Once again, Marshall, Will and Holly, on a routine expedition, met the greatest earthquake ever know. But unlike the Sid & Marty Kroft kids' show of the '70s, in the movie "Land of the Lost," everybody on their tiny raft is an adult. And while they do encounter dinosaurs, Sleestaks, and monkey-people, a lot more money has gone into this version than the Saturday morning series. Here is a comparison of other TV-to-movie adaptations and how similar they were to their source material.
Get Smart: TV - 1965-70, Movie - 2008
Don Adams' iconic portrayal of the bumbling spy Maxwell Smart was so indelible he reprised the role in two movies and another series. Steve Carell wisely decided not to imitate Adams, but the new version is still full of nods to the show from the Cone of Silence to the shoe phone. Was the movie as funny as the original show? Let's just say they
"missed it by that much."
Photo by CBS/Paramount, Everett CollectionThe Brady Bunch: TV -- 1969-74, Movie -- 1995
Not only did the filmmakers attempt to recreate every detail of the television program -- from Mike Bradys 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.
Everett CollectionMiami 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.
Everett CollectionThe 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.
Everett CollectionThe 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.
Everett CollectionThe 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 -- songs by MC Hammer.
Everett CollectionCharlie'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.
Everett CollectionLost 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-mache sets, the film's overblown special effects drain the fun out of the concept.
Everett CollectionMaverick: 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.
Everett CollectionThe 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, i'd be best if all prints of the film were sent -- Bang! Zoom! -- to the moon.
Everett CollectionBewitched: 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.
Everett CollectionWild 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 thats boring and bland.
Everett CollectionThe 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 wouldve asked, "Is putting Sean Connery in a teddy-bear costume really a good idea?" Apparently, no one did.
Everett CollectionStarsky and 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.
Everett CollectionI 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.
Photo by Paramount/Kobal, WireImageMission: 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.
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