The Dead Zone has an interesting concept, but no real follow through. This slow-paced film has a few thrilling moments, but, for the most part, it consists of Christopher Walken brooding about and staring at things. It's another Stephen King adaptation done wrong.

Johnny Smith (Christopher Walken) slips into a coma. He's like that for five years. Then he snaps out of it with a "gift"--every time he touches someone's hand he can see events from their past and a probable future. With this he saves a little girl from being burnt, discovers a killer and saves a boy from drowning. Then he shakes the hand of Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen) who's running for the Senate. He sees Stillson becoming president and starting a nuclear war. He can stop him...but should he? And how. To make matters worse is ex-girlfriend (Brooke Adams) supports Stillson 100%.GREAT movie. It's based on a Stephen King novel and is directed by David Cronenberg. Despite their reputations this is very restrained in terms of violence. There's a couple of bloody shootings and a shocking suicide but that's it. The story is interesting and well-done. It was beautifully shot in Canada (but takes place in Maine). The acting is great across the board. I usually can't stand Walken but he's great here. Adams is wonderful but hardly in this. Herbert Lom, Colleen Dewhust and Tom Skerritt are great in small roles. And Sheen is downright terrifying as Stillson. This was lost in a sea of really bad Stephen King adaptations in the early 1980s but deserves rediscovery. Recommended.

As mentioned a little bit everywhere, it's seldom you find a good film adaptation of a Stephen King story. I have not read the book, but this certainly is a very good film. King + Cronenberg seems a strong combo.Christopher Walken plays a romantic lead character, one with ultimately the burden of truth and everything that tragically comes with that. Overall there is a romantic, atmospheric feel to this piece and the horror elements are very subtle, if not faintly incorporated into the mix.It's a powerful film, visually memorable for its romantic purity, and its message is quite clear really when one thinks about it: the gift or curse of foresight comes as just a metaphor in that we all really possess that gift and can all act upon what we know will occur. It is the burden of responsibility that we all carry, and attempting to fight evil, the powers that be of a present time, will always result in an erupting violence.8.5/10.

The Dead Zone is the fourth Cronenberg movie that I've watched over the last 6 months.It has some of the typical Cronenberg conjurations - Over the top background music. Cheesy villains. Gross make up and special effects. And sinister and grotesque looking characters.I wished Walken's character was darker. He was too much of a goody two shoes. Brooke Adams looked gorgeous. But her character wasn't that well developed. Same with the shy kid whose father seeks Walken's help. I was really wondering what the characters motivations were.Martin Sheen looked like he was having a lot of fun. Sheen has played some great villains like in this film and The Incident.There is a scene inside a large dirty tunnel which reminded me of The Third Man. I liked the way the scene where Sheen activates a nuclear bomb was framed. Sheen's menacing bodyguard stands between him and his general. There is a shield with a hawk behind the bodyguard. It was worthy of Kubrick.Anyway, Walken's one dimensional character sort of ruined the film. I have not read the book by Stephen King.(4/10)