So, what was the point?
Aug. 10th, 2010 10:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
darkly_ironicSo, after much internal debate, I saw the first two episodes of the American Life on Mars last night. It wasn't quite what I had expected. Some things were better then I'd expected. Others, cue nightmarish images of Americanization wreaking havoc on a perfectly good show...
Detailed rant under cut. Contains Spoilers for American and British Versions of Life on Mars
First, Pros:
* The cinematography and general look of the show was wonderful. I think they might have had a slightly higher budget then the original show, and it was obvious. The music might have been a little better too.
* As of the first couple of episodes, they're sticking very close to the original, much closer then I'd expected. Some of the dialog's word for word.
* Ray and Chris are obviously Ray and Chris. They even got actors who looked almost identical (well, close enough) to the first versions.
* Jason O'Mara, this version's Sam, is surprisingly good. I mean, he isn't John Simm, but he's OK. Also, I heard he's actually Irish, and he's doing avery good American accent. He's not pulling off the crazy as well as Simm, but that could just be they way they're going with the character. Also, he still comes from Hyde!
Cons:
* Harvey Keitel is not Gene Hunt. My parents keep assuring me he's a good actor, and I'm sure he is, just not as Gene. He's way too old, he's got none of Philip Glenister's presence, and they've made him comparatively politically correct and mild. The moment he seemed most like Gene was when he uttered the infamous "You're surrounded by armed bastards" line, and I think that was more the line then him. Mostly, I think it's just his age. He looks like he should be retiring instead of beating up innocent suspects.
* Poor Annie comes off second worse. I really liked the British version's Annie. She was clever, funny, stubborn, brave, and caring, and didn't look like a model. Here, she's super-skinny and blonde, with about half of the previous version's guts. I think it's interesting that one of the things they cut from the pilot was Annie talking Sam down from the roof.
* Even though Ray and Chris survived the Americanization almost intact, they're roles have been cut down to less then supporting. It's kind of sad, really.
* They're already foreshadowing that ridiculous finale. This Mars-Rover-Thing keeps turning up, interspersed with Sam's visions of the woman in the red dress. It's just weird
* Also, I don't care if there weren't that many Jamaicans in New York in the '70's. I miss the real Nelson! In this, he's just a pudgy, middle-aged white guy....
And of course, none of this really matters, because I know how they end this thing. Funny thing is, on the back of the DVD, they tote the finale as one of the show's selling points. My dad made a comment about "Main characters can't commit suicide on American shows", and I think that is a lot of it. Yeah, I cried at the end of the real show, but it was a wonderful ending. It took a leap (if you'll pardon the pun), and did something really original and creative. From what I've heard of the American ending, it's original, yeah, but not exactly in a good way.
In conclusion, it's a good show, and I think I might have really enjoyed it if I hadn't seen the British version first. Visually, it's wonderful, but the acting and the writing pales in comparison. I mean, in the original they even managed to get a good script out of Chris Chibinall! (not a fan of Doctor Who's third season episode "42" here...) The Americanized version's lacking the spark that the original had. There's no quirkiness, no creepy test-card-girl. On the other hand, it's still recognizably the same show. So why change the things they did? What's the point of even Americanizing it? It just seems like a waste.
I'll just wait for Ashes to Ashes to come out on DVD.
Detailed rant under cut. Contains Spoilers for American and British Versions of Life on Mars
First, Pros:
* The cinematography and general look of the show was wonderful. I think they might have had a slightly higher budget then the original show, and it was obvious. The music might have been a little better too.
* As of the first couple of episodes, they're sticking very close to the original, much closer then I'd expected. Some of the dialog's word for word.
* Ray and Chris are obviously Ray and Chris. They even got actors who looked almost identical (well, close enough) to the first versions.
* Jason O'Mara, this version's Sam, is surprisingly good. I mean, he isn't John Simm, but he's OK. Also, I heard he's actually Irish, and he's doing avery good American accent. He's not pulling off the crazy as well as Simm, but that could just be they way they're going with the character. Also, he still comes from Hyde!
Cons:
* Harvey Keitel is not Gene Hunt. My parents keep assuring me he's a good actor, and I'm sure he is, just not as Gene. He's way too old, he's got none of Philip Glenister's presence, and they've made him comparatively politically correct and mild. The moment he seemed most like Gene was when he uttered the infamous "You're surrounded by armed bastards" line, and I think that was more the line then him. Mostly, I think it's just his age. He looks like he should be retiring instead of beating up innocent suspects.
* Poor Annie comes off second worse. I really liked the British version's Annie. She was clever, funny, stubborn, brave, and caring, and didn't look like a model. Here, she's super-skinny and blonde, with about half of the previous version's guts. I think it's interesting that one of the things they cut from the pilot was Annie talking Sam down from the roof.
* Even though Ray and Chris survived the Americanization almost intact, they're roles have been cut down to less then supporting. It's kind of sad, really.
* They're already foreshadowing that ridiculous finale. This Mars-Rover-Thing keeps turning up, interspersed with Sam's visions of the woman in the red dress. It's just weird
* Also, I don't care if there weren't that many Jamaicans in New York in the '70's. I miss the real Nelson! In this, he's just a pudgy, middle-aged white guy....
And of course, none of this really matters, because I know how they end this thing. Funny thing is, on the back of the DVD, they tote the finale as one of the show's selling points. My dad made a comment about "Main characters can't commit suicide on American shows", and I think that is a lot of it. Yeah, I cried at the end of the real show, but it was a wonderful ending. It took a leap (if you'll pardon the pun), and did something really original and creative. From what I've heard of the American ending, it's original, yeah, but not exactly in a good way.
In conclusion, it's a good show, and I think I might have really enjoyed it if I hadn't seen the British version first. Visually, it's wonderful, but the acting and the writing pales in comparison. I mean, in the original they even managed to get a good script out of Chris Chibinall! (not a fan of Doctor Who's third season episode "42" here...) The Americanized version's lacking the spark that the original had. There's no quirkiness, no creepy test-card-girl. On the other hand, it's still recognizably the same show. So why change the things they did? What's the point of even Americanizing it? It just seems like a waste.
I'll just wait for Ashes to Ashes to come out on DVD.
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no subject
Date: 2010-09-02 02:12 pm (UTC)Someone else who isn't a fan of the American Life On Mars!
The problem with that version of it is that if you tried to do a 70's cop show in America, it would not be the Sweeney-esque show that we get over here. They weren't as politically uncorrect as us English and it just doesn't gel properly.
I adore the original Life on Mars, mostly for Crazy!Simm and Glenister!Gene Hunt. And also because of the bastardy lines in it.
<3
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 03:23 pm (UTC)I agree! It came off as just seeming weak and watered-down. I didn't actually see all of it--maybe the first four episodes or so, and the finale, but I can't imagine the middle was much better.
I think what ended up bothering me the most was the end... *shudder* I mean, I haven't really gone looking for Life on Mars fanfic, but I know there's tons of Sam/Gene out there, and with the American ending... Ugh...