I'm mostly interested in Movies, cult TV and Books, a huge interest in stories in general. I'm also ...
I'm mostly interested in Movies, cult TV and Books, a huge interest in stories in general. I'm also a writer, mostly of short stories, and have been involved in the making of several short films in various different roles.
Member since:09.09.2006
Reviews:8
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Life on Mars is the hit BBC One series which brought to you by the same produciton company as other great shows like Spooks and Hustle. It won the International Emmy for Best Drama Series for 2006
Life on Mars is a very different kind of show to a lot of things on the BBC. It is a high-concept drama, with elements of fantasy, science fiction, humour, and the 70s thrown in for good measure.
Essentially Life On Mars is a cop show. The main character is Sam Tyler. While investigating a murder in 2006 Sam is struck down by a car. Playing on his iPod at that moment is David Bowie's 'Life On Mars'. As the song rings in his ears he loses consciousness and wakes up with the song still playing. However he quickly realises something is amiss. He has woken up in 1973. Sam faces the questions: Has he really travelled back in time? Is he in a coma? Has he just gone mad? Why 1973? And a whole host of other puzzles.
Each episode has a 'cop show' plot, be it murder, robbery, hostage taking. Every episode features comparions between current police techniques and those used in a more sexist, more violent, more corrupt and less technologically advanced time. Even though 1973 wasn't really that long ago the differences are vast. Each episode also advances the main story arc as Sam attempts to discover what's really going on and is offered tantalising (and often very bizzare) clues while also encountering people and places known to him in 2006 (Sam himself is 4 in 1973, what would happen if they met???) All the while there is a reoccuring set of images that build up to a stunning revelation in the final episode.
The characters are excellent. John Simm portrays Sam Tyler and is in every single scene (he needs to be after all to leave open the various possible explainations like dream and coma). He is called upon to display a vast array of emotions, strengths, and weaknesses that take us on a very compelling journey. His acting is superb, hitting all the right beats. Gene Hunt (played by Philip Glenister) is a brilliant opposing force, and Sam's boss at his 1973 job. He is very much a man of his time, adn yet at his core he really is one of the good guys, despite his less than moral actions. He's the anti-Sam, but also so much more. Glenister brings Hunt to life. Liz White lays Annie Cartwright, a strong female character that brings a nice contrast to all the strong male characters. She's smart, she's witty and she brings real heart to the show. The acting again is fantastic.
Aside from these three leads there is a great supporting cast, and good guest star (chracters that appear in one or two episodes only) actors too.
The special effects are good, CGI is subtle and very rarely used at all, and the practical effects are all convincing. The costumes and sets are pure 70's retro. Flairs, bad haircuts, the lot. The world created is an interesting and one and the production is very polished.
The soundtrack is awesome. Every episode has an array of great 70's tracks from the likes of David Bowie and The Who as well as a nice score and incidental music that adds to the drama without being overbearing. I wasn't too keen on the theme music to begin with but as the series went on it kind of grew on me.
The series is not short on action either with the chases and shoot outs and tense stand-offs you'd expect from a great cop show. These are all backed up by compelling plot and complex characters.
The DVD Extras are pretty good too (though perhaps there are a little fewer than I'd of liked, but I think I' m just being to eager to enjoy more things about the series) with commentaries and documentaries.
Life On Mars is a great DVD set and I highly recommend it.
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Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Willow Smith, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Charlie Tahan, Salli Richardson, Alice Braga
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
How would the modern face of policing cope in the land ofThe Sweeney? Thats the question ... more
posed byLife on Mars, as DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) a modern cop transported back to 1973 after a nasty car accident. There, he finds himself dealing with the signif...
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How would the modern face of policing cope in the land ofThe Sweeney? Thats the question ... more
posed byLife on Mars, as DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) a modern cop transported back to 1973 after a nasty car accident. There, he finds himself dealing with the signif...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Sam Tyler (John Simm) is an ambitious young detective determined to keep the streets of ... more
21st Century Manchester safe. However, the hunt for a serial killer becomes a personal vendetta when Sam suspects his girlfriend has been kidnapped by the very man ...
John Simm stars as Sam Tyler a driven and ambitious young detective determined to keep ... more
the streets of 21st Century Manchester safe. But after a near fatal car accident he wakes up dazed and confused in 1973. Has he gone back in time? Is he in a co...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Exciting, involving and dramatic - episodes just fly by and stand up to rewatching. Disadvantages: Episodes can seem slightly formulaic after you've seen a few.
Advantages: Fantastic acting, well written scripts and characters Disadvantages: May need an older member of the family to explain some of the 70's references
![Life On Mars : Complete BBC Series 1 [2006] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/74856005.jpg "Life On Mars : Complete BBC Series 1 [2006] [DVD]")
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