Timecop – Review

Based on a comic which is apparently nothing like it outside of the main character’s name, Timecop is an okay time travel action movie, however does come up a bit short on the story and execution. Despite that, there is still some fun to be had and should be checked out if you are into 90s action movies.

Agent Max Walker (Van Damme) is tapped to work for a new government bureau: the Time Enforcement Commission (TEC). The team is there to monitor the past, and ensure that the newly created time travel inventions don’t create ripples in the past which could forever alter the future.

He is offered the gig in 1994, however unfortunately for him he is attacked in his home late one night, and his wife (Sara) explodes. 10 years later he is a grizzled and experienced time agent, looking to enforce the rules of time travel. This takes him to track down one of his ex-partners, who has slipped into the timestream.

Timecop has a lot of really solid ideas, and some okay action. The issues arise with the overall story, as it could have been much more interesting, and utilized all sorts of the interesting principles it sets up in the first half-hour. Unfortunately, the story revolves around a few events, and does not do anything too innovative or exploratory when it comes to the TEC.

The film remains one of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s better ventures, despite its shortcomings. It’s quick and to the point, which helps its weaker story, and has a few cool kicks and sci-fi maneuvers. It is an okay affair, just set expectations lower and have a good time.

I have not seen Timecop: The Berlin Decision or a late 90-s TV series.