- If one were to judge exclusively from the font employed in the film's opening sequence and the fact that it was based on a novel by Stephen King, one might wrongly conclude that The Dead Zone is a horror flick. In fact, the only scary part of the film is the admittedly terrifying concept of Christopher Walken as a high school English teacher. The rest is an interesting and, at times, surprisingly touching story of a man whose life gets completely derailed by a freak accident. At the film's start, Johnny Smith (Walken) enjoys a fun day at the amusement park with his sweetheart, Sarah (Brooke Adams). That night, he opts to drive home through a snowstorm rather than stay over at Sarah's house, claiming that "some things are worth the wait." The next thing he remembers is waking up in a hospital bed five years later to find that "(his) girl was gone, (his) job was gone, (his) legs are just about useless."
- As it happens, the near-fatal car crash that placed Johnny in a coma also granted him a unique psychic ability. Now, when he comes into physical contact with a person, Johnny is inundated with visions about their lives. In one such episode, he pictures a nurse's daughter trapped in a house fire. In another, he sees a young version of his stalwart physician, Dr. Sam Weizak (Herbert Lom), rescued by a heroic mother assumed long-dead. Gradually, Johnny and Dr. Weizak realize that Johnny has not only to power to see the future but also to change it. Though initially reluctant to view his powers as a blessing, Johnny finally decides to help a local sheriff (Tom Skerritt) solve a series of brutal murders, and his life as a psychic detective is born.
- The brilliance behind The Dead Zone is that Johnny's condition basically gives the writers freedom to tell whatever stories they want. In some vignettes, such as those involving the serial killing deputy (Nicholas Campbell) or the dramatic rise and fall of Senate hopeful Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen), the stories are bombastic tales of good vs. evil. In another case, however, we are treated to a more subtle and tragic story about a inattentive parent (Anthony Zerbe) and his withdrawn child. In all of these instances, the film's excellent cinematography and remarkably authentic set design lend an air of plausibility to what should be a fundamentally unbelievable premise. The other thread that ties all of these stories together is Walken's brilliant performance as a tortured soul who finally figures out how to cope with his abilities. He can't have Sarah or the last five years of his life back, but at least he can save the world one piece at a time.
- I've always thought that The West Wing should have ended the same way this movie did.
- I almost regret the fact that Saturday Night Live has made it impossible to watch this film without chuckling. "Don't you get it, man? You're wasting coffee!"
