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First two segments almost ruin an otherwise great film

posted 11 years ago by bud380
6 replies | jump to latest

The first segment started out interesting, but the constant switching between time periods was done kind of poorly and I couldn't care for, or sympathize with any of the characters, they all seemed unlikeable, static, and almost forced. The atmosphere and sets were also done somewhat sub par and is definitely not anything to take note of.

The second segment, jesus, where to begin? The hammy-overacting, the boring, slow camera-work, completely uninspired, and rather limiting sets, mixed with very run-of-the-mill characters. The atmosphere was here, and the story was a god idea, but it doesn't belong in a Twilight Zone movie, a movie about science-fiction and horror, it felt like if it were it's own separate movie, it could have some impact and semblance of reason to it, but here it just feels like a rushed, boring, plodding, generic story with beyond obvious metaphors and brain-dead story-telling. I don't think the acting of Laurence Olivier could've saved this segment, it just does NOT belong in this movie, at all. Before this segment, we have a hard-hitting story that teaches about tolerance and racism, then after it, we get two very creepy/disturbing horror shorts with great set designs, great practical effects, and intense atmospheres.

As with what everyone else says, the first one wasn't bad, but wasn't as good as the last two, and the second one is just so terribly god awful, it almost brings down the whole picture.

Which is a shame, because had the other two segments been as strong as the last two, we would've had another classic horror anthology on our hands, much like Creepshow.

What's so astonishing though, is that the second segment was done by STEVEN SPIELBERG.

If there were any way to fix it, what would most likely work, would be to remove the second segment, extend the prologue, extend the first segment, and extend the epilogue.

[–] kaydie-fee 11 years ago

I agree, the second one was so cheesy and twee. Spielberg totally phoned it in, he was originally going to do a halloween themed segment or a remake of 'The monsters are due on maple street' but due to the helicopter accident those were dropped (I don't get why tbh) and he opted to do 'Kick the can' instead - it was bad decision

[–] LukeLovesFilm28 11 years ago

Um, you people don't like watching old people or children, especially when they're happy, when the scene or episode or segment or whatever is light-hearted, is that it? You want to see old people act miserable and goofy? These were old people. They weren't pulling any punches. I bought into the story and the characters. It's sad that you people have such contempt for happiness and light-heartedness in movies that you can't enjoy something pleasant... especially after watching a segment that is so dark and mean-spirited like the first segment.

[–] kaydie-fee 11 years ago

I hated it because it had a corny script and was lacklustre, not because I hate happiness and old people jeez......

[–] aljaz_ciber 10 years ago

I didn't really find the first segment that bad, but it was obvious that something was missing and that scrapped children storyline would probably make it a bit better.

But oh boy, Spielberg's segment was awful. That whimsical music and Scatman Crothers' smile felt totally out of place. I understand that Spielberg's segment was the last one to be shot, so I bet he tried to add a feel-good type of story to the movie after that horrible accident with Vic Morrow happened and make it more cheerful (which may also be the reason that Spielberg's segment takes place right after the one with Morrow).

Spielberg almost managed to sink movie, but the last two segments luckily saved it. I mean, it was nice that they decided to include one story featuring elders as the leads, but there were so many better and creepier episodes to choose from (like "Nothing in the Dark" with Gladys Cooper, one of my favorite episodes).

[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

Spielberg's segment was awful. That whimsical music...

I agree having just rewatched the film recently. It is terrible. I think the score for much of the rest of the film doesn't suit either.

The prologue and segments 1 and 4 get a pass from me, only because they seem to better capture the feel of the original series, but I don't think the movie succeeds overall in its efforts to pay homage.

[–] JudsonP-1 10 years ago

I felt that the "Kick the Can" segment lightened the mood of what would have otherwise been a very depressing movie.

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