Time Bandits Apple TV+ Series Review

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Getting fully into this new “Time Bandits” series is easier if you’ve never seen its predecessor. Though creators Jemaine Clement, Iain Morris, Taika Waititi do a good job of recreating the original intent, it’s for the love of all things Python that we watch. Letting that go will help you to just have fun in Waititi’s world, as it’s impossible to forget Gilliam’s, especially with familiar phrases like “pointed stick” coming out of nowhere on occasion. Hold onto the love you’ll feel when you hear them, but fall just as hard for this new creation, as well. If you do, you’ll have a good time.

Yes. It’s for the younger crowd; nine is a good start age for this show. A little older and they’ll take in even more of what they’re seeing and hearing, but teens may not be that interested. However, you’re meant to be their guide! Make sure your youths don’t let this slip by them. There’s a lot of information about history in each episode, yes, but it won’t be like a lesson in class. They’ll genuinely have a good time learning about people such as the 4^th Earl of Sandwich and Madame Chung in Macau as she battles the British Navy in 1810.

Children watching this show will see all this playout from Kevin’s (Kal-El Tuck) perspective. Since Kevin has studied history (his favorite subject), unlike most other characters in the show, and knows about places where they end up, he helps them navigate their way out of the conditions they find themselves. They need him and he needs them right back… especially when he runs into his sister Saffron, played with plenty of delight and wit by Kiera Thompson. Her character comes up with plenty of ways to make Kevin’s life miserable, but at the same time, she’s just trying to navigate the new world she finds herself. She’s an absolute smartass and Thompson pulls it off perfectly. This actress knows her character inside and out, throwing barbs out at everyone around her. Saffron fancies herself as a type of queen. She knows she can be more of a parent to the Neanderthals she has come across in the period of paleontology. This was Kevin’s thing. Now it’s hers. She’s fantastic in every way a person can be, by the way… the actress and the character.

Speaking of Kevin, he’s in his room one moment, on a ship the next, with arrows being shot at him. Now he must think of where he fits into all of this. Is it a dream? He’s nicked so clearly, there’s truth and reason flying about. He meets a gang of friends who call themselves Time Bandits. Penelope (Kudrow) is the de facto leader, not leader of the group. Widgit (Roger Jean Nsengiyumva) cares for the ever-precious map that gets them to and fro. The map is also a celestial chart of the anomalies and portals of the intermitted, interwoven, intricacies of time and space… good and bad. With it, they can travel through all the dimensions and through the universe. Except for a corner that has been torn off and lost. This comes into play much later in Episode 10.

Kevin is allowed to travel with them and is given a cap that helps him interpret what people are saying. He quickly learns about the ever-important and powerful Supreme Being (Taika Waititi) and of Wrongness, who is Pure Evil (Jemaine Clement). A big lesson within the show is the difference between historical and mythological. Kevin describes to the bandits the story of Poseidon. Penelope tells him that the giant man can’t be reasoned with because he has a God Complex. Being pulled into and surrounded by only white light by the Supreme Being, Kevin is finally truly aware of someone having a huge ego or narcissistic personality disorder.

Episode 9, called Pell Mell, is genuinely fascinating. Learning more about Cassandra and the first use of biological warfare had me mesmerized. You don’t think about these things until you’re faced with them. There’s an example of how COVID-19 was spread, as well, if you’re paying enough attention to catch the comment.

You’ll love to hate and hate to love Penelope. Kudrow is swift at dealing with the dry humor that Penelope must deliver. She’s one of the reasons for you to give “Time Bandits” a try. Your children must see this, but you should be watching along with them. Whether you want to or whether you only watch because you loved the original film, don’t be so upset that you miss it because you believe it shouldn’t have been remade. It’s well-written and deserves to be seen… by you. Episode 8 is all about family; Saffron and Kevin try their best to find what once was theirs. Is it too late?

Within some costumes, dialogue and dialect, you’ll see and hear our precious Gilliam and Python movies of days past. The camera work, costumes, effects, and acting are remarkably familiar… and that’s reason enough to jump right in and give this a go. You’ll have a blast and so will the kids. I insist you watch it with them. This is 100% a show for family togetherness. It’s perfect family time because it will lead to questions being asked and discussions. The pause button will be used often.