Just finished the first episode of the new Twilight Zone on CBS All-Access.
Overall I give it a "C."
Jordan Peele's opening narration was fine, however, the closing narration was weak. Definitely what could have been a strong half hour was painfully stretched out to end up as a "meh" one hour. A big part of the original TZ's success was its conciseness. This new incarnation makes one wallow in a premise you get early on. It belabors the point torturously. The episodes really should be no more than 25 minutes.
The story itself: A struggling standup comedian (Kumail Nanjiani) learns the terrible secret of what it takes to "have it all" from Tracy Morgan is a good one, but there is simply no reason for it take an hour to tell. Whomever he uses for his material gets erased, but it has to be someone who means something to him personally. Modern dramatic storytelling unfortunately feels you have to be clubbed over the head by a story's premise before they get it.
I would add that part of the problem is partnered with Tracy Morgan is dynamic and compelling in his few moments onscreen while Nanjiani (who is fantastic on "Silicon Valley") underplays his role way too much. There is little spark in him - even when he's killing it. Like he's always perpetually on valium or something. They should have maybe reversed the roles?
Anyway, give it a watch. I think this new series may just inspire me to revisit the original Twilight Zone,
Overall I give it a "C."
Jordan Peele's opening narration was fine, however, the closing narration was weak. Definitely what could have been a strong half hour was painfully stretched out to end up as a "meh" one hour. A big part of the original TZ's success was its conciseness. This new incarnation makes one wallow in a premise you get early on. It belabors the point torturously. The episodes really should be no more than 25 minutes.
The story itself: A struggling standup comedian (Kumail Nanjiani) learns the terrible secret of what it takes to "have it all" from Tracy Morgan is a good one, but there is simply no reason for it take an hour to tell. Whomever he uses for his material gets erased, but it has to be someone who means something to him personally. Modern dramatic storytelling unfortunately feels you have to be clubbed over the head by a story's premise before they get it.
I would add that part of the problem is partnered with Tracy Morgan is dynamic and compelling in his few moments onscreen while Nanjiani (who is fantastic on "Silicon Valley") underplays his role way too much. There is little spark in him - even when he's killing it. Like he's always perpetually on valium or something. They should have maybe reversed the roles?
Anyway, give it a watch. I think this new series may just inspire me to revisit the original Twilight Zone,
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