Tanya’s Score: Good-and-a-half*
Rated: 14A
Starring: a young Christopher Walken, a dapper and dark-haired Martin Sheen, Marilla
Plot: When John (Walken) emerges from a five-year long coma, he discovers he has a sixth sense.
Tanya’s Verdict: Based on master of horror Stephen King’s novel of the same name, The Dead Zone builds its momentum slowly and certainly. Not accustomed to this now-dated story-telling technique, people may lose interest and patience before the plot behind The Dead Zone truly unfolds. Which is a shame. But if you have the focus to get through the story’s build-up, the pay-off in my opinion is well worth the effort.
Whether John’s psychic ability is a curse or a gift is up for debate – yet it makes for several distinct and interesting plot points from beginning to end. A perfect blend of light, thrilling horror mixed with a bit of sci-fi, my kids were entertained as well. There is one gruesome scene – yet more gruesome in my memory than in reality, as it turns out.
*Four score descriptions: Sh**; Okay; Good; Great