Time Changer, is one of the first Christian films I had ever seen. It was way back in 2002, and everyone had been excited to sit in church and watch a film that we could all be sure would be clean and uplifting. The film is a quirky little movie, with some laughs, some goofy physical and visual comedy, and a few profound theological scenes.
That said, the story is a good “idea,” but its presentation could have been a little better. I found myself really wanting to like Russell Carlyle but in the end just couldn’t do it. There was too many lines and portions of the performance that we’re bad to weigh out the good. Granted there isn’t anything wrong with his character but the way in which he was played was over the top. He comes off as a bit of a bafoon, even in his own culture and time in the film. I think what did it was the constant surprise about everything that was said or that he saw. There isn’t anything wrong with that, but sometimes I think surprised was used when he should have been more seriously confused (and not in a comedic way). The message of the story is clear however and that part of the film does come through in the end. Some of the portions of the film meant to be funny were, a few little jokes here and there that relate to our “normal” society. The moments of the film that stick out the most are the ones that are distant from the fast paced, quirky, funny music underlaid scenes. The film is most interesting when the characters sit down and talk (something that is honestly, very rare in a film of this kind). Almost everything in modern culture is shown in the film as “unusual.” Things we are now used to seeing are shown for really what they are in the eyes of God. People “playing church,” the things on TV, teenager rebellion, promiscuous dress, the fact that everyone is in such a hurry now and has lack of patience, etc. All this is well and good but I’m wondering how the film would have been if just a few of these things was centered on, and not trying to hit every target possible.
Still the film is worth the watch and good for whenever your sick and tired of the garbage the world puts out. Even with its shortcomings, it’s a breath of fresh air when I need it.
