Star Trek Voyager: Episode 1x03 - Parallax (1995)

Created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor

Network: UPN

Cast: Kate Mulgrew (1), Robert Beltran (2), Tim Russ (3), Robert Duncan McNeill (4), Roxann Dawson (5), Garrett Wang, Robert Picardo (6), Ethan Phillips (7), Jennifer Lien, and Martha Hackett (8)

Read about "Caretaker", the 2 hour long pilot of Star Trek Voyager.


Episode 3 - Parallax

How do enemies become friends and learn to work together? Well, throw them millions of light years away from home and force them together of course! 2 crews have to work as 1 and it isn't all smooth sailing of course. After the pilot, breaking the ice is the next step in the series and episode 3 touches on that subject. 

Lt Carey: She said "Sorry. Maybe you should go to sickbay."
Doctor: At least she gave you some good advice.

In this episode, we also get to know the Doctor and B'Elanna Torres a little better. After all, in the previous episode, all we saw was that the Doctor is abrasive and doesn't have a great bedside manner. The kind of tough love he dishes out reminds me of how Leonard McCoy aka Bones treated James T Kirk in the 2009 Star Trek film.

Wonder how she has the energy to act angry so often.

B'Elanna's anger management issues will be an ongoing problem for her. It's something she will work on throughout the 7 seasons. But even in this one episode, we see her gradually calm down and see reason despite her anger issues. 

One thing it does remind me is that one should always think before one acts or speaks. Words can hurt as much as actions, sometimes even more. 

Chakotay: You might be interested to know that the impact fractures along his cranium were pretty severe. If you'd hit him just a little harder you could have driven some of those bones into his cerebellum. 
B'Elanna: I didn't even come close to hitting him that hard.
Chakotay: So on the one side I'm facing a Vulcan who wants to court marshall you. And on the other, I'm facing all the Marquis who are ready to seize this ship over this. You've turned this into one lousy day for me Torres. 
B'Elanna: So how long do I have to stay in here?
Chakotay: Rest of the trip. 75 years.
B'Elanna: I've never found your twisted sense of humour very funny Chakotay.
Chakotay: Or I could send you back to work with the understanding that you'll apologise to Mr...
B'Elanna: Apologise!? He was the one who...
Chakotay: Not just a simple apology, a personal one. Over a hot cup of perjuta. Bond with the man.
B'Elanna: I am not gonna bond with him.
Chakotay: You're gonna need support from people like Carey.
B'Elanna: I don't need support from anybody.
Chakotay: You are if you're gonna be Chief Engineer of this ship.
B'Elanna: Ha! Right.
Chakotay: This is not another example of my twisted sense of humour.
B'Elanna: But Carey's next in line.
Chakotay: You're a better engineer than he is.
B'Elanna: What does the captain have to say about this?
Chakotay: She hasn't said a word. Because I haven't told her yet.

This "power struggle" between Chakotay and Captain Janeway is interesting. After getting to know them individually and seeing them work together, I find myself rooting for the 2 to get together, if you know what I mean. This of all the great working relationships on screen like Lois & Clark, Mulder & Scully etc. Over time, I find that theirs is a pairing I wish could come true. 

