The Land That Time Forgot (2009)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

I gave this film a 9 out of 10, because it was exactly what I expected it to be.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The 1975 version of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "The Land that Time Forgot" with Doug McClure featured lame puppet-type dinosaurs, but made up for it with well-developed characters and a huge subtext, which was surprising for such a seemingly simple story.This made-for-TV 2009 version changes everything and I'm sort of glad because we already have the original that followed Burroughs' book pretty faithfully. The only similarity between this version and Burroughs' story is that there's an uncharted island, castaways, Germans, a U-boat and dinosaurs. That's it. This version features some sort of dimensional gateway where modern people and others from the last century meet on Caprona, the island. They try to figure out how to escape, how to get along and how to contend with dinosaurs, mostly a T-rex. Speaking of which, the T-rex doesn't look too bad for this type of micro-budget sci-fi, just don't expect "Jurassic Park" quality (although the story's arguably better and this version definitely has better women).C. Thomas Howell directed the film and is also a member of the likable cast. I appreciate the camaraderie that develops between the Americans and the Germans. Speaking of which, the WWI Germans are pretty convincing.As far as women go, Lindsey McKeon is the highlight as a shapely brunette, but there's also a good-looking blond (Anya Benton).FINAL WORD: Although it doesn't follow Burroughs' book at all, this 2009 TV version of "The Land that Time Forgot" is a worthwhile lost-on-a-deserted-island flick in the tradition of "Mysterious Island" and others, like "Planet of the Dinosaurs". If you enjoy movies of this ilk, you'll probably appreciate this one.The film runs 90 minutes and was shot in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, Long Beach and Malibu, CA.GRADE: B-

Hey, it's Timothy Bottoms! And he's not playing George W. Bush! But if I were stuck on an island full of dinosaurs with George W. Bush, he would act exactly like this! Hey, it's C. Thomas Howell! A long damn way from "The Outsiders"! And he looks emaciated! Hey, C.! Have a sandwich! Hey, it's that gal from "One Tree Hill"! She can't act here, either! Hey, it's an Asylum movie! But this time, the story's not so bad! This time the effects are passable! This time the direction is competent! C. Thomas Howell was the director! He still needs a sandwich! Hey, it's better than Will Ferrell's "Land of the Lost"! Hey, slamming my fingers in a drawer is better than Will Ferrell's "Land of the Lost"! Five stars, because the Nazi U-Boat (don't ask) looks pretty cool!

What has happened to C. Thomas Howell that he appears in dreck like this, a remake or a low-budget 1975 British flick? He even directed this thing! A group of castaways on an island in the Bernmuda Triangle must contend with a constantly hungry and angry T-Rex and a bunch of lost Germans and their broken U-boat. The T-Rex is a typical SyFy Channel creation, which means it is very bad CGI. The acting, with the exception of Tim Bottoms as a crusty captain, is second-rate. As bad as the 1975 version is, and it is truly awful, this makes that one look downright Shakespearean. "Land" author ER Burroughs must be spinning in his grave whenever this plays. His last name is even misspelled on the poster/video cover!

I'm a fan of cheesy creature features and this ranks right up there, I mean, come on, it IS a cheesy creature feature! I don't expect to be riveted to my seat or witness award winning acting when I rent or buy something along the line of "The Land that Time Forgot". We aren't talking Gone with the Wind here. This is a mindless romp of fantasy, and adventure, something to watch on a rainy afternoon, or late at night when you can't sleep. I enjoyed C. Thomas Howell and the others just fine. I don't know if they were taking themselves too seriously or not, it was entertaining, that's all I care about. I was actually surprised after it was over, it was better than I thought it was going to be.If you are truly a die-hard fan of the "B" cheese, I think you'll enjoy C. Thomas Howell's version of The Land that Time Forgot. I did.