jones frank If you have seen the original Life on Mars, then you will understand why I am writing this review. The other night I caught an episode of this American life on mars, which at first I thought was supposed to be a joke. But to my horror and bewilderment it was for real. I actually felt my brain was being assaulted!! Harvey Kietel who I rate as a good actor was just cringe worthy in his attempt as Gene Hunt, who if you have seen the real Gene Hunt played by Philip Glenister then you know exactly where i'm coming from. And as for the American Sam Tyler, he can't act for toffee!!!. He like a reject from a bad soap opera. He's a type of "actor" you just want to slap!!This type of program doesn't not translate well from an English script, and yet these American writers think they can do it as well. You can't!!! Life on Mars (original) lasted two series which were 8 episodes each. Those 16 episodes where magic, but unfortunately American TV doesn't understand or even comprehend that sometimes less is more. The only thing I can say in a positive way about this program is that ABC have seen sense in cancelling this insult to TV, and thank goodness there won't be a sequel of Ashes to Ashes.For all those that have never sen the original, I strongly recommend you buy the English version of Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, and then you will see how you have wasted your time even watching the American version.Please note that I love American TV, but In reading these other positive reviews, I felt it was only right to give you a wake up call, and suggest that the American Life on Mars should dropped into room 101 and never to see the light of day again!!!

SkeletonTongue Sigh... this could have been so good. Began OK, almost identically to the wonderful UK version, despite some bad editing choices, and the moment 'Sam' looks up and sees what he sees instead of the poster advertising the forthcoming Mancunian Way, is worthy of a 'wow' moment, but then it all goes horribly wrong! Instead of Gene Hunt, Sam's nemesis has become Ray Carling, and Harvey Keitel as Gene, essentially seems along for the ride rather than completely inhabiting his character, and I love Keitel in almost everything he's done. Chris is... forgettable. The new Annie is fine and Gretchen Mol suitably understated, Jason Mara however seems to be channelling Mel Gibson in much of his mannerisms and delivery, and seems too... 'nice' to be Sam. The show feels wonderfully appropriate for its time and the set dressing, feel and overall impression is very 'period', but the occasional use of stock 70's footage pulled me out of 'the moment'. It's not needed. We're already in on the joke.I enjoyed the series as it progressed, and the characters became more involving, but boy did I feel cheated at the end! It may have been rushed because the show wasn't going to a second series, but the UK one managed to round things off beautifully and neatly with possibly one of the most satisfying endings in television history in only 16 episodes! The US one had 17 to produce the dire Dallas style cop out (pun intended) we were presented with.Watch for the curiosity value, and if you forget the UK version (is that possible?) you will enjoy it on one level, but really, switch off before the last ten minutes of the last episode. You will live happier and fuller lives if you never see those 600 seconds of utter stomach churning bilge!

dangermous Our hero is thrust back in time by unknown means from 2008 to 1973 he is mysteriously holding a cops ID and is expected at the station house as a new transfer into H Keitels "team" of detectives. Its all confusing to him but he pulls himself together and for some reason goes to work every day as a new york detective working cases and living adventures with his new partners. We get to experience the culture shock first hand. There is also a dark unknown force always teasing Sam as to why he is there and that Sam is following someones unknown plan....There are funny moments which are played out quite well almost looking like they are happening for real. Its a credit to the cast that they can pull it off considering the script quality.more light hearted than the UK version and not quite so edgy. Even so in its own right its a decent show. the characters are intriguing and make you want to know more. As normal with yank shows there is always some big moral backdrop to the story which a lot of UK fans will find cheesy but the Americans love that stuff.....each episode has its own story though they are all linked, I think the show could do with a bigger arc for us to get our teeth into spread out over several episodes or a season, though I would say it does look like its heading that way.excellent cast. Though Harvey Keitel and Gretchen Mol both outshine Jason O'Mara the lead. He doesn't seem very realistic as a character and I wish he would take more advantage of the fact that he's from the future to make him more believable. in summary thumbs up, good entertainment.

steve e Having never heard of this show prior to its debut on ABC, I absolutely loved the American version. After a few episodes, the characters really developed, and the actors seemed to gel more than in the start. A lot of humor involved Michael Imperioli and Keitel condescending women's rights and confused by 'Spaceman's' current attitudes that we take as common sense.The British version is obviously amazing, but it's two separate countries, so the issues and slang used (along with the scenery), are very different. To be honest, I didn't understand a lot of the references in the British version. I wasn't even alive in the 70s. I am almost positive a lot went over my head in the American version as well. The basic premise, the hallucinations, and character names are really the few things both have in common. The idea of a re-make is to improve something that was done poorly yet remained popular (usually a cult classic) or alter a successful idea to reach new audiences, not produce a carbon copy. Ricky Gervais understood that concept when bringing us the Office. Even today, his characters evolve yet maintain his original, core personalities, yet that may be due to his current involvement as producer and writer.From reading the other reviews, I believe it was impossible for fans of the original to view the American version as something attuned to our history. The anger seemed more directed at Americans for even attempting this version, not its content, the sharp, sarcastic dialog (after the growing pains), or the humor in the ideals held a mere thirty years ago. Be that as it may, the outcry was heard and new fans of the series were stripped of a potential classic before it had a chance to develop into its beautiful and savvy predecessor. Sometimes the translation is lost on its way overseas (like Coupling), but I do not think that was the case here. Every week I was eager for a new episode. Every week I laughed and got more involved with the growing complexities within each character. Due to this, the final episode will infuriate just about everyone. It was an idea meant to be led to slowly and with a lot of misdirection, yet the cancellation sped us to the "wow" moment too quickly. It became a moment of confusion, instead of revelation.I would advise purchasing either version and cranking the volume. Otherwise, you're not going to hear the music over your own laughing and voiced epiphanies. Both soundtracks are stellar, and half the fun is guessing at the end of the series like with Lost, and I promise, you will fail as soon as you start trying.Both versions have a place in my heart. Enjoy them!