Best & Worst TV to Movie Adaptations

Illinoisguy1 · 22 Jun 08 :: 12:01

The Best and Worst TV Adaptions
In the new movie version of Get Smart, Steve Carell has big shoes to fill – even with the phone hidden in the sole – when he takes on the role created by Don Adams in the classic TV comedy. There have been many other attempts at reviving shows on the big screen, with varying degrees of success. Here's a look at how 15 movies stacked up to the TV originals.

The Brady Bunch: TV – 1969-74, Movie – 1995
Not only did the filmmakers attempt to recreate every detail of the television program – from Mike Brady's perm to the Astroturf lawn – they stayed true to its spirit. By transporting the characters to modern day with their sunshiny attitudes intact, the movie simultaneously honors and makes fun of the original.

Miami Vice: TV – 1984-89, Movie – 2006
When Miami Vice hit the airwaves, American audiences flipped over the music, the cars, the boats, the clothes, and the stubble. When the producer of the show, Michael Mann, decided to modernize it, he cut out the more ridiculous elements, like Crockett's pet alligator. But the perplexing plot and lifeless performances really just left out what was enjoyable. Plus the facial hair was even more laughable than before.

The Dukes of Hazzard: TV – 1979-85, Movie – 2005
It's not like the formula that made the TV show a success was that difficult to comprehend: the guys drive fast, the girl wears tiny shorts, the car defies gravity, repeat as necessary. The movie, however, couldn't decide if it wanted to copy the original or parody it. And if you can't get audiences to turn out for Jessica Simpson in a bikini, there's really no hope for you.

The Fugitive: TV – 1963-67, Movie – 1993
Dr. Richard Kimble, falsely convicted of murdering his wife, escapes custody after an accident and tries to avoid detection while searching for the true killer, a one-armed man. With a premise that good, it's no wonder the story spawned one of the most-watched programs of all time as well as an Oscar-winning film.

The Addams Family: TV – 1964-66, Movie – 1991
Sure, the movie captured the gleefully morbid spirit of the show and perfectly cast everyone in the famed creepy and kooky family from Gomez to Cousin Itt. But the movie has one thing that show never did – a couple songs by MC Hammer.

Charlie's Angels: TV – 1976-81, Movie – 2000
The filmmakers' claims that their revamp of the trashy TV classic would be more forward thinking than its predecessor were somewhat lessened by the trailer's focus on Cameron Diaz dancing in her Underoos. Still, Drew Barrymore did produce the movie and hauled away a ton of cash when it was a hit. She won't be taking orders from a faceless guy on a speakerphone anytime soon.

Lost in Space: TV – 1965-68, Movie – 1998
Like the TV show, the movie version of the navigationally challenged Robinson family had a faithful robot, a scheming Dr. Smith, and ridiculous spacesuits. But while there was a certain charm in the show's paper-maché sets, the film's overblown special effects drain the fun out of the concept.

Maverick: TV – 1957-62, Movie – 1994
It's tough enough for an actor to step into a role made famous by another star. But it has to be seriously intimidating to have that star in the same movie as you. Still, Mel Gibson seemed pretty unfazed to be playing fast-talking card shark Bret Maverick opposite the man who created the character, James Garner.

The Honeymooners: TV – 1955-56, Movie – 2005
Did you know that Jackie Gleason's original "Honeymooners" only ran for 39 episodes? Did you also know that any of those half-hour installments contains three times as many laughs than the entire modern day feature film? With the right script, changing the race of the lead characters might have made for an interesting movie. But as it turned out, it'd be best if all prints of the film were sent – Bang! Zoom! – to the moon.

Bewitched: TV – 1964-72, Movie – 2005
Before the movie came out, the publicity made a big deal out of the idea that this wasn't just another adaptation of an old sitcom. They said the movie was ABOUT adapting an old sitcom. Then it hit theaters and audiences quickly learned it wasn't really about anything. For a movie to make Will Ferrell unfunny and Nicole Kidman unappealing, there must have been some sort of witchcraft involved.

Wild Wild West: TV – 1965-69, Movie – 1999
The show broke ground by combining the elements of the Western, secret agent, and science fiction genres into a lightly comedic stew. The movie took the same ingredients, added gigantic stars, digital effects, and hundreds of millions of dollars, and ended up with rancid sludge. It's strange how the more money you pump into something to make it funny and hip just gives you a product that's boring and bland.

The Avengers: TV – 1961-69, Movie – 1998
She had the catsuit. He had the bowler hat. It seemed like the movie had everything it needed to recreate the '60s British cult classic. The one thing it lacked: any sense of what makes a watchable motion picture. You'd think at some point someone would've asked, "Is putting Sean Connery in a teddy-bear costume really a good idea?" Apparently, no one did.

Starsky & Hutch: TV – 1975-79, Movie – 2004
This movie doesn't just want to adapt the old show; it wants to replicate it. The car, the clothes, the hair, and even the absurdly small towels come straight out of the source material. So why does Ben Stiller play Starsky as an uptight stickler and Owen Wilson bend all the rules? The original characters had the opposite attitudes.

I Spy: TV – 1965-68, Movie – 2002
And it happened again. On TV, Robert Culp had the cover as a professional athlete (a tennis player), and Bill Cosby acted as his trainer as they conducted their espionage. Then for the movie, it was switched so that Eddie Murphy was the pro and Owen Wilson was the spy. Of course, that change would have been acceptable if the adaptation had retained the show's wit and inventiveness.

Mission: Impossible: TV – 1966-73, Movie – 1996
Let's face it: pretty much any movie would be thrilling as long as they played that theme song. Still, with its surveillance gadgets, its unbelievably lifelike masks, and its high-tension spy scenes, this movie was a refreshingly modern update of the earlier incarnation. That being said, this gallery will self-destruct in five seconds.

http://movies.yahoo.com/summer-movies/G … s/372/9673

For me the best TV to Movie adaptation is Star Trek. How they didn't include that is beyond me.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 22 Jun 08 :: 19:12

If they had done it, it probably would've only compared the original series to Star Trek - The Motion Picture. And that movie kinda failed to suitable adapt Trek. Wrath Of Khan saved that franchise, thank goodness. But the article wasn't comparing shows to sequels of adaptations.

Illinoisguy1 · 22 Jun 08 :: 19:26

Deb, have you ever seen the Director's Cut of Star Trek: The Motion Picture?

It is so much better then the theatrical version. Plus the FX are greatly enhanced and they don't take away from the movie like the enhanced FX did in the Star Wars: Special Edition's which were overblown imo.

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#1 22 Jun 08 :: 12:01

Best & Worst TV to Movie Adaptations

#2 22 Jun 08 :: 19:12

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#3 22 Jun 08 :: 19:26

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