‘Time Bandits’ Recap: ‘Kevin Haddock’ & ‘Mayan’

7/24/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Kal-El Tuck as Kevin Haddock in Episode 101 of ‘Time Bandits’ – ‘Kevin Haddock’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Time Bandits’.

There remains in the world of entertainment, a grand debate regarding the value and necessity of reboots and the reimagining of classic stories. For there are purists that deeply believe such acts violate a sacred trust in this world, that art should remain as it was, preserved for all time regardless of its limitations when it was created. While there are others, who firmly believe an update is a good thing for stories that are woefully out of date or problematic with some of their content. Not to mention, it’s a chance to bring a story to its full potential because of limitations from days gone by from a special effects and budgetary standpoint.

If anything, the debate will continue to rage on, because both sides of the equation have merit, and while that debate continues to take place… remakes and reboots will continue to be made and hopefully, the ones that lie ahead, showcase something that we don’t talk about enough when it comes to this type of story. In that, they have value. For they truly can be an enhancement to what came before, and they can keep old stories alive. Since a top-notch re-telling can motivate folks to check out the source material and enjoy both iterations of the story, and well... it just so happens that as of today, Apple TV+ is now home to a remake/reimagining of a classic wild story, that is indeed of high caliber and high quality. For the new version of Time Bandits is simply sublime through and through.

For ‘Kevin Haddock’ and ‘Mayan’ are a pair of stories that accomplish so much. For instance, they both pay great tribute to the world that Terry Gilliam brought to life with the 1981 original film of the same name. Since the plot of this new series resembles much of the old. For in this tale we meet young Kevin Haddock, a bright and kind boy who tends to be something of an outsider, who finds himself in the midst of the adventure of a lifetime. Courtesy of the Time Bandits, a group of brilliant and quirky individuals that work for a being known as the Supreme Being, and they have stolen a powerful map from him, that can help them traverse through time and well, Kevin joins forces with these wacky bandits to find a cure for his now ailing parents. Because sadly, there is a Pure Evil that wants that powerful map for his own nefarious purposes, and he causes harm in an effort to get it.

Lisa Kudrow, Rune Temte, Kal-El Tuck, Tading Murphy, Charlyne Yi, and Jean Nsengiyumva as Penelope, Bittelig, Kevin, Alto, Judy, and Widgit in Episode 102 of ‘Time Bandits’ – ‘Mayan’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Which really is, a grand retelling of the plot that Terry put forth, which allows for purists to enjoy something familiar while introducing a new generation to something unique and well… once we get past the plot, that is where this new version shines and enhances so much. For instance, with Taika Waititi and Jermaine Clement at the helm as producers, and writers alongside Iain Morris… the story takes on new comedic life. Which is also enhanced by the performances of the cast, which includes Lisa Kudrow, and Mister Waititi and Mister Clement. And this is critically important because that allows for the story to feel a bit more accessible to audiences, something that cannot be said of the original. For the original is a work of fantastical avant-garde art, and at times that can still be off-putting and awkward after all these years. Whereas this story, is fun and accessible and encourages the audience to really come along for a wild ride through time.

Speaking of that voyage through the minutes of yesterday, that’s where this story finds a way to stand out from its predecessor and really do its own thing. Because there are little bitty history lessons thrown into the story, and that allows for smooth learning to take place in a manner that is equally as fun as the jokes present here. Not to mention, the story also takes the time to point out some flaws in how we study history. Specifically, how it is written by the victors, and that means that bias and angles come into play, and that when we think upon history… we should do so with an objective mind. To really understand how it played out and what faults may lie in actions taken and that makes… for a fascinating twist as well. For few stories ever take the time to point that out, but it is welcome and honest here and well, all of these elements come together to give life to an amazing story that is an absolute must-see.

Simply because, this is that rare remake that gets everything right. For it truly does pay tribute to what came before, and it also works hard to stand on its own and offer something new and exciting. Not to mention, it doesn’t hurt that the special effects have been upgraded significantly here, giving rise to environments that do not feel constrained by the limitations budget and era, and that matters. Because a grand and sweeping story about time travel should feel big, and boisterous and look as though the travelers are indeed in that era, and that’s just another win from a series that just plain gets it. And truly… it will be interesting to see what other surprises and familiar moments await us, as young Kevin and the Time Bandits continue to trek through days gone by, in an effort to stay a step ahead of the Supreme Being and the nature of Pure Evil. Until next time.

Taika Waititi as the Supreme Being in Episode 102 of ‘Time Bandits’ – ‘Mayan’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Jermaine Clement as Pure Evil in Episode 101 of ‘Time Bandits’ – ‘Kevin Haddock’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Watch ‘Time Bandits’

0 Comments