"Life on Mars" (2008) TV series

User Rating:

(awaiting 5 votes)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

2008 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Back in the nick of time

Plot:

A present-day car accident mysteriously sends a detective back to the 1970s. An American remake of the BBC series.

Plot Keywords:

Based On TV Series | TV Series Pilot | Planet In Title

Cast

Jonathan Murphy	...	Detective Chris Skelton / ... (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Tom Stratford	...	Detective (11 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jason O'Mara	...	Detective Sam Tyler / ... (10 episodes, 2008-2009)
Michael Imperioli	...	Detective Ray Carling (10 episodes, 2008-2009)
Gretchen Mol	...	Annie Norris / ... (10 episodes, 2008-2009)
Harvey Keitel	...	Lieutenant Gene Hunt / ... (10 episodes, 2008-2009)
John Cenatiempo	...	Sizable Ted / ... (7 episodes, 2008)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Kudos Film and Television

Trivia:

The original BBC series took its name from the David Bowie song, "Life on Mars".

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ben Affleck/David Cook (#34.7)" (2008)

Fun for those who have never seen the original

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??