My thoughts on a movie

[itsjustme]

So, I recently started watching GAH on DVD and found and read the comics. I quickly saw the potential in a possible new big-screen adaptation, and the comic showed you could revise it without losing the heart. (Though I do think some things in the comic were a bit much.)

I really liked the idea of Ralph being a divorced father who is in a custody battle. That shows that he's not an average good guy. He has one of the worst teaching positions ever, which is also great.

So, in comes this suit that he's supposed to use for the good of mankind when he can't even get his own life straightened out, and worse, a FBI agent is intent on dragging him to work on projects. Not to mention he doesn't know how to properly use the suit.

That's enough character drama to carry a storyline. Get a good writer on it, there could be a good story.

[MyTatuo]

Sept 26, 2010 16:58:19 GMT -5 itsjustme said:

That's enough character drama to carry a storyline. Get a good writer on it, there could be a good story.

Or even a good 44 stories, give or take a few stinkers.

I think you'll find that we of the tGAH board are split as to whether we want a new movie or not. Those who don't will argue that it just won't be the same as the original chemistry between Katt, Culp & Sellecca, even IF by some miracle we get a good writer, good actors, etc. But the odds of that happening are minimal (ask those who also love "I Spy" the series.)

Those who say that even a train-wreck of a movie means more tGAH material, and perhaps even nostalgia for our beloved original series, can still cringe at the mention of tGAHeroine. And that at least had ONE original actor (plus 2 cameos) and a continuation rather than a reboot, which I'm sure a new movie will be.

But who knows. The first Star Trek movie was a clunker, but look how far that Original Series came. I can see it now...

The Greatest American Hero: The Movie
The Greatest American Hero: The Next Generation
The Greatest American Hero: The Animated Series
The Greatest American Hero League
The Greatest American Hero Card Game
The Greatest American Hero Online (coming soon to PS4, Xbox720 & the Wiii)
The Greatest American Hero Universe
GAHtv

[HoudiniDerek]

I am not sure how I feel about a movie. After seeing the new A-TEAM movie, I know that it is possible to recreate the magic, but it has to be at EVERY level...not just one of them.

[MelMac]

I think it's possible to do a movie, but with "GAH" I can sadly see too many directors set it in the direction of "Dukes," "Starsky and Hutch" or "The Wild Wild West" - as in focus too much on the comedy and less on the serious side that balanced things out.

Even a "GAHeroine" or two suit wearers would be possible; however, it would make sense that they go with a traditional route and have a Pam, Bill and Ralph set. If they went new team, it needs to be TOTALLY NEW.

I think the best attempt at balancing out the two has been the StayTunedTV.net version. That said, they did go a bit more for sight gags in that first part. I'm not sure they're coming back so we may not get to see a more dramatic side.

The one thing I will say is that the trio used worked well. Theoretically, going by that cast though, they may have to switch out Stark for say Bruce Campbell, someone slightly lesser-known with the teenyboppers and therefore doesn't risk a typecast of a previous show's character in present-day stuff.

[itsjustme]

I agree, there. Cast chemistry can be just as important as the writing and the overall feel. What they got in the original is very hard to replicate, whether they'd want to do a continuation or reboot.

The only problem with a continuation is that there's people who would not have seen the original TV series, and by just continuing, that would risk alienating them.

With a reboot, the reverse is the risk, with alienating the fans of the original series, though some movies (like The Dukes of Hazzard) have shown they don't care.

So, if it happens, I really hope its good.

[MelMac]

Sept 28, 2010 18:11:13 GMT -5 itsjustme said:

I agree, there. Cast chemistry can be just as important as the writing and the overall feel. What they got in the original is very hard to replicate, whether they'd want to do a continuation or reboot.

The only problem with a continuation is that there's people who would not have seen the original TV series, and by just continuing, that would risk alienating them.

With a reboot, the reverse is the risk, with alienating the fans of the original series, though some movies (like The Dukes of Hazzard) have shown they don't care.

So, if it happens, I really hope its good.

A continuation could work if they did a little fade back to the original show - possibly even with clips. Most fan series I've read at least alluded to the fact that Ralph and Bill got the suit in 1981 from the greenguys. Even "GAHeroine" did the little backstory in the opening when Bill's doing his report.

That said - yes, it's a huge risk and definitely one where the chemistry will be important. It'll also be a little more difficult to say do a handover from the original cast because Culp has passed. Holly also is out because most people don't even count her as canon and regardless, there was no series with her in the suit - just a pilot that really wasn't supposed to be aired.

A movie is possible, but with the "A-Team" we saw an update that had mixed reviews from fans. Most I've read liked a lot of aspects, but not all.

Personally, I feel if they do a "GAH" movie, it needs to be one from anytime any place in the past 20-25 years: No specific president, issues, whatnot, just a good honest bust 'em and badge 'em story with the suit and real life (humanity) issues as well.

[HoudiniDerek]

I think referring back would just make people compare it too much to the original. I like that they didn't do that with THE A-TEAM, but had inside jokes for those who knew the series. I think that would be the way to go. As much as I didn't like the A-TEAM movie for the A-TEAM storyline, I think it tired hard to be true to the series.

[Videofox]

My take on a new movie would involve the team getting paired up and given the suit without any mention whatsoever of any predecessors (and being careful not to imply that these guys are the first, either). Just as Ralph and Bill had no knowledge of Beck and Dunn, the new guys would have no knowledge at all of Ralph and Bill (outside of a professional familiarity with Maxwell on part of the FBI agent). I think it would work better as a series anyway; once the show settled in and assembled it's own audience, then perhaps references could be made. Originally I would have Maxwell seek out the new team for help just as Beck did, but with Culp's passing that may have to fall to Ralph and/or Pam to bridge the two together. I just wouldn't see that happening right away.

As far as the new series is concerned, though, the events of the original did happen, whether they are alluded to or not, and the writers would have to be aware of them and not re-hash or re-write events in the new show and forget they already happened. By that, I am referring to the fact that the new Knight Rider erased KARR from history and re-introduced him for the "first time"...if that helps explain what I mean.

[HoudiniDerek]

I wonder if this will happen anytime soon, especially after the death of SJC...?

[Maxwell - F.B.I.]

My guess would be no.

Sadly, I don't see anyone picking up the GAH torch to lead to a movie ever getting made.

[MelMac]

I don't know that Maxwell... They're apparently doing a movie based on "Emergency!"

Then again... with the cast listed... it's probably someone's sick idea of a joke. They have Kutcher proposed as being Gage and a rapper as Morton (!)

(Personally, I say with "GAH" - either do it right or not at all. Sadly shows like "GAH" will probably get the Kutcher treatment).

[prometheus74]

Dec 9, 2011 15:47:03 GMT -5 MelMac said:

Sadly shows like "GAH" will probably get the Kutcher treatment).

"the Kutcher treatment"-----sounds scary! ;D

[herald7]

Dec 10, 2011 23:00:04 GMT -5 prometheus74 said:

"the Kutcher treatment"-----sounds scary! ;D

Yeah seriously, lol.

Honestly the only "remake" I ever enjoyed was the Brady Bunch movies because they took the satirical route and actually had decent writing.

But they're the exception. Most remakes don't capture the spirit of the TV shows at all, and for some reason consistently suffer from lazy writing and haphazard plots.

[creepygirl]

Well I know there's a new "21 Jump Street" movie with Jonah Hill coming out next year. That was a SJC production right? So "GAH The Movie" may happen someday. Who knows?

I also like the idea of maybe a new series. I guess we can dream and speculate.