Customer Reviews

Time Masters [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I saw this cartoon 15 years ago when I was a kid and I remember that the plot really shook me up back then when I went Paris I saw it playing at a movie theater, once back in the states I bought the tape pretty much to relieve my childhood memories -- I didn't really have very high expectations.

Boy, was I wrong! 15 years later the story spoke to me on a very different level. The cartoon is simply amazing both in terms of creative imagination and a story line -- there is more originality, meaning and plot in this one cartoon than in 10 Holywood blockbusters!

"Time masters" is by far the best work of Rene Laloux. His other works include "Light Years" and "Fantastic Planet". This cult animation classic depics an ineteresting story with lots of twists and excellent sound effects and animation. This work, besides having a thrilling plot, has some philosofical elements. Watching it is entertaining and will keep you on the edge of your couch.

Designed by the great graphic novelist Jean Giraud - AKA Moebius - Time Masters is a fascinating piece of animated sci-fi from France, that is well recommended for lovers of the genre and of the artist. Though the animation looks somewhat primitive by today's standards - though not for 1982, it looks quite better than any American cartoon of the time save Disney's, and don't forget that it wasn't a corporate effort like G.I. Joe or Transformers but an independent film with limited budget - but quickly enough you can learn the look past the rather bulky movements and simplistic faces of the characters and find yourself amazed at Moebius' amazing, seemingly endless imagination and creativity. The film is directed mainly at younger viewers - so it's not as liberated and wild as his more independent comics work or his contributions to Heavy Metal magazine - but his incredibly original vision is all there, in the out-of-this-world designs for the landscapes, the structures and the alien characters. Every minute of the film is a complete innovation in terms of design.

Plot-wise, there's not that much to be said for it; it's an intelligent but simplistic sci-fi story with a nice twist ending, which will, I think, appeal mainly to younger viewers. The characters are mostly simplistic and cartoonish, and largely unconvincing. These are the only reasons why I couldn't give Time Masters full marks; but these flaws take very little away from the pleasure of this film. As long as it focuses on the child character Piel, who is largely unaware of what goes on in the larger picture and is therefore touching and interesting, and not on the flat characters of Jaffar (good and brave for the sake of goodness and bravery), Matton (bad and greedy for the sake of badness and greediness) and the other adults; then it manages to be beautiful and gripping. And when any of the alien races are on screen, be they cute and cuddly or bizarre and frightening, you won't be able to look away. Time Masters is essential viewing for any lover of Moebius' work, and is well recommended for fans of science-fiction and of classic animation, and will surely become a treasured favorite for any of these.

I honnestly believe Sandeep K. Shukla is reviewing another movie than "Time Masters" ("Les maitres du temps"). A little Bengali's confusion :)

"Time Masters" is a true animated SF masterpiece. But as other reviewers have stated here, it is a "film d'auteur", which obviously means some people might not like it. Feel free to rent it if you don't want to take any risk, but chances are you will run to buy it after.

I purchased this after seeing Fantastic Planet. I was blown away. The story is a unique tale of lost boy on a strange planet whose only communication is through a two way walkie talkie egg that allows the boy to communicate with a space ship traveling to save him. Moebius is the designer and that puts this film into my top ten all time animated favorites. Bravisima!

Having seen Time Masters on tv many years ago, which was dubbed into English. I have, sofar, been unable to track down a copy (DVD or VHS) of this version, (ie. with the english dubbing). Any ideas out there?.
The film itself was great with a fair few interesting deviations along the way, (though I would not have enjoyed it as much, if the tv version had been with english subtitles).
In all, a film I shall, for one, never forget.

The animation, of course, is not that great. It does, in fact, at times seems Scooby-dooish. But the idea of the film, especially if you are a serious sci-fi fan, should please you.

I cannot comment on this particular edition, since my review is based on the countless times I've seen this film in the theater dubbed in Russian. But I was pleased to find a copy in New York years after, and was not disappointed.

The film is not recommended for children. But it is both a slightly phylosophical film, and a puzzlement for those who are interested in the time-space continium. The story itself must've been great, just as the planet of the apes, before it turned into a joke.

I first saw this film when I was in my early teens and was as enthralled with it then as I am now. I haven't seen 'Fantastic Planet' so, unlike some of the other disillusioned reviewers, I cannot compare Time Masters to what they obviously consider a classic film. I may also venture that those reviewers did not see this film when they were younger because, if they had, they would no doubt look at it from a different perspective.
The animation and production may not be up to hollywood standards but Time Masters is truly a work of art and a film which has captured my imagination for almost 20 years. I am not an 'art' film afficionado and so see this film for what it is - wonderful!

these a very unfair comment about les maitres du temps [time masters]...it's certain that la planete sauvage [fantastic planet] was so great...the comparison is hard to do, but try to do so with an other space opera cartoon...and there is not so many!

i am really sure that it's one of the best science fiction cartoon ever made...realy a kind of "film d'auteur" with teh best of french science fiction, giraud (drawings...) apon an astonishing novel by Setphan Wul...

sure that almost every science fiction fan will enjoy it!

This is a must see, little known French animated classic. A touching tail of a little boy lost in a vast universe with a strange friend to help him. Visually and audibly beutifull this movie will have you in tears.