The Twilight Zone (2002–2003) User Reviews

not bad at all

[jhearse · 8/10 · 5 January 2009]

I don't know why the some people seem to think this (2002) series was so bad. Sure, it's not the original. But like the remake in 1985, it has some good episodes and some weaker ones. we all loved Serling, but even some of the originals were a little weak at times. don't over-romanticize Serling. he was one of the greatest writers ever, but not just because of the twilight zone, but his great westerns, crime dramas, etc. and even the original series had a few clunkers - don't forget that he didn't write them all, anyways

Compared to what's out there, from predictable sitcoms to endless CSI/Law and Order formulaic shows, this one's not that bad. Heck, compare it to the absolutely horrible Sci-F channel movies,, yuck!

So, I say. I enjoy this version just fine. heck.. it's only TV.

Underrated

[safenoe · 7/10 · 26 January 2022]

Sadly this second revival of The Twilight Zone ran only one season, but it should have been a contender. The episodes had an edgier tone to the 80s revival (which I liked by the way) dealing with race for example.

I also think some of the episodes (e.g. The Pool Guy) inspired Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror.

Good but lacks a lot

[torres_elias · 8/10 · 20 March 2010]

I wasn't born yet when the original and the first revival were made (I'm 24), however I was a big Twilight Zone fan while in high school. So the year was 2003 and the second revival was being aired on Fox... I was a freshman in college and had enough time to watch it.

While the dialogues, places and the overall atmosphere looks more familiar to me on this new Twilight Zone, most of the screenplays lack the feeling from the old classic series. They don't have that characteristic superb twist and the end anymore and some of them are really predictable. The episodes from the classic series where awesome and I think they scared a bunch of people back then, but this revival has failed on that matter. But anyway, to be honest I don't blame new Twilight Zone's writers for this since some of the feeling that made this show so great was lost during the 80's revival.

This is overall a good show if you don't have anything else to do, otherwise stick to the classics.

Better than you might think

[GEM-20 · 23 February 2005]

I thoroughly enjoyed this revival of Serling's classic. In fact, there were a couple of episodes that were re-makes of original shows, and one was a sequel to an episode done back on the original series.

Beyond those, there were plenty of stories that were original and well done themselves. This show was certainly superior to the one done back in the mid-'80s. They really seemed to do Mr. Serling proud. It's unfortunate that UPN canceled this after one season. I enjoyed all of it.

I really liked Forrest Whitaker as the host of this new "Zone". He did a wonderful job here. Do I sound like I recommend this show? YES!

It's more like the original than people give it credit for

[sgtbert-1 · 7/10 · 11 October 2020]

I notice that the people who hate this reboot love the original. I loved the original, too, until I started watching it in recent years, and realized it was my memory of the show I loved; the actual show wasn't as good as I thought. The ideas were great, but I believe they worked with a small budget and, although some of the actors were well-known, the shows didn't always do much to show off their talents. Most of the episodes leave me flat today, even though I do appreciate the plots.

I'm watching the '85 reboot on Decades right now and, while it's not awful, it's also not as good as my memory of the original.

This, the 2002 version, though, is really much better than people are giving it credit for. I owned this once and gave it away, and I wish I hadn't. I remember most of the episodes and their stars after watching them only once, and I've mentioned some of them to others in various conversations, even a decade later. Forrest Whitaker isn't my favorite actor, but he did this series proud. There are only so many themes and twists available for use in a sci-fi show, and I think this one does a good job of making them feel fresh. I plan to buy the series again, since I can't seem to find it running on any streaming service or tv channel.

Why hasn't this been released for sale digitally?

[tailsofthewind · 10/10 · 23 October 2021]

I've enjoyed the episodes on DVD for years and would love to add them to my digital collection.

I don't know why this version of Twilight Zone didn't continue production bc it's the most remarkable remake, including the tragic movie, and Mr. Whitaker as host perfects it.

