Rating: 
Summary: Nice transfer, nice extras classier package than criterion
Review: Terry Gilliam's attitude about his films says it all about whether or not you're a fan of his films; to paraphrase, he'd rather people think his films are great or garbage no inbetween. Luckily, most of his films are in the former camp and this happens to be one of them. Originally pitched when Brazil was rejected by investors and his manager at the time, Time Bandits was imagined to be a modern day Grimm's Fairytale. He wanted a film that would amaze kids but also entertain adults. Time Bandits successfully does both.There's a map the Almighty created of the Universe. It lists all the holes in space and time and also has the times and places they will occur. Some of God's assistants (you know, the folks that helped create the little things--grass, trees, the odd weird plant)have stolen the map hoping to steal the riches of the universe and make a -ahem-timely exit. When they accidently land in Kevin's room, they end up having to take this poor 20th Century kid with them as God has located them yet again. The adventure begins as they travel from ancient Greece to Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest and places in between. There's someone else observing them. He's never called the Devil but, well, that's who he is. He wants to map so he can take over the universe as he feels that God has done a poor job of creating it and running it. So he "arranges" for them to begin a journey to the Fortress of Ultimate Darkness to find the greatest treasure of all.... This latest DVD from Anchor Bay puts the Criterion edition and the previous Anchor Bay edition to shame. The high definition transfer is in anamorphic widescreen. What does that mean to you and me? If you have a 16x9 t.v. (or even a regular one), there's more lines of resolution on the screen, hence better clarity, sharpness and detail in the picture. The first disc is a dual layered one devoted only to providing as much picture and sound as possible from the beautiful transfer. Sadly, the commentary track on the Criterion Edition isn't included. That's the only real negative. All the extras have been located to the second disc. We get the funny International Trailer, the so-so US trailer plus a documentary about Gilliam and his films made for television. We also get a 27 minute new interview with co-writers Michael Palin and Gilliam where they discuss the genesis of the film, what was cut from the script because of a lack of money and the demands of Sean Connery, Sir Ralph Richardson and the money people (John Cleese as Robin Hood instead of Michael Palin). Overall, a stellar package that captures most of what was said in the commentary track from the Criterion version of the film. The packaging includes a booklet that has background on the making of the film and folds out to a neat little Map of the Universe just like a smaller version of the one used in the film. Just don't let your little ones see it, they'll pull it apart and start looking for all those doorways in time and space so they can start their own adventure. While Time Bandits is a rousing, fun, funny and occasionally dark adventure it plays well to adults and children. There is some mild profanity so parents beware! Other than that, my kids loved the film. I'd recommend for kids 8 and older as you can explain to them about not using the occasional mild bad word in public. It's actually no worse than you hear on most television shows today and milder than the language in the movie Holes. Altogether, this is a terrific reissue and it's at the right price as well!
Rating: 
Summary: Thanks for the Review
Review: I've watched the VHS version many times and was interested in the DVD till I read the reviews. Thanks for the info, I will not be purchasing it. The movie is too good to ruin that way..
Thanks again..
Rating:
Summary: A joy for young and old
Review: This is a type of film that has a child-like appeal and yet has humor or subtle satire that will make adults smile. The plot revolves around a young boy (wonderfully played by Craig Warnock) who ends up joining a group of dwarves running from God. You see, the construction of the universe was a hurried job (with only seven days to do it!) and so there are several holes in time and space. The dwarves, assigned to fix them, instead steal the map and use it to become international thieves. Their adventures take them from Napoleon to Robin Hood to the Titanic. The storytelling is like that of a child's point of view, and feels like a fairy tell of the modern era - this adds to the enchanting style of the whole thing. Granted, this does mean the plot tends to linger in parts, and that might turn some people away, but it doesn't do it in such an obnoxiou manner that you can't just enjoy yourself. I also found a special attachment to the character Kevin. He reminded me a lot when I was younger: I was very fond of military history, and given the chance to meet such people as Napoleon or Agammemnon, I would take it in a hearbeat. Kevin is also, among other things, an intellegent character. He gets his dwarven friends out of trouble more than once, and it's good to see a movie with a kid character who can hold his own. I believe the ending also hints at the common Gilliam theme of dreams and reality: just where do dreams end and reality begin? (See the uncut version of "Brazil" if you don't know what I mean) However, I think the highlight of this entire movie is none other than David Warner as Evil itself. In perhaps his greatest role - and his only GOOD movie - David Warner does well in his part as the ultimate villain...as the character represents evil itself! The movie has some great scenes for him; waving his hand, hearing an explosion offscreen, and then saying, "Sorry." The part of Evil is hilarious, as Evil plans to leave his Fortress of Ultimate Darkness and use technology to rule the universe, finding God's work shoddy: "God knows nothing about technology. Look how He spends His time: 43 species of parrots...nipples for men!" As for DVD's, I currently own the normal version of it. The Criterion collection, I agree, is far too expensive for an edition that only has a director's commentary and not much else in the way of extras...I mean the "We Were Soldiers" DVD cost me $15 and it has more extras than that DVD! The DVD I own right now has the theatrical trailer (not really worth watching), but it at least has the movie. All in all, I found this film to be marvelous. If you are in the mood for some eye candy and Gilliam humor - or you liked the films "Brazil" and "Baron Munchausen" - then this is a definate watch for you.
