I finally got my hands on the first season of the BBC show Ashes To Ashes. This is sort of a “sequel” to Life On Mars, with all the main characters except Sam Tyler. This time it's a woman, Alex Drake who gets to “go back in time”.
I won't give away any huge spoilers (I'm hoping BBCAmerica will be kind enough to run these at some point). The story goes that Sam Tyler supposedly lived out the remainder of his life in the 70's, and criminal profiler Alex Drake has been studying his notes about having traveled back to 1973. Of course, she thinks he's a complete loon, until she's shot and finds herself back in 1981 London (instead of 1973 Manchester) with Gene Hunt, Chris Skelton and Ray Carling.
I blew through the 8 episode series in about a week, and it was very cool. Especially Gene Hunt. The writing wasn't as good as Life On Mars though. There were cringe-worthy scenes with Alex meeting her parents, and I found myself thinking, “If Alex Drake studied Sam Tyler's notes on his experiences in 1973, then why didn't she learn something from them?”.
The best episodes were the very first one and the very last one. In between those episodes, adventures ensued. Oh, and there's a David Bowie clown who starts off creepy, then just becomes annoying. Like a stalker. If I was Alex Drake, I think I would've decked him after the 3rd sighting – imaginary construct or not.
Overall, I enjoyed this series and would definitely go back and watch them again. I understand a second series has been commissioned, and I'm looking forward to seeing that eventually.
So here's a bit of the first episode, courtesy of YouTube. A most excellent introduction of Alex Drake to the infamous Gene Hunt.
Sis - if you're reading this, I think you'll enjoy!
Showing posts with label Life On Mars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life On Mars. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Life On Mars: Take 4
I've written about the new, American version of Life On Mars here, here and here. I have to admit, it's improving. Besides, I'm reliving my childhood with all that early 70's music. Dug out all the old T-Rex that I hadn't listened to in years. Forgot how great they were.....and it still holds up today. Good stuff in both the original and new versions.
In last Thursday's episode, Sam Tyler meets his mother in 1973. The story is very similar to the original British episode. There were small changes, but nothing that really impacted the story. The oddest thing was that they renamed his mother. In the original, she was Ruth Tyler. In the new one she's Rose Tyler. I sort of cringed, suspecting a Doctor Who connection. A bit of googling found that it was, actually.
Overall, I'm giving it a B+.
The ABC website for Life On Mars can be found here. The original BBC production can be found here.
In last Thursday's episode, Sam Tyler meets his mother in 1973. The story is very similar to the original British episode. There were small changes, but nothing that really impacted the story. The oddest thing was that they renamed his mother. In the original, she was Ruth Tyler. In the new one she's Rose Tyler. I sort of cringed, suspecting a Doctor Who connection. A bit of googling found that it was, actually.
Overall, I'm giving it a B+.
The ABC website for Life On Mars can be found here. The original BBC production can be found here.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Life On Mars American Style, Again
I considered writing a full review on the second episode of Life On Mars, but decided against it. This reinterpretation is good; I even suspect it'll be a success. I know I shouldn't keep comparing it to the original.
But.
There are so many pieces missing from the new version: the bartender, the test pattern girl, the messages over the radio and television, the subtlety.....
*sigh*
But.
There are so many pieces missing from the new version: the bartender, the test pattern girl, the messages over the radio and television, the subtlety.....
*sigh*
Friday, October 10, 2008
Life On Mars: UPDATE
I went back and watched the first episode of the British Life On Mars. Wow, what a difference. There were so many little things that I forgot about, especially the ending scene with Annie's friend the psychology dude, and Sam on the roof of the police station. For some reason, I thought this occurred in a later episode. In the American version, Raimes is the modern day killer (with a twin) copying the original 70's killer. In the British version, the 70's killer was both - the lapse in the crimes being when he was in psych hospital, and then beginning again once he's released. The neighbor Raimes was only writing in his journal about killing, in order to emulate the killer who lived next door.
The dialogue and the acting in the original series is phenomenal. I get the feeling Hollywood thinks it needs to dumb down the dialogue and keep the plot moving quickly, or they might lose the attention of us slow-witted, action-addicted folk. Like the scene in the original with the bartender. Does he know Sam is in a coma? What special knowledge is he privy to? He seems to know something - and that draws us in. What about the test pattern girl on the television, who speaks to Sam throughout the series? These subtle pieces missing from the new version are what made the original intriguing.
In the original, John Simm relays the emotion and the feeling of near insanity at being back in 1973 in a way I just did not see in the new series. That, along with the fact that Harvey Keitel is simply too old and short to play Gene Hunt. Gene Hunt is supposed to be a man of about 45, tough guy, and tower over Sam.
