This is one of those videos I use to rent way back when videos and VCRs were a modern breakthrough. I was about ten years old and this movie connected with me. I really can't explain why. Perhaps the notion of preventing inevitable death through accident or malice was something that even a ten year old knew was far-fetched. To consider the dour ending of this film, you would think anyone of most age would leave it at that and move on never to view this film again. However, I was completely transfixed by Christopher Walken's best performance. Although his performance in `The Deer Hunter' is breathtaking in `The Dead Zone' he had the extra challenge of the supernatural. This is where the new show on USA goes awry. The new TV show deals purely with nearly intangible plot material whereas the original movie was based solely on Johnny's inner torment. He hated his newfound vision. He hated the fact that he was now different- that most others deemed him a freak.
I can see how this character's life could be stretched into a TV series. The brilliant original film is in its nature episodic. However, the modern interpretation of Johnny Smith is incorrect and too hopeful.
I can see how this character's life could be stretched into a TV series. The brilliant original film is in its nature episodic. However, the modern interpretation of Johnny Smith is incorrect and too hopeful.