Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An entertaining guilty pleasure of mine, November 10, 2004
This review is from: Biggles - Adventures in Time (DVD)
The movie BIGGLES:ADVENTURES IN TIME is a rather odd movie to try and review. All logic says that the movie should be soundly panned - a low budget time travel movie about two "time twins" who bounce back and forward between 1980s New York and London and the Western Front in the French trenches of World War I whenever the other is in mortal peril.
Though the movie has plenty moments that make you cringe - the `old boy attitude' of the British flyers in WWI, the dated fashions of the 1980s and some of the most awe inspiringly terrible dialogue and dialogue deliveries in recent years. Yet in spite of it all this movie also has a certain amount of charm and there are a number of times in which you cannot help but feel seduced by the Boy's Own adventure of it all.
Drawing its inspiration from a series of Biggles novels by British author Capt. W.E. Johns, the movie is really the story of American celebrity dinners CEO Jim Ferguson (played by Alex Hyde-White). Following a visit from a mysterious elderly Englishman (played by Peter Cushing in his last movie), Ferguson finds himself transported back to World War One France where he meets British flying ace Biggles, whose Sopwith Camel bi-plane crashes nearby.
It becomes apparent that Ferguson must help Biggles complete his mission to destroy a German sound machine, a technology that could lead to Germany winning the war (one wonders why Germany didn't simply build more than one). The young cast are quite good in their roles, the music is serviceable and there is some very nice biplane dogfight scenes between Biggles and his archenemy Von Stalhein.
Faithful only in spirit to the Johns books, this movie was obviously meant to be the start of a franchise as evidenced by the ending, but that never transpired. This movie has its moments and for time-travel fans it will fill a nice couple of hours, but it's a movie where its parts are better than the whole. A true guilty pleasure.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blast From the Past, September 22, 2006
This review is from: Biggles - Adventures in Time (DVD)
This movie used to be one of my all-time favorites as a kid. For anyone who ever read the childrens' Captain Bigglesworth novels by W. E. Johns and dreamed of flying heroicaly by the side of the dashing Biggles, you will love this movie.
For everyone who hasn't had that pleasure, this B movie will come across as very 80's and retro, but good harmless fun. It has it all - comedy, drama, action, and even a little romance.
Kids will particularly like this movie, but keep in mind that there are a couple of scary scenes with the Nazi superweapon. Even adults can enjoy this movie - I know that I still do! Seeing a World War One pilot flying a helicopter is just hilarious and there is a marvelous scene with some English punks.
Fun for the whole family - Enjoy!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not really true to the spirit of Biggles, July 18, 2006
This review is from: Biggles - Adventures in Time (DVD)
I loved the 'Biggles' books by Captain W.E. Johns as a child and have re-read them as an adult now my own children are old enough for them. They are still excellent boys adventure books. I bought this movie for my 10 year old as he loves the Biggles books especially those set during the 1st World War with plenty of dogfights.
In the movie some of the dogfights, the trenches and the uniforms helped him visualize the books and there are some nicely shot scenes in London, but the story line itself is far removed from the original Biggles series and even those parts set in 1917 have a strong fantasy element. If you view it as a 'time travel' movie that just happens to go back to Biggles in the RFC in WW1 then you are less likely to be disappointed.
With the notable exception of Peter Cushing who plays Col. Raymond in the 1980's, the casting/acting is OK but not superb. Personally I found the modern music jarred with the 1917 scenes, but my boys liked it!
Although this movie is only rated PG there is one scene in the middle just after the Germans have tested their secret weapon that is in my opinion a little too graphic for my younger 8 year old, but other than that couple of minutes the rest of the war scenes are ok for both my 8 and 10 year old boys (but not my younger boys).
Overall this movie is worth seeing if you like Biggles or time travel, but is probably not worth paying almost $20 for.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
DVD ~ Helen Slater
by Capt. W. E. Johns
DVD ~ Tom Selleck
DVD ~ Robert Urich
on 
