Life on Mars

I just read half a dozen reviews of "Life on Mars" from viewers who are obviously fans of the original. History has shown that remakes of anything rarely please those who are anxious to see it again. However, if you've never seen the original (which I haven't), I think you just may enjoy this particular remake. Never a fan of cops & robbers shows, I stumbled upon Life on Mars to fill my spare hour after Grey's Anatomy. Sam's return to 1973 was an enjoyable trip down memory lane for me! I was 10 years old in 1973, yet I knew every song and instantly connected with the clothes, the hair, and the times! I was outraged and entertained by Lt. Hunt (Keitel); he is politically incorrect (of the Archie Bunker variety), lacks any sort of conscience or scruples, and is a modern day cowboy who lacks the morals and ethics that have been so finely honed by society over the last 30 years. You can't help but love him and hate him all at the same time! Detective Tyler (our main man) is, by comparison, politically correct having arrived from the 21st century, and finds the 125th's whole approach to law enforcement to be downright barbaric! It's fascinating to watch someone from today try to relate to the ways of yesteryear!! The break-out fight scenes among the detectives, the love-hate relationships that are developing, and the subtle humor buried within all of it make for a fun hour of surprises and whimsy. All this from a cop show!! I love the music and poly suits and the references to past events. If they're a little challenged in getting the exact date right, who cares? The intent is to take you back to another place in time and it absolutely worked for me! Jason O'Mara's "Sam" is reminiscent of Mel Gibson's "Riggs" in Lethal Weapon - what's not to love??

Who can resist checking out a new series with a time-travel aspect? I couldn't - so I watched. The pilot was pretty good. The stories, however, looked as if they would get tiresome since he's perpetually in 1973. Fortunately, the show's developers leave a little hook at the end of each episode where he's flashing forward to the present time. What they they are going to do with it is unknown, but it keeps me interested and watching.

If you haven't seen the show, it's about a present-day police officer who is severely hit by a car while investing a crime. He wakes up as a police officer in 1973 and, in every episode, tries to figure out what happened and what he needs to do to get back.

After a slightly shaky start, the series is holding up. The constant references to what life was like in 1973 (esp. things we take for granted) keeps it interesting - but it's Jason O'Mara (who plays the lead character) who holds the show together. His style of skepticism, seriousness and conflict (1973 values vs. modern values) is really great to watch.

There are some similarities to Journeyman from NBC, but let's hope this one sticks around.

Keitel cannot save this awful remake of an excellent Brit series. How dumbed down are we going to go, folks? This is like taking a great novel and turning it into a Reader's Digest Condensed Book. Gone from this American version are: 1. THE MUSIC: the BBC version serves up actual smash hits from the era, many made right in the UK, while the US version largely serves up a cheesy soundtrack trying to mimic the authentic sound of the times. 2. ACTING. Period. 3. GOOD DIRECTING. Compare the time travel scene in episode 1 in both versions. The Brit version gets it right as the camera crescendos perfectly in time with the crescendo of Bowie's "Life on Mars." The U.S. version reduces that drama to a flattening camera angle change. 4. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND IN THE EARLY 70S - a much more unique canvas for the anachronisms to follow.

Oy! Watch the BBC version and skip this crap, unless you are only watching it for 1) Keitel or, 2) because you really like soap operas

The energetic and entertaining "Life on Mars" is a cop-show tonic for those tired of being CSI-ed five night a weeks. It's managed to craft a very watchable balance of humor and light science fiction in the frame of a traditional 1970's police story, and yet it's backed by some pretty solid acting chops from Harvey Keitel and Jason O'Mara. Yes, it's different from the British series which it takes its inspiration from, but if you can accept the premise, it makes for some pretty solid entertainment. For those of you fearing or thinking this could develop into another "Lost" with multiple incomprehensible story lines, the tenor of the first couple of episodes makes it clear that this show won't get overly weighted down by its time traveling premise.

Great music, costumes, script and characters. I first watched the BBC series (both of them and then bought the DVDs) and am thoroughly enjoying this US version. Rather than just compare it with the BBC version I believe it best to view it on its own merits. The BBC version is pure class, as are most things containing John Simm. (I strongly recommend 'The Devil's Whore') Do not compare the characters/actors with the BBC version as it is certain to lead to dissatisfaction. The script isn't as subtle as the original, true. John Simm is a better actor than Jason O'Mara, true. However the series is very enjoyable and I may even buy the DVD of this series too. Just sit back and enjoy 50 minutes of good entertainment!