Product: The Dead Zone [VHS] (1983)
Rating: 4.0
Emotionally powerful, imaginative--bravo to Walken
This is far and away the best movie based upon a Stephen King novel (although Kubrick's "The Shining" is also very good) and a bravo performance by Christopher Walken really adds to this film's punch. The storyline is simple. John Smith is in a terrible traffic accident which puts him in a comatose state for five years. When he awakens his girl has married someone else, and the world has moved on without him. He also awakens with the power of limited second sight. As John tries to put his life back together, the psychic ability and the notoriety it brings stand in the way, making for a fascinating story. The film moves at a very brisk clip and continually holds the viewer's interest. This is an emotional and somewhat haunting movie that will strike an emotional chord in most viewers.Christopher Walken's performance is superb. He really understood the role, and this is the best performance that I have seen him in. Tom Skerrit and Martin Sheen play supporting roles and do well. By the way, this film has an excellent musical score that captures the mood of the story just right, and really adds to the wistful tone of the movie.In my opinion some of the Stephen King novels have not translated well to the big screen. This one does. This is a superb adaptation of King's novel and is very faithful to the novel, rarely departing from it.This is a fine film that most film viewers and all Stephen King fans will enjoy and appreciate more than once.