You know those really intense scenes in movies or TV shows when a bomb slowly ticks closer and closer to zero... well that's what most of In Time feels like. Everyone within the film ages until they are 25, then one year starts ticking down on their arm (like a time bomb). Once their self-timer hits zero, they explode into a million gagillion pieces. Just kidding! That would be excessively morbid. No, what actually happens is a complete shut down of their body. Many people in the film walk around the dead because people timing out is common in the poorer time zones. People work to get more time or find other ways to acquire time (i.e. stealing, gambling, etc). Essentially, time is the currency. Most people live day to day, with only minutes to spare. Others can live forever and still look like 25 year olds. How sweet is that?!
In Time has many unique moments and is an enjoyable film to watch. Me being a sci-fi fan, I am partial to it, yet I still recognize that the film does in fact, fail to cash in on its great concept. The story, though compelling, feels like it needs more. The final act never jumps to the next level and delivers an epic finale. It falls flat by getting wrapped up in cliche-ville. Just because time is used as a substitute for money, doesn't mean we need a steal from the rich and give to the poor scenario. I understand why the film was written that way and it did go full circle. I wish it veered a little more off course in order to create something more memorable, like the film's fantastic concept.
The lead characters, played well by Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried, find each other at a wealthy party. Justin Timberlakes' character, Will, is on the run from the time keepers, who believe he has stolen time because he jumped time zones. Amanda Seyfried's, Sylvia, is a spoiled young woman shielded from life by her over protective father. With an intense car chase, a life risking game of arm wrestling, and a great gambling scene where, you guessed it, people gamble with time, the movie has a decent amount of great moments. It just never jumps to the next level. The film's final act isn't grand and epic. !!!Spoiler!!! Sure the lead characters steal from the rich, a bank and Sylvia's dad, in order to give to the poor. It is a very grand gesture however, the idea feels too familiar.
The Breakdown: If you are a sci-fi fanatic, then I would recommend watching this flick. It can be both thought provoking and with time constantly ticking away, is a nail biter. I wish it had a darker cinematic look and had a more memorable final act. Sure bank robbing can be exciting, but I felt this film needed to be bigger or more clever than ramming a giant truck into a time bank. Perhaps an elaborate heist to steal time. Also, Sylvia's father never felt like a villain. He just wanted to live forever. Perhaps if he had a more sinister side, the film could have had an additional layer. Overall, In Time is a decent sci-fi movie that is good to rent. It will entertain you and adds a nice twist with the metaphor of people desperately needing time instead of money. The idea of money takes on new weight as it literally means life and death for people.
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