Review
Thrill Seekers is quite the big-thinking little adventure, with a plot worthy of early Ray Bradbury or Isaac Asimov, but with more explosive action. Director Mario Azzopardi's chops are razor sharp in this breathlessly paced, entirely entertaining science fiction romp that should have even non-sci-fi fans engaged to the end. The gaping hole in the plot (the people of the future didn't know about Merrick in the first place?) and Martin Sheen's cameo (on a static-covered computer monitor) can be easily forgiven. Casper Van Dien, who usually acts using nothing but his elongated chin, isn't quite the dim-bulb puppy of previous outings, which is vital, because one false note brings this entire puzzle cascading into cinematic oblivion. But he's OK, and so is the movie. Those expecting another Back to the Future will be only slightly disappointed, but those expecting nothing more than a captivating fantasy that makes the most of its TV movie budget (it was produced for TNT) will be roundly rewarded. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
Synopsis
Hired by a cheap tabloid, washed-up reporter Tom Merrick (Casper Van Dien) begins collecting research for a series of articles on famous disasters. Along the way, he makes a curious discovery: In the photos of such catastrophes as the San Francisco Earthquake and the Hindenburg explosion, he notices that the same person keeps showing up in the crowds. It soon develops that a group of futuristic "tourists" have signed on with an organization called Thrill Seekers, which whisks its customers to historical tragedies so that they can experience the thrill of being eyewitnesses. Much to his horror, Tom finds out that these time-traveling tourists have shown up in his own town, preparing to watch a cataclysmic disaster that has not yet transpired -- one that, unless prevented, will claim the lives of Tom's ex-wife and son. Originally telecast as The Time Shifters by TBS on October 17, 1999, this made-for-cable feature has since been released to video as Thrill Seekers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
