I remember stumbling across The Twilight Zone: The Movie on late-night TV when I was a young lad – probably too young in truth!
I was fascinated by how you could have a film with four different stories all competing for screen time.
Sporadically over the years I then caught the odd episode of the original late-50s/early 60s Twilight Zone TV show, created and presented by Rod Serling.
Therefore, my interest was more than piqued when I discovered they were resurrecting the series – and very excited by the news Get Out and Us helmer Jordan Peele would act as its narrator and be involved creatively.
The ensuing 10 episodes have now hit the Syfy channel and are available on Sky On Demand – and overall they’re a bit of a mixed bag.
One thing you can’t accuse the show’s creators of scrimping on is the casting; big names and talented performers like Adam Scott, Greg Kinnear, John Cho, Chris O’Dowd, Seth Rogan, Jacob Tremblay and Sanaa Lathan are among the familiar faces spread across the series.
My favourite segment from the Twilight Zone movie was Nightmare at 20,000 Feet but while the update – whose titular aircraft rises a further 10,000 feet into the sky – is interesting, it lacks the same pure terror.
Unease and questionable morals and ethics are the overriding themes and these are never more apparent than in the Replay episode, where Glenn Flesher gives a chilling turn as a relentless racist state trooper.
The Wunderkind is a scarily believable look at a potential future inhabitant of the White House and finale Blurryman offers meta tricks and treats for Zone fans.
Some episodes – like The Comedian and A Traveler – start out with attention-grabbing concepts but go on to slightly outstay their welcome.
But while this Twilight Zone isn’t perfect, there is something for everyone; it’s entertaining stuff that keeps your mind racing – and is best viewed late at night!
●What are your thoughts? Does The Twilight Zone live up to its predecessors? Do you have any shows or movies you’d like to recommend people watch?
Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments and recommendations to your fellow readers.
