I didn't get where I am today with product placement

[threemonkeys]

It was blast from the past time yesterday.

First up was Reggie Perrin - a remake of the classic The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin. First you have to ask the question - why did such a great show have to be remade in the first place? Opinions will differ on that one, but once you accept that it has happened, you can see that the remake is well done with a lot of respect and even love for the original. It isn't an exact copy but retains so much of what was important about the old one while reworking it where necessary for the world of today. There is also rework so that it matches Martin Clunes in the lead role.

Except that they ruined it with a laugh track. Not an ordinary one but an extra loud and intrusive one. It really bugged me. Even if, as a producer, network or whatever you decide that a laugh track is necessary (as it isn't here), at least do it properly. There is plenty of subtle variation possible with the technology. None of that was on display here. Some idiot CJ type manager somewhere has to be to blame.

Then there was the new Star Trek movie. Crass product placement, plot holes, atrocious physics (even by Trek standards) would make you doubt how good it could be. But that same quality of respect and love for the original comes into play here too. This time it is those things and a good healthy dose of fun that makes it easy to get past the annoyances and just enjoy the film. Then there was the characterisations and the spectacle. OK, so not perhaps a great movie but a very enjoyable one and a good way to spend a cold wet Sunday evening.

Comments

[stephen-dedman.livejournal.com]

I remember reading an account of the making of Star Trek II which said it was made largely because they already had the sets, costumes, models, etc., left over from TMP (the new uniforms had to fit over the old TMP uniforms, which could be dyed). I don't remember whether a draft of the script had been commissioned before TMP was released, or whether the stars were also contracted for more movies, but it wouldn't surprise me. In effect, it was so cheap to make that it was expected to make a profit even if the only people who saw it were those who hadn't been put off by TMP!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

That makes a lot of sense. The sets created for Wrath of Khan were pretty cheap and there weren't many effects shots. All of which meant the film stood or fell on the strength of the script which was probably to its advantage.