Mega Time Squad

Mega Time Squad, directed by Tim van Dammen and released in 2018, features Anton Tennet, Jonny Brugh, and Hetty Gaskell-Hahn among the talented ensemble. With a carefully crafted blend of sci-fi, comedy and adventure, the film deploys an absurdly entertaining plot to explore the unexpected consequences of manipulating time.

Set in the small town of Thames in New Zealand, Mega Time Squad introduces us to its protagonist, lowly gang member Johnny (Anton Tennet). This less-than-typical hero is neither suave nor sophisticated, often bumbling his way through his tasks for the reckless, small-town crook Shelton (a hilariously over-the-top Jonny Brugh) and his gang of faux tough guys. Johnny’s life takes a seismic shift when, during what should have been a straightforward theft, he stumbles upon an ancient Chinese amulet. This mysterious antique unexpectedly thrusts Johnny into a world of time travel, deception, and even more dubious moral decisions than his standard life of petty crime.

As Johnny grapples with his newly discovered ability to leap back in time, he starts making multiple time-jumping copies of himself to assist in his treacherous plans to steal money from his short-fused boss. Simultaneously, he's fending off the wrath of both the irate gang and the Chinese antique owners. On the bright side, he begins to foster a tentative relationship with Shelton's sister, Kelly (Hetty Gaskell-Hahn). With its layered narrative, Mega Time Squad weaves all of these threads into a funny and faux-noir tale in a small town setting.

What sets Mega Time Squad a few pegs above a standard time travel movie is its witty humour and keen self-awareness as a genre film. It doesn't shy away from playing with time travel paradoxes and often uses these tropes for comic effect, producing laughs at every turn. Tennet's portrayal of the quizzical Johnny, in all his different iterations, is an entertaining spectacle. The character's inability to grapple with the complexities of his predicament, coupled with the fact that he must deal with multiple versions of himself, is as laugh-out-loud funny as it is paradoxically mind-bending.

The film's casual and humorous approach to time travel is matched by a similar treatment of its action scenes. Instead of focusing on high-intensity and explosive sequences, Mega Time Squad takes a funnier approach, opting for hilarious fight scenes that provide plenty of slapstick humour and awkward action.

Regarding the technical aspects of the film, Mega Time Squad shows stunning competency. With neat camera work, well-executed visual effects, and a tone-suitable soundtrack, the film successfully sells its incredible premise. Its special effects are primarily used to illustrate the time travel, efficiently representing Johnny's multiple versions without confusing the audience.

Intercalating these aspects is the interplay between Tennet, Gaskell-Hahn, and Brugh – an ensemble that brings life, chaos, and charm to Mega Time Squad. Tennet's portrayal effortlessly conveys an endearing idiocy, while Brugh as Shelton is a comedic vision, providing constant amusement through his portrayal of a clueless, wannabe big-time crook. Gaskell-Hahn adds her own ranges to the ensemble, delivering a sincere performance that injects heart into the otherwise outright hilarious narrative.

One impressive feat the movie accomplishes is the successful articulation of its characters alongside its time-travelling antics. Each character has been given just the right amount of depth without detracting from the farcical narrative. This attention to character building means that, despite the mayhem, viewers wind up rooting for the protagonists, making the film an enjoyable and satisfying watch.

Mega Time Squad's unique union of off-the-wall comedy, compelling time travel, and character-driven narratives results in an entertaining cinematic experience. The movie takes common genre tropes, throws in some New Zealand charm, and delivers a film that's far more than the sum of its parts. It's a refreshing take on the time-travel concept, a genre-savvy production that doesn't take itself too seriously but delivers on multiple fronts. For fans of time travel, action-comedies, and New Zealand cinema, Mega Time Squad is a wildly entertaining invitation that's hard to resist.