Over the years, films about children traveling around the world or planets and facing endless dangerous adventures along with inspiring and healing family messages have been the go-to for a light, fun and relaxing time in the company of loved ones. “timetable” By Canadian filmmaker Aristomenes Tsipras is a traditional journey through time through the childish and comedic look of its protagonists, which is risk-less on a narrative level, but rather risk-taking in its visual department.
“Timescape” features its main character Jason (Sofian Oleniuk), a stubborn, intelligent and highly inquisitive boy, who dares to investigate an unexpected event in the jungle: the fall of a spaceship. Inside the ship, he finds Lara (Lola Rossignol-Arts), a girl a little older than him, confused as the console sets her course to the past, specifically to the Mesozoic era, when dinosaurs became extinct by the meteor “Chicxulub.” Now they must find a solution to return to the present before the meteor hit, but not before going on their adventure with the wild dinosaurs.
Without a doubt, when we watch this movie, the first thing we notice are the narrative references to sci-fi cinema in the seventies and eighties, especially those films in which children were the protagonists such as Richard Donner’s “The Goonies” or Joe Dante’s “The Goonies”. Aesthetics and narrative with such unforgettable material that the film strives for and finds inspiration, however, with a bit of originality, though quite thirsty for visual distinction given its low budget.
Technological advances and detail in the visual effects of mass production (The current topic of conversation is due to Marvel), of course they make “Timescape” look like a product designed for TV; Its effects are similar to those seen in yesterday’s tapes of sharks or crocodiles that still serve today as a wild card on open TV. The great work done by the director and his team is appreciated for suggesting and implementing attractive visuals and according to the product they want to make, despite the limitations.
Timescape develops its ambitious premise in a simple and practical way. Its greatest value is its approach to Class B cinema, along with its references and inspiration for other films in this genre, as well as its decent visual finishes and simple construction of its spaces. It achieves its purpose: to be a movie that the family can enjoy.
“Timescape” was part of programming Fantasy Festival 2022.
