Timecop: The Berlin Decision

Plot synopsis:
In 2025, Time Enforcement Commission (TEC), the agency that monitors time travel, is still keeping the past safe. Society for Historical Authenticity (SHA) is established to ensure that TEC personnel do not alter history. But the Society's leader, Brandon Miller, believes he has the responsibility to change history based on a "moral obligation to right the wrongs of the past" and plans to do so by traveling back to Berlin in 1940 and killing Adolf Hitler. TEC agent Ryan Chang is sent back to stop him, but in the resulting fight, Miller's wife, Sasha, part of the SHA, ends up dead. Miller is imprisoned in the World Penitentiary for trying to change history, and Ryan Chang begins arresting Miller's close Society friends. In Atlantic City in 1895, Ryan prevents SHA member Frank Knight from robbing Andrew Carnegie. Knight accuses the TEC of being murderers when they execute him. Ryan is haunted by memories of when his father, Josh, died of a brain aneurysm in 2002. Josh was lecturing about time travel at the University of Southern California, and had a heated debate on the morals of altering history.
TEC agent Douglas illegally makes physical contact with his younger self and they are suddenly merged, causing the agent to wink out of existence. Without the agent ever existing, a key Brandon Miller associate wasn't arrested and Miller is able to leave prison on a technicality. Miller sets out to eliminate every TEC operative by traveling back in time and killing their ancestors, as if the agents never existed. Miller could then change history with impunity since there wasn't anyone to stop him. Eventually, Ryan Chang is the only agent left and he has to stop Miller.
Ryan fights his way through rioters at the World Penitentiary and confronts Miller, but is unable to convince him that what he wants to do is wrong. Back in his present time, Ryan finds changes to history; Doc is more irascible because her husband was "killed in the war". When he returns to the World Penitentiary, Miller was never there at all. Ryan, becoming less and less capable of surviving all these time jumps, returns to 2025 again. This time, the world is even more different due to Miller’s interference: Ryan's parents were "killed in the war", Doc has been executed for trying to save her husband and O'Rourke wears an eye patch and has never heard of Hitler.
Ryan is issued a tracker that enables him to follow Miller by jumping into the wake of his time leaps. He is sent to 1881 and prevents Miller from killing an ancestor named Jason in Springfield, Texas, then chases him to 1929 where he saves a Frances in a Chinese restaurant. In a nightclub in 1988, Ryan is embarrassed to see his young parents disco dancing and lures Miller away from them. Miller shoots Ryan, but the bullet is stopped by the pocket watch that his father bequeathed to him. Returning to his own era, where things are mostly back to normal, he realizes that his father died when Miller tried to kill Ryan at age 11. Barely surviving another time leap, Ryan goes to the University of Southern California in May 2002.
The student who disagreed with Josh was a young Brandon Miller. Josh tries to stop the older Miller from killing Ryan, but is killed by a Miller's weapon that induces brain aneurysms. The older Ryan intervenes, threatening to erase Miller’s existence by killing his younger self. The older Miller taunts Ryan by accusing him of hypocritically being willing to change history. He provokes him into a fight, watched by the younger Miller, younger Ryan and his mother, and Sasha. When Ryan has Miller at his mercy, he tells the younger Miller that “It doesn’t have to be this way.” Ryan and Miller then disappear, suggesting that the younger Miller changed his mind. In 2025, Ryan’s colleagues who were erased by Miller are back, although Doc still refuses to date Timecops.

Tags: violence, alternate history, murder

Review:
I thought this film was pretty good, considering a sequel to a movie like Timecop tends to be destined as a flop.
The moral aspects of time travel were touched on nicely enough to make you think, but not too much to tease you and leave you feeling unresolved in much of the theorising unlike Matrix Reloaded.I rate this perhaps a little higher due to 1 - Jamie Scott Lee's great performance, and 2 - The fact films like these tend to be a whole world worse than the original!.
Until Timecop 2, I don't think I had ever seen a cheap, direct-to-video sequel that was actually good and possibly even better than its theatrical predecessor!
Basically, the film is stuffed with great ideas, good acting, and decent action scenes.
I guess Jason Scott Lee has still been practicing since he did Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story all of those years ago.Bottom-line, give Timecop 2 a try.
It's also better at exploring the concept of a future where time travel is possible, with organizations set up to make sure that the past remains correct.