Rating: 
Summary: YOU CAN WATCH THIS MOVIE AGAIN AND AGAIN
Review: You are a complete idiot if you dislike this film. It's a classic.
No, I don't think it's the best film; just one of the best. "Brazil"
was far more serious, and "baron" could be disenchanting
and over your head if you didn't appreciate "olde englishe"
rhetoric. Yes, the dvd quality has suffered but the score
by the mighty george harrison [yes, the beatle] doesn't.
However, A good movie is simply that, and more. 5 stars.
This film should be considered viewing for future filmakers
for many reasons; Quality over quantity. Films today? A
waste. See this movie when you can!!
Rating: 
Summary: Gilliam is more overpriced than overhyped
Review: I've always enjoyed the imagination put into this film -- a child's fable twisted in a way only Gilliam could put off. It's a film I could see (and have seen) over and over again. But to expect me to pay this much for what is (merely) a charming movie is absurd, particularly after reading reviews about how this is a sub-par transfer. Not at that price. The price for the non-SE isn't much better, nor for most of Gilliam's titles. I'll pass on Time Bandits, or look for a less expensive copy.
Rating:
Summary: Time Bandits stole MY time
Review: This movie was a major disappointment. It was hardly funny. The cover of the DVD should not have boasted roles from John Cleese and Sean Connery seeing as they each rarely appear in the film. I found this movie to be a HUGE waste of my money and wouldn't recommend it. I've only seen it once because it was so boring the first time, I wouldn't be able to sit through another viewing.
Rating:
Summary: A viewer's review of the great film "Time Bandits"
Review: *****
(Five stars)
Have you heard the phrase "damning by faint praise"?
If you read a faint criticism of "Time Bandits", you could think of that phrase.
Great film.
Hope this review meets the review guidelines or it's toast.
Rating:
Summary: Not too many extras but a great main feature
Review: This is how children's fantasy should be - genuinely fantastic, avoiding (or, where possible, upturning) all the sword and sorcery cliches, and with a black, mean streak running through it, as kids themselves have. All second nature to one T Gilliam, of course, and the brilliance with which he pulls off the many spectacles herein is offset by a refreshing lack of "and do you know what, children?" sentimentality. If JK Rowling is the well-meaning but rather patronising relative who produces sixpences from behind your ear with monotonous predictability, Gilliam is the "odd" uncle who nicks your Almond Joy and scares you half to death with tales of the Toilet Monster.
Rating:
Summary: Weird but Very Entertaining!
Review: As a teen in the 1980's I watched this movie a lot when it was shown on HBO and I even taped it though it was unfortunately taped over so I will probably buy the movie on DVD for my collection. The movie is weird but it's very entertaining and had a great cast. I recommend Time Bandits for people who like weird movies and I think it's good movie to watch anytime but is especially good to watch on Halloween.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely entertaining
Review: This is a great film. I've loved it since I first saw it when it premiered. Anyone who likes Gilliam's work should like this film. The DVD commentary is excellent and features Gilliam, Palin, Cleese, Warner, and Warnock. Definitely buy the Criterion version if you can. There are a couple things that need to be clarified though: 1) the film is a) NOT a Monty Python film, it is a Terry Gilliam film; and b) NOT a comedy like Python films but a dark comedy/fable like Brazil. 2) the Criterion version is "Director Approved." That means it's shown the way the director intended. As one other review thanklessly pointed out, letterboxing does crop some of the picture, but that's how it's shown in the theater. People claiming that the DVD is a "butchered" version of the film don't know what they're talking about. Any picture that you can see in the pan-and-scan version (what DVD "Standard" and most VHS formats are) was not meant to be seen. Pan-and-scan is the butchering.
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