Life on Mars Premiere

Well, I just watched the new and vastly improved pilot for the American version of Life on Mars.  A major factor to consider when comparing this to the BBC version is time.  The UK version ran a full 60 minutes, a luxury ABC does not have.  That taken into consideration, the writers of the US version have done a very nice job in choosing the 13 minutes to cut.  In the BBC show, Annie has a psychologist friend who screws with Sam, leading to a long scene where Annie convinces Sam that he really is in the past.  It is a good scene, but can easily be introduced later in the run of the ABC show if the writers so desire.

In our Americanized version, we have been introduced to Sam and the time period.  Those are the most important elements.  Gene Hunt, I can only assume will develop more slowly than he did in the British version, since he is so significant to the show.  Fear not, fans of the original, Gene Hunt is going to become a huge factor, why else would Keitel be doing the role.

Jason O’Mara turned in an admirable performance as Sam Tyler.  Actually, I did not find myself comparing him to John Simm very much at all.  The change in location and the adjustment to the American form of TV seems to distance me from the original, which is good.

Imperioli as Ray works just as perfectly as I imagined.  Dare I say…he could outdo Dean Andrews turn as Carling.  I dared.

Gretchen Mol was great as Annie.  I think she is so underrated as an actress.  Enough said.

Other bits I loved…they smoke, they drink, they’re sexist (the no-nuts business surprised me), and they’re arrogant.  No, I don’t endorse the lifestyles of these guys, I simply love the authenticity.

I’m ready for more.  Don’t let me down, Life on Mars USA.

Sons of Anarchy Review (free of major spoilers)

Fresh off watching the premiere of the new FX show Sons of Anarchy, I realize its inevitability.  After The Sopranos gave us a peek into the home life of a mafia family and Weeds showed us a soccer mom turned pot dealer,  it was a given that someone would eventually get around to putting a human face on motorcycle gangs.

Sons boasts an impressive cast led by the little known (in the USA) Charlie Hunnam as Jackson.  Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, Mitch Pileggi, and solid character actor Mark Boone Junior (Det. Flass in Batman Begins) round out the cast nicely.  Additionally, a rough looking Drea de Matteo does a fine job guest starring in episode one.

Generally solid writing occasionally gave way to moments that became a bit heavy-handed.  Yes, I know they’re doing a bad thing and it is unnecessary to emphasize it with dialogue or pictures.  Overall, the show remained low key, requiring the viewer to spot the little touches.  A great moment reflecting this is a scene where the leadership of the gang meets in a smoke filled room to discuss strategy against their rivals.  Of special note is the way the script seems to draw on a very deep and well conceived back story that I am sure we will learn more of in future episodes.

Technically, the show was solid save for one axis jump during a scene in which Ron Perlman met with a gang banger who wanted his shipment of guns pronto.  I must say that the end montage felt reminscent and a tad derivative of a Sopranos episode, though the music chosen was a nice touch considering the singer.  I will say no more on that moment to avoid spoilers.

As far as the realism of the gang goes, I am no expert.  There were nice touches.  Little patches that read “First 9″ that reminded me of the one percenter emblem worn by some actual gangs, for instance.  The guys wearing helmets to ride seemed atypical at first, but as they were all of the same design I accepted it as part of the uniform.

Sons of Anarchy definitely provided enough story and intrigue to bring me back for future airings.  Hopefully, the writing will even out and step away from ground already covered by The Sopranos and films like Goodfellas.

Sons of Anarchy airs Wednesday at 10/9c on FX.