I thought that this Movie was very entertaining it kind of reminds you of a Back to the Future with the parents and the son.Jason Scott Lee brought more than an action element to the movie he brought a personal touch and edge to it that most action films do not display.The only thing is a lot of people still see him as the Bruce Lee character that he did on the movie "Dragon the Bruce Lee Story" and that is because he did so well in it.If people can look past that and just watch the movie for what it is an action adventure you will definitely enjoy this movie.And look forward to the next..
But if you went into this movie expecting something scientifically sound, just stop; remember that this is the sequel to a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie.Were a few things changed in this movie, specifically some of the horrid "special" effects, two or three of the more illogical and confusing points of the plot, the cheesy Direct-to-Video style overlays for the credits, and most importantly the unbearably long final 10 minutes of the film, it could have been worthy of a cinema release.Final verdict: 5/10.
In a future movie, I would love to see the characters spend more time with a particular historical event (They were in Berlin for a total of maybe 7 minutes in the beginning of the film).
I would love to see another Time Cop movie, but only if Jason Scott Lee plays in it again!
First, before watching this movie you should be aware that it is "about" time travel...therefore there is bound to be some inconsistencies and paradox problems; and yes...the film does "bump" into some of these rather clumsily.
If you are a movie viewer that demands perfect logic and continuity or a real "time travel" buff you will have to "let it go" for this film.
Viewers may also want to know that the "Timecop" story, about cops that monitor consistency & prevent history from being altered; was a comic book before it was a movie.
However as an "action" movie (that makes you "think") it generally succeeds.In my opinion it is far better than the first "Timecop" movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme (1994).
Jason Scott Lee (as hotshot Timecop Ryan Chan) does very well given the script & direction.
In one fight scene there is deliberate homage paid to Bruce Lee. Timecop Ryan Chan (after getting hit in a fight) gets "really mad" and takes off his shirt; flexing his muscles in the famous "Enter the Dragon" style.
When you see this scene you will know why Jason Lee was picked to play Bruce in "The Dragon",..., and why the director (and likely the actor) must accept & work with the inevitable references.
Thomas Ian Griffith is quite good in the supporting role (even in the fight scenes); however the movie watcher doesn't really see his character's motivation until the end of the movie.
The movie's script is what you would expect given the "Timecop" movie history & story genre (somewhat in the "comic-book" style); although I have the impression that Lee did quite a good job fleshing out his lines.
There are a lot of things going on in this movie all at once; the good guy "chasing" the bad guy through different time periods, shifting realities due to the changing of past events, and even characters changing or existing / not existing depending on which "reality" you are watching.
Not only does the bad guy want to kill Lee's character, he also has the option of going back to almost any time period and kill his parents, thus ending the Hero's family line.
Although you probably won't want to watch "Timecop: The Berlin Decision" again and again; if you liked "Jet Li's - The One" you will probably enjoy this movie as well..
The story is even better.Jason Scott Lee, who's been absent for some time now, plays Ryan Chan, a time cop who takes his job seriously when he's not flirting with the TEC female doctor.
Insane with grief, Miller turns renegede and is intent on wiping out Chan's existence by time jumping and killing his ancestors.The production value is excellent for a straight-to-video release and the fight action scenes are well-done (Lee and Griffith are well-trained martial artists who have a few genre movies under their belts)..
The CGI made us almost queasy for a while; time travelling generates lots of  SFX :)Lots of kung-fu style action in a SF movie with a not too complex script: Save the present by travelling to the past and stop the bad guys from messing up the to be time line while dodging bullets and other weapons.
Have you ever wondered if you have the power to go back in time knowing your past world history what would it be if you change it acccording to your good-right moral sistem, would it really be in for a better world?
For people who liked the original Timecop, I recommend that you at least rent the dvd.On another note, I am glad to see Jason Scott Lee back in an action driven movie.
While small mercies are appreciated - such as Jason Scott Lee being given a new character rather than trying to be passed off in Van Damme's role (which wouldn't have surprised me) and being marginally more charismatic than the total nobody who starred in the TV series - they're not enough to save the film from inconsequentiality.
Any and all attempts to make us sympathetic to Griffith's cause fail because of his fundamental Hollywood Baddieness compounding the gaping holes in the plot and reasoning: on one hand I suppose we should be grateful that the writers tried to ask 'meaningful' questions and stray from the standard good/evil action film templates, but on the other hand, if you can't do it properly then don't bother, because you'll end up with nowt but plot holes, mixed messages and viewers trying to stay awake just for the big fight at the end.
