Mockumentary or Not, ‘Time Travel is Dangerous’ is a Worthy Watch

In my pantheon of film/television techniques, the mockumentary is second from the bottom (I hate you most, found footage). But when it comes to film genres, there’s nothing I like more than a good (or monumentally bad) sci-fi flick.

So, imagine my inner turmoil when reading up on the British sci-fi comedic mockumentary “Time Travel is Dangerous.”

Megan Stevenson and Ruth Syratt in "Time Travel is Dangerous."

The film follows Ruth (Ruth Syratt) and Megan (Megan Stevenson), lifelong besties that own a vintage shop together. Struggling to keep the lights of the shop on, the pair picks through charity shops, bins, and wherever else they can to keep the shelves stocked and the money coming in. On the verge of eviction, the pair happens upon a mysterious bumper car that is much more than meets the eye … it’s a time machine.

With time now literally on their side, the duo starts using the machine to travel back in time and steal one-of-a-kind vintage items for their business. And business was good.

The problem, as is always the case with traveling through time and space, is there’s always the chance of ripping a hole in the very fabric of space and time, threatening Earth’s very existence – a fact that is completely lost on Ruth and Megan until they are befriended(?) by a secret society of would-be scientists that join forces with the hapless duo to undo the damage they caused.

I know many people like the mockumentary because it feels more “real,” what with the talking directly to the camera and breaking of the fourth wall and all. I, however, generally dislike the technique for those very same reasons. They also can, in my opinion, be used to cover for deficiencies that might be present in the cast.

For better or worse, a couple of those things are on full display here. In addition to their “interviews,” the cast often explains to others they encounter why the cameras are there filming what should be top secret conversations. I’ve seen it done much worse, and here it’s almost funny occasionally, but it still hurts the narrative flow. It also adds that slight sense of realism (minus the ridiculous subject matter), which is again wrecked by the frequent fourth wall breaks.

The one thing it doesn’t do is cover for cast deficiencies because there really aren’t any. While I’m not familiar, at least in name, to any of the cast members, they’re quite accomplished and have been in everything from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (Tom Lenk) to “Gosford Park” (Sophie Thompson and Stephen Fry) to “Rogue One” (Guy Henry). They’re affable, flawed but likeable, and most importantly believable (when they’re not speaking directly to the camera). If you’ve seen the “Doctor Who” episode “Love & Monsters,” the bond and eventual camaraderie of the ragtag group of outcasts should feel familiar.

Brian Bovell as Ralph, Sophie Thompson as Valerie, Tony Way as Peter, Tom Lenk as Alex, and Guy Henry as Martin in "Time Travel is Dangerous."

The story isn’t deep, but it hits the right notes, touching on the topics of friendship, redemption, reconciliation, and gratitude. It also doesn’t delve too deeply into the mechanics of the time travel, which is good because the idea of taking a couple edibles and ending up in a Reddit discussion (don’t ask, but it’s happened repeatedly) about why director/writer Chris Reading’s (along with writers/producers Anna-Elizabeth Shakespeare and Hillary Shakespeare) take on time travel is asinine, sounds exhausting.

In terms of special effects, whether it’s time travel or other surprises I won’t spoil for you, think more “Flash Gordon” than “Avatar.” They’re hokey and (I hope) inexpensive, but they pair nicely with the bare bones feel of the mockumentary style. And as a guy raised on ’80s and ’90s B movies, they’re right in my wheelhouse.

At the end of the day, “Time Travel is Dangerous” isn’t likely to make it to my regular rotation of rewatches, but it’s light and breezy, provides some laughs, and has a likeable cast that makes you root for them. It’s hard to ask for much more than that.

★★★ of ★★★★★