Timerider, le cavalier du temps perdu

Amusing cult flick combines sci-fi and the Western in this offbeat tale of a motocross racer, Lyle Swann (Fred Ward), who gets lost and wanders into the testing area of a time travel experiment. So good old Lyle is zapped back over a hundred years to the Old West where he confounds the locals with his outrageous (to them, anyway) get-up and his astounding vehicle, which slimy outlaw Porter Reese (Peter Coyote) wants to obtain no matter what.

The film is co-written (with director William Dear), produced and scored by ex - "Monkee" Michael Nesmith, and overall is pretty entertaining, even if it's doing a lot of standard fish-out-of-water humour. However, after a while it begins to take itself just a little too seriously. The viewer can also take issue with just how clueless Lyle remains about his situation. It never once occurs to him that he could have ended up in the past.

"Timerider" certainly features an impressive roster of character actors - Ward is likable in the starring role, the oddly matched Richard Masur and Tracey Walter are funny as bickering brothers, and Ed Lauter, L.Q. Jones, Chris Mulkey, and Macon McCalman are fine in supporting parts. Belinda Bauer is damn sexy in the part of a feisty female outlaw who becomes attracted to Lyle.

The camera-work and cinematography are first rate, and the scenery is beautiful to look at. The costumes are nicely done, as well. Nesmiths' score is catchy, funky stuff. There is some violence, but never much in the way of gore.

B movie enthusiasts will surely enjoy the premise of this little film, which does move along quite well and offer enough diverting set pieces and laughs to rate as acceptable entertainment.

Seven out of 10.

"Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann" has an intriguing premise: What if a modern day motorcycle rider was transported back in time with his motorbike to the age of the cowboy? The movie manages to mine some interesting and entertainment moments from this, ranging from the reaction of nineteenth century people to this modern figure and his machine to some interesting action moments. It's also fun to see cult stars L.Q. Jones and Ed Lauter.

While the movie passes the time acceptably, at the same time I couldn't help but feel that the screenwriters didn't punch up the script enough. The bad guys are for the most part brutal thugs, and the reason for the chief bad guy wanting the motorbike is never revealed. The hero is also weak - we don't get to see much of him before he's transported back in time, and he seems mighty slow to figure out he's been transported back in time. And the movie doesn't take much opportunity for the modern day hero to use what he has and what he knows on these backward people.

Overall, the movie is worth watching, though when you aren't feeling that demanding. It also helps if you like westerns.

Suspend yourself for a time. Watch motocross goat roper style.

Lyle Swann (Fred Ward) rides his bike off-road and by accident back a century. There he encounters Some bad characters including Peter Coyote and Ed Lauter who covet his machine and a woman Belinda Bauer that covets his... well, not his bike. Will he come out of both encounters unscathed? Does he ever hear the truth of his situation or will he be lost forever "a stranger in a strange land?"

Maybe not the best production. However, it is quite fun watching them go through the motions. It is fun to see top actors from different films all come together for this one. You may find out what happened if you stick your nose into the situation.

This film is a great example of what can be done with a low budget, decent story, and a great cast. The direction is broad, and at the same time both light-hearted and dark. I think it's a good example of balance in that regard. Please see my comments in the message board regarding the ending of the DVD version. I think you have to be able to remember back to the day - 1982 - to appreciate this movie. Superior low-budget time-loops starting with "The Terminator" were still 2 years away....

Timerider is a fun movie to watch. It's a good movie to watch with kids on a rainy day. Some of the content is a little adult, but not over the line. It's not a billon dollar pick, but it has some nice special effects. You will see some familiar faces when they were young, and the acting they really tired. I liked the movie, and hope it sparks the fire that leads someone to become a "timerider". I would not say run out and buy it, but if someone has a old VHS of it, watch it! I think even hardcore si-fi fans like me will get a kick out of it. Maybe its just me, but I thought the soundtrack was pretty good. It fit the mood of the movie. Only downside is there is a lot of rerun footage.