Customer Reviews

New Outer Limits: The Sandkings [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This brilliant contemporized adaptation of George R. R. Martin's award-winning sci-fi novella was the ideal choice for debuting the new Outer Limits T.V. series, since it hearkens back to original OL episodes "The Zanti Misfits," "The Invisible Enemy" and "Wolf 359."

Beau Bridges is the senior scientist on a Department of Defense project studying insects discovered by NASA probes in the Martian soil. The little beasties nearly break free into our biosphere, and the project is terminated - but Bridges, not about to see his potential Pulitzer Prize taken away, smuggles some of their embryos home to start up his own little alien insect ant-farm in a specially built terrarium in the barn out back. Bridges' power over the intelligent little creatures unhinges him - he becomes addicted to being their God, encouraging them to territoriality and war, and eventually even using them to murder colleagues who cotton-on to what he's doing.

This is a great OL creepy-crawlie, in every sense of the word. It's too bad the rest of the series wasn't up to the level of this especially good entry.

...and I bought it for just that reason. I hadn't watched Outer Limits before, and this episode was rather well made, featuring Beau Bridges, and his father Lloyd -A Twilight Zone type of show.

But as I said, the sole reason I bought this video was because it was based on the 1979 Hugo AND Nebula award-winning novelette, "Sandkings" by George RR Martin- My favorite author to date. DO NOT expect as I did, for this to be a movie version of that amazing story.

While it was well scripted and decently made, it had VERY little in common with Martin's 25-page short story. Outer Limits used a different plot, setting AND cast of characters all together, and the only similarity was the Sandkings themselves... but even *they* were vastly different!

Bottom line- Many Outer Limits fans consider Sandkings to be one of the best episodes, so if you like the show, give it a shot. But if you are a fan of Martin, you should find the short story ANY way you can. Unfortunately this may prove difficult.

If you liked Arachnophobia, then you'll love this! The acting in this movie is superb. The ending is great (very Stephen King-ish). The atmosphere was believably created and draws you in. With no sex, no cursing, and very little carnage, this show makes a good old fashioned scare-fest without relying on the gross-out. A great show and well worth the watch!

So he wanted to be a god. See what happens when you play with stuff you shouldn't be playing with. No man was made to be god except for Jesus who was born as flesh to save the world. This movie sure gets you thinking.

Great story. I loved Beau Bridges and father Lloyd. My question is how come I cannot find this particular episode on DVD?

The premiere episode of the most recent incarnation of the sci-fi classic was the show's finest hour. It features a great performance from star Beau Bridges and magnificent support from father Lloyd. The state-of-the art special effects enhance this tale of a scientist so obsessed with his work that all else matters not. This show was so good that the following episodes paled in comparison.

This Outer Limit's was the first one I had ever seen. It's about alien lifeforms that are insects. They are very intelligent. This guy is facsinated by what these bugs can do. Actually, When I first saw this it made my skin crawl! It's really creepy but worth seeing!

The scare factor from this episode of the revived "Outer Limits" is watching Bridges' scientist character slide into delusions of grandeur after sneaking out a life form from the lab he works at to cultivate on his own. When the creatures perform acts of mayhem, this is still not enough for the scientist to stop. Will make you wonder the next time you are out in the woods and see an insect you can't quite identify.

This is the feature length pilot episode to The Outer Limits: The New Series, and Sand Kings is an excellent way for the series to begin.

With a high standard of acting, writing and directing, Sand Kings portrays The Outer Limits as it truely is - one of the best sci-fi/fantasy drama series of the 20th century.

Reminds me a little of Theodore Sturgeons "The Micro-Cosmic God". The "Sand Kings" depicts an excellant, and close similarity to Sturgeons classic masterpiece. I recommend the movie, and the short story highly.