Wednesday, October 7, 2015

The Dead Zone (1983)


Paramount Pictures
Directed by David Cronenberg
My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, Paramount)

After a nearly-fatal accident leaves him in a coma for 5 years, Christopher Walken awakens to discover that when he touches people he can see events in their future. He is hired as a tutor for a shy boy and his psychic abilities save him from certain death. Through his family he meets an insane presidential candidate, who, if elected, will start a nuclear war. It is up to him to act on this information or let thousands of innocent people be killed. Walken is sympathetic as a man with powers he doesn't want but can't ignore, but Martin Sheen's over-the-top presidential candidate is on the other end of the spectrum. Extremely well-made by Cronenberg from Stephen King's novel, but given the premise something of a wasted opportunity which compares unfavorably to psychic thrillers from the 70s such as The Fury or King's own Carrie.

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