I disdained the TV series completely, and being a fan of Stephen King’s books but not of his movies I had my doubts about the film, starring Christopher Walken as John, whom I could only think of as the Green Goblin thanks to Spiderman.
I was surprised! I genuinely enjoyed The Dead Zone. John’s problems seemed real. After his coma he had to come to terms with living in his body again, fitting back into his own life, and with the added burden of psychic abilities that enable him to see the possible future when he touches someone’s hand. At first, this talent is almost a “good thing,” with John managing to prevent the death of a child and after much coercion helping to track down a serial killer. When John encounters a popular politician and has visions of the man blackmailing his opponents, becoming president, and committing genocide, the knowledge that he can alter the future becomes even more of a burden.
The Dead Zone did not have a twist ending, or much in the way of suspenseful buildup. Much like John, it knew where its finish lay and it got there when it needed to. I could have appreciated a little bit more of the story, as it ended just when I was beginning to get really interested in the overarching plot implications.
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