Timecop 2: The Berlin Decision (2003)

Really Surprised!

Best movie ever!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

While I loved the idea behind Timecop, I hated the first movie. I thought it was really poorly done. With such a great idea, there were so many different directions the writers could have gone in, and the one they chose was just sloppy, however they made up for that in the second one. Too bad it was done in a low budget, direct-to-video film, that starred absolutely no one of any name recognition. In the second installment of Timecop, Anti-Government Terrorists want to change the United States to make it more like the way they want it to be, and the only thing stopping them is The Time Enforcement Commission. Led by former agent, Brandon Miller (Thomas Ian Griffin), the terrorist decide to go back and take out the agents before they are able to defend themselves, with them out of the way, they'll be able to do anything they want, but the only thing stopping them is Ryan Chan (Jason Scott Lee) The top Timecop, who they thought had been stranded in the past. The story here is much better than it was in the first film and much more what I expected to see. In ninety minutes, we go from the roaring twenties, to the wild west, and even Nazi Germany on this amazing chase through time. The film is however lacking in several ways, most important of all the cast. A low budget direct-to-video film means shotty special effects and worst of all a cast of actors no one has ever heard of. Jason Scott Lee stars, and while he has the moves, he butchers a lot of lines and really hasn't mastered emotions yet. As for his counterpart, Thomas Ian Griffin, he was kind of all over the place, so this was not the kind of film that will ever be used in an acting class, but by in large the story was enjoyable and does offer some redemption for a series that had so much promise.

Although this belated sequel to the 1994 Van Damme hit "Timecop" was made for the DVD market, it is quite ambitious; it tries to be a philosophical martial arts / sci-fi combo - everything but the kitchen sink. The eternal question about time travel and Hitler is not just posed - it is a central plot (and title) element! You could even argue that the "villain" of the film is not really a villain at all; he operates under the theory that we should use time travel to prevent tragedies that we know are going to happen, while the "hero" believes that the "original" course of History must be preserved at all costs, because of the unforeseeable consequences of messing with it. Sure, there are holes in the script (like someone remembering an alternate timeline before it even happens), but all the crazy, brain-twisting time-and-space-hopping does keep you on your toes. And in the midst of it all, Jason Scott Lee gets a few chances to unleash his pretty forceful martial artistry. In fact, the weakest part of the movie is the ending, where everything comes down to a gratuitous martial arts showdown between Lee and Thomas Ian Griffith (complete with gratuitous shirt-ripping by Lee - though part of the audience certainly won't mind!). **1/2 out of 4.

It could have been a little longer, though. The actors actually did a decent enough job. The director is normally a stunt coordinator, so it's got a kind of TV show quality eye to the performances... not X-Files or Homeland caliber, mind you. It's adequate, and that's probably how they were shooting. Accessible, clear, and not too many takes to get some really deep moment. The effects weren't terrible. And Andy frigg'n Gray did the music! That left me in shock at the end. Who's EVER done a cover of Piledrive?! Oh, this isn't a cover; it's an unreleased remix from Andy. Dude! Even as-is, a theatrical release wouldn't have been a bad idea. I think it would have made more money. This was before the move to digital distribution, so it was much more expensive back then, but I think people have a good enough memory of the original movie and the lead from the Jungle Book to have gone. The Berlin Decision is worth viewing on a pay site.

Though it doesn't have the big budget of the original TIMECOP, this sequel makes up for that with a more enjoyable, more involving plot. It's also better at exploring the concept of a future where time travel is possible, with organizations set up to make sure that the past remains correct. There's also a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by Hong Kong movie 'Gwailo' Steve (OPERATION CONDOR, LETHAL PANTHER) Tartalia as a Nazi soldier.