Written by Marc Gottlieb and directed by Anthony C. Ferrante, ‘Time Pirates’ is an action-adventure film that stars the social media sensation SM6 along with Angela Cole, Sharon Desiree and Jack Pearson.
The plot revolves around the teen band SM6 who stumble upon one half of a treasure map while shooting a pirate themed music video. Magically transported to a time long past, the group find themselves on Mystic Island where pirates, treasure and adventure await. As they navigate these very real and very dangerous foes, the team will have to find a way to get back home. But to do so, they will have to locate the other half of the map and with it, a treasure that may change their future forever.
Let’s dive into the film by first talking about the acting. Considering that the film is a starring vehicle for SM6, I had my apprehensions that the film would just be another promotional skit for the band. However, I was totally surprised to find out that this was not the case and each member of the band does a pretty decent job of emulating their characters and bringing them to life. Not only is their comedic timing impeccable but the group plays off of each other’s dialogues really well and the result is that the chemistry of the cast feels organic. While the band’s acting was good, it was Angela Cole’s pirate Anne Bonn who stole the entire show. Equally impressive was Jack Pearson as Captain Miles Cooper who brought much needed gravitas to the film. All in all, for a low budget movie of this size, the cast does a really good job of selling the outlandish and fantastical premise.
Now, let’s talk about how the film looks. Visually, the film is a treat and the special effects are in line with the film’s budget. In addition, significant attention has also been given to the costumes and makeup, both of which are better than they have any right to be. The colourful cinematography conveys the adventurous spirit of the story without fail and therefore, there is much to love and appreciate in the visual department. The set design also manages to impress. It is a testament to the hard work of the production teams lead by Michelle Ng popularly known as Mini, that both the ships and the island feel as real as any Hollywood production. We’d like to highlight and congratulate the hard work of every individuals in the team, Paula Iglesias (Production Coordinator), Inés Kayali Varez (Production Coordinator), Tatsuya Ueno (Steadicam / B-Cam Operator), Madina Ismailova (Steadicam/B-Cam 1st AC), Nicola Varoli (2nd AC), Irene Puente (Director’s Assistant), Brandon Wilson (Production Assistant), Monique Paredes (Key MUA), and Edder Sandoval (MUA).
In the sound department, both the sound mixing and sound editing is also above average and helps to sell the fantastical nature of the plot.
While the sound and visuals of the film are undoubtedly great, another thing that works well is the narrative cohesion. For a ninety minute film, the story whizzes by in a flash and not only is the film perfectly paced, there is not a single moment in there that feels slow and boring. Anthony C. Ferrante’s direction is another thing that hits all the right notes. Ferrante understands his assignment well and translates the kid friendly adventure vibe of the script into the visual medium with ease. Every character gets his or her moment to shine and the script balances drama with action comedy really well. The result is a film that is both balanced and nuanced.
As far as kiddy adventure flicks go, ‘Time Pirates’ has everything that children love in movies. There are the zany protagonists (who also happen to be a highly popular real life band), there are the menacing villains and there is just enough magic and adventure to keep the attention of the kids glued to the screen. While some may consider this film strictly for the fans of SM6, this is not the case and all kids ages seven and below will find the film highly appealing and engaging.
A rollicking adventure of harmless fun, Time Pirates gets its job done as a starring vehicle for the band SM6. Perfect for both the fans of the band and for the youngest demographic, this low-stakes adventure succeeds in providing a good time to its target demographic. The cast seems to be having fun, the director is at the top of his game and the central premise of finding yourself works like a charm. With a potent combination of comedy, action and pathos; ‘Time Pirates’ is the perfect child friendly film for a slow Saturday afternoon. We give the film three stars out of five.
