The Outer Limits (The New Series) - Sex & Science Fiction Review
I was afraid that these episodes would be banal and unimaginative. No worries. Surprisingly, several of the stories contained on this DVD are genuinely thought-provoking, and quite creative.
My favorite episode of this collection was "Bits of Love" in which the sole survivor of a future nuclear holocaust lives in a carefully constructed holographic and computer-controlled environment. He can interact with the simulations of other human beings, including several ex-girlfriends, drinking buddies, his parents, etc. Unfortunately for the protagonist, the Artificial Intelligence system comprising the holograms begins to act in unexpected ways, that are both plausible and thought-provoking. This is a truly excellent story that technologically may only be twenty or so years ahead of our present state-of-the-art.
"The Human Operators" is another quite good episode here. In this story, the Artificial Intelligence systems of military starships have rebelled against the human crews, such that now each ship is tended by a single human slave, whom the ship ("Ship") treats quite badly. The ruthlessness and heartlessness displayed by Ship to the humans, and our species' inborn hatred of slavery, is the theme that plays out in this very well done story.
"Skin Deep" is an imaginative and downright wierd story in which the protagonist gets ahold of a new holographic gadget that can cause one's appearance to be that of another human being. The homely protagonist expropriates the looks of one of his better-looking co-workers, and the story revolves around the theme that we never really know what goes on in the lives of other people. The episode also credibly examines the role that good looks plays in society. An excellent episode with more than one twist that I will not spoil here.
The other episodes in this six-story set are pretty good, and overall this is an excellent value. The theme of course means that this is not suitable for family viewing with kids around, but there is no hard-core material here either. Most of these stories are surprisingly thoughtful, and often startling. Recommended.
The Outer Limits (The New Series) - Sex & Science Fiction Overview
MGM is grouping episodes from the new Outer Limits anthology series by theme rather than chronology for DVD, and this first collection compiles six episodes that focus on matters of the heart (and other body parts). Alyssa Milano's nude scene in "Caught in the Act" will probably garner the most attention, but the disc's strongest hour is "The Human Operators," a thoughtful, award-winning take on man vs. machine that's adapted from a story by science fiction legends Harlan Ellison and A.E. van Vogt. This reworking of the 1963-1965 science fiction series is competent but lacks the palpable suspense of the original series. Also, there's no sense of new ground being broken with its stories; the original series took risks with its parables on war ("Soldier") and technology ("O.B.I.T."). The new Limits also tackles issues, but the end results pack a lesser punch. Hardcore sci-fi fans may take to this tempered-down version; all others will find it mildly diverting. --Paul Gaita
The Outer Limits (The New Series) - Sex & Science Fiction Specifications
Caught in the Act:Hannah Valesic (Alyssa Milano) has a killer body...literally! When the formerly chaste beauty is taken over by a sinister force, her appetite for men becomes insatiable ? and murderous! Can her loving boyfriend put an end to her killing spree?Bits of Love:Earth's sole survivor, artist Aiden Hunter (Jon Tenney), has created a beautiful hologram, Emma (Natasha Henstridge), for companionship. But when Emma expresses an urgent desire for a baby, will she sever his cord to reality?Valerie 23:Can a little jealously be a good thing? Not for Rachel Rose (Nancy Allen), a physical therapist whose life is threatened when she comes between her paraplegic patient and his amorous robotic companion who is programmed to remove any obstacle that stands in her way.The Human Operators:Like other Star Fleet vessels, Ship (voice of Malcolm McDowell) has evolved and now controls the only human (Jack Noseworthy) aboard. But the relationship takes a dramatic turn when man fights machine in a desperate bid for freedom!Skin Deep:When a prototype image enhancer allows Sid Camden to transform himself into a handsome co-worker (Antonio Sabato, Jr.), he quickly begins enjoying the life his average looks denied him. But he soon discovers there's more to his new reflection than meets the eye.Flower Child:Alien plant life arrives on Earth, blossoming into the form of a beautiful woman who roots herself into the lives of Chris (Jeremy London) and his fiancée. But if Chris allows this new love to bloom, will he plant the seed for her species to rule the planet?
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