Posted August 18, 2011 by Scott Lawlor in Daily Posts

Thursday List – Top 10 Films based on a TV Show

This week in UK we have 2 films being released nationally based on TV SHows, Glee and The Inbetweeners. To honor them I look at my Top 10 Films based on a TV Show.

you have got red on you….

It seems these days that an original idea for a film is becoming harder to find. We are in the middle of a sea of remakes, reboots, sequels and prequels. In fact at Big Screen last week I saw three films, and every one of them was a remake or reboot. I am sure there must be someone writing original ideas, somewhere.

The search for something to make into a film isn’t just held for a reboot. If you have a successful TV show, you bet you bottom dollar that will be made into a film at some point (although I think my current favourite is safe, Breaking Bad). With Glee 3D out this week along with the brilliant Inbetweeners Movie, I thought it was a very opportune moment to list my top films that have been made into movies.

Now as ever I am stressing that this is MY personal list. I am not saying these are the best TV Show movies, they are simply my top 10. Got it? OK, put your seatbelt on as we are off on our journey!!

10 – Miami Vice

If you want to update a camp 80s classic that has pastel suits with rolled up sleeves and espadrilles into a movie that can be taken seriously, the first step is to ditch Don Johnson and hire yourself Michael Mann and a couple of sullen leads to play Crocket and Tubbs. Luckily not all is lost, we still have guns and fast cars along with sexy ladies and most importantly Miami.

9 – Mr. Beans Holiday

Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean is a character well-suited to international fame. The nearly mute Bean relies on physical comedy that translates into any language. Bean, the first movie based on the Britcom Mr. Bean, didn’t quite capture the series’ comic style, but this second outing got the tone and silliness right.

8 – The Muppet Movie

Jim Henson’s Muppets first found fame with kids courtesy of Sesame Street. But his clever puppetry quickly won over older fans and spawned a TV series called The Muppet Show, which in turn inspired a series of feature films. Celebrities lined up to appear in the series and films, and to banter with Kermit and Miss Piggy. This first feature boasts Orson Welles, Bob Hope, Richard Pryor, Mel Brooks, Milton Berle and many more.

7 – The A Team

In 2010 we saw a TV favourite find its way to Hollywood. The took this rebel gang of soldiers called the A Team and made them A List. Liam Neeson as Hannibal, UFC fighter Rampage Jackson as BA was not very popular at the time, but thankfully the charm of Bradley cooper of Face and District 9’s Sharlto Copley’s mad Murdock were perfect and saved the film. Yes they fly a tank, but come on it’s the fricking A Team!!

6 – Jackass The Movie

Most Tv Shows that get turned into a Film is an attempt to dust off the staleness that has come to the show. Trying to inject some sparkle in to the proceedings. With Jackass they did not change the format of the low brow and lo fi show at all for the big screen. And I believe that it is THIS that makes this films such a funny success. Paper cut olympics anyone?

5 – Charlie’s Angels

I don’t care what you say here, Charlie’s Angels is a brilliantly cast guilty pleasure. It is fully aware of how ridiculous it is and it actually is proud of the fact! How can you NOT love Diaz in tiny shorts? Barrymore beating up baddies whilst tied to a chair or Liu and her fighting Muffins? Simple brainless fun!

4 – Mission: Impossible

Mission: Impossible has always had a cinematic feel to it. With this in mind it is little wonder that the show was such a box office success, who doesn’t love an all action spy thriller? With Hollywood heavy weight Tom Cruise in the lead role, Ethan Hunt, an intense agent capable of mind boggling stunts and wire tricks. There is a new Mission: Impossible coming soon, will this be the last?

3 – Serenity

When Joss Whedons sci-fi western was cancelled after just one season fans were in a riotous mood. But the ‘Browncoats’ at least got a small reprieve in the way of a feature-length adventure named Serenity. Nathan Fillion returned as Captain Mal, the most charming space pirate since Han Solo. With a bigger budget and a chance to finish the story this film was an instant cult classic.

2 – Star Trek The Motion Picture

What I love about Star Trek is that it just won’t die. Perhaps the most influential sci-fi series in TV history the Star Trek universe just keeps on growing. Gene Roddenberry first penned the series in 1966 and since then we have had 5 different iterations (including one set long before Kirk was even born) plus we have had 11 feature films of varying quality. Star Trek was rebooted in 2009 by JJ Abrams and we are set for another in 2012…See what I mean it will always be with us.

1 – The Fugitive

Remember the mid 90s? The name Harrison Ford meant that it was going to be a goodun. He could do little wrong. Chase movie The Fugitive (based on a 1963 serial with the same name) was one Mr Fords more successful everyman done wrong films. Being hunted down by the complex Tommy Lee Jones, the wrongly accused escapee had to be extra zealous with his cunning. Luckily Ford is on top form here and untouchable.

How is my list? Any you want to add? Have I got it very Wrong? Comment below….