RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers

RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers is a filmed live performance of the renowned RiffTrax team, consisting of comedians Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, and Michael J. Nelson, who are all veterans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K). The 2016 feature brings their distinctive brand of humorous commentary to the 1994 cult classic sci-fi film, Time Chasers, directed by David Giancola.

The concept of RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers is an innovative, interactive, and hilarious take on the conventional movie-watching experience that takes place in front of a live audience. It involves the comedic trio providing offbeat, satirical, and uproarious commentary in real-time, as they mock, ridicule, and generally make amusing observations about the onscreen action. Emanating from their successful run at Mystery Science Theater 3000, here, they apply their unique craft to an entire feature film, transforming our understanding of the term 'movie night' and dishing out robust laughter in the process.

The original film, Time Chasers mentioned earlier, is a 90s low-budget science fiction film about Nick Miller, a small-town inventor who successfully turns his small Cessna aircraft into a time machine. His wholesome intentions take a devastating turn when an unscrupulous big corporation executive decides to exploit his invention for his selfish intents leading to catastrophic results. The RiffTrax team finds an overwhelming amount of comedy fodder in the movie’s dated special effects, clunky dialogue, plot inconsistencies, and poor acting.

Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy, and Michael J. Nelson, infuse their sharp wit, and piercing humor into scene after scene of the original movie. Their chemistry as a comedic trio is undeniable and gets accentuated more by the live setup. The live element adds an extra layer of unexpectedness, knowing that anything could happen, and it often does. Audience interaction is another layer of the performance, with the live audience responding to the onscreen antics and humor adding to the overall hilarity.

One of their success's key elements is their ability to make their humor accessible. Rather than aiming only for fans of a particular genre, their jokes range from light-hearted, jovial banter to astute references that would delight even the most serious film buffs. This comedic trio has a knack for identifying the most ludicrous aspects of the story and highlighting them with a clever twist of humor, making even the most dramatic or tense cinematic moments into pure comedy gold.

Throughout RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers, the filmmakers' objective is to entertain, as they take their audience on a convoluted journey of time travel paradoxes and corporate greed, all littered with comical wisecracks and guffaws. They manage to amplify the enjoyability of the original material by overlaying it with their original wit and charm.

The production value of this outing is stellar, giving viewers the unique experience of being right there in the theatre with a captivated audience. It imparts a sense of inclusivity, feeling like one is a part of this shared comic experience. The laughter isn’t just confined to the movie, as the RiffTrax team includes delightfully funny shorts before the feature presentation that gets the audience warmed up and chuckling from the get-go.

RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers is a perfect melting pot of nostalgia, sincere appreciation for cheesy cinema, and intelligent comedy that allows viewers to revisit a cinematic gem of the past with modern eyes. With its exciting premise, fast-paced comedy, and the dynamic trio's exceptional comedic timing, RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers proves to be a rollicking watch for long time MST3K fans and fresh viewers who appreciate good comedy.

The movie isn’t just a comic critique of Time Chasers, but also a celebration of its spirit and a nod to the genre it embodies. By tastefully highlighting the absurdities in these well-meaning but flawed films, the RiffTrax team celebrates the charm and heart behind them, endearing these overlooked cinematic outings to a whole new generation of viewers, all while tickling their funny bones.

Although it’s a new kind of movie experience for many, RiffTrax Live: Time Chasers could be an excellent starting point for anyone yet to experience this innovative form of entertainment. For those already familiar with RiffTrax or MST3K, this live show is another excellent addition to their outstanding catalogue, with the team firing on all cylinders and leaving no comedic stone unturned. It's a stellar marriage of cult movie diversity and refined comedic commentary that will keep viewers both engaged and entertained.