Some things can only be explained in the Twilight Zone...

More of a time capsule than the original version.

[ToliBera2 · 7/10 · 24 October 2015]

I get that the Twilight Zone series as a concept is very reactionary; taking the concerns of the shows time periods and presenting them in alternate forms, but the original run, along with the 80-90's version seemed to have a much more deft hand in writing. to compare: look at the original version of "The Monsters are due on Maple Street" when compared to the 2002 remake. they're both running along similar lines, but the remake is much less subtle, and much deeper rooted in reactionary paranoia.

it's interesting to see the twilight zone updated for the times, but the writing needs to be savvier, and take more care to lay out it's story's morals. I do hope they do another run of the series in the next ten years or so. Over all 7/10, needed work to give it longevity, but does well capturing that sense of the world at the start of the millennium.

Speechless...

[g-valentin · 10/10 · 11 November 2007]

It has history, character and it takes you out for a walk in the world of what is surrealistically real! The Twilight Zone is one of the best television shows ever made. The concept of the show will be carried in my mind throughout my entire life. I must add that given the fact that it's characters change form an episode to another, the show remains self-explanatory and follows quite a strict behavior. It does not, however, become predictable or plain, but surprises with a juicy ending that lets you wonder and leaves you craving for more every single time. An idea well thought, a show that is worth the braincells it might kill, and a ZONE that no matter how hard we try, we can never explain.

The Twilight Zone!

Very Good

[wmdude1255 · 7/10 · 18 October 2009]

I really did like this. My 2 favorite episodes were "Shades of Guilt" and "Cradle of Darkness". The Synopsis for the 2 were easy. In the first , A white man coming home from work is approached by a black man who being chased by a group of skinheads. He refuses to let him in his car and drives away. The next day, he finds out that the guy was a college professor who had had 3 bestsellers on the New York Times. His Skin begins changing color and at the end, the roles are reversed with him asking the white guy. Initially, the WG drives off but then changes his mind, backs up and tells him to hop in. The character, Matt Mcgreevey asks the driver "what changed your mind?". The driver replies turns to him and says "Could Have been me.". Then Forest Whitaker appears and says "There's an old saying that says you can never know another man till you've walked a mile in his shoes." Matt Mcgreevey took that one step further by walking in another man's skin. It's just another lesson in compassion courtesy of the Twilight Zone. The Second one had a simple Synopsis: What if you could go back in time and save 60 Million to 70 million lives by killing an infant Hitler? Would you do it? Would it be ethical?

I like this show, even though it's not quite up there with the classic.

[johnnymacbest · 8/10 · 2 September 2008]

Let me just say that I like the show despite not being as good as the old ones. And even some of the episodes stick in my mind; especially the 1st one that sent chills up my spine after it's horrific conclusion. I even liked Forest Whittaker's opening and ending lines and though he's no equal to Rod Serling, he more than makes up for it in his own style and manner. I've seen nearly all the episodes on TV (well, the marathon actually) and they will always have a special place in my heart and memories but I also enjoyed some of the best episodes of this updated version for it's merits alone and I recommend "The Outer Limits" which is another great anthology series as well.

Better than its reputation - rather underrated

[gridoon2024 · 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.

First Episode

[abrelosojos · 8/10 · 18 September 2002]

Wow. What can I say I haven't seen many of the original episodes but this show definitely lives up to the few I've seen. The first half literally made me sick to my stomach and it had the classic reveal which made me think of the cook-book episode. I really thought i was going to puke. The second half was much more stomach friendly except for a few scenes. But I thought Mr. Alexander did a good job at playing a job-weary death. I'm looking forward to next weeks show.