Captain Janeway: We have a problem. And I think it's time we discuss it.
Chakotay: Captain I appreciate your concerns about Torres but I promise you...
Captain Janeway: You don't understand Commander this isn't about Torres. My problem is with you.
Chakotay: Me?
Captain Janeway: Let me be blunt, what you tried to do just now, was out of line.
Chakotay: In what way?
Captain Janeway: When you decided to call Torres in Engineering.
Chakotay: I've worked with her. I know what's she's capable of. We needed an answer right away and I knew she could give us one.
Captain Janeway: Carey is the senior officer in Engineering.
Chakotay: If you look at that way none of my people will ever have seniority. 
Captain Janeway: That's the problem, right there. They're not 'your people'. You're treating the Marquis on this ship like they're still your crew.
Chakotay: I'm doing everything I can to integrate them into your crew but frankly you're not making it easy for me captain.
Captain Janeway: I can't make it easy Commander. Surely you can understand that. They don't have the discipline, they don't have the training! 
Chakotay: But some of them like B'Elanna Torres have the ability!
Captain Janeway: The Starfleet officers on this ship have worked all their lives to earn their commissions. How am I supposed to ask them to accept a Marquis as their superior officer just because circumstances have forced us together.
Chakotay: You're asking them to accept me.
Captain Janeway: You're qualified. You're a graduate of the Academy and you have Starfleet Command experience.
Chakotay: Permission to speak freely. 
Captain Janeway: Go ahead.
Chakotay: I have no intention of being your token Marquis officer.
Captain Janeway: Show me another qualified Marquis candidate and I'll consider him.
Chakotay: B'Elanna Torres.
Captain Janeway: Who cannot control herself and who could not make it through the Academy.
Chakotay: She's the best engineer I've ever known. She can teach at the Academy! You're right captain. I do consider them 'my people' because nobody else on this ship will look out for them like I will. And I'm telling, you're gonna have to give them more authority if you want their loyalty.
Captain Janeway: Theirs or yours commander?
Chakotay: I'm trying to help you. I'm sorry you don't see that. I strongly recommend you get to know Torres before you choose a new Chief Engineer. Permission to leave.
Captain Janeway: Dismissed.

Star Trek Voyager: Episode 1x01 & 1x02 - Caretaker (1995)

Created by Rick Berman, Michael Piller, and Jeri Taylor

Network: UPN

Cast: Kate Mulgrew (1), Robert Beltran (2), Tim Russ (3), Robert Duncan McNeill (4), Roxann Dawson (5), Garrett Wang, Robert Picardo (6), Ethan Phillips (7), Jennifer Lien, and Alicia Coppola (8)

Blink & Miss It - Alicia Coppola has a small speaking role in the first episode of Star Trek Voyager. I first noticed her when she played a murderer on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation so when I re-watched Star Trek Voyager, I noticed her straightaway. 


My interest in Star Trek began in the mid 90s when I started watching Star Trek Voyager late at night on cable TV with my mum. She was the one who was interested in science fiction space shows and she got me hooked on them too. Shows like Babylon 5, seaQuest DSV, and of course Star Trek Voyager was the staple for late night viewing at home. She would shoo me off to bed because it usually airs really late at night and I had school the next morning. So I would beg her to record them for me and I would watch it in the afternoon after school. 

Even so, I missed quite a bit of the series and only saw parts of the series and never in its entirety. It was only in the early 2000s when I was studying in Australia that I rediscovered my interest in the series when I stumbled upon the Star Trek Voyager series on DVD! We didn't have Blu Ray theAll 7 seasons! We didn't have Blu Ray then. But it was still pretty pricey. But I never regretted spending money on the DVDs because I fell in love with the series and its characters. When I watched the final episode, I was pretty bummed and wish there was more to watch. 

Strangely, I never got hooked on the other series under the Star Trek franchise like Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, or Star Trek: Enterprise. I haven't tried watching them again but maybe one day I will. 

The reason why I decided to pull out my Star Trek Voyager DVDs and take them out of storage to watch is because of the soon to be released Star Trek film Star Trek Into Darkness, a follow-up to the first J.J. Abrams' film in 2009 Star Trek. I thought, why not re-watch the series that got me sucked into the world Gene Roddenberry created before the film is released. That would be a great way to remember all the reasons I fell in love with the ethos of Star Trek. 

So here I am. Sitting back in the chair of my home "office", feet propped up on my bed, cold coffee beside me, on an enjoyable Monday afternoon, about to embark on a journey back into the Delta quadrant with Captain Janeway and her Voyager crew. 


Episode 1 & 2 - Caretaker


It took 2 1-hour episodes just to set up the premise of the show. While the 2 episodes may be a little slow moving, I'm still glad they did it because it really allowed the audience to get to know the various players in the series better. And since Star Trek Voyager has a large ensemble cast, it had A LOT to do! 