The new show wasn't bad, just not the same quality. It was like seeing a wonderful Broadway show with the people who originate the roles - all the great actors - then going to see the same show at the local playhouse theater. Good show, just not the same. However, I understand that the writers/producers received permission to take liberties with the whole “coma or time travel” thing, so it's bound to be somewhat different.
Like I said, I'll definitely tune in next week, but mostly to see how the rest of the series is interpreted, and where they go with the plot.
The dialogue and the acting in the original series is phenomenal. I get the feeling Hollywood thinks it needs to dumb down the dialogue and keep the plot moving quickly, or they might lose the attention of us slow-witted, action-addicted folk. Like the scene in the original with the bartender. Does he know Sam is in a coma? What special knowledge is he privy to? He seems to know something - and that draws us in. What about the test pattern girl on the television, who speaks to Sam throughout the series? These subtle pieces missing from the new version are what made the original intriguing.
In the original, John Simm relays the emotion and the feeling of near insanity at being back in 1973 in a way I just did not see in the new series. That, along with the fact that Harvey Keitel is simply too old and short to play Gene Hunt. Gene Hunt is supposed to be a man of about 45, tough guy, and tower over Sam.
The new show wasn't bad, just not the same quality. It was like seeing a wonderful Broadway show with the people who originate the roles - all the great actors - then going to see the same show at the local playhouse theater. Good show, just not the same. However, I understand that the writers/producers received permission to take liberties with the whole “coma or time travel” thing, so it's bound to be somewhat different.
Like I said, I'll definitely tune in next week, but mostly to see how the rest of the series is interpreted, and where they go with the plot.
Life On Mars American Style: Travesty Or Treasure?
Just a quick one here......
Anyone see the premiere of Life On Mars last night? I've been dreading this one for months now, since I am a HUGE fan of the original British version. I was fairly certain Hollywood would manage to ruin this show, but now I'm not so sure. There have been several travesties in the recent past when attempting to adapt British shows to American television. Coupling and IT Crowd to name a few. Somehow they got lucky with The Office, which is now a huge hit - but the humor just isn't the same.
The first episode followed the British version almost exactly - even down to some of the lines, camera shots and music. I found myself wondering, "Why don't they just run the original then?".
Obviously, they revised some of the story to fit America, like the NYC setting, standard use of handguns by the police, and the term "cell" versus "mobile" - just to name a few. The most impressive being the opening scene in 1973, where Sam Tyler finds himself in an empty lot, and the camera pans up to show the Twin Towers still standing. (The original takes place in Manchester, and Sam finds himself in a lot with a huge sign advertising the new highway to be built.) Call me a sap, but it did give me chills, and wasn't cheesy.
The ending was slightly different, but not hugely so. Based on the previews for next week, it appears the second episode will also be quite similar to the British version, if not nearly identical.
I'm actually looking forward to the next episode. In the meantime, I'm breaking out the British Life On Mars DVDs and watching the originals again.
Even if this show is a hit, NO ONE could compare to Phillip Glenister as Gene Hunt. He is the coolness :)
Let me know what you think!
Anyone see the premiere of Life On Mars last night? I've been dreading this one for months now, since I am a HUGE fan of the original British version. I was fairly certain Hollywood would manage to ruin this show, but now I'm not so sure. There have been several travesties in the recent past when attempting to adapt British shows to American television. Coupling and IT Crowd to name a few. Somehow they got lucky with The Office, which is now a huge hit - but the humor just isn't the same.
The first episode followed the British version almost exactly - even down to some of the lines, camera shots and music. I found myself wondering, "Why don't they just run the original then?".
Obviously, they revised some of the story to fit America, like the NYC setting, standard use of handguns by the police, and the term "cell" versus "mobile" - just to name a few. The most impressive being the opening scene in 1973, where Sam Tyler finds himself in an empty lot, and the camera pans up to show the Twin Towers still standing. (The original takes place in Manchester, and Sam finds himself in a lot with a huge sign advertising the new highway to be built.) Call me a sap, but it did give me chills, and wasn't cheesy.
The ending was slightly different, but not hugely so. Based on the previews for next week, it appears the second episode will also be quite similar to the British version, if not nearly identical.
I'm actually looking forward to the next episode. In the meantime, I'm breaking out the British Life On Mars DVDs and watching the originals again.
Even if this show is a hit, NO ONE could compare to Phillip Glenister as Gene Hunt. He is the coolness :)
Let me know what you think!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)