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Show "Time Bandits," Handmade Films, released through Avco-Embassy Avco-Embassy Pictures. Directed by Terry Gilliam. Written by Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam. Starring David Rappaport, Kenny Baker, John Cleese. Rated "PG." "TIME BANDITS" BvJ.T. YURKO-FILM CRITIC When a group of crazed Britishers got together and called themselves "Monty Python's Flying Fly-ing Circus," they gave the world a television program unlike just about any other, before or after. A collection of some of their best skits was presented as their first motion picture, appropriately titled titl-ed "And Now For Something Completely Different." Subsequent Subse-quent films such as "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and "Life of Brian" followed in the offbeat, off-beat, irreverant vein. REVIEW While I'm at it, let's throw in references to Homer's "The Odyssey." Sure, a lot of it is culled cull-ed and cloned from other sources, but this hodge-podge mythologyscience fictionfantasy is also a masterful bit of mind-bending mind-bending allusions and illusions. The first ten minutes alone will blow you away. The rest is nearly as good, but no plot information shall be revealed here that is left for the film's wild wanderings and strange images to present. Like any children's story, this tale tells of the battle between good and evil, although here they are presented in Pythonian absurd ab-surd forms. For example, the Supreme Being is a nicely tailored Sir Ralph Richardson, while Evil is a plastic seat-cover-coated David Warner. Such absurdities will, no doubt, be lost on many viewers, but those familiar with Monty Python's brand of humor will be better attuned to this zany epic. From philosophy and theology to slapstick farce, "Time Bandits" will take your mind and your funny fun-ny bone for a ride. tv cotermoe stavtcii. inc. 'Time Bandits" is no exception, the only difference is that it's rated "PG." This is the tip-off that the film is suitable for the kiddies, but not necessarily intended for them. "Time Bandits" may (or may not) be a child's fanstasy, but as it comes from many of the minds of Monty Python, it is definitely completely different. Adults will find "Time Bandits" as a cross between H.G. Wells and J.R.R. Tolkien. Kids will see a little bit of "The Wizard of Oz" meets "Alice in Wonderland." |