Here's a crew list for Season 1:

Captain Kathryn Janeway played by Kate Mulgrew

First Officer Chakotay played by Robert Beltran

Security and Tactical Officer Tuvok played by Tim Russ

Helmsman and Medic Tom Paris played by Robert Duncan McNeill

Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres played by Roxann Dawson

Operations Officer Harry Kim played by Garrett Wang

The Emergency Medical Hologram Doctor played by Robert Picardo

Cook, Morale Officer, and Ambassador Neelix played by Ethan Phillips

Nurse and Botanist Kes played by Jennifer Lien

"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kanas anymore."
- Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in the film The Wizard Of Oz

Stadi: Do you always fly at women at warp speed Mr Paris?
Paris: Only when they're in visual range.

Reminds me of the scene when Bones and Kirk
first see the Enterprise from their shuttle.

The U.S.S Voyager. What a beauty.

Lieutenant Stadi: That's our ship. That's Voyager. Intrepid-class. Sustainable cruise velocity of warp factor 9.975. 15 decks. Crew compliment of 141. Bio-neural circuitry.  
Tom Paris: Bio-neural?
Lieutenant Stadi: Some of the traditional circuitry has been replaced by gel packs that contain bio-neural cells. They organise information more efficiently. Speed up response time.

I love that Star Trek Voyager is the only Star Trek series with a female captain as a main character. And I think Kate Mulgrew does a fantastic job as Captain Kathryn Janeway. She is able to inspire with her leadership abilities and to be empathetic to the needs of her crew. And the fact that Voyager has a female captain is lightheartedly addressed with this scene between Harry Kim, Tom Paris and Captain Janeway. 

=P I love the budding relationships you can see
even in the first episode of the season.

Captain Janeway: Gentlemen, welcome aboard Voyager.
Harry Kim: Thank you Sir.
Captain Janeway: Mr Kim, at ease before you sprain something. Ensign, despite Starfleet protocol, I don't like to be addressed as Sir. 
Harry Kim: I'm sorry... Ma'am. 
Captain Janeway: Ma'am is acceptable in a crunch but I prefer Captain. We're getting ready to leave let me show you to the bridge. 

Now the bromance between Tom Paris and Harry Kim is evident right from the moment Tom saves Harry from the Ferengi who is trying to talk him into buying a gift for his parents. And I love the way Harry stands by Tom despite knowing his history. It is very telling of both their characters. 

Tom Paris: There you see. I told you it wouldn't take long.
Harry Kim: Is it true?
Tom Paris: Was the accident my fault? Yes. Pilot Error. But it took me awhile to admit it. Urgh! 14 varieties and they can't even get plain tomato soup right. 
Harry Kim: They said you falsified reports. 
Tom Paris: That's right.
Harry Kim: Why?
Tom Paris: What's the difference? I lied.
Harry Kim: But then you came forward and you admitted that it was your fault?
Tom Paris: I'll tell you the truth Harry. All I had to do was to keep my mouth shut and I was home free. But I couldn't. The ghosts of those three dead officers came to me in the middle of the night and taught me the true meaning of Christmas. So I confessed. Pft. Worst mistake I ever made, but not my last. After they cashiered me out of Starfleet I went out looking for a fight and found the Marquis. And on my first assignment I was caught.
Harry Kim: It must have been especially tough on you, being the son of an Admiral. 
Tom Paris: Frankly I think it was tougher on my father than it was on me. Look, I know those guys told you to stay away from me and you know what, you ought to listen to them. I'm not exactly a good luck charm.
Harry Kim: I don't need anyone to choose my friends for me.

Friendship is one of the core themes of Star Trek Voyager. It is friendship that helped the Voyager crew to survive as long as they did in the Delta quadrant. And from friendship, it of course develops into a tight knit familial bond.

