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Dead Zone: The Final Season (The)
R1 - America - Lions Gate Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (4th June 2008). |
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The Show
 Well, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. When it comes to being a reviewer, you never know what titles you’re going to get to review until either somebody e-mails you and tells you what to expect or they just fall into your lap unexpectedly. Now I’ve known for years that “Stephen King’s The Dead Zone” (1983) has been around. And I’m sorry to say that it’s one of the FEW titles that I haven’t seen. I know, I know, I need to be taken out to the pasture and shot. Unfortunately, the only things that I know about the original film are that it starred Christopher Walken and that it was based on King's work. I also know that the U.S. has released a bare-bones DVD, then a Special Collector’s Edition. So, I guess I’m gonna get a bit of an education on “The Dead Zone” (2002-2007) in the form of the TV series starring Anthony Michael Hall. Hall ends up taking over the original Walken role (had to look on the Internet Movie Database for this info). This should be interesting since I only knew Hall as a member of the 80's ‘Brat Pack’. I remember him being in films such as “Sixteen Candles” (1984), “The Breakfast Club” (1985), and “Weird Science” (1985). This review will be the first time since those three John Hughes films that I’ve run into Hall. He’s older now and, just from watching the first episode, a different actor than when he was with ‘The Brat Pack’. From what I’m able to ascertain from watching just the first episode of the title up for review, Johnny Smith has to touch a person or an object that someone else has touched and he will have a vision. It reminds me of a Season 3 episode of “The Incredible Hulk” (1978-1982) called “The Psychic”. Almost the same principle. Anybody who touched Annie Caplan – at anytime – would trigger a vision for her to see. It’s not an all-the-time thing with Johnny Smith. The same is true with both characters: the visions CAN be prevented before they come to pass (not always the case). Unlike Annie Caplan, Smith can also see other people’s pasts in a vision. Also, from reading the back cover, after Season 5 of the USA Network series had ended, “The Dead Zone” had gone on a nearly two-year hiatus before returning for this sixth and last season (according to the IMDB the series was canceled). So now, it’s time to begin with the first episode of the Final Season of this series “Heritage” and get my crash course from here. Let’s see if it’s a series worth watching... “The Dead Zone: The Final Season” – Synopsis: Prepare to experience all new spellbinding suspense and paranormal adventures as Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) faces the greatest challenges of his psychically altered existence, in the sixth and final season of this intense thriller based on the story and characters from sci-fi master, Stephen King. Just from watching the first episode, I already liked how Smith experiences his visions. When he gets them, he is viewing it in the third person – an observer. It’s only after the vision is over can he become the first person and try to stop it from coming to pass. So far, Hall is not showing any of his ‘Brat Pack’ personas in this series. He actually takes his role as Johnny Smith seriously. Unfortunately, I can’t compare it to Walken, having never seen the original film. Still, I think Hall did an excellent job with the character. I know in the past I have reviewed different shows and saying I didn’t like the good guy(s) winning all the time. In this case, I am not able to use this because it’s not really the case of Smith fighting the same characters over and over again. Also, he has an advantage because of psychic ability. Nonetheless, he is still human. Even he still has the same problems that the average person has. He’s had a few close calls with some of the baddies. Fortunately, he has other allies to help him. While Smith is the backbone of this series, he also has to rely on others for help at times, Sheriff Turner ( Cara Buono) being one. Oh, and the two-part series finale? I don’t think you’ll be disappointed (assuming you haven’t seen it yet, of course). The downsides? Other than what I cited in the Video part of my review, the only other downside I have is that I didn’t have the opportunity to watch “The Dead Zone” up to this point, both the film and the other five seasons. Now the “The Dead Zone” continuum is over, at least for now. I know there’s on on-line petition to sign in the hope of reviving “The Dead Zone”. Hopefully, there will be enough signatures to warrant its return. I myself have already signed it. If you’re a big fan of this continuum, then by all means add this sixth and final season to your collection. You’ll be glad you did. For my part, I plan to do some catching up on “The Dead Zone” once I get the time. I’ve got other titles I want to watch first. Oh, and by the way, I totally DETEST Vice President Stillson (). Watch this season and you’ll see why. My final word: Great stories, lots of conflict, great acting...BUY IT!! Need I say more? This last season includes all 13 episodes: - "Heritage" (41:19) Johnny is struck by visions of friends in danger, but is unable to prevent a shocking tragedy that will change his life forever. A commentary track is available for this episode. - Ego" (41:20) When Johnny meets the new sheriff of Cleaves Mills, he envisions her shooting a local psychiatrist and launches an investigation despite her objections. - "Re-Entry" (40:28) Johnny must try to set aside his personal distrust of Vice President Stillson in an effort to prevent a national disaster. A commentary track is available for this episode. - "Big Top" (41:12) Johnny’s visions inadvertently lead him to reexamine a ten-year-old murder case and his current relationship with his teenaged son, J.J. - "Interred" (41:29) When Johnny has disturbing visions of a man buried alive, he must overcome his differences with Sheriff Turner in the hopes of saving the man’s life. - "Switch" (40:18) After Johnny boards a train for some much-needed relaxation, he has a vision of a woman thrown to her death and soon falls for the intriguing beauty. - "Numb" (40:10) A serious case of appendicitis sends Johnny into another coma, and this time it’s up to Sarah to save his life. A commentary track is available for this episode. - "Outcome" (41:04) Johnny has to race against the clock to prevent a massive explosion from ripping apart the regional bus station. - "Transgressions" (40:34) Faith and truth collide as Johnny is thrust into another murder investigation of a young missing woman. - "Drift" (42:08) During a visit with Bruce, Johnny is struck with a vision of a valuable filly being stolen on the even of a big horse race. - "Exile" (40:13) In jail for a crime he didn’t commit, Johnny risks everything to run from the law and try to prevent his psychic friend Alex Sinclair from being murdered. - "Ambush" (40:04) Johnny and Sheriff Turner’s lives are on the line as they pursue two separate criminal investigations that lead them both back to Walt. - "Denouement" (42:11) In the thrilling series finale, Johnny’s visions of Walt lead to a shocking discovery about Johnny’s dad as secrets from the past are revealed. A commentary track is available for this episode.
