The Dead Zone

I keep having to remind myself that David Cronenberg directed this, as it is so unlike his previous and subsequent work--more mainstream, less cold, and far less fixated on gooey special effects. What is going on here? One of the most stunning adaptations of a Stephen King novel with Christopher Walken absolutely brilliant as tortured coma victim Johnny Smith, that's what. An elementary-school teacher preparing to marry Sarah (Brooke Adams), Johnny has a run-in with fate that throws him into a coma for 5 years; when he awakens, he is plagued by psychic visions, including a chilling apocalypse that frames the film's final act. While the horror elements (including a suicide via scissors) carry an appropriate impact, the core of "The Dead Zone" is Walken's performance--he portrays Johnny as a recluse who regards his visions as a curse, and taps into a sensitivity and vulnerability that is rarely seen in male film characters; his interactions with others carry a down-home, plausible feel that gives the film a strong emotional resonance. Cronenberg directs Jeffrey Boam's script almost as a series of vignettes, but maintains a flowing pace and trusts Walken to deliver the film to a heartfelt, tragic conclusion.

It seems that movies starring Christopher Walken just can't go wrong! David Cronenberg's adaptation of Stephen King's "The Dead Zone" features him in one of his most interesting roles as literature teacher Johnny Smith, who becomes psychic after surviving a car wreck. He uses his newfound power to help people avoid danger, but soon faces a moral dilemma when it looks like political candidate Greg Stilson (Martin Sheen) may become the next Hitler.

This is one of those movies that has shades of everyone involved in it. Walken's eerie presence, Sheen's (apparent) "aw shucks" demeanor, plus the horrific feeling of Cronenberg and King. You're sure to love it. Also starring are Brooke Adams as Johnny's ex hubby, and Herbert Lom as a doctor (you may expect him to launch into an anti-Clouseau diatribe, but his role here is as far removed from Commissioner Dreyfus as possible).

Very well done.

Christopher Walken is in his weary, paranoia-stricken best in the

awesome film adaptation of Stephen King's best-seller, THE DEAD ZONE. Walken plays Johnny Smith, a once-mild mannered teacher who receives a mixed blessing of predicting the future after a nasty car accident. Soon enough Smith becomes a center of attention as he predicts murders, accidents, and the like. The "gift" takes an even sharper turn as Smith realizes that a candidate for the presidential election (Martin Sheen, shades of THE WEST WING here?) has his sights set on nuclear domination. Walken is mesmirizing as Johnny, as the man tries in vain to cope with his power. And former PINK PANTHER actor Herbert Lom also shines as Johnny's shrink.

I'm a great admirer of David Cronenberg, and "The Dead Zone' could well be his most underrated movie. The problem is that it's just not very Cronenbergesque, and being "Deprave" Cronenberg's first mainstream Hollywood movie, and coming hot off his provocative and mind blowing 'Videodrome', many people regard it as some kind of sell out. I really cannot agree. If you forget your preconceived idea of what Cronenberg movies SHOULD be (and let's not forget his other career oddities 'Fast Company' or 'M. Butterfly'), and just accept it for what it is, you'll see that it is a very well made and well acted thriller, and is almost impossible to fault. In my opinion it joins Kubrick's 'The Shining' and De Palma's 'Carrie' as the most effective Steven King adaptations to date. Christopher Walken is on top form here, and I think gives one of his very best performances. The supporting cast are also excellent, the lovely Brooke Adams ('Invasion Of The Body Snatchers'), horror veteran Herbert Lom ('Mark Of The Devil'), Martin Sheen ('Badlands'), Tom Skerritt ('Alien'), Anthony Zerbe ('The Omega Man'), and Cronenberg regular Nicholas Campbell, who is involved in the movies most unforgettable sequence. I've lost track of how many times I've watched 'The Dead Zone' over the years, but it never fails to hook me in, and I always get something more out of Walken's performance every time I view it. This movie may not be typical fare from David Cronenberg, but it is one of his most straightforward and entertaining films. Highly recommended.

The Dead Zone is one of those critically acclaimed movies which I'm astounded has taken me this long to get around to.

Starring Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen and the late great Herbert Lom this Stephen King adaptation tells the story of a man who upon coming out of a coma learns he has gained the power of premonition.

The interesting thing about the Dead Zone is it's almost like a mini-series squeezed into a single film as it doesn't have one solid storyline throughout and instead is a series of stepping stones to the brilliant finale.

The cast are on point and Lom who is famous for his villianous characters (Pink Panther for example) is highly likeable and steals every scene he's in.

I'm so glad coming out of this that I finally got round to it as it is yet another great King adaptation worthy of its acclaim.

The Good:

Opening a movie with an Edgar Alan Poe quote works for me

Perfectly executed from performances to writing

Great finale

The Bad:

Cheating protagonists, they never get old

Would have benefitted from at least 30 minutes more

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

It's scary how alike Martin & Charlie were around the same age