I am not much of a history fan and I haven’t been that fond of archeology either. But I just love the idea of time travel. It is great to get your imagination juices flowing and wonder what your life could have been like in the past and of course you can always fantasize about the future. It is always fun to join in on another person’s imagination and share the ride, whether the concept is presented through a DeLorean (Back to the Future) or another form of time machine (referred as a human fax machine in Timeline). I have quite a fascination with this genre. Now I haven’t read Michael Crichton’s novel but I plan to. Naturally, not all the readers of the novel are pleased with this movie adaption but I don’t really care at this point. If you like entertainment, this movie provides it. The cast is impressive enough with Paul Walker and Gerard Butler, along with Billy Connolly in a supporting role. Some parts of the script may defy logic but then again, what is that logical about time travel in the first place?

The movie revolves around a group of archeleogy enthusiasts: Kate (Frances O’Connor), Andre (Gerard Butller), Josh (Ethan Embry) and François) and Chris (Paul Walker), who is much more interested in Kate than the science itself. The group is run by Chris’ father Professor Johnston (Connolly) who mysteriously disappears one day, leaving a note that asks for help. The strange thing about the note is that it has been written in the 14th century.

All the scientific tests prove this to be true, to all of their amazement. When they dig deeper, they find out that Johnston is working with a technology company, which has been funding his studies. They also find out that the company has invented a time travel machine and that the professor is indeed in the 14th century. Of course he is in trouble.

The company sends one of its employees to oversee the mission and the friends volunteer, apart from Josh. They don’t take any weapons or any other modern thing. They dress accordingly& take the medallions that are supposed to bring them back. The company guy takes two of him men and together they embark a bizarre journey. Of course it could have been a painless trip with beautiful scenery and a real-life study but they actually find themselves right in the middle of the on-going war between England and France: They run from English soldiers and eventually get captured. To make matters more compicated, they have met a French girl who warned them about the attack, adding one to the list of the people whose backs they have to watch and it is not very safe to travel around the English-invaded lands with a Frenchman…

Of course I have more than enough reasons to like the movie:

– Gerard Butler is one of my fav. actors and he is one of the leads.

– Director Richard Donner knows how to satisfy his audience. Do you want me to remind me of his other stuff? Does the Lethal Weapon series ring a bell? Or Conspiracy Theory?

– -Paul Walker always makes entertaining movies. Sometimes it has substance and originality (The Lazarus Project) or just lots of speed and adrenaline (Fast and Furious saga) but the result is you have fun. And yes, if you are a girl, it never hurts to have Butler and Walker playing the major roles. Plus, not only the men are cute and strong but they also play romantic and sweet roles.

– And boys, if you like girls pretty and petite, then you have Anna Friel (Lady Claire) and Frances O’ Connor (Kate).

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja-DSzxhRIo&feature=related[/pro-player]

All in all, Timeline is not going to play mind games with you. You are not going to question life or death. But it is a lovely combination of the modern and period piece. It has the 21st century and the 14th. It will put a smile on your face. Timeline is one of the movies I wish I could have been a part of; whether being behind or in front of the camera, not because artistically brilliant. But because it is definitely one of those movies where you can tell the whole crew had a blast makingit. If you want unexpected twists, character analysis and sophistication, do by all means stay away from this movie.