This is the 2002 Forest Whitaker Version

[lucidmoment-80546 · 7/10 · 19 April 2023]

Those who fondly remember the Twilight Zone series revival from 1985 (as I do) will likely enjoy these stories as well. I am a bit surprised to see that Am-a-Zahn has these listed north of $130 (seriously? For a single season series from 20 years ago?) but I suppose they figure that's what the market will bear. They can be streamed for free on some kind of tubey service via your Roku, so there is that while we wait for these to be marked down to the $50-$60 price range most folks would consider fair for the set. Whitaker is no Serling, but then, Serling is no Whitaker - they are clearly different hosts and yes it subtly changes the tone of the series but watchability still great over all IMHO.

I really wanted to like this but...

[hoju_31 · 2/10 · 23 August 2010]

I really wanted to like this, but it's just so poorly done. It is done in a similar way as the (far superior) Outer Limits but missed virtually all key parts. Firstly, the "twist" endings could be seen from miles away. Secondly, the episodes were too short to be effective. Finally, key necessary explanations were omitted. A perfect example of these was the episode where the woman had bandages on her face. A toddler would have realized within minutes that the staff were the freaks (it wouldn't show their faces until the end) and the woman was the normal one. Did they really think they were fooling anyone? At the end, Forrest Whittaker says, "Why were the ugly ones considered normal and the beautiful ones the minority? It doesn't matter". Bull sh*t it doesn't matter! You can't just gloss over key plot points because you're too lazy to provide even the slightest bit of explanation. I'm all for forcing the viewer to use his or her imagination but this is just too much. The episode "How much do you love you kid?" was the worst thing ever. I get that these things take place in "The Twilight Zone" but give me something, anything, that can make these scenarios even the slightest bit plausible? I don't know, say a wizard did it or something. Anyway, if it wasn't bad enough, she just murders her own husband at the end and right afterward, seems surprised that it happened. I get that you're p*ssed at the guy, but who does that?

Twilight Zone --- maybe...

[radiopal · 19 September 2005]

Okay, I bought the DVD at Wal-Mart and then read the reviews on IMDb, I agree with everyone that this is nothing like Rod Serling's Twilight Zone. However, after watching 3 episodes, I decided to watch the shows not as the Twilight Zone, but as an anthology series (there have been several, Outer Limits, Hitch Hiker, Night Gallery to name a few) and the more that I watched, the more I enjoyed it. Yes, it can never be adequately compared to the original, nor should it be. But if you decide to give the series a try, watch it as a fun anthology series. I was even thrilled to see a couple of "tongue-in-cheek" episodes. It will definitely be worth watching that way.

DESERVED TI RUN SEVERAL MORE YEARS!

[skarylarry-93400 · 7/10 · 3 March 2023]

This series was very good. It had good stories, acting and casts. It should have run more than 1 season! The week link was the host; he was just too mild and didn't have it. It was good to see Billy Mumy again and Cloris as well. Also good to see American Pie's Shannon Elizabeth as well as others! The episodes had plenty of good looking actors and generally good casts. The stories were pretty good as well. The rebooted episodes were pretty good too. The theme music was a little different too, not for my taste! Overall, I give it 7.5 stars. With a different host, this would be higher in my rating! Thank You! PS, the original series was better but let's face it, there were plenty of certified STINKERS as well! Thanks again! I want to add that the episode, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOUR KID was the stupidest thing ever seen on TV or any Movie...Absolutely RIDICULOUS! Complete GARBAGE!

Very underappreciated

[metsnfins · 9/10 · 9 January 2023]

This is not the original. This is not even the first remake. But this show has some amazing episodes.

Cradle of Darkness for example rivals any episodes of twilight zone from any era. Rewind was another favorite of mine. Who hasn't dreamed of having a tape recorder that can rewind time? The execution of Grady Finch was another good one

Jason Alexander. Lou Diamond Phillips. Shannon Elizabeth. Katheryn Heigel, Jason Bateman, Jeremy Piven, Usher, Jessica Simpson, Chloris Leachman, Elizabeth Berkley. Stars abound. Forrest Whitaker does an admirable job as the narrator.

