Just watched the American remake of the semi-sci-fi series Life on Mars, but remain personally unsure about it. The production seemed pretty slick, but the duplication from the US series made me flinch on too many occasions - especially on how much the words and actions were mimicked instead of being very original. If you ask me Sam isn't really Sam - if you get my drift! American detectives in 1973 were more like Hawaii Five-O and Mod Squad than what is portrayed in Life on Mars.
Also Harvey Keitel was not very convincing as the thug Inspector Gene Hunt, while the Annie Norris (Gretchen Mol) (the UK character Annie Cartwright played by Liz White) seemed far too smart and unrealistic for her seemingly meagre policewoman role. (Were we that discriminatory and sexist against women in 1973? I don't recall it being as bad in Australia?)
I am also looking forward to the new English sequel Ashes to Ashes, with some of the same characters but is set in England in 1982. It is already being shown in the UK. I do wonder if the ABC TV has picked it up? Perhaps they'll repeat the original series again on ABC TV?
Still, I wonder what others thought of the TV program shown last night? Was it as good as the original, or was the critically acclaimed UK Series much more superior?
This is being shown on Ch. 10 in Darwin but the local station Imparja hasn't yet picked up the option.
Like you I'm much more interested in Ashes to Ashes.
Still waiting for someone to screen the second series of the Doctor Who spin-off, Torchwood.
I turned it off half way thru - didn't appeal to me. Can't compare it to the original British series coz I missed it. Hope ABC do reeat it, then I'll give it a go. I liked the main guy as the Master in Dr. Who.
I thought the original was one of the most original TV series for years and superbly made. The thought of an American remake makes my skin crawl. I couldn't bear to watch it.
I'll certainly watch Ashes to Ashes, but from what I've heard it isn't a patch on the Life on Mars. Still they have a nice twist whereby the new 'Sam' protagonist (female this time) comes across his files....
PS I think the fact that the innovative original show was on ABC and the US remake is on commercial TV says a lot about the media in this country...
Life on Mars
