Story 1 directed by: John Landis
Story 2 directed by: Steven Spielberg
Story 3 directed by: Joe Dante
Story 4 directed by: George Miller
Like the series it's based on, Twilight Zone: The Movie presents supernatural stories in which you leave logic at the door. Instead of one episode, we have four in one movie which vary in quality. None of the stories ever reach a superior level of craftsmanship you would expect from these established directors, but as mildly entertaining fantasies they will do.
The first story stars Vic Morrow as a mouthy racist who leaves a bar one night after a loud, bigoted rant and finds himself persecuted in Nazi Germany and Vietnam. The story soon becomes repetitive, as Morrow's character is forced to endure being shot at, beaten up, and otherwise made to understand what it's like to be on the receiving end of hate. Morrow and two young children were killed in an on-set helicopter accident during filming which makes me wonder if the segment ever should have been featured in the movie at all.
The second story, directed by Steven Spielberg, stars Scatman Crothers as a nursing home resident who can magically transform the other residents into kids again. He urges his friends to keep a young mind and play whenever they can, even if they don't wish to remain in young bodies. The message is clear even if the execution is rather bland. It's a ho-hum tale.
Story three is the most effective of the movie. A woman starting over in life named Helen (Kathleen Quinlan) encounters a young boy with telekinetic powers who can make any of his whims or wishes a reality, much to the fears of his "family" which are really terrified strangers held hostage in the house. The boy doesn't want people to fear him, but also doesn't understand how to harness his gift. He and Helen become friends and agree to learn to use his telekinesis for good. The episode produces an appropriate feeling of dread and mystery .
Story four stars John Lithgow as a very anxious air traveler who recently recovered from a nervous breakdown. He swears he sees a monster out on the wing of the plane attempting to rip it apart. The flight attendants and other passengers have their doubts. The story is centered by a Lithgow performance which relays exhaustion and terror, while being frustrated that no one will believe him.
I neglected to mention the prologue, which stars Albert Brooks as a driver who picks up a hitchhiker (Dan Aykroyd). The two get along and reminisce about old Twilight Zone episodes before the segment ends with Aykroyd turning into a monster. Burgess Meredith's narration would've sufficed leading us into the movie instead of this prologue which goes nowhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment