March 9, 2002 -- "The Time Machine," one of the oldest science fiction stories around, has been revamped and rolled out again for another spin at the box office. Written in 1895, this venerable classic has entertained science fiction fans in parts of three centuries and two millenia. This time, of course, the old story has been decorated with 21st century digital effects. It is a good-looking film. Previous versions of the story, "The Time Machine" were released in 1960 (theatrical release) and 1978 (made for TV movie). There was also the imaginative "Time After Time" released in 1979, in which H.G. Wells and Jack the Ripper journey to the future in a time machine invented by Wells, author of "The Time Machine."

This particular version of the story, about a scientist, Alexander Hartdegen (played by Guy Pearce of "Memento"), who invents a time machine and travels to the distant future, has some romantic twists to it. In this film, Hartdegen travels first to the past to try to prevent the murder of his fiancée. This twist gives Hartdegen the needed incentive to go dabbling about in time, a very dangerous enterprise indeed. Following an accident, the unconscious scientist goes hurtling 800,000 years into the future where he discovers the gentle Eloi and the savage Morlocks who prey upon them.

As in the 1960 version of the film, the mild-mannered scientist suddenly becomes an action hero, determined to defend the Eloi against the marauding Morlocks. It is an imaginative adventure yarn with good cinematography by Donald McAlpine ("Moulin Rouge"), great production design by Oliver Scholl ("Independence Day") and excellent art direction by Christopher Burian-Mohr ("The Sixth Day") and Bruce Robert Hill ("Starship Troopers"). The village hanging on the side of sheer cliffs has to be seen to be believed. The special effects, of course, are a big improvement over the 1960 version, not only because of the development of computerized graphics, but because the 1960 film had a very small budget for special effects. Nevertheless, the new film uses some of the same old tricks to show the passage of time, such as time-lapse photography, and a window display to show the changes in women's fashions over the years. The design of the time machine and some other details of the film also are done in such a way as to pay homage to the 1960 film.

Guy Pearce is effective as the scientist, and singer Samantha Mumba does a good job in the role of the Eloi named Mara. She looks as good in this film as Thandie Newton did in "Mission Impossible II." Jeremy Irons shines as the evil Uber-Morlock, but it is not a major role. This is a one-man show, and Pearce is up to the challenge. Director Simon Wells ("Prince of Egypt") holds the story together effectively and glossing over the story's shortcomings. The screenplay, by John Logan ("Gladiator"), based on the 1960 screenplay by David Duncan, does have some problems with science and logic, but then, who cares, time travel is impossible anyway. This is just a big, old-fashioned adventure yarn with a bit of fantasy (telepathy), some science fiction and a lot of eye candy thrown in for fun. Director Simon Wells, by the way, is the great-grandson of H.G. Wells. It must be fate that he direct this film. This movie rates a B.

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