Tuvok is the logical one of the group which as I understand from the special features is the least alike his character. You see Tim Russ, a fantastic actor who also guest starred in my favourite science fiction series seaQuest DSV, is very easy going and very much the joker of the group. While Tuvok is a character with the driest sense of humour. If not for the special features, I would have never know he was the comedian of the lot. 

By the mere fact that Captain Janeway goes after Tuvok when he disappears in the Badlands, we know that she is someone who never gives up on a person under her charge, and that Tuvok is someone of importance to her. And we find that out in their discussion in the first 2 episodes of the season. 

Captain Janeway and Tuvok. What she lacks, he provides.
What he lacks, she provides. Now that's what I call
a great working relationship.

Tuvok: Captain. You require sleep.
Captain Janeway: Kim's mother called me just after he left earth. Delightful woman. He's her only son. He left his clarinet behind. She wanted to know if she had time to send it. I had to tell her no. Did you know he played the clarinet in the Juilliard Youth Symphony?
Tuvok: I did not have the opportunity to meet Mr. Kim.
Captain Janeway: I barely knew him. I never assumed to have the chance to get to know any of them. I have to urm... I have to take more time to do that. It's a fine crew. And I've got to get them home.
Tuvok: The crew will not benefit from the leadership of an exhausted captain.
Captain Janeway: You're right as usual. I have missed your counsel Tuvok.
Tuvok: I am gratified that you came after me so I can offer once again.
Captain Janeway: I spoke to your family before I left.
Tuvok: Are they well?
Captain Janeway: Well... But worried about you.
Tuvok: That would not be an accurate perception captain. Vulcans do not worry.
Captain Janeway: They miss you.
Tuvok: As I do them.
Captain Janeway: I'll get you back to them. That's a promise Tuvok.

Another very fascinating relationship that exists in Star Trek Voyager is between 2 very opposite characters - Tuvok and Neelix. Not everyone has the affinity to become good friends. And it's really fascinating to see Tuvok and Neelix try to find a way to co-exist amicable. This relationship's roots form in this 2 episode pilot and already even without knowing what comes next, we can foresee a lot of issues between these two. 

Tuvok looked so uncomfortable it made me laugh so hard.

Captain Janeway: We'd appreciate any help you could give us in finding these Ocampa.
Neelix: I, I, I really wish that I could help you. I do. But as you can see there's just, there's so much debris for me to investigate today. You'd be surprised the things of value some people abandon.
Captain Janeway: Of course we'd want to compensate you for your trouble.
Neelix: Ah! There's really very little you could offer me. Unless...
Captain Janeway: Yes?
Neelix: Unless of course you had... water?
Captian Janeway: If you help us find our missing crew members, you can have all the water you want.
Neelix: That sounds like a very reasonable arrangement.
Captain Janeway: Good. We're beam you over and tow your ship into our shuttle bay. Mr Tuvok, go to transporter room 2 and meet our guest.
Neelix: Beam?
Captain Janeway: We have a technology which can take you instantly from your ship to ours. It's quite harmless. May we?
Tuvok: Energise.
Neelix: Astonishing! You Federations are obviously an advanced culture.
Tuvok: The Federation is made up of many cultures. I am Vulcan.
Neelix: Neelix. Good to meet you! Interesting. What? What exactly? What exactly does all this, all this do?
Tuvok: I assure you that everything in this room has a specific function. However it would take several hours to explain it all. I suggest we proceed to your quarters. Perhaps you would care for a bath.
Neelix: A what?

Oh and I love the way Harry talks back to B'Elanna. It really changes our perception of his 'pushover' status from when he encountered the Ferengi. It also sets up a friendship between B'Elanna and Harry that promises much playful jabs and name calling. Mostly by B'Elanna calling Harry 'Starfleet'.

B'Elanna meets Harry 'Starfleet' Kim for the first time.

