By Robert Scucci
| Revealed
Typically you wish to watch sci-fi anthology sequence like The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limitsor Black Mirror for his or her existential subject material with out absolutely diving off a dread-induced deep finish. That’s the place 2017’s Dimension 404 is useful. It tackles the identical type of metaphysical subjects whereas functioning as a straight-up comedy sequence. Narrated by Mark Hamill and that includes expertise like Joel McHale and Patton Oswalt, Dimension 404 performs out like The Twilight Zone for the digital age.
Clocking in at solely six episodes throughout a single season, Dimension 404 is a breezy weekend binge if I’ve ever seen one. It’s a satisfying watch if you happen to’re into the above sequence however wish to lean extra towards levity. It’s nonetheless cynical and brushes up in opposition to the identical ethical and philosophical conundrums you’d anticipate from a forward-thinking sci-fi anthology, nevertheless it carries considerably much less existential baggage.
We’ve Seen These All Earlier than, However Not The Humorous Variations
Whereas I absolutely perceive that reveals like Black Mirror aren’t all doom and gloom and will be fairly humorous at occasions, they have a tendency to occupy that lane as a rule. Dimension 404 leans into camp, comedy, and parody as its baseline strategy to storytelling.
The primary episode, “Matchmaker,” which premiered simply months earlier than Black Mirror’s Season 4 episode “Hold the DJ,” treads comparable territory with its absurdist tackle courting apps.
The place the Black Mirror episode hinges on the futility of recent courting, “Matchmaker” goes full absurdist, involving cloning, courting do-overs, and a campus stuffed with males named Adam (Robert Buckley), all of whom chow down on pink slop whereas watching every successive model of themselves attempt to win the courting sport. It’s the identical subject material however has a greater humorousness about all the pieces.
The remainder of Dimension 404 follows an analogous sample, with every episode feeling vaguely acquainted however twisted towards comedy as a substitute of dread.
Patton Oswalt portrays a film snob who brings his personal 3D glasses to a high-tech theater in “Cinethrax,” solely to find {that a} Lovecraftian monster is crawling out of the display screen and face-sucking each patron carrying the glasses the theater supplied. In “Chronos,” a younger girl named Susan (Ashley Rickards) finds herself caught in a time loop centered on her favourite 90s cartoon that no person else remembers, and she or he has to interrupt the cycle in time to submit her physics remaining.
“Polybius” facilities on an arcade sport that pulls its gamers into its realm, full with historic, biblical implications. “Bob” provides us the basic “what if AI has emotions” routine, besides the titular machine is made completely out of genetically modified human meat and is as disgusting to have a look at as you’d anticipate. And eventually, “Impulse” follows an aspiring skilled FPS gamer who learns the darkish aspect of fame after slugging down one too many vitality drinks.
Doesn’t Reinvent The Wheel, However Nonetheless A Enjoyable Automobile
Dimension 404 doesn’t reinvent the thought-provoking sci-fi anthology wheel, nevertheless it doesn’t really want to. There are many genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, and everyone concerned is clearly having enjoyable with no matter ridiculous situation they’re trapped in. It’s the eating regimen Black Mirroror the model of The Twilight Zone that mother says we now have at house. I don’t imply that as a knock, however the sequence clearly wears its influences on its sleeve, and there’s nothing inherently incorrect with that.
When you’re a sci-fi fan who’s seen all of it earlier than, you realize precisely what you’re stepping into when firing up Dimension 404which is at present streaming without spending a dime on Tubi. That familiarity doesn’t make it any much less entertaining, although. For all the pieces it might lack in originality, it’s nonetheless an enticing watch from begin to end due to the expertise concerned, and it swerves away from baseline expectations simply sufficient to earn your consideration.