Summary : Captivating first escape in the science-fiction realm
Score : 8/10
The distant voiceover, the immersive title sequence with its
rotating tunnel and red DNA… Welcome to the pilot of The Outer
Limits ! 1995 can only feels like yesterday considering the many
occasions a sci-fi fan has to remember The Sandkings. I have to admit
that I haven't read George R. R. Martin's novella yet but this first
episode proves that TV shows can be as hardcore and fascinating as
their dusty old paper counterparts.
The very first seconds thanks to the narrator you understand that
it's going to be about the eternal battle between science and
religion. What is a human capable of in order to be recognized by
its peers ? How far can you drift when your emotions have taken over
your reason ? The extraordinary story of Doctor Simon Kress (Beau
Bridges) serves to cover these fascinating questions and restrain our
desire to become gods. Playing Populous is way safer in my humble
opinion ! His introduction as a brilliant scientist is everything but
original because the entrance in a military guarded base and identity
recognition systems were already déjà vu elements back
then. Things really become exciting when Simon's project, studying
ground samples with eggs from Mars, takes a major turn. Then what was
told in the opening is finally expressed by a pivotal sequence
featuring Simon in… his pyjamas ! Using the barn and his outfit as
a metaphora for a church and a monk was brilliant even if now I find
it a little too literal.
From there Simon's transformation accelerates and his passion
becomes an obsession. His relationships with his lovely wife, played
by the gorgeous Helen Shaver, his son and his father magnifies the
changes within that inevitably overflow and finally alter his
physical appearance. Of course it's nothing like Jeff Goldblum's cult
metamorphosis in The Fly but the bathroom sequence is definitely
disturbing. In general there're also plenty of horrific elements,
from the nightmare to some frightening scenes featuring the sand
creatures. In fact their unpredictable and agressive behavior
reminded me of Screamers (1995). At some point there was also
something yin-yangish about them so it proves the deepness of the
writing and that all viewers should find something to satisfy their
needs.
As for the production it's nothing stellar but the special effects
are good enough. In the visual department we have some believable
creatures that quickly move and the animatronics even allowed for
some close-ups. Only the CG versions jarred with the rest at times
even if the traditional approach wouldn't have been appropriate for
some scenes. You have to understand that back then the studios were
operating a transition from the old school to the new one when these
days the digital has become the norm. Just check out Primeval to
better understand the benefits ! As for the sounds they also have to
be praised. They definitely contributed to make us believe that the
Sandkings could actually exist, a bit like in Arachnophobia (1990)
but with a more serious approach. In fact they're similar to the
scorpions, spiders and other friends of the dark cellar but with a
twist I let you appreciate. Last but not least if there was one thing
to remember it's definitely the sand castles. These structures are so
bizarre and well designed that they should teleport you on a planet
far, far away ! Their evolution is actually linked to Simon's one so
it makes their connection even more controversial and captivating.
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