Harry Kim: It's okay. It's okay.
B'Elanna Torres: Who are you?
Harry Kim: My name is Kim. Harry Kim. I'm an Ensign on the starship Voyager. I was kidnapped from the array just like you were. I don't know where we are.
B'Elanna Torres: What was Starfleet doing at that array?
Harry Kim: We were looking for you actually. I mean one minute we're in the badlands, the next we're...
B'Elanna Torres: You mean you were trying to capture us!
Harry Kim: Yeah. Consider yourself captured. Oh I know I have a phaser here somewhere.  

B'Elanna Torres: I don't find this at all amusing Starfleet.

Harry Kim: There's no point. It's locked. Hey! Hey hey hey what's that going to accomplish?

B'Elanna Torres: What are they doing to us? What are these things growing on us?

Harry Kim: Look do you want them to sedate you again?

B'Elanna Torres: You're right Starfleet. It's the Klingon half of me. It's just hard to control sometimes.

Harry Kim: What's your name Marquis?

B'Elanna Torres: B'Elanna. B'Elanna Torres.

Star Trek (2009)

Directed by: J.J. Abrams (1)

Written by: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (2)

Cast: Chris Pine (3), Zachary Quinto (4), Karl Urban (5), Zoë Saldana (6), Simon Pegg (7), John Cho (8), Anton Yelchin (9), Eric Bana (10), Chris Hemsworth (11)

(Watch the trailer) 

My Favourite Quote: "Spock, you are fully capable of deciding your own destiny. The question you face is - which path will you choose. This is something only you can decide."

Did You Know? - The man who played George Kirk, James T Kirk's father, Chris Hemsworth, also played Thor in the film of the same name and in The Avengers (2012). The mother of James T Kirk is played by Jennifer Morrison, who currently plays Snow White's daughter in the television series Once Upon A Time. 


Fate and destiny. I love the concept of 'what if'. Unfortunately, at present, we cannot prove or disprove that such a thing as destiny or fate exists. However, we humans love to speculate about it. 

Time travel is not a new concept. However, I greatly appreciate the creative and smarts of the producers and writers who have used this concept well in this film. Destiny, to believe that no matter what you choose to do, even if the journey is different, the end point remains the same. What is your stand on this matter? I think that while we may choose paths that steer us from heading towards our destined end path, we will still end up there. As they say, all paths lead to Rome. Though while I believe this, I also like to hope that we are the masters of our own destiny.

Besides having a great interest in the concept of fate and destiny, I realise now that what I enjoy most about the television series I follow is the development of its characters. Star Trek has given us many great characters to love. I like to understand the history of how things came to be. And this film really is about two men and their connected destiny. I think at the heart of it, Star Trek is a 'bromance'. The story of how two men first became friends. Trekkers know of the brotherly bond and close friendship between Kirk and Spock, but none of the previous films or series ever focused on how they came to be friends.

There are plenty of things I love about JJ Abrams' Star Trek. When I first watched the film, I was expecting plenty of heart pumping action and awesome graphics. What I didn't expect when I first watched the film in the cinemas, was to throughly enjoy the humour littered throughout the film. The witty exchange between various actors made me laugh out loud, even now after watching it countless times. The film has a lot of heart on top of being a great action film.

The casting of these beloved characters was also spot on. Chris Pine's James T Kirk was a good combination of charm and confidence. I believe that we are shaped by the things that happen in our lives. And I could see the growth of the character of Kirk and Chris Pine's delivery of that growth was subtle but spot on. I have already seen how great an actor Zachary Quinto is from his performance in the television series Heroes. So his wonderful turn as Spock was no surprise to me.

Although the story revolved around Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto's characters, Star Trek has always been a story about the entire crew of the Enterpirse. The remaining actors featured in the film all played a big part in making this Star Trek a great film. I especially liked Simon Pegg and Karl Urban's great comedic timing in the film. Some of the best lines of the film were delivered by these two actors.

To be honest, there are so many underlying messages in the film that I feel overwhelmed to have to put it all into this one review. One day when I watch the film again, and if something else struck a chord with me, I would add on to the review. But for now, all that's left is to wait patiently for the sequel to be released.