Give this a try. You will not be disappointed.

It's okay, but it's always either too predictable or the twist comes out of nowhere

[abrown975 · 6/10 · 14 July 2010]

I am obsessed with The Twilight Zone. There, I said it. The original series that started in 1959 was pure genius, plain and simple. Casting was terrific. Story lines were creative and made you think. And, the thing I love most, the twists were AWESOME and almost always unpredictable (Time Enough At Last, To Serve Man, Five Characters In Search of An Exit)! I always loved the twist at the end! Then, 1985 came along with a new Twilight Zone series. And I loved it! Lots of stars, lots of creative story lines (Wordplay, pure genius), and lots of twists (The Shadow Man, holy crap)! I could never forget Charles Aidman's voice narrating! But then 2002 came with the second revival and sure it might have that same Twilight Zone feeling, but like I said, I'm all about the twists. Almost all of them were either too predictable (Dead Man's Eyes) or just come straight out of nowhere (Upgrade, or at least I thought it was a cheap twist). Even though some episodes I liked (It's Still a Good Life or How Much Do You Love Your Kid, aside from Bonnie Somerville's horrendous acting), it's not enough. There were only few big guest stars that appeared, with the rest being those "Oh isn't he that guy from---?" The story lines were mostly mediocre, while some were horrible and only a couple were worth seeing. The thing that really gets me though is why they chose to cast Forest Whitaker as the narrator. Sure, he's a terrific actor, but he and his voice just aren't Twilight Zone material (He still has my respect, nonetheless). Plus, the music sounds too much like "Smallville". Overall, I think this show was an okay attempt at a remake, but if the producers really wanted a good series, they should have had better guest stars, better plots, and most of all, better twists. I do recommend seeing some of the better episodes, in my opinion: Evergreen, Cradle of Darkness, It's Still a Good Life, How Much Do You Love Your Kid (even though this is rated as the worst episode), The Placebo Effect (THIS is Twilight Zone material), The Collection, The Executions of Grady Finch (That's a twist), and Burned. Other than those, either forget them or judge them yourself.

P.S.- It's Still a Good Life, if you have not figured this out from the title, is a sequel to the classic TZ episode, It's a Good Life. And this episode is awesome, specifically because it's a cast reunion, with Billy Mumy playing the now grown-up Anthony, the great Cloris Leachman returning as his mother, and even Mr. Mumy's daughter, Liliana Mumy, is introduced as, fitting enough, Anthony's daughter Audrey. This is, oddly enough being in a mediocre series, a great sequel to the first. Sorry, I just had to pick this episode out from all the others before I stopped reviewing. But, this is the first episode you should watch.

An enjoyable set of episodes

[tns1785 · 8/10 · 8 February 2008]

Overall the series was enjoyable. There were one or two weak episodes, but generally the twists at the end were not always that predictable. Production values were pretty good. I think the stories improved as the season progressed. However, I really think that Forest Whitaker was the wrong person to be introducing and summarizing each episode. Rod Serling was a stylish commentator, so he got away with walking into the frame every week. But Whitaker comes across as an intruder. He really shouldn't be there at all. He's not physically attractive and he's obese. He's probably one of the main reasons why the series didn't make it past the first season. A voice-over narration similar to the new Outer Limits series would have probably worked better, using a more compelling narrator.

Perfect

[taddeoblakk · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

I love Colin Cunningham ad the episode with him (the path) was so amazing I dream Italy ill buy that bit for now I had order the dvd box in English . Im buying more in official language

A Horrific Revival

[newpony · 1/10 · 5 September 2011]

Rod Serling must have been spinning over 1000 times in his grave after what was done to his beloved series. Why can't people simply leave a classic TV series alone instead of trying to bring it back years later and ruining what was good about it in the first place? They screwed around with it in the 80s and barely tweaked out a handful of watchable episodes. That wasn't tragic enough. They had to mess around with it again 20 years later. I'm surprised that Forrest Whittaker even took part in this joke of a series. I don't get it. All of these kids who graduate from colleges and universities with degrees in movie production and direction and whatever else they spend thousand of dollars learning can't come up with something new and original? Are they that unimaginative, lazy and/or stupid. Try to come up with your own ideas instead of stealing from the geniuses before you. I could figure out every original episode from the 60s that they stole from to make the most poorly redone stories imaginable.

