen). There is nothing present that would cause you to be ashamed (unless you are a wishy-washy Christian).
The primary audience is teen to adult only because some of the message is beyond a younger person’s ability to understand. But, having said that, even the children will understand the major theme of this movie!
ChristianSpotlight article: Death by Silence: What can we do to make sure this doesn’t happen to Christian film?
Printable Promotional Materials for “Time Changer” (in .pdf form)
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
[Excellent! / 5]
Take as many people as you can with you to see it, and you will be blessed, challenged, and awakened to the times in which we live. For those who live in Massachusetts to my knowledge it is only playing in one cinema (what a shame and sham) the South Lawrence Showcase cinema’s. For those in all other places in (USA) I believe it is playing everywhere starting today. I applaud the Christiano’s for this film. My wife and 2 daughters have seen it twice and took two people with us the second time.
[Good / 3]
[Excellent! / 5]
THE MOVIE WAS TERRIFIC!! It tells us (the church) plainly that we are living in the last days where men and women will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. I believe that if someone were seeking an answer for his emptiness, that God can and will use this movie to save unbelievers before the rapture. But most importantly, those who attend church on Sundays should see this movie. The church of today needs to wake up to the fear of the Lord and the power of His Word and the authority of His Name; this movie can encourage the church to do just that. I believe without a doubt that this movie was sanctioned by God for God and for God’s people who live in the last days. Please, if you haven’t seen this movie—go and see it. You won’t forget it.
[Excellent! / 5]
[Excellent! / 5]
[Excellent! / 5]
[Excellent! / 5]
[Excellent! / 5]
“Time Changer” lays the basic facts of salvation on the line in simple terms and encourages church attendance. Many Americans only know what the popular media says about Christians. As a result, many do not know the truth of salvation. A special thank you and a “God Bless” to Kerasotes theaters in Indianapolis for showing “Time Changer.”
[Excellent! / 4½]
[Excellent! / 5]
[Excellent! / 5]
He made up for it as he preached in the church, though, and he portrayed the transformation from an arrogant, self-centered professor to a humbled time-traveller very well. The writing was decent, though the 1890s-era dialog seemed to be too modern in tone and delivery in some parts, particularly from actors in small parts. Hard to express exactly what this means… maybe I’ve seen too many British period dramas and expect something unreasonable. There are one or two scenes that just don’t work—they’re preachy and wordy. The scene I’m thinking of particularly is of Russell and the library lady talking as she rants about the movie industry. A history lesson on the decline of the film industry? Booorrrringggg!! They handled the same issue much better in the scene that appears in the trailer when he runs out of the theater …shocked by the blasphemy on the screen. Surprisingly, the really preachy scene, where he talks to the congregation works much better, maybe because it’s supposed to be preachy.See all »
[Excellent! / 5]
[Excellent! / 5]
With that said, their messaging on the importance of absolute truth is spot on. Christianity without Christ is heretical. It shows how pointless and fleeting a secular/atheistic worldview truly is, because eternity is at stake here. Seeing the wickedness of humanity firsthand makes you realize how much sin has been normalized.
What really hit me hard was the sermon, when D David Morin quoted 2 Timothy 3, which convicted me of my sin big time. That passage described me perfectly before my baptism 6 years later at age 17.
However, this movie should not be your be all end all if you want to evangelize. This is to solidify your moral foundations in Christ. Highly recommend! Don’t let the fear of critics scare you away from this movie.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 4
[Excellent! / 2]
[Good / 1]
Positives:
- It has a good message about keeping Christ at the center of all we do.
- It is also a good reminder how we should not become hardened to seeing sinful things; if God would be offended, so should we.
- The story is overall interesting, and there are some fun comedic moments.
- There is no violence or bad language or crude jokes. It is a good moral film.
Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 3½
[Good / 1]
[Excellent! / 1½]
[Better than Average / 1]
[Excellent! / 5]
PLEASE share your observations and insights to be posted here.