Timeline

Synopsis

Timeline, a 2006 science fiction adventure film directed by Richard Donner and starring Paul Walker and Frances O’Connor, follows a group of archaeology students who travel back in time to medieval France using experimental quantum technology. When their professor goes missing during a mission to the 14th century to retrieve a valuable artifact, the students must navigate the dangers of the Hundred Years’ War era to rescue him and find a way back to the present. Blending historical drama and futuristic science, Timeline explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of tampering with time, delivering thrilling action sequences amidst a richly depicted medieval setting.

Cast

• 

  Tanya Dempsey

  Linda

• 

  Josh Bywater

  Jason

• Meagan Mangum

  Waitress

• Pasha Stroud

  Young Boy Diner

• Robyn D. Stroud

  Young Girl Diner

• Alan David

  Waiter

Reviews

Timeline received mixed to negative reviews from critics, reflecting divided opinions on its execution and storytelling. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a low approval rating of 13%, with critics citing a thin plot and underdeveloped characters, though some praised its ambitious concept and period detail. A common criticism was the film’s failure to effectively balance its sci-fi elements with the medieval adventure narrative, leading to a confusing and uneven tone. Metacritic reports a weighted average score of 37 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Despite its flaws, some reviewers appreciated the visual effects and glimpses of exciting action, noting that Paul Walker’s performance added some charm to the otherwise lackluster storyline. IMDb users gave it a moderately better rating of 6.7/10, suggesting that while not a critical success, it managed to entertain a segment of the audience who enjoy time travel adventures and historical escapades. Overall, Timeline struggles with pacing and character depth but offers an intriguing premise for fans of genre mash-ups.