This show sucks- I have a small spoiler

[Jennifertzfan · 28 September 2002]

I'm 18 years old, and that may make several people think that I've never even heard of the original Twilight Zone. That's not true. I am such a diehard fan of Serling's original TZ. I must admit I was kind of had neutral feelings about this remake. Part of me thought it was going to blow chunks, but a small percentage of me said that it might be good. Of course, it wouldn't be as good as the original. In this case, I was right about it blowing chunks.

I watched the first episode and it was just pure trash. I won't go into details about the episode, because either you watched it or didn't. Part 1 of the first episode showed promise. Yes, I admit it did show promise during the first 15 minutes. The ending spoiled it completely. I'm a writer, and I must say that I could've came up with better ending even if I was intoxicated at the time. I don't drink, but that just goes to show that even a person drunk could've came up with a better story. Part 2 of the first episode (Jason Alexander episode) was so obvious. The whole story was just obvious.

I did give the new TZ another chance. I caught the second episode and it was just as bad as the first episode. Okay, Part 1 of the second episode was better than any of the other stories. It wasn't that great of a storyline to start with, but it was better than any of the others. Geez, Part 2 of the second episode was obvious right from the start too. I was chatting with a friend and we were both watching the show and I said *spoiler* I bet the guy is going to be the drawing and the chick is the one that is real *spoiler ending* and this was like 15 minutes in the middle. Needless to say, I was correct.

I just recommend that they cancel this new TZ. I don't see things getting any better. If you want to do something useful then take the money that was going towards the new TZ to make it, take that money and buy the old Night Gallery series and put it back on tv. Show it instead of this new TZ crap.

I'm still clueless to this whole case. Rod Serling and his team were back in the 60s. They were geniuses, and could think up all these awesome stories. Granted, not every episode of the original was a great one. The majority of the originals rocked. They were awesome. They dreamed up all these ideas and here we are in the year 2002, sitting on the top of a technological age-so you think we would be able to broaden our imaginations and come up with some killer stories based on our technology. Rod and his team didn't have all this stuff in the 60s. They could dream it up and write about it. Yet, we have it and keep getting sucky stories. Stories can't come on a silver platter. We have to think them up. I guess our time period is too preoccupied with money and cranking any piece of crap out in order to get paid. Whoever wrote the episode of the new TZ, they just suck. I hate dashing a writer's hopes, especially if they thought their stories were good.

Unfortunately, I see this new TZ lasting for sometime. Yes, you read me correctly. Notice how much sex was involved in the second episode of Part 2. Serling didn't bother writing sex scenes. He could tell a good story without bringing in sex. However, sex seems to sell these days so if the writers for the new TZ keep tossing in sex scenes- people will probably tune in. Kind of sad. Frankly, I'd rather be inspired by the old TZ instead of watching some watered down version of this new TZ.

If you should have a kid or a teenager watching this show and they actually think its good, the parent needs to pull out a tape of the original TZ and pop it in the vcr. It's time the viewers started thinking for themselves again instead of watching all these dumbed down new shows. I guarantee that a viewer can think and be inspired by the old TZ.

LONG LIVE ROD SERLING!

"Imagine if you will, a dull and uninspired remake....."

[ecmelton-186-105049 · 4/10 · 25 March 2018]

This is the third version of The Twilight Zone, preceded by the landmark series of the 1960s, a 1985 revival which I must confess that I've never seen, and an alright movie that served as a love letter to Sterling's original brainchild. So how does this series stack up? Well....... it's not great.