2013, please come sooner. 

(1) Director J.J. Abrams  has directed films like Mission: Impossible III (2006) and Super 8 (2011)

(2)  Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman has written films like The Island (2005), The Legend Of Zorro (2005), Mission: Impossible III (2006), Transformers (2007), Watchmen (2009), and Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (2009)

(3) Chris Pine has acted in films like The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004), Just My Luck (2006), Blind Dating (2006), Smokin' Aces (2006), Unstoppable (2006), This Means War (2012), and Magic Mike (2012)

(4) Zachary Quinto is well known for the role Syler/Gabriel Gray in the television series Heroes. He also acted in the film What's Your Number? (2011)

(5) Karl Urban has acted in films like The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King (2003), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), Dredd (2012), and The Loft (2012). He also acted in the series Xena: Warrior Princess

(6) Zoë Saldana has acted in films like Center Stage (2000), Get Over It (2001), Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003), The Terminal (2004), Avatar (2009), The Losers (2010), Death At A Funeral (2010), Colombiana (2011)

(7) Simon Pegg has acted in films like Shaun Of The Dead (2004), Mission: Impossible III (2006), How To Lose Friends And Alienate People (2008), The Adventures of Tintin (2011), and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

(8) John Cho has acted in films like American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001), Evolution (2001), Down To Earth (2001), Big Fat Liar (2002), American Wedding (2003), In Good Company (2004), Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (2004), Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay (2008), A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011), American Reunion (2012) and Total Recall (2012)

(9) Anton Yelchin has acted in films like Along Came A Spider (2001), Hearts In Atlantis (2001), Charlie Bartlett (2007), New York, I Love You (2009), Terminator Salvation (2009), Memoirs Of A Teenage Amnesiac (2010), Like Crazy (2011), and Fright Night (2011). He also voiced Clumsy Smurf in the film The Smurfs (2011)

(10) Eric Bana has acted in films like Black Hawk Down (2001), Hulk (2003), Troy (2004), Munich (2005), Lucky You (2007), The Other Boleyn Girl (2008), The Time Traveller's Wife (2009), Funny People (2009), and Hanna (2011)

(11) Chris Hemsworth has acted in films like Thor (2011), The Avengers (2012), Snow White And The Huntsman (2012), Red Dawn (2012), and Thor 2 (2013)

The Eclectic Reviewer thinks… JJ Abrams' Star Trek strikes a wonderful balance of action, comedy, and drama. And it does so while managing to thrill non-Trekkers, as well as to please those who hold dear to their hearts creator Gene Roddenberry's Trek. There are some seemingly unnecessary lines in the dialogue that I feel would have been best left unsaid and would have been better if relied on the actor's performances. However, those lines are few and do no permanent damage to the overall enjoyment of the film. Now I only hope for the sequel to match its near-perfection or surpass it. (4.8 of 5)

* Movie Poster from Wikipedia

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In Time (2011)

Written and Directed by Andrew Niccol (1)

Cast: Justin Timberlake (2), Amanda Seyfried (3), Cillian Murphy (4), Alex Pettyfer (5), Johnny Galecki (6)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quote - "We're not meant to live like this. We're not meant to live forever. Although I do wonder Father, if you've ever lived a day in your life."

My favourite dialogue - 

Henry Hamilton: How old are you? In real time?
Will Salas: 28
Henry Hamilton: I'm 105.
Will Salas: Good for you. You won't see 106 if you have too many nights like tonight.
Henry Hamilton: You are right. But the day comes when you've had enough. Your mind can be spent, even if your body's not. We want to die. We need to.
Will Salas: That's your problem? You've been alive too long? You ever known anyone who's died?
Henry Hamilton: For a few to be immortal, many must die.
Will Salas: What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Henry Hamilton: You really don't know do you? Everyone can't live forever. Where would we put them? Why do you think there are time zones? Why do you think taxes and prices go up the same day in the ghetto? The cost of living keeps rising to make sure people keep dying. How else could there be men with a million years while most live day to day? But the truth is... there's more than enough. No one has to die before their time. If you had as much time as I have on that clock, what would you do with it?
Will Salas: I'd stop watching it. I can tell you one thing, if I had all that time, I sure as hell wouldn't waste it. 

