I have a weakness for anthology shows- you name it, I've watched it, from the brilliant (the original Twilight Zone, Night Gallery), to the down right cheesy (Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction anyone?) As you can see, I don't really discriminate. I had always heard about how good the Twilight Zone's 80's incarnation was, yet had never gotten to see it, since it was rarely ever aired.
After finally seeing it, I have to say, it misses the bite of the original. Many of these episodes are missing those shock and awe endings that were the hallmark of the series.
These episodes have more of a sentimental 'Kick the Can' feel to them- not to say that it's terrible. Yet, take a a somewhat schmaltzy episode from the original series, like 'The Hunt', and there is still that strange, eerie, uneasiness running throughout. We as the audience are left hanging as the protagonists, a man and his dog are unsure they've made the right choice in destination until the very end. Contrast that with, say 'Grace Note', in which a put-upon, sacrificing, aspiring opera singer is given a gift and a glimpse into the future by her dying younger sister- and well you can guess the ending of that one. The difference of tone is evident. Not to say that I didn't well up a little here and there, yet many episodes felt like they would be more at home on another 80's anthology show; the Stephen Spielberg produced, Amazing Stories.
Also there were too many retreads, like a pointless 10 minute remake of The After Hours. All in all, I would say that it's watchable, but I could definitely see why this didn't last for very long. Not exactly as Disney-schmaltzy as Amazing Stories, yet not as in your-face-bizarre as Tales from the Darkside.
After finally seeing it, I have to say, it misses the bite of the original. Many of these episodes are missing those shock and awe endings that were the hallmark of the series.
These episodes have more of a sentimental 'Kick the Can' feel to them- not to say that it's terrible. Yet, take a a somewhat schmaltzy episode from the original series, like 'The Hunt', and there is still that strange, eerie, uneasiness running throughout. We as the audience are left hanging as the protagonists, a man and his dog are unsure they've made the right choice in destination until the very end. Contrast that with, say 'Grace Note', in which a put-upon, sacrificing, aspiring opera singer is given a gift and a glimpse into the future by her dying younger sister- and well you can guess the ending of that one. The difference of tone is evident. Not to say that I didn't well up a little here and there, yet many episodes felt like they would be more at home on another 80's anthology show; the Stephen Spielberg produced, Amazing Stories.
Also there were too many retreads, like a pointless 10 minute remake of The After Hours. All in all, I would say that it's watchable, but I could definitely see why this didn't last for very long. Not exactly as Disney-schmaltzy as Amazing Stories, yet not as in your-face-bizarre as Tales from the Darkside.