The Time Machine (2002)

Costume Design by:

- Bob Ringwood ( notable efforts: Excalibur (1981), Solarbabies (1986), Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Demolition Man (1993), The Shadow (1994), Batman Forever (1995), A. I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), Troy (2004) )

- Deena Appel ( notable efforts: the Austin Powers films )

A dumbed down and insipid Hollywood makeover of the classic HG Wells novel (which is very odd given this was directed by Simon Wells, his great-grandson!) that is a very mixed bag with its design sense too, feeling like a cheap Hallmark TV movie more than a blockbuster. I suspect the more low-quality costumes, seen in the 19th century and 21st century segments (that latter of which is plainclothes barring a really ugly cyclist unitard though who knows if that wasn't bought too) were the work of Deena Appel, who is honestly a mediocre at best costume designer especially when compared to Ringwood. The most interesting outfits are worn by the evolved humans that inhabit the far-future, split into two different species; the forest-dwelling Eloi and the cave-dwelling Morloks, and I suspect all the future outfits were the work of Ringwood rather than Appel.

The Eloi in this film are treated oddly when compared to previous adaptations; here being a vaguely Mesoamerican or Pacific Islander inspired culture who need to be rescued by the white Victorian (making James Cameron's Avatar look almost smart in comparison). The outfits of the Eloi reflect this, with some hints of ancient Middle Eastern and Ancient Egyptian fashion as well. The women of the Eloi, in particular Samantha Mumba's character, wear rather revealing vests made of a woven fabric, as well as more typical bikini-like tops as well.

The Morloks by contrast wear makeshift tunics and skirts that look somewhere between cliched 'tribal' bone dresses, and Mad Max-style makeshift armor - given Ringwood's experience on Solarbabies and Demolition Man, this is some proof to me that the Morloks outfits were his work, I imagine with some consulting of Stan Winston's special effects team given they were worn over the prosthetic bodysuits.

One notable difference from the original book and this very dumb movie is the addition of the Morloks being led by a telepathic 'Uber-Morlok', who is admittedly one of the better aspects thanks to an eerie performance by Jeremy Irons, as well as the very imposing costume he sports - looking somewhere between a regal dress and a tribal warrior, it's one of the film's few design highlights.