---
title: "Timecop: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/timecop/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/timecop"
critics_score: 58
critics_reviews: 9
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Timecop (1994): what the critics said

Critics' score 58 from 9 reviews: 2 positive, 5 mixed, 2 negative.

Most critics treat Timecop as cheerful, undemanding action and are prepared to enjoy it on those terms. The reviews lean mixed rather than hostile: the praise clusters around Van Damme’s physicality and the quantity of kickboxing on offer, with several finding him funnier than expected, particularly in his scenes opposite his younger self. Nearly everyone agrees the time-travel plot makes little sense, and most decide that does not matter much.

The split is over whether the confusion matters. The two negative reviews, from Variety and the Los Angeles Times, think it does: the former finds the action repetitive and the premise wasted despite handsome production design and effects, the latter finds the violence excessive and the whole thing unwelcoming to anyone not already a fan. Later reviews are warmer, with Eye for Film singling out Ron Silver’s villain as the film’s best asset. The spread is wide, from the mid-seventies down to the low thirties, with most settling somewhere in the middle.

## Empire — William Thomas

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

Thomas finds the film a brainless but entertaining action romp, despite its incoherent time-travel plot. He praises Van Damme’s physicality and the film’s energetic kickboxing absurdity, while faulting his stiff delivery of one-liners.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/timecop-review/)

## The New York Times — Janet Maslin

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 1994. 

The available page does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its headline frames the film around its time-travel premise.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/16/movies/film-review-timecop-righting-wrongs-in-two-centuries.html)

## Time Out — NF

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The available page identifies this as a review, but its verdict is not visible. The metadata describes Van Damme’s time-policing premise but reveals no praise or criticism.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/timecop)

## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert

Rating 2.5/4. 16 September 1994. 

Ebert gives the film a mixed verdict, finding it an entertaining but routine action movie. He singles out its time-travel premise as a point of interest.

[Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/timecop-1994)

## Radio Times — Alan Jones

Rating 3/5. 

The critic finds it a gleaming, campy slice of no-brain entertainment despite dated effects and confusing time-travel logic. The review singles out Van Damme’s comic performance, including his encounter with his younger self.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-mju7lz/timecop/)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 16 September 1994. 

Turan finds the film’s time-travel plot confusing and its violence excessive, leaving it unappealing to newcomers. He praises its brisk pace and notes Van Damme’s brooding attempt to broaden his acting range.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-16-ca-39124-story.html)

## Variety — Brian Lowry

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 September 1994. 

Lowry finds the film flat and unlikely to appeal beyond Van Damme fans. He praises its production design and effects, but says repetitive action and muddled time-travel rules waste the premise.

[Read the review](https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/timecop-1200438607/)

## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty

Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 19 May 2010. 

Carty finds Timecop a surprisingly entertaining, thoughtful Van Damme film despite some flaws. He especially praises Ron Silver’s slimy villain and the inventive handling of time travel.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/timecop-film-review-by-stephen-carty)

## Den of Geek — Carley Tauchert

Rating 3/5. 19 November 2010. 

Tauchert finds Timecop an entertaining, unashamed action film despite its plot holes and confusing timelines. She praises Van Damme’s performance and the plentiful, impressive fight scenes.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/timecop-blu-ray-review/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/timecop.md