& 

Sylvia Weis: What have we got?
Will Salas: A day. You can do a lot in a day. 

Time. The only thing we cannot waste because every minute and every second matters. Yet, we don’t really and fully appreciate time because we don’t realise how quickly time passes. The film In Time gives everyone up till their 25th birthday to enjoy timelessness. After that, you have to earn every minute and every second of every day. A frightful thought. Yet, I think that if we lived in a world with such rules as featured in the film, we might appreciate what time we have on earth more. I remember a favourite quote of mine uttered in Troy by Brad Pitt’s Achilles - “The Gods envy us. They envy us because we’re mortal, because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now, and we will never be here again.”

The film In Time talks about immortality, death, and time, among other things. Then comes another big question, would you prefer to know when you will die or to never worry about when you will die because it seems like a long way off. For those in the film who live in the ghetto, they die when they don’t have the ability to pay for more time. Isn’t this similar to the situation today? When a person is ill and cannot pay for the exorbitant medical bills to get better, you eventually run out of time because you don’t have a choice. 

Vampires and other fantasy characters who are immortal always face the unfortunate fact that they live forever, while their loved ones die and they can do nothing about it. Here that problem is non existent because the rich who are immortal can live forever with their loved ones. What about over population then? If everyone lived, wouldn’t there be the problem of overpopulation? I guess that is why the film mentions this phrase a couple of times: “For a few to remain immortal, many must die.” And in reply, Justin Timberlake’s Will Salas says: “No one should be immortal, if even one person has to die.”

I am on the side of Justin Timberlake’s Will Salas, pity the immortals who live so they may watch the people around them die. If one person needs to die, let no one be immortal. 

PS: It was very fascinating to watch Johnny Galecki play anything but deadpan funnyman Leonard Hofstadter, Alex Pettyfer play a gangster and all-around evil, as well as Justin Timberlake in a film with such a serious theme and so much action and emotion. Of course, Amanda Seyfried and Cillian Murphy both did excellent jobs in their roles. 

(1) Andrew Niccol has written films like Gattaca (1997) and The Truman Show (1998). He also directed the film Gattaca (1997)

(2) Justin Timberlake started out in the New Mickey Mouse Club then sang with the boyband N’Sync. He has since gone solo and has acted in films like The Social Network (2010), Bad Teacher (2011), and Friends With Benefits (2011). He has also done voice work for films like Shrek The Third (2007) and Yogi Bear (2010).

(3) Amanda Seyfried has acted in films like Mean Girls (2004), Alpha Dog (2006), Mamma Mia! (2008), Chloe (2009), Dear John (2010), Letters To Juliet (2010), Red Riding Hood (2011), Gone (2012), Les Misérables (2012), The Big Wedding (2013), and Lovelace (2013). She also played the role of Sarah Henrickson in the television series Big Love (2006-2011) and guest starred in television series like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Veronica Mars, House, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. 

(4) Cillian Murphy has acted in films like Girl With A Pearl Earring (2003), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Edge of Love (2008), Inception (2010), Tron: Legacy (2010), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

(5) Alex Pettyfer has acted in films like Stormbreaker (2006), Wild Child (2008), I Am Number Four (2011), Beastly (2011), and Magic Mike (2012)

(6) Johnny Galecki currently plays Leonard Hofstadter in the television series The Big Bang Theory and has acted in films like Bounce (2000), and Vanilla Sky (2001)

The Eclectic Reviewer thinks… In Time has an interesting concept and enough action to keep the viewer’s attention but most importantly, it makes you think realise what is and should be important. Remember that time and tide wait for no man (or woman). So make use of each and every second you have on this earth. (3 of 5)

* Movie Poster from Wikipedia

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