gridoon2024 Review of The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone (2002–2003)

Better than its reputation - rather underrated

[6/10 · 4 November 2016]

This much-maligned TV show is an honest, hardworking attempt to revive Rod Serling's classic TV series (respectfully, Serling receives a "created by" credit at the start of each episode). Truth be told, there are few outstanding/don't-miss episodes ("Sunrise" is the best of all), but there are also few total duds ("Sensuous Cindy" is probably the worst). Each episode at least tries to be about something, to present an idea, and to differentiate itself from the others. After so many years and so many "Twilight Zone"-type movies and TV series, it's hard to come up with new ways to shock the audience. And yet, while some episodes ("The Collection", "Another Life") are predictable, others ("The Placebo Effect", "Evergreen", "The Pharaoh's Curse") manage cool and/or bleak twist endings. The two remakes of old episodes are well-done, and the one sequel, although less creepy than the original, at least has some sort of ending, which the original ("It's A Good Life") lacks! Forest Whitaker looks somewhat uncomfortable stepping into Serling's shoes as a host, but the updated version of the original show's introduction is appropriately hypnotic. On the whole, "Twilight Zone 2002" was better than I expected.