"Life on Mars" (2008) TV series 2008-2009

User Rating:

7.6/10   

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 | Planet In Title | TV Series Pilot

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Jason O'Mara	...	Detective Sam Tyler (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Michael Imperioli	...	Detective Ray Carling (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Gretchen Mol	...	Annie Norris (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Jonathan Murphy	...	Detective Chris Skelton (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Harvey Keitel	...	Lieutenant Gene Hunt (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Greg D'Agostino	...	Detective (17 episodes, 2008-2009)
Chris Miskiewicz	...	Detective / ... (14 episodes, 2008-2009)
John Cenatiempo	...	Sizable Ted (13 episodes, 2008-2009)
Dominick Mancino	...	Detective (12 episodes, 2008-2009)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Kudos Film and Television

Trivia:

In the episode, "Let All the Children Boogie" Rocket Girl's father says that he lost his daughter to music when his wife brought home a Beatles 45, noting, "'Love me do I think it was.'" This is a line taken from the song "Shooting Star" by Bad Company in which the main character becomes infatuated with music after hearing the exact same song.

Goofs:

Continuity: The type of rifle that is in Sam's hands when it is kicked by his Dad changes. When he places it down when he goes to talk to his younger version on the boat it looks like a Ruger Mini 30. When he picks it up a minute later it has changed into a Ak-47 or SKS type of rifle, which is then kicked by his Dad and it seems to go over the side of the boat. That is a less expensive type of rifle, which may be why it was the one tossed into the water.

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??