Lets face it, everyone involved in this was on a hiding to nothing from the start. If this film had too many nods to the original (and beloved) TV series, it would be criticised. If it tried to be its own beast, it would be criticised.
In the end it fails as a film because a) it tries to be a bit of both, and b) it just simply isn't funny.
There are some talented people involved, all doing very respectful takes on the original characters, but they are working with a weak (and often historically inaccurate) script that means they are lumbered doing imitations, rather than putting their own spin on the roles.
It's a shame this isn't good, but I can't say I'm surprised.
In the end it fails as a film because a) it tries to be a bit of both, and b) it just simply isn't funny.
There are some talented people involved, all doing very respectful takes on the original characters, but they are working with a weak (and often historically inaccurate) script that means they are lumbered doing imitations, rather than putting their own spin on the roles.
It's a shame this isn't good, but I can't say I'm surprised.