TV Shows Based On Movies: A Quick Review
I still remember when I saw ‘Rush Hour’ for the first time. I was around 11 years old and had never heard of anyone named Chris Tucker. But everyone, without exception, was already a fan of Jackie Chan. It’s impossible not to like him. Not only is he a talented actor with a sense of humor, with over 135 IMDb credits only as an actor, but you also know that you will spend a good time every time you watch a movie with him. Even when he plays more dramatic roles, you can appreciate his work. In conclusion, I loved ‘Rush Hour’ and its four films. I honestly believe that Tucker gave a whole new definition to “comic relief”. What a chemistry he and Jackie had.
I’m like this. I have a special place in my heart for films that include cops against the world. ‘Lethal Weapon’ is another example. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover belong in my imagination since childhood. Even today I can re-watch the four films in the saga without interruptions. Not to mention ‘Die Hard’. Damn, John McClane… (Read the next two words in Denzel Washington voice.) My man !
These movies, even if they’re not any kind of good to the eyes of critics, they still marked a generation. We love them because they had all the basic elements that makes us laugh and dream: good old action scenes, cheesy love interests and a sense of humor. And, of course, explosions. Lots and lots of explosions. Yeah! Let me open another beer and spit on the floor before I continue.
What’s my point with all of this? Let me try to explain. Recently I’ve seen a lot of TV shows based on successful movies from the 80’s and 90’s. Movies that I like. And I’ve been wondering if that’s a good thing or not. I mean, I like the nostalgia of it all. But what if the show is not that good? Oh, the disappointment. But what if the show is as good as the movie? Oh happy day! Oh happy daaay!
There is good and bad things about this. Personally, I think it’s a lazy way to create good content. If the show is good, you cannot describe it as “original”. Also, as a fan, it’s easy for me to be so full of expectations because I want it to be, at least, good. If not, I’m going to be so disappointed. The TV channel will lose a viewer, the show will be badly rated and… That’s it. End of the line. Even if the show goes on and it’s not cancelled, it will be remembered as a waste of everyone’s time. In a world so full of brilliant content when it comes to TV shows, do we really want that to happen? “MacGyver”, “Training Day”, “Minority Report” are perfect examples of that. Not to mention, you know, “Rush Hour”. Oh, the pain!
But there is a good chance for the show to be successful, if it’s done right. It’s a risky road, I think. But if you have a awesome engine and good brakes, you can reach the destination. Some examples? ‘Fargo’ it’s “brilliant and beautiful”. “‘Westworld’ was amazingly involving and evocative from the moment it began.”. And ‘Ash vs Evil Dead’ is here to stay because the plot is good and funny at the same time. There you go, the formula works out. At least sometimes.
What do I recommend for the networks to do is really simple: talk to the fans. Do we really want a TV show based on “Jurassic Park” or “Schindler’s List”? Or even based on “Ben-Hur”? No! We don’t! These movies are masterpieces. Please, don’t open those drawers. Talk to the fans, to the people, or “read the room” to understand what is missing on TV. And then, only then, it’s possible for you to have a good idea of something from the past that would work now. Or even better, an original idea. Now that would be great, right?
Just because Jackie Chan did it once, it doesn’t mean it will work again, people. Now if you excuse me, I’m going to watch the “Lethal Weapon” series on my corner and just pray that people like it as well as me. Like my good old friend Roger Murtaugh would say…
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This article is part of (the beginning!) of a series of articles dedicated to movie fans and knowledge geeks.
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