Critic's Grade: C+

Frank's film tip: Rich Christiano's Christian-coated time-travel sci-fi spiritual guide TIME CHANGER may not be memorable fare that jumps out and captures your fancy immediately, but it takes you to other dimensions we routinely overlook with indifference--the world of spirtuality and our lost faith that accompanies it

It is kind of difficult to knock a well-meaning Christian sci-fi family drama that dares to instill some religious forethought into its thought-provoking narrative. In fact, it'll be rather refreshing to see more movies take some of the same initiative in producing fare that will promote the message of salvation and hope therefore exposing mankind's many lopsided indiscretions. In writer-director Rich Christiano's earnest but gently uneven biblical fable Time Changer, the rueful filmmaker sets out to parlay a story that challenges the conventions of faith and one's ability to leave their fate in the hands of God. In this day and age of reckless filmmaking, Christiano's brand of conscientious entertainment may offend some folks while having others deem his thoughtful exposition as shamelessly pass? and inconsequential. There may not be anything grandly impeccable about the stiff presentation of Christiano's pet project but his efforts nevertheless are ambitious and go against the grain.

In many ways, Time Changer is a genuinely brave turn by Christiano because it dares viewers to contemplate the virtues of their spiritual livelihood. Although some of the performances are palatable and the timeless message about the lack of interest in God or how the diminishing societal morality in general has an astounding ring of truth to it, Time Changer plods along in clomping fashion. If anything, the movie's fruitful search for spirituality compensates for the awkwardness of its choppy execution.

The story introduces us to Bible professor Russ Carlisle (D. David Morin) whose 1890 manuscript called "The Changing Times" has made quite a stir in his academic circles. Carlisle's book is so celebrated that the Grace Bible Seminary board members enthusiastically endorse his cherished written work. However, a sole detractor steps forward in the form of Dr. Norris Anderson (Gavin MacLeod) who proclaims his staunch reservations about Carlisle's divisive read. Dr. Anderson feels that Prof. Carlisle's book may strongly impact the way people perceive religion in the near future. If Carlisle's book is embraced, then Anderson seriously feels that the professor's ideology will undermine the religious integrity therefore jeopardizing generations of disenfranchised individuals.

Anderson finally convinces Carlisle to see things from his perspective. Armed with a contraption known as Anderson's dependable time machine, he sends Carlisle to the year 2000 so he can observe what his writing influence has done to a millennium-made society. And when Carlisle arrives to see what the world has to offer in the year 2000, the perturbed professor is shocked to witness how blatantly immoral things have become in this selfish and wayward advanced universe. What Carlisle sees is downright blasphemous and inexcusable. God's name doesn't seem to demand respect or fear. People are trapped in a moralistic malaise thus being indifferent to anything that's decent or inspiring. He sees how disruptive and lost the children are with no sense of obedience or direction. Authoritative figures are corrupt and selfish. Ethics, to say the least, are thrown out the window with yesterday's bathwater. Now Professor Russ Carlisle finds himself in a shocking dilemma and needs to hastily make things right in order to feel comfortable before heading back to 19th century sensibilities.

One might be quick to dismiss Time Changer as just another flimsy time-travel adventure. And in many ways, it probably is just that?another repetitive fantasy that employs the obligatory "fish-out-of-water" theme. But Christiano does take some admirable steps in the way he fuses his plot with proving some heart and soul into what could have been a laughably lame project. There may have been a lot of things suspect about Christiano's science fiction moral play here, but at least he has the fortitude to recognize something that a majority of Hollywood mainstream movies don't bother to tap into?the inquiry of how people can live quality lives based on a sturdy belief system amongst the rampart cynicism running ragged in today's cinematic scene.

Time Changer does have some clich?d moments to consider that bog this time-traveling tale down in the drudges of familiarity such as Carlisle's curiosity about modern technology and the surprised attitudes of people's self-absorbed needs, etc. And the ode to the apparent culture shock from both worlds comes off occasionally as borderline tedious. Admittedly, the story does drag a bit until the subplot involving Carlisle's parallel universe excursion takes off and gives this flick a much-needed lift. But there's also a charming tilt to this reverent Christian B-movie sci-fi sideshow that one can take with unbridled ambivalence.

Some moviegoers will get a kick out of seeing recognizable faces from the American boob tube's prime time heyday: Gavin MacLeod (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Love Boat), Hal Linden (Barney Miller), Jennifer O'Neill (Cover Up), Paul Rodriguez (a.k.a Pablo), etc. Sure, there are elements of preachy platitudes that will get on your nerves at times and thus threaten to ruffle the waves of condescension. And expectations will be very disappointing if one is expecting an impressive display of special effects to highlight this toned-down flawed feature. Christiano's offering is more of a character study than it is a traditional rousing science fiction experience.

Despite the "straight-to-video" appeal that Time Changer is inevitably going to endure, it's worth checking out on the big screen as a tepid science fiction sermon of an unusual kind. Christiano's cinematic endeavor won't make anyone forget the likes of the Star Wars franchise and will sure to take a few lumps from skeptical commentators ranging from purist sci-fi fans to the agnostic/atheist set that know this film actually exists, but his foray into the psyche of self-importance involving religion and redemption is one concept that resonates with the stimulating fundamentals of responsible filmmaking. What Christiano's labor of love doesn't make up for technically certainly does make up for philosophically.

Time Changer may not be the most memorable cinema session that will stick to your appetizing entertaining agenda, but its profound self-evaluation message about our fragile existence and the absence of spiritual guidance should at least invade an abundance of mindsets regardless of the heuristic hokum one may be compelled to feel.

Frank rates this film: ** and a half stars (out of 4 stars)

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