Like many things from the late '90s and early '00s, this show is dated in the worst possible way. Nothing is more indicative of this than the revamped "rock" intro-music composed by Johnathan Davis of Korn. If everything in the show was that laughably bad I'd be giving it a 10/10, but sadly the show is just kind of dull.

Some of the worst episodes are the ones that attempt to remake episodes of the original, and these episodes really highlight the problems with this series. One example is "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street," an all time classic of the original series. Where the original was set on a calm, dark night this remake takes place in an upscale neighborhood in broad daylight with bright green lawns surrounding everyone. The original used the alien hysteria as an allegory for paranoia about communism. The remake is explicitly about post 9/11 terrorism, no allegory. This show tended to avoid allegory altogether. Instead making every story so straightforward that it felt like an after school special, or it told a simple sci-fi story with no deeper meaning. Both formats fall flat.

I don't want this review to focus exclusively on comparisons to the original, but when you have the same story told by two different people it's easy to see where one succeeds and the other fails. The original series made masterful use of lighting to create foreboding shadows and ominous atmosphere that was heightened by the camera work. The 2002 series is a technical dud. It's overlit and filled with flat boring shots. Small town america and urban slums are replaced with LA suburbs that look like the kind of places the producers probably live. It's so much less interesting and harder to relate to despite being more contemporary.

Overall the show is just boring. I've seen a handful of episodes and honestly struggled to get through each one. There may be some gems hidden among the mediocrity, but I haven't found them. It's hard to stack up to a classic, but even if you completely divorce this series from the original, it offers nothing to stimulate an audience and hold their attention. You may want to check it out as a curiosity, but I think you'll lose interest as quickly as I did.

Good casting, needs less predictable endings

[DerekLee1 · 15 January 2003]

I am a huge fan of the original, but certainly don't hold that against the new show. As with any remake in the entertainment industry (movies, music, television) I try not to compare the remake with the original and let them each stand on their own. I do the same here.

The casting of the show is fine. It's pretty cool to see popular actors and actresses (albeit most of them B-list) making guest appearances. The problem with the show is its predictability. Even the Hitler episode that everyone is raving about I saw coming from about halfway through the story. Maybe I've seen too many plot twists in other shows and movies that nothing is unexpected for me anymore. But if I can predict the ending 5 minutes into the episode, that's just bad writing. I think they've also lost the concept of what the "twilight zone" is. It's another dimension, of sight, of sound, blah blah blah. Yet the producers just seem to think if the story has even the slightest semblance of a twist, it'll work on this show. Come on, the guitar (wonder if its name was "Christine"?) episode has to be one of the worst pieces of garbage EVER on a TZ "product". Although the chick that got choked by the guitar strap WAS pretty hot...

I hope the show sticks around, because if it's done right, it could be a great Wednesday night sit-down. Maybe the writers should start watching 24 to see what a plot twist really IS, though. Better yet, just watch some original TZ eps. Even remake some of those. Now THERE'S an original concept...

Not the Twilight Zone, but has something to offer

[jdollak · 5/10 · 24 March 2017]

Now that I've worked my way through this series of Twilight Zone, I feel like I can make an informed opinion about it.

There are a few decent stories in here, particularly How Much Do You Love Your Kid. But for the most part, a lot of these episodes play like reheated leftovers. There's very little that still tastes fresh.

But I have a hard time blaming the show for this.

The difficulties that this version has is that the original version was too successful, and the storytelling models it established have become ingrained in our culture. While clever writers can still write original stories with original twists, these writers clearly wanted to make the show feel like the Twilight Zone. So they lifted several of the twists. There aren't many surprises during the series, and the writing doesn't lift up a lackluster story like the original TZ could.

Even though Twilight Zone isn't able to be revived in a meaningful way, there's still Black Mirror to tide over fans of cleverly observed sci-fi anthology stories.