Video
Each episode is presented in its original anamorphic broadcast format (1.78:1 ratio). The picture looks great until you get to some of the scenes in the dark. Then the grain sets in. It’s not in-your-face, but you can still notice it. Fortunately, it’s not evident in every part of the episode. So, if you can write it off as a minor inconvenience, then you should be able to enjoy all of the episodes. Starting with the second episode “Ego”, you will see a ‘Previously on The Dead Zone...” preview before the actual episode starts. You can play each episode individually, or you can have one continuous marathon with the ‘Play All Episodes’ option. There are no chapter selection menus for any of the episodes, but there are chapter stops.
Audio
Each episode is accompanied an English Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack. There are no subtitles available whatsoever. The audio doesn’t sound like a theatrical movie mix. While having 5.1 is nice, if I were blindfolded and told to guess what the audio was with just a couple of seconds, I would probably tell you it was an 2.0 surround track. The music and the dialogue are evenly mixed (no overshadowing).
Extras
Lionsgate has includes four episode audio commentary tracks, 2 featurettes, and an Easter Egg that make up the extras presented on this final season of “The Dead Zone”. Read further for insight into these extras. DISC ONE: There are two audio commentary tracks featured on this disc for the following 2 episodes: - "Heritage" - The commentary for this episode features executive producers Lloyd Segan & Scott Shepherd, and actors Conner Price & John L. Adams. The track is scene specific and you will learn about some of the things that happened during the shooting of the episode. The executive producers seem to be moderating the commentary since they do most of the talking. It’s from here where you will get your technical detail. Still, everybody gets their time at the mic to put their two-cents worth in. - "Re-Entry" – The commentary for this episode features executive producer Shawn Piller and writers Jim Dunn & Sam Ernst. These three are commenting on their first episode of this series. There is a lot of discussion about some of the aspects of the episode. They even give you some trivia. The commentary itself is not altogether scene specific. Some of the visions are explained, but it is mostly discussion about putting the episode together. The featurette "A New Home For The Dead Zone" runs 8 minutes and 39 seconds. Here, you will see executive producer Segan talk about how difficult it was to move the set from Vancouver to Montreal. From there, you will see other members of the crew, including Hall (a co-executive producer), who give their insights into the difficulties the transition was to make, including where the English/French language barrier is concerned. There are some episode clips inter-cut during the interview footage. DISC TWO: There is an audio commentary track featured on this disc for the following episode: - "Numb" – The commentary for this episode features executive producer Shawn Piller and writer Dana Greenblatt. The commentary, like the others in this set, are scene specific. A lot of technical and background information is given out here. There may also be a few spoilers for this episode if you didn’t actually watch the episode before viewing it with the commentary track (But how many of you actually do that, right?). Both Piller and Greenblatt are very enthusiastic and in good spirits (a lot of laughter here) as they continuously pour out their comments. The featurette "All Aboard: Shooting The Dead Zone On a Train" runs 5 minutes and 39 seconds. Here, executive producers Piller and Shepherd start out by giving their basic idea for the episode "Switch". From there, other members of the crew talk about what difficulties there were with making the trains work and how they made the special effects work. You also get to see some before and after footage with train sounds and color timing. Clips from the episode are also used to emphasize points made by each of the crew members giving their comments. DISC THREE: There is an audio commentary track featured on this disc for the following episode: - "Denouement" – The commentary for this episode features executive producers Lloyd Segan, Scott Shepherd & Shawn Piller and actor Conner Price. You mostly hear the producers talking. You don’t hear much from Price. Like the other commentaries in this set, it is scene specific in some aspects. For the most part, they talk about how it is the final episode and everything that led up to it. If you enjoyed the other three commentaries in this set, then you will definitely enjoy this one. There is an Easter Egg hidden on this disc. Here’s how to find it: - Spoiler Alert! From the Main Menu, select the audio commentary. Now move to the Main Menu option and press right to reveal a target on Johnny Smith’s torso. Press Enter to see a 1 minute 4 second clip featuring executive producer/show runner Scott Shepherd as he talks about the hidden puzzle within the titles of all of the episodes for this sixth and final season of the series. This was mainly for the die-hards who have been with the series since Season 1.
Packaging
“The Dead Zone: The Final Season” is a 3-disc digipak placed into an outer cardboard casing.
Overall
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