30 Years to Life (1998 TV Movie) User Reviews (5)

Unique and interesting idea, but mediocre execution

[Snootz · 4/10 · 3 November 2019]

The idea of aging someone as punishment for crime is unique and interesting. Unfortunately they didn't look further into that aspect of the story, only barely touching on the potential problems in the most cliche manner (process questionable, side effects, etc). They don't really get much into the psychological or ethical implications, which would have made a far more interesting movie.

Instead this is strictly a made-for-TV murder mystery done in the most mundane and mediocre manner. Acting is passable but unremarkable. Directing is invisible, as characters do exactly what they're expected to do and the story goes where other murder mysteries have gone before.

In short, it's blase with nothing to stand out save the premise. I almost gave it a 5-star "mediocre" rating, but had to drop it a star for failing to meet potential. Given the premise it could have been a much better film. Instead it doesn't even qualify as a decent murder mystery. However, it might possibly serve as a cure for insomnia.

Possibly amusing if you've been geriatrified for 80 years...

[lizimal · 2/10 · 28 March 2002]

I suppose if you've never seen an episode of any science fiction series, read any books from the genre or done anything within the genre, this might seem original. However, if you've had any exposure to the genre at all, the only entertainment to be found here, besides Robert Hays and the rest of the cast's hilariously wooden acting, is in the utter stupidity of the dialogue, special effects, (and boy are they 'special') and 'plot'. If you're really bored and this is on, and your only other choice is Garden Club or Ready, Set, Cook!, watch this. But otherwise, steer a clear path unless you're well and truly inebriated.

Good idea excuted in the most expected path

[SamALMan · 2/10 · 1 September 2019]

The writing where it got to introduce the process of how the main character got where he is now as an adult (what was and how it became) is good.. not too long and not too short and laid all the necessary information.. after that what got happened in the movie is enjoyable and very predictable. I watched the movie in 2019 and it was interesting to see how they imagined the future.

The idea introduced is worth thinking about.. what if the world replaces jail time by just aging up the person.. how that would be successful or failure.. by the way the answer won't be found in the movie!

I recommend watching this movie at least once for what it hold of an idea only.

This one is better than your average MOW

[Joern · 7/10 · 12 February 2003]

OK, it's a TV movie and that means it was shot on a short schedule (probably less than a month) for a low budget. As a rule that combination results in a film that is something less than memorable. Not so in this case.

"30 Years to Life" is a pretty darned good film that can't be faulted in any way whatsoever. Acting, directing, cutting, writing, story, photography, sound, whatever... all the elements are there. I caught it on the late show and I'll be darned if I don't look for it again. Why? Because I love happy endings.

unique idea

[centredellion · 10/10 · 24 June 2006]

I always remembered this movie but only saw it once, on the orig. broadcast. I constantly search for it on eBay but come up w/ the wrong movie - if the director is "Vanessa Middleton" it's not this one. What a unique idea - if only this could be done in reality - age the person instead of having them suffer the inhuman horrors of jail, at the expense of the taxpayers. Only what if the person was really innocent? Sorta like that EP of the series Black Scorpion, where the totally innocent "Clockwise" "steals time" from the jurors who convicted him, by aging them each the length of his sentence, out of revenge. That is the dilemma of Vinnie, now 45 instead of 15 b/c he was convicted on circumstantial evidence of his stepfather's murder. Only they didn't tell him there are some unpleasant side effects to the aging process, such as insanity, pain, & suicidal tendencies. Can he find the real killer - but even so the process has never been reversed! My 1st review here & I gave it a 10!

PS - 6/8/2010 - Movie being released 1 week from today on DVD - about to order - Peace, out - RICHARD