The Twilight Zone:
The Complete Series review by Bobby Blakey
From 1959 to 1649 host Rod Serling captivated audiences with some of the most unique stories on TV with The Twilight Zone. Throughout the years the show has found new life with two revivals and a feature film. In 2019, Jordan Peele not only produced a new version of the famed series, but stepped into the role of host for CBS All-Access. In 2020 the second season of the series hit CBS All-Access and now its heading home on DVD.
The Twilight Zone is an American anthology web television series developed by Simon Kinberg, Jordan Peele, and Marco Ramirez, based on the original 1959 television series created by Rod Serling. This first season features tales of science fiction, fantasy and the occult, exploring humanity's hopes, despairs, prides and prejudices in metaphoric ways. I really had a great time with the first season and while I did enjoy the second season I thought the episodes were a lot more hit and miss.
Peele is great as the host and really cements the feel of the classic series in his own way with each episode. The clever narration really enhances the opening and ending of the episodes elevate them much like the original. The stories takes on not only the supernatural and horror strangeness as expected, but
also topical situations of today. With using this format it takes out some of the often preachy elements that come out of them and instead smacks you in the face with the truth through creative storytelling and excellent writing.
Throughout the two seasons there are a lot of highlights, but a big plus for me is the variety of creatures they brought to the table. There are a couple in the later episodes that are kind of cheesy, but I think they were going for the classic vibe from the original series. The ones that work though are fun visually and used in some great ways. I also really dig one episode that plays up visuals using small and large real life props that play into the story.
The first season is pretty great throughout, but the second season started strong and while still good, they kind of strayed all over the place in the later episodes for me. Throughout the series there is a great line up of guests including Kumail Nanjiani, John Cho, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Erica Tremblay, Steven Yeun, Greg Kinnear, Morena Baccarin, Tony Hale, Ethan Embry, Billy Porter, Jurnee Smollett, Joel McHale, Christopher Meloni, Jenna Elfman, Damon Wayans Jr., Topher Grace, Gretchen Mol and so many more. With this talent they have delivered some great episodes including a few remakes of episodes from the original series.
Sadly the series was not picked up for a third season, but this collection of episodes are worth revisiting. This collection features all 20 episodes of the series this release offers up bonus content including featurettes, deleted scenes, gag reels and more!. Grab your copy of The Twilight Zone: The Complete Series when it hits DVD on October 4th from CBS and Paramount Home Entertainment.
It started strong and while they were all still good episodes, they kind of strayed all over the place in the later episodes for me. Some of them were obviously better than others, but none of them near as strong as I had hoped with the best for me being “Meet in the Middle”, “Downtime”, and “Among the Untrodden”. Once again there is a great line up of guests including Morena Baccarin, Tony Hale, Ethan Embry, Billy Porter, Jurnee Smollett, Joel McHale, Christopher Meloni, Jenna Elfman, Damon Wayans Jr., Topher Grace and Gretchen Mol.
In addition to all 10 episodes of the season this release offers up bonus content including deleted and extended scenes and a gag reel. Grab your copy of The Twilight Zone: Season Two when it hits DVD on January 12th from CBS and Paramount Home Entertainment.