And ABC's "Americanized" version - I could not happier to report - is a damn fine adaptation!
It certainly doesn't hurt to have an all-star cast - all earnestly dedicated to their roles - but like the original, the strength of ABC's Life on Mars' lay in its excellent writing and that playful, retro cinematography, used to heighten the mood and really bring that rock n roll atmosphere home.
Just as in the BBC version, the cinematography resorts to 1970's "action shots," like the ones in the exploitation movies and television crime dramas of the period, whenever the team is on the move and the case is about to be solved. The result is staggering: it is truly electric! When Keitel and Imperioli made the case-breaking discovery in the pilot, they leapt over the front desk with the entire homicide division (and "No-Nuts") in-tow - and we went right along with them! It makes you bolt - your eyes widen - and you feel that gut tug to stand up and cheer!
Just a fantastic show.
In fact, just about everything I could say about Life on Mars has already been said... by me. About the first one. So? Go read that.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
1 comment:
Well, you knew it was too good to be true:
According to this report from SyFy Portal, Life on Mars stays true to the original only in the pilot; from there, it goes off on its own.
Of course, let's not be hasty. If we are extremely lucky, it may turn out to be just as good as the first one - only in a different way.
Here's to hoping so!
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