Fantasia 2018John, a low-level crim from Thames, New Zealand finds an ancient Chinese time-travel device that can help him pull off a heist and start a new life but he may not survive the consequences of tampering with time.

Going into this film all I needed to know was: time-travel crime comedy from New Zealand.  All the way back to the early work of director Peter Jackson as well as more recent efforts from director Taika Watiti and of course, Flight of the Conchords, New Zealand has proved itself to be a country with a fantastic sense of humor and weirdness. Writer/director Tim van Dammen‘s new film Mega Time Squad continues that reputation.

Mega Time Squad stars Anton Tennet as John, a bag man working on trying to get enough money together to start his own gang. When his boss Shelton (Jonny Brugh) sends him on a job to steal money belonging to a Chinese gang from a local antique store, john decides to pocket it for himself. Along with the money he also takes a mysterious bracelet to give to Shelton’s sister Kelly (Hetty Gaskell-Hahn) who John has a crush on.

Before he can give her the bracelet, Shelton and the rest of his gang catch up to John. John takes off and, following the suggestion of a man who turns out to be himself, John pushes the button on the bracelet. He disappears and finds he has reappeared in the same spot several minutes before. Upon seeing his past self approaching he gives the suggestion he heard from himself previously.

Confused?

Don’t worry, it only gets crazier and more confusing. After time jumping a couple of times, John runs up to himself just before the last time he pushed the button and stops him so the two can team up. Before long, John discovers he has put together his own gang made up of…himself.

Mega Time Squad is extremely clever and very funny. Some of the New Zealand slang and humor zips by pretty quick, there is enough that’s universal to keep you in the film. The writing is a lot of fun with Shelton delivering some of the best and most unique profanity. One of the things I liked in the film were the little moments like Shelton jumping back out the car before chasing after John so he can close his front door first. Or john accidentally dropping the car keys into what’s left of his head after it was blown off by a shotgun blast.

Mega Time Squad screened at my favorite film festival of the year, Fantasia Festival 2018 in Montreal. It’s films like this one that make me love this festival so much. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can wait to watch it again!

Mega Time Squad
RATING: UR
Runtime: 1 hrs. 26 Mins.
Directed By:
Written By:

 

About the Author

A lifelong movie fan of all genres, Eric has a special appreciation for the wide and varied genre of horror. In addition to writing for HorrorBuzz.com, Eric is active in the many of the events we put on throughout the year. Most notably our annual Screaming Room Film Festival at the Midsummer Scream convention and our monthly Horror Movie Nights at The Frida Cinema.