Time
Masters
Director:
Rene Laloux
Year
1982
Time
Masters, AKA Les maitres du temps, is a fantastically strange and
obscure French animated Sci-Fi movie which is brimming with mystery
and intrigue. Immersed in a fictional futuristic world, this space
opus is among the most unique and bizarre of its kind. With original
designs by the acclaimed illustrator Jean Giraud, otherwise known as
Moebius, and an ability to present a world void of restrictions on
the imagination, Time Masters is without a doubt a science fiction
feature that will take you to worlds unimaginable. Not only that, but
it is wrapped tightly around a story that is anything but orthodox.
The film
follows a lost boy named Piel, who has recently been orphaned on the
savage planet of Perdide. Having survived an attack by the planet's
carnivorous creatures, which brings about the death of his father,
Piel makes contact via radio with a man named Jaffar, an adventurer
who is traveling the cosmos with his motley crew. Separated by great
distances, Jaffar and his crew must divert from their current mission
in order to come to Piel's aid, but will they get there in enough
time.
What a
wild film Time Masters is! First of all, the cast of characters are
extremely diverse and equally strange, ranging from space pirates, a
conniving and feminine prince, a pair of telepathic little creatures,
a jovial old space explorer, and a heroic space adventurer. There is
nothing typical about any of these characters, and each one feels
fresh and unique to this original science fiction landscape that
collaborators Rene Laloux, Stefan Wul, and Jean Giraud have created.
Based off of Wul's novel L'Orphelin de Perdide, the film delves deep
into some of the most unusual aspects of the novel, but still manages
to add a few daring alternatives to the already compelling points of
the original story.
Immersed
in a wild universe that is anything but typical, the film relies
heavily on outlandish moments and otherworldly creatures to dazzle
your mind. Throughout the feature, we are witness to giant vicious
bugs, faceless angel-like beings, weird quadrupedal creatures, and
just about every strange thing in the book. The world's that the
filmmakers have brought to life are effective in their presentation
and often unsettling in their unfamiliar nature. Danger looms around
every corner, appearances deceive, and most of all there is a heavy
dose of wonder etched in every frame of this film.
Visually
the film is expertly crafted thanks to the original designs by the
legendary Moebius. Everything in the world is just so peculiar in
presentation that it does wonders for making you believe in the
validity of the unnatural realms on display. In an imaginatively slow
build up we are introduced to the characters, landscapes, and
creatures of this cinemascape, and each of these instances is pure
Moebius. Like something out of his Arzach or The Incal graphic
novels, the vivid intricacies of his designs and the cohesive nature
in which they all flow together in believable juncture, give a great
lived in feel to the texture of the world.
As for
the story, it is a simple yarn, yet one that gets extremely twisted
and bold as the narrative weaves its way forward. Nothing is as it
seems in this film, and by the end of this unusual journey you will
be left with a strange sense of awe and respect for the genuinely
unique vision that all of the artists involved have been able to
accomplish. Astoundingly against the grain and rather bold and daring
in its presentation, Time Masters is one animated feature that opens
our eyes to a greater vision, one filled with wonderful sights and
dangerous adventures.
Time
Masters is a unique interpretation of French writer Stefan Wul's 'The
Orphan Perdide'. Taking the same tone as the book and expanding upon
it, the animated feature opens up the possibilities of this thriving
world, allowing for us to explore its unusual offerings and diverse
vistas. The characters within this story are surprisingly complex and
are often faced with rather extraordinary situations, which tap on a
handful of moral issues and philosophical quandaries.
In
general the real asset of this production is the collaboration of all
its aspects and the way they gel so nicely together. The creatures,
the various planets, the overall atmosphere of the production, they
all combine to make for a compelling watch. Added on top of that is a
story that traverses on subjects and situations that most likely have
never, or will never, be explored again within the medium. End it all
with a twist that is both emotionally disheartening and wholly
unexpected, and you've got yourself one hell of a good animated
science fiction feature. If you're a fan of Moebius' distinct style
or a sucker for animated science fiction, then you owe it to yourself
to track this one down. It's a real winner! Time Masters is.....
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Creepy Space Staring Contest..... GO! |
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Are you sure you forgot to pack all of your pants Jaffar? |
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That's one sassy little creature. |
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Suddenly I have the feeling..... Like we're being watched! |
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What's up guys.... ladies? What the hell are you? |
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Will you stop playing around on that thing and get me the hell out of here! |
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Jaffar's got some sweet dance moves! |
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You're not going anywhere until you get a hug from me buddy. |
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Never take candy from strangers kid. |
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Let's kick this dance off right! |
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How about a backrub? Why you little perverts! |
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Get this kid a fly swatter! |
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And you thought the mosquitoes in your town sucked. |
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Behold! The Master of the Greenscreen! |
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Red Rover... Red Rover... let Billy come over! |