TV Review: Amazing Stories

TV Review: Amazing Stories – “The Cellar”

March 6th 2020, 9:10am

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Plot: From visionary executive producers Steven Spielberg and Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz, this reimagining of the classic anthology series transports everyday characters into worlds of wonder, possibility, and imagination.

Review: 35 years ago, NBC ran two seasons of Steven Spielberg's anthology series Amazing Stories. Despite not being a ratings hit, the series amassed five Emmy Awards and has become a cult classic. With episodes helmed by Brad Bird, Tobe Hooper, Burt Reynolds, Bob Clark, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Joe Dante and many more, the series was truly the brainchild of Spielberg who developed more than half of the 45 stories that made up the thirty minute episode series. Now, with Lost writer's Edward Kitsis and Josh Horowitz at the helm, Spielberg's homage to the iconic magazine of the same name is back on Apple TV+. While the names of the writers and directors of this revival may not yet carry the level as the aforementioned filmmakers, you can count on this show having the potential to be a worthy successor to the original Amblin anthology.

While the first season will consist of ten episodes, only the premiere tale "The Cellar" has been made available for review. Written by Jessica Sharzer (NERVE, A SIMPLE FAVOR) and directed by Chris Long (The Americans), "The Cellar" is a story you would expect to see in The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, but it is far too quaint and familiar to kick off a series with such a large price tag as the $5 million per episode that Apple shelled out for it. Led by Dylan O'Brien (THE MAZE RUNNER) and Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House), "The Cellar" is a romantic tale that reminded me of the 80s film SOMEWHERE IN TIME crossed with Starz hit series Outlander.

Set in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, "The Cellar" centers on Sam (O'Brien), a man without purpose who is working with his brother restoring old homes. Floating between one-night stands and finally settling down in his life, Sam is adrift when he takes shelter during a storm. Whisked from 2019 to 1919, Sam meets Evelyn Porter (Pedretti), a woman engaged to a man she doesn't want to marry. Obviously, in cliche fashion, Sam and Evelyn fall in love but have more than just 100 years of difference between them. Over the course of the 50 minute running time of the episode, "The Cellar" manages to cram in virtually every tired romantic trope you can imagine.

I was fully prepared to write this episode off as an utter and complete waste until the expected unexpected twist showed up in the final act. I will credit the story with giving us an ending that tries to do something with the flat story but it is not nearly enough to save this episode. Dylan O'Brien and Victoria Pedretti have very little chemistry and are far more interesting on screen when they are not sharing it. Both actors do their best to overcome very trite dialogue that is cute but not profound. If anything, the ending shows how much potential this series could have if the writers are willing to take some risks with their storytelling.

The first episode of Amazing Stories showed me several things. First, the classic theme song from John Williams is even more rousing with an updated opening title sequence. Second, Apple is really not shy about showing off their products in these shows. There were at least three distinct plugs for Apple phones, AirPods, Lightning cords, and podcasts in this single episode that I can only imagine what the rest of the show will do with the devices. Third, Amazing Stories is a lofty title that these tales will have to live up to if Apple expects us to tune in. Based on this episode alone, there is nothing wrong with the show but there is a lot left to be desired.

One episode is not enough to judge the worthiness of Amazing Stories, but it definitely starts the series off on the wrong foot. The next episodes of the anthology will be helmed by Sylvain White (SLENDER MAN), Michael Dinner (Sons of Anarchy, The Wonder Years), Susanna Fogel (THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME), Tod Holland (THE WIZARD) and Mark Mylod (HBO's Succession), so there is a chance the wide open genre playground could yield some worthwhile viewing, but this first episode feels very old fashioned and far too safe for a series that defied convention like Amazing Stories. For now, I will remain cautiously optimistic that Steven Spielberg didn't attach his name to this show without checking the quality of the material, but you never know.

Amazing Stories premieres March 6th on Apple TV+.