It's great to see such talents as Thomas Ian Griffith and Jason Scott Lee return to the action genre.
You know, if TEC actually did exist, they'd have to be guarding Hitler around the clock I'm sure, he'd be a pretty popular target for rogue time travelers.
I can olny imagine this was supposed to make the time jumps more dramatic having that risk, but really seems kind of pointless to me.Is unique in that the main antagonist is someone who wants to change history for the better rahter than just get short term gains from it like in the first.
I actually think first of all what happens when same matter and same place at same time thing was cool considering what happens to Douglas in this sequel.Plus the movie is better than the first in some ways.For instance what happens in this film to dangerous convicts such as the Frank Knight character who are brought back to trial is really cool.Plus the film brings up interesting questions about time travel and yet has a lot of cool action and special effects as well.I hope there is a Timecop 3 cause this one was really good..
Not great, but worth a look if you like time travel stories.
Time travel has always been my absolute favourite sci-fi sub-genre (with "post-apocalyptic" a close second) and so I actually shelled out my hard-earned cash last weekend to buy this movie.I got round to watching it tonight and am writing this review with mixed feelings.
The title "The Berlin Decision" and the cover blurb led me to believe that most of the story would involve the main protagonists travelling back in time to Nazi Germany, with that era being the focus of the film.
Unfortunately though, the Nazi Germany part of the film takes up only a few minutes at the beginning of the film, and after that - just like in the Van Damme original "Timecop" - the characters spend most of their time in the movie's present (2025) and recent past (2002) ...
in other words almost the present day now, which to me seriously reduces a movie's "time travel" feel (the same major beef that I had with the vastly over-rated "Quantum Leap" TV show).I also thought that the whole thing was rather rushed - it tries to be too clever for its own good, and while it does throw up some interesting paradox questions, the plot moves at such a rapid pace that the viewer has little time to ponder them, and the whole thing just gets confusing and not a little messy in places.
There's a fairly gruesome bit where one of the timecops arrives back in the lab fused together with his younger self and hideously deformed - a result of him having made physical contact with himself (in a continuity nod to the original "Timecop" movie, this was described as being a potential problem for time travellers in that film).
And some of the martial arts sequences are pretty good, if you like that sort of thing.Summary: Not great, but I've seen worse sequels and I'll probably dig this out again at some point and give it another go - maybe I've missed some of the subtleties..
This is pretty much the first Jason Scott Lee film I've seen.
In short: Don't waste time watching this movie, it's not worth it.
Led by former agent, Brandon Miller (Thomas Ian Griffin), the terrorist decide to go back and take out the agents before they are able to defend themselves, with them out of the way, they'll be able to do anything they want, but the only thing stopping them is Ryan Chan (Jason Scott Lee) The top Timecop, who they thought had been stranded in the past.
In this outing, Jason Scott Lee (DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY) takes over the role of the heroic timecop out to stop some nefarious bad guys meddling with time.
It's one of those tongue-in-cheek B-movies that never takes itself too seriously and delivers plenty of entertainment in the scant running time.The lack of decent plotting is a real problem, but the film manages at least a couple of impressive set-pieces.
Jason Scott Lee Takes Time.
Traveling back from the year 2025, maverick timecop Jason Scott Lee (as Ryan Chan) manipulates the assassination of Adolf Hitler.
As any time traveler knows, changing history isn't always a good thing, because altering events inevitably leads to unexpectedly more dire consequences - that is, if the past can be altered at all, and herein it is possible.
Good story, but it breaks its own rules and doesn't fit martial arts in very logically.**** Timecop 2/ The Berlin Decision (9/30/03) Stephen Boyum ~ Jason Scott Lee, Thomas Ian Griffith, Mary Page Keller, John Beck.
The thing that spoilt it for me was the main character, Jason Scott Lee. Vann Damme would have played the part in a much better way like in the original film.
I've always enjoyed watching Time Travel movies (even bad ones), and this one was unfortunately not one of the better ones.What's good about it?
Jason Scott Lee does indeed shine in this movie, especially considering what he's been given to work with in terms of plot.What's not so good about this movie?
Cheers to Jason Scott Lee for giving an exciting and credible performance in a really bad movie.
STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All CostsRyan Chan (Jason Scott Lee) is an enforcer for the Time Enforcement Commission which ensures those who attempt to alter the past to affect the present are caught and brought to trial.During one assignment transporting him back to 1940s Nazi Germany,his long time friend and fellow TE Officer Brandon Miller (Thomas Ian Griffith) suddenly decides to break the rules and tries to kill Hitler,causing Ryan to intervene and resulting in the death of Miller's girlfriend,who was in on the act too.He is incarcerated in a prison for the criminally insane,whilst Ryan is given a 30 day suspension.However,upon his release,Ryan learns of Miller's plot to eradicate the present,causing him to race back through time to catch him,as events build to Ryan learning shattering facts about how his past will affect his present.The original 1994 film,with Jean Claude Van Damme in the lead role,was a film that was ultimately destined for a sequel,even if it would be 10 years later and a smaller budget,straight to video effort.And,in Lee,the producers have found a worthy and credible successor to Van Damme.Griffith,who,many years ago was rather self righteously promoted on the front cover of his Excessive Force as the 90s successor to Steven Seagal and Chuck Norris,here appears in what must be his most high profile role in years (if not,surely in his whole career!) as the bad guy.He does have a rather engaging presence though,it must be said,and plays off well and has engaging chemistry with Lee in the hero and villain role respectively.Some of the action's nothing to sniff at,either.With both the lead stars being proficent martial arts experts,most of this revolves around some nicely chereographed fight scenes here and there,and in turn not disappointing in any way in that department.For it all,though,Timecop 2 is,as I stated,an avoidable experience,with it's disjointed,vaguely incoherent (and,sometimes it seems,none existent) storyline and ultra predictable script which offers little in the way of surprises.It's short running time means it can't be considered that much of an arguous ordeal,but,for it's duration,it strictly passes the time rather than going any way in making you think anyone should ever enforce it.**.
Timecop set in 2025, one "bad guy" Miller [Thomas Ian Griffith]  try to change history by killing Hitler in 1940 and offiser Chan [Jason Scott Lee]sends to stop him , in the proses Miller's wife killed by Chan and Miller go to prison , after 2 years Miller run from prison and revenge by killing all timecop's in the past by killing they parents , so Chan must to stop him again ..........
this sequel to van dammes movie timecop [1994] very desapointed.
!!!WARNING MINOR SPOILERS!!!!!This sequel to the hit 1994 film TIMECOP stars Jason Scott Lee as Ryan Chang, a Timecop whose job is to prevent criminals from traveling to past to alter the future.
Timecop: The Berlin Decision starts in Berlin in 1940 where Time Enforcement Commission (T.E.C.) agent Ryan Chan (Jason Scott Lee) manages to prevent renegade Society for Historical Authenticity agent Brandon Miller (Thomas Ian Griffith) from assassinating Adolf Hitller & preventing both the Holocaust & World War II & thus changing history.
It turns out that Miller has escaped from prison & is going back in time eliminating the T.E.C. from history so they never existed & therefore no-one ever stops him from assassinating Hitler, Chan realises this & sets out on a mission across time to find Miller & stop him from killing his parents & restoring time to how it was...Directed by Steve Boyum this was a straight-to-video/DVD sequel to the rather good Jean-Claude Van Damme sci-fi action flick Timecop (1994) & a subsequent short-lived TV series of the same name which ran for a meagre nine episodes in 1997 before it was canned, while it's not a complete disaster & not as bad as I expected that's still no sort of recommendation & it's certainly nowhere near as good as the JCVD original.
As the title suggest the films main plot revolves around an assassination attempt on Hilter in Berlin by a time-traveller which JCVD's replacement Jason Scott Lee has to foil & thus sets up the rest of the film.
I did like the idea of the theme revolving around the moral questions about time-travel & whether it should be used to rectify past events like preventing the death's of eleven million innocent people as a result of Hitler & World War II rather than a plot that revolves around some bad guy wanting money &/or power.
Unfortunately not much is made of this angle & Timecop: The Berlin Decision quickly descends into a series of cheap action set-pieces in which B-Movie action stars Griffith & Lee battle it out across various points in time as Chan has to defeat Miller & prevent him from killing his parents & thus erasing him from history.
The opening sequence set in Berlin features the most unconvincing Adolf Hitler impersonator ever, Jason Scott Lee himself could have done a better job.
The acting isn't anything special, Lee does alright & a bleached blonde Griffith is an OK villain.Timecop: The Berlin Decision is a reasonable if unspectacular sequel to one of JCVD's best films & while it's not as good as the original it passes 75 odd minutes harmlessly enough & a fast paced story means you won't get bored or have to long to think about the plot-holes.