Critic Reviews
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73
Metascore
Generally Favorable
positive
21(81%)
mixed
5(19%)
negative
0(0%)
Showing 26 Critic Reviews
100
The producers ("Alias" alums Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec) have created a Dickensian (with a nod to L. Frank Baum) universe, draped in shadows, pastels and mystery, while aurally wrapped in chestnuts from the Sweet, Five Man Electrical Band and the Ramones. This new series has enormous promise.
88
The time-travel element puts enough of a twist in it to move it a couple of notches above all the other entries in the fall season, not to mention all the same-old police procedurals clogging the networks.
83
The premise of ABC's Life on Mars is ludicrous but irresistible.
80
Life on Mars offers fine performers, some arresting images, sly satire and a terrific song score.
80
This captures the original series’ vibe nicely.
80
The script, from Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec and Scott Rosenberg, is true to the spirit of the original and exciting enough to make you swallow the premise and beg for more.
80
They've pulled together a vivid cast and evoked the ideal tone - not comedy, not psychodrama, not sci fi, but an intriguingly evasive blend of them all.
80
The new American version moves a little faster, which may sacrifice some of the subtlety of the original, but overall this first episode is a faithful adaptation.
80
This idea--that Sam is experiencing his coma as an “alternate reality” via a TV show--is wickedly clever. It’s a question as to whether Life on Mars can sustain and develop this idea, which is really an investigation of limits.
80
The premiere episode of Life on Mars, by contrast [to "Kath & Kim"], is strange and exhilarating.
