TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE (1983) *1/2 Several good reasons exist to make the tv show into a film: more time for plot development, scarier stuff, no commercials, etc. Unfortunately what they did was nullify the time advantage by breaking the film down into four unrelated segments and present material inferior to the tv show in every way, and so commercial breaks would have been comparatively welcome. The opening bit is the best, but only because it has a feel of good times (in other words, nothing to do with the Twilight Zone)-it's fun to remember how cool Dan Aykroyd was as a youth. Then the hotshot directors set in. John Landis' bit (**1/2) about what should happen to white, middle-classed racists who hang out in stupid bars is the best, and includes a daring performance by John Larroquette as a Klansman (surely someone who would come to the attention of his "Night Court" character). Things continue going downhill despite Scatman Crothers' great teeth when Steven Spielberg's segment (**) eventually about triples the saturation point of the affected poignance that is inevitably either his strong suit or undoing. That being the case Joe Dante's horribly inferior (*) segment about a lot of televisions with cartoons on them is almost a relief. Almost. You'd hope that they'd saved the best for last, but George Miller's bit (*1/2) trots out John Lithgow and a stupid monster that hangs out on the wing of airplanes and eats the engine or something. The good news is that walking out of the theater then feels way more exciting than anything the supernatural has to offer. Where was Rod Sterling, though?
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films home
go back home, or send me email
no more reviews! I want to buy your novel!