Masters of Science Fiction
Reviewer: Tom Leins
Issue 101 March 2008
(1 votes, average: 6 out of 10)
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Masters of the TV universe? Not quite…
The Lowdown: This set of stand-alone sci-fi extravaganzas is a futuristic attempt to replicate the success of last year’s impressive, star-studded ‘Masters of Horror’ collection. Unfortunately, these stories about anthropoids, aliens, robotic droids and space refugees struggle to hit the spot, despite a wealth of acting talent…
Review: Last year’s ‘Master’s of Horror’ collection was a surprisingly impressive treat, which saw a whole host of directorial luminaries take the reigns for a selection of dirty little shockers. The thought of a sci-fi equivalent inspired fervent anticipation, and it is unfortunate that despite a mouth-watering set of cast lists, Masters of Sci-Fi comes up seriously short. In comparison to the top-drawer line-up of Dario Argento, John Carpenter, Stuart Gordon and John Landis, this set of episodes is lumbered with a baffling selection of also-ran directors like Mark Rydell, Michael Petroni and Michael Tolkin, who all fall well short of the ‘Masters’ tag. The American viewing public voted with their remotes when the show aired on ABC last autumn, and it was ignominiously hauled off the air after just four episodes.
Sadly it is easy to see why ABC executives took this drastic move as most of these episodes fall regrettably short. Star Trek veteran Jonathan Frakes’ The Discarded (based on a story by Harlan Ellison) is one of the more interesting offerings and concerns a ship full of hideously deformed mutants who have been sentenced to drift in outer space for eternity, but the rest of the episodes seem amateurish in comparison. With this much acting talent at their disposal it is a shame that ABC couldn’t come up with anything more worthwhile and Terry O’Quinn and Malcolm McDowell are saddled with particularly uninspiring episodes. ABC, it seems, should have quit while it was ahead…
FILM: 4 EXTRAS: 1
DVD Info:
Certificate: 12
Starring: John Hurt, Anne Heche, Brian Dennehy, Malcolm McDowell
Directed By: Various, 2007
Distributor: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Visuals: 2.35:1 Letterbox
Running Time: 250mins
Price: £19.99
Film supplied by: The Associates
Special Features:
Episode Selection
Scene Selection
