‘All-time favourite’ 80s film remake fears prove unwarranted as fans praise ‘absolutely magical’ episodes

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Time Bandits is a much-loved film, so a TV remake was risky, but it seems to have paid off.

With the 1981 original adored by many, there was pressure for creators Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement and Iain Morris when it came to the reimagining of the cult classic, but the reviews are glowing.

The Apple TV Plus live-action comedic adventure series follows an 11-year-old history buff called Kevin, played by Kal-El Tuck, who ends up joining a ragtag group of thieves. Together they embark on an unpredictable journey through time and space to save his parents – and the world.

Terry Gillam and Michael Palin’s original film, which featured A-listers Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall and Katherine Helmond, has had a lasting impact, with some fans calling it their all-time favourite, which they expressed when news of the TV show began to do the rounds.

Lafcreative enthused: ‘One of my all-time favorite films as a kid!! Can’t wait to see this new adaptation!’ following the trailer release.

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Some people naturally felt apprehensive about whether the 2024 version would do the material justice.

Time Bandits cast in mountain landscape including Lisa Kudrow and Kal-El Tuck
The Time Bandits remake has been praised (Picture: AppleTV+/Matt Grace)

John Cleese, David Rappaport, Mike Edmonds in Time Bandits movie
Some fans feared the TV series wouldn’t be able to live up to the film (Picture: Handmade Films/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

‘Anxiously awaiting it. Please please please don’t mess this up. This was a childhood favorite film. Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin are GENIUS,’ said Shawn Chittle on X.

Now that the first two episodes are available for consumption, fans have taken to social media once more to communicate their relief that it’s actually pretty good and praised the cast, including Friends actress Lisa Kudrow.

‘Time Bandits was a pleasant surprise. This version strays heavily from the original movie but holds its own wonderful charm. Absolutely hilarious too! Recommended,’ typed AshWHurst.

Time Bandits original film cast holding a map
The Time Bandits film was released in 1981 (Picture: Handmade Films/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

Lisa Kudrow in Time Bandits pointing at a map
There will be ten episodes in total of the 2024 remake (Picture: AppleTV+/Matt Grace)

Lisa Kudrow on Time Bandits smiling
Lisa Kudrow plays Penelope in Time Bandits. (Picture: Apple TV+)

He wasn’t the only one with this viewpoint, Jeremy Wein added: ‘The new #TimeBandits show is absolutely magical. @AJemaineClement and @TaikaWaititi have hit a total home-run. Lisa Kudrow shines and the lead kid Kal-El Tuck is a real find.’

The compliments kept on coming with others calling it ‘charming’, ‘funny’, and ‘as good as it gets’.

Praise on social media is also reflected in the Rotten Tomatoes score, with the critics giving the series an impressive 91%, and the audience rating it 77%.

If you’re still not convinced then the synopsis may have you reaching for the remote.

Taika Waititi in Time Bandits looking puzzled
Taiki plays Supreme Being (Picture: AppleTV+/Matt Grace)

‘Guided by Lisa Kudrow [as Penelope], the eccentric crew of bandits embark on epic adventures while evil forces threaten their conquests, and life as they know it,’ it begins.

‘The Time Bandits witness the creation of Stonehenge, see the Trojan Horse in action, escape dinosaurs in the prehistoric ages, wreak havoc during medieval times, experience the Ice Age, ancient civilizations and the Harlem Renaissance, and much more along the way.’

It continues: ‘As the group transports through time and space, the gang stumbles upon fascinating worlds of the distant past while seeking out treasure, depending on Kevin to shed light on each situation.

‘The “Time Bandits” witness the creation of Stonehenge, see the Trojan Horse in action, escape dinosaurs in the prehistoric ages, wreak havoc during medieval times, experience the Ice Age, ancient civilizations and the Harlem Renaissance, and much more along the way.’

The Time Bandits cast in action
Viewers can now watch the first two episodes (Picture: AppleTV+/Matt Grace)

A poster for Time Bandits featuring the cast
The reviews are glowing (Picture: Apple TV+)

Lisa, 60, has said the character’s unique mix of personality traits is what led her to saying yes to the role, as well as trying something new.

‘I’ve never been in a fantasy show. I also just liked that she was really courageous and dumb about it all at the same time,’ she explained to The Star.

The leader of the gang was originally written as a man, but Taika felt it was too repetitive. He told Radio Times: ‘I was just thinking there’s a lot of shows with dudes leading teams of dudes, and it just felt a bit boring.’

Tadhg Murphy (Alto), Roger Jean Nsengiyumva (Widgit), Rune Temte (Bittelig), Charlyne Yi (Judy), Rachel House (Fianna), Kiera Thompson (Saffron) make up the rest of the core cast.

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