69
Metascore
13 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 83The A.V. ClubNick SchagerThe A.V. ClubNick SchagerIt may eventually champion love as the guiding light amidst so much homicidal darkness, but Meyer’s film—happy ending be damned—resonates most deeply when confronting the ugly, inescapable reality that man’s murderous past is likely also his future.
- 80The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinA movie that's as sweet as it is clever, and never so clever that it forgets to be entertaining.
- 80A delightful, entertaining trifle of a film that shows both the possibilities and limitations of taking liberties with literature and history. Nicholas Meyer has deftly juxtaposed Victorian England and contemporary America in a clever story, irresistible due to the competence of its cast.
- Nicholas Meyer deftly mingles fish-out-of-water comedy and touching romance with discreetly gory danger.
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineMeyer makes a fine directorial debut, pacing the film for optimal suspense despite some obvious holes in the script.
- 75Chicago ReaderDave KehrChicago ReaderDave KehrIt lacks a certain grace in execution, but this SF/romantic comedy-thriller, directed by Nicholas Meyer from his own novel, is clever and well calculated.
- 75The Associated PressBob ThomasThe Associated PressBob ThomasPreposterous? Of course, but somehow the movie watcher becomes thoroughly involved in the author's chase after the mad killer. [13 Aug 1979]
- 70Washington PostGary ArnoldWashington PostGary ArnoldDiverting, polished chase thriller. [28 Sep 1979, p.E1]
- 63ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliFor those who expect a tightly-written mixture of the detective and science fiction genres, Time After Time is bound to be a disappointment. It's more of a lighthearted fantasy/romance with a few thriller elements thrown in.
- 50Time OutTime OutIt's a bookish joke which comes unstuck: after nearly two hours the tension has evaporated, and all that's left is a curdle of jokes and brutality.