Nonureva
Really Surprised!
Hadrina
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Jenna Walter
The film may be flawed, but its message is not.
capt-sullivan
I hope that "Estimated Budget" of 6,000.000 was a typo. If Biehn had to take a pay-cut to do the film, and it grossed only about 64,000 in the U.S. Then he was lucky to make enough gas-money to get home. He did do a good job like he usually does, but it was strange the way he played it: "Nice Guy" then over-the-top "Angry Guy" when he kidnaps the Doc. And then back to innocent "Nice Guy" again... Very strange direction. I know he was supposed to believe she was in on the conspiracy, but it was out of place : / And to call this movie "Sci Fi" is a huge stretch. More likely it was to avoid R.Ludlow's lawyers. It's has the EXACT template for the "Bourne" franchise! Unintentionally, it really has some great comedy though. Like top Gov. assassin "Mr. Blue" I think, Plugging old ladies, every time he takes a pot-shot at the hero. And the luscious Doctor, horsing around at the control panel of the futuristic (Sci Fi?) mind-screw machine, while he's in it, is a real side-splitter! Maybe it DOES deserve a five...
Comeuppance Reviews
Eddy Kay (Biehn) is a likable, mild-mannered watch repairman in the L.A. area. After instinctively rescuing some people from a house fire, memories and flashbacks are triggered in his mind, and he even randomly speaks Hungarian and knows martial arts techniques. Eddy thinks he is going crazy, but with the help of Dr. Anna Nolmar (Kensit), he goes on a search for the truth about his identity. While this is happening, boatloads of badguys are after them, including the sinister Mr. Brown (Blanks), and Ms. Blue (Scoggins). It all comes to a head in Oracle, AZ at a place called the Lang Institute. We won't give away anything plotwise, but here's a one-word hint: "SuperSoldiers".Michael Biehn brings his usual excellent performance and presence to this film, which is more intelligent than other fare of this kind. For example, the name Eddy Kay is most likely a subtle reference to Kafka and The Trial, and its protagonist Josef K, and the travails of Eddy Kay are certainly "Kafkaesque" as they say. If this seems pretentious, blame the movie, not me. But back in reality, we have Billy Blanks as Mr. Brown (remember how all the Power Rangers' uniforms were color-coded by race/gender? I guess marry that to Reservoir Dogs (1992), which Timebomb predated by one year), who wears a spiffy three-piece suit and black gloves. Blanks and Biehn fight twice in the movie.Timebomb was certainly the Unknown (2011) of its day, one man's search for his identity as everyone around him tries to kill him and there's no one to trust. Add in some Altered States (1980) and a dash of They Live (1988), throw in a bunch of B-movie names and there you have it. If this sounds too much like a Sci-Fi slog, fear not. While there are some Science-Fictiony strands to the plot, they're usually worthy and never sink into slog territory. There's plenty of action as well.Thanks to some above-average elements, such as Michael Biehn and some interesting ideas, Timebomb makes for a quality night of VHS fun.For more action insanity, please visit: www.comeuppancereviews.com
flappyflaps
I really like this movie, I saw it when I was very young as I have three older siblings who allowed me to watch 18 rated movies (whilst my mother was at work) and it made a big impression on me. The pillow scene is very intense and the action is great and what lends to the intensity is the tension created by the fact that Michael Biehn's character does not enjoy his new found role as an experienced killer and 'freaks out' at various stages in the film. His character is not easy to sympathise with, he's either a killing machine or a catatonic freak or a timid watchmaker. HIs feelings of guilt, horror and anguish are a refreshing contrast to how the 'heroes' in modern American films seem to be able to kill at will or whim with no visible feelings of regret. Also there's a great bit at the end where a 'bad guy' is thrown from a roof to his supposed death, unfortunately the editor must have been tired/on smack as the soft landing provided by a crash pad is clearly visible.
HyperPup
This is a pretty crazy film that combines aspects of Sci-Fi, cybernetics, The Manchurian Candidate, and new world orders into a pastiche of overamped fights, chases and gratuitous gunplay. The performances aren't that bad but some scenes seem almost sped through with the need to quicken the pace and get to the meat of the film. Some decent special effects. Overall, if you see it in a vid store and the price is cheaper to buy it from the bargain bin than rental, go for it. Better yet, if it shows up on cable watch it rather than spend real money on it.
