About this episode

The Mikes discuss their disconnect with Terry Gilliam's cult classic 'Time Bandits'.

This week on Forgotten Cinema, the Mikes tackle "Time Bandits", Terry Gilliam's beloved fantasy adventure and one of the most celebrated cult films of the 1980s. Unfortunately, this is another Gilliam film that just doesn't quite connect with either of them. Both Butler and Field came into the movie wanting to like it. Butler is a big fan of "Brazil", and Field enjoys that film as well, but much like their experience with "12 Monkeys", they find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to another highly regarded Gilliam classic. The Mikes discuss whether part of their disconnect comes from discovering the film nearly fifty years after its release. While both enjoy plenty of quirky, imaginative films from the era, they struggle with the episodic structure here. The various historical vignettes never quite come together into a satisfying whole, and the bandits themselves feel underdeveloped. Aside from Randall, the group often blends together into what feels like a single character, making it difficult to become invested in their journey. That is not to say the film is without merit. Some of the practical effects remain impressive, several jokes land well, and Gilliam's…

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