The New Series Generates a Spark That Never Blazes

Time Bandits has too much time on its hands and the irony is that it will take some time to warm up to the new Apple TV+ show. There’s a clever burst of expanded wonder and delight by the end of Episode 5 that offers new momentum as this first-ever television adaptation of the beloved cult classic movie of the same name sails toward its tenth episode. Terry Gilliam fans take note: this series, while compelling at times, may be cut from the same creative cloth of the 1981 original film, which the acclaimed director helmed, but it feels a tad watered down in this streaming iteration.

Intrigue, however, is alive and well throughout. One cannot deny that. Created by Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords), Iain Morris (The Inbetweeners), and the prolific Taika Waititi (Reservation Dogs), the comedic live-action adventure chronicles a frenzied journey through time and space with a frazzled group of thieves, who stumble upon their newest recruit: Kevin, a curious 11-year-old history buff. The character gives the tale some creative meat to nosh on and when a mission arrives to rescue Kevin’s parents and the world at large, the forward momentum of the tale sets up a bevy of opportunities for dramatic scenes, wild escapes, and plot twists.

Time Bandits Lacks Edge and Grit

Time Bandits (2024)

2.5/5

Release Date July 24, 2024

Cast Kal-El Tuck , Sarah Darkin , Lisa Kudrow , Tadhg Murphy , Rune Temte , Roger Jean Nsengiyumva , Kiera Thompson , Nikita Chronis Pros

• Lisa Kudrow is excellent as always
• There are good laughs
• Really well shot

Cons

• The relationships between characters aren’t wholly convincing
• Both comedic and dramatic elements could be exaggerated

Again, give yourself some time here to settle in, but in watching Time Bandits, one cannot deny a more existential question. With so many video games around these days, and, for that matter, dramatic streaming content with gritty scenes few filmmakers would have incorporated back in the earlier days of the medium, today’s creators are up against something that was bound to become inevitable: extreme desensitization.

Apple TV+

When you can watch Andrew Lincoln stab 10 zombies in the brain in less than one minute in a show like The Walking Dead or watch somebody get burnt to a crisp by a massive dragon in House of the Dragon, you’ve become pre-conditioned. True, those shows are geared for adult audiences, but you wonder how many pre-teens sneak in more than a peek? Hollywood’s creative heroin hit is addictive. That is, in part, why most viewers may need time to warm up to this series. Its closest cousin is One Piece, the sprawling Netflix adventure that quickly became a sure-fire hit. Given time — say, Season 2? — one gets the feeling that Kevin et al. could find new footing.

Quirky Trips Through Time

Apple TV+

​​​​​The series stars Kal-El Tuck (Andy and the Band) as Kevin, whose sheer proximity to an unstable time portal, finds him meeting our main “bandits.” There’s sharp and clever Penelope (Lisa Kudrow), the official “unofficial” leader of the ragtag bandits who steal treasures at different points in history. The bandits (Charlyne Yi, Rune Temte, Tadhg Murphy, and Roger Jean Nsengiyumva) seem unlikely mates who would be on the same team. Each of them has a unique skill that draws some level of curiosity, even though it’s not fully explored with significant character development.

The tight bond and chemistry between Penelope — Kudrow is the greatest strength of the show even though it’s not much of a stretch for the actress — and the bandits aren’t always believable. Something feels disjointed, as if Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi couldn’t quite connect some dots. It’s a stark contrast from the team vibe of the duo’s sublime offering on their superhit, What We Do in the Shadows on FX.

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The plot finds Kevin and the bandits often having to battle evil forces that block their mission. They transport through time and space and come upon dazzling new worlds of the distant past while also seeking out treasures. This gives history-buffing Kevin something the chew on and also something to share with the audience about certain historical facts. The creation of Stonehenge and the Trojan Horse bits are clever, and who wouldn’t love seeing the gang flee from dinosaurs in the prehistoric ages? Harlem Renaissance, anyone? How about the Ice Age? It’s all there.

A Stronger Narrative Is Needed

Apple TV+

Nicely shot, the series boasts a kind of dreamy sheen that gives the viewer the sense they are watching something special. The “battle” and escape scenes are the perfect kind of eye candy for an endeavor such as this. Guest stars float in and out — why, even Waititi and Clement pop in (wink, wink).

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As for the humor, it’s hit-and-miss. It’s cute. It gets the job done, but the series, overall, lacks a touch of edginess. The tone always suggests things will get resolved. There’s fun to be had in the meantime, but the stakes never feel too high enough. It seems that in the quest for misadventures over the course of 10 episodes, the series got robbed of a viable throughline. Still, you can’t beat an outing with Kudrow at the helm. It does offer the actress an opportunity to shine in something entirely different from what we’ve experienced her in, and Kal-El Tuck charms as the ever-curious Kevin. If you’ve got the time, there’s no harm in giving this otherwise drawn-out caper a whirl.

Time Bandits hits Apple TV+ on July 24. Watch the trailer below.

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