This is another one of my favorite sci-fi TV shows of all time and it's one of my favorite anthologies number six in my book. It's another childhood gem of mine after watching "Twilight Zone" I was interested in seeking out other anthology show and this was another that happened to be next.
This show is different from "Twilight Zone" though it does have a little of the morality element, "Twilight Zone" was more of a mix in genre. This show is strictly sci-fi mainly inspired by the pulp magazines like "Amazing Stories" (which became a TV series of its own) and plenty of others, so by its nature the show was sort of a live action pulp sci-fi magazine.
I really like the black and white cinematography, which to me really gives the show a dreamlike and eerie atmosphere; each of the tales are both fascinating and a little dangerous at the same time. As in most of the tales it's usual about ordinary people that are dealing with forces beyond their own control and comprehension and are struggling to get that control back. Or even intentionally or unintentionally diving into uncharted territory and doing their best to understand and survive it.
The effects are also good, unlike "Twilight Zone" this show had more special effects than that show which made sense for the kind of stories they wanted to tell. Some of these effects resulted in the most memorable monsters which stand out today as there are some toy figure lines. Though it's true not all effects stand out, there are a few lame effects in places though it's not just due to budget limitations it was also hardware limits as well. Though this doesn't bring the show down for me as this is only in a few tales and a few places in the show, so it's easy to get past.
The intro is great it's one of my favorite intros of all time, it must have been a really big surprise back them as we see in the first minute of the into one dot and a buzzing sound and then suddenly a narration saying "There's nothing wrong with your TV set" and of course goes on from there. It really thrust you into things, telling you to get ready you're in for one heck of a trip into Sci-fi town. There is even a pretty good music theme even though it's not on my list of favorite theme songs, it still fits the show and an enjoyable listen.
But to me like all anthologies the real power is in the stories themselves and there are plenty that are memorable and worth watching for any sci-fi fans. Three of my favorites, though you might not agree but like with all anthologies it's really a matter of preference.
"Demon with a Glass Hand" which is a live action adaptation of a short story written by one of my favorite sci-fi writers and writers in general the late great Harlan Elleson. I really like that it's sort of this Fugitive like thriller only this is a person that is on the run from aliens or alien like characters. However, what made it interesting is there is this revolving mystery that slowly but surely develops which makes what's happening a lot more clear and the ending all the more impacting.
The Architects of Fear: Another one I really like, could've been a tale David Cronenberg could have made as it has the whole thing with body horror and transformations effects. It's about a secret organization that want to create unity before the world destroys itself. It's a haunting story that really shows the destructive nature of fear, but also how sometimes the price of peace isn't always worth the cost.
The Man who was Never Born: This one is my favorite tale in the show, the premise really predates the movie and TV show "12 Monkeys" as it's about a deformed mutant that has to go to the past to save the future, but carries a moral grey dilemma with him with a solution weighty on his better nature. The Outer Limits is a real trip that will take you to sci-fi land and beyond.
Rating: 4 stars
This show is different from "Twilight Zone" though it does have a little of the morality element, "Twilight Zone" was more of a mix in genre. This show is strictly sci-fi mainly inspired by the pulp magazines like "Amazing Stories" (which became a TV series of its own) and plenty of others, so by its nature the show was sort of a live action pulp sci-fi magazine.
I really like the black and white cinematography, which to me really gives the show a dreamlike and eerie atmosphere; each of the tales are both fascinating and a little dangerous at the same time. As in most of the tales it's usual about ordinary people that are dealing with forces beyond their own control and comprehension and are struggling to get that control back. Or even intentionally or unintentionally diving into uncharted territory and doing their best to understand and survive it.
The effects are also good, unlike "Twilight Zone" this show had more special effects than that show which made sense for the kind of stories they wanted to tell. Some of these effects resulted in the most memorable monsters which stand out today as there are some toy figure lines. Though it's true not all effects stand out, there are a few lame effects in places though it's not just due to budget limitations it was also hardware limits as well. Though this doesn't bring the show down for me as this is only in a few tales and a few places in the show, so it's easy to get past.
The intro is great it's one of my favorite intros of all time, it must have been a really big surprise back them as we see in the first minute of the into one dot and a buzzing sound and then suddenly a narration saying "There's nothing wrong with your TV set" and of course goes on from there. It really thrust you into things, telling you to get ready you're in for one heck of a trip into Sci-fi town. There is even a pretty good music theme even though it's not on my list of favorite theme songs, it still fits the show and an enjoyable listen.
But to me like all anthologies the real power is in the stories themselves and there are plenty that are memorable and worth watching for any sci-fi fans. Three of my favorites, though you might not agree but like with all anthologies it's really a matter of preference.
"Demon with a Glass Hand" which is a live action adaptation of a short story written by one of my favorite sci-fi writers and writers in general the late great Harlan Elleson. I really like that it's sort of this Fugitive like thriller only this is a person that is on the run from aliens or alien like characters. However, what made it interesting is there is this revolving mystery that slowly but surely develops which makes what's happening a lot more clear and the ending all the more impacting.
The Architects of Fear: Another one I really like, could've been a tale David Cronenberg could have made as it has the whole thing with body horror and transformations effects. It's about a secret organization that want to create unity before the world destroys itself. It's a haunting story that really shows the destructive nature of fear, but also how sometimes the price of peace isn't always worth the cost.
The Man who was Never Born: This one is my favorite tale in the show, the premise really predates the movie and TV show "12 Monkeys" as it's about a deformed mutant that has to go to the past to save the future, but carries a moral grey dilemma with him with a solution weighty on his better nature. The Outer Limits is a real trip that will take you to sci-fi land and beyond.
Rating: 4 stars