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How to Build a Time Machine

How to Build a Time Machine

2016

G

Director

Jay Cheel

Runtime

82 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Focuses on two subjects in particular: Rob Niosi, who has spent many years building a full-scale replica of the prop from the 1960 film The Time Machine, and physicist Ronald L. Mallett, who has dedicated his life to researching the scientific possibility of time travel.

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Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.9/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses entirely on technical pursuits and scientific inquiry. It contains no representation of non-cisnormative identities or same-sex intimacy.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative is predominantly male-centric, following the journeys of Rob Niosi and Ronald L. Mallett. It lacks female agency and relies on conventional archetypes of the eccentric inventor.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The subjects do not constitute a non-white majority. The film operates within a relatively homogeneous social context centered on individual intellectual pursuits.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The documentary avoids explicit ideological stances or the deconstruction of traditional social structures. It prioritizes personal passion and scientific curiosity over cultural critique.

Disability Representation

Minimal

No visible or invisible disabilities are portrayed as central to the character arcs. The subjects are defined by technical skill rather than neurodivergence or physical disability.

Strengths

  • Provides a focused character study of specialized obsession and human ingenuity.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks female agency and diverse gender representation.
  • Fails to engage with neurodivergence or physical disability.
  • Maintains a homogeneous social context with limited racial diversity.

AI Analysis

How to Build a Time Machine is a specialized documentary that prioritizes scientific and mechanical obsession over social or identity-based discourse. The film functions as a neutral study of human ingenuity, focusing on the specific passions of its subjects. Because the narrative architecture is observational and traditional, it lacks the intentionality required to disrupt social hierarchies. The film does not engage with intersectional themes, resulting in a score that reflects a reliance on non-subversive storytelling.

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