ThrillseekersThrillseekers
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ASIN: B000051S4P
Released 1999
Directed by
Mario Azzopardi
Written by
Kurt Inderbitzin &
Gay Walch
Stars
Casper Van Dien
Catherine Bell
Originally telecast as The Time Shifters by TBS on October 17, 1999, this made-for-cable feature has since been released to video as Thrill Seekers.
Reporter Tom Merrick (Casper Van Dien) begins collecting research for a series of articles on famous disasters. Along the way, he makes a curious discovery: In the photos of such catastrophes as the San Francisco Earthquake and the Hindenburg explosion, he notices that the same odd-looking man keeps showing up in the crowds. While flying home in a storm, he looks across the aisle and sees that same odd man on the airliner with him, a look of eager anticipation on his face...
Merrick learns a group of futuristic tourists have found a way to travel into the past without changing the past: by visiting only events where disaster will kill all the witnesses. These time travelers are not scientists or historians, merely thrill-seekers.
Much to his horror, Tom finds out that these time-traveling tourists have shown up in his own town, preparing to watch a cataclysmic disaster that has not yet transpired -- one that, unless prevented, will claim the lives of Tom's ex-wife and son.
Merrick also finds himself hunted by the Time Travelers, who must stop him at all costs, for their own lives and families in the future will be obliterated if Merrick succeeds in changing the course of history.
Thrill Seekers is quite the big-thinking little adventure, with a plot worthy of early Ray Bradbury or Isaac Asimov, but with more explosive action. Director Mario Azzopardi's chops are razor sharp in this breathlessly paced, entirely entertaining science fiction romp.
Make no mistake about it, The Time Shifters is definitely an action movie, but fortunately someone out there took the time to make an intelligent movie that didn't gloss over the time travel aspects of the story. Nor were the characters cardboard cut-outs. Combined with a moderate dose of special effects, and decent acting, the story succeeds well beyond expectations.
My Private Comment
Heh-heh. That "someone" who took the time to think out the time travel aspects of the movie was yours truly, John C. Wright. Even though my name does not appear in the credits, I am glad someone noticed. Kurt Inderbitzen did an excellent job of writing up my idea, and wrapped up the plot threads into a satisfying ending.