The US version of "House of Cards" - we are trying, on the 5th episode - but far inferior

[NRaleighLiberal]

to the UK version of some years ago in our view.

Sure, Kevin Spacey plays the hell out of his part. But overall, we can't find a likable character (I know..it's politics - they are not meant to be likable). But it is just a bit too shiny, glossy, predictable - esp. when compared to the wickedly cynical UK version.

This isn't common for us - it is rare that we enjoy remakes as much as originals of any films.

And I suspect this will be a minority view - the show has won numerous awards. I guess it is all relative...

[NV Whino]

1. Time to stop watching it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. The American compulsion to make inferior remakes of excellent foreign programs

is one of my pet peeves.

There was even an execrable remake of Prime Suspect, for heaven's sake. I saw one episode, and I realized that this was no Prime Suspect, just a program with the same name whose main character owed more to Kay on "Homicide: Life on the Streets" than to Helen Mirren's hard-drinking, chain-smoking depressive middle-aged detective.

The same goes for "Life on Mars." The lead actor was bland and one-dimensional, while the lead actor in the British version was John Simm, who has a much greater range. (And British broadcasting standards allowed Philip Glenister to be more delightfully crude and raunchy than Harvey Keitel could ever be.)

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. couldn't agree more.

Is it that there is a perception that most Americans want things dumbed down.....or do American film goers in general prefer things dumbed down?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. I think it's purposeful dumbing down

In the 1950s and 1960s, several British programs were imported as was: Robin Hood, The Buccaneers, Sir Francis Drake, The Avengers (it was THE program to watch among my classmates), The Prisoner, and Secret Agent.

The first show that I recall being remade was All in the Family, but that didn't seem so strange, because it was a comedy.

But I don't think we ever saw a non-remade British program on network TV again.

[catchnrelease]

5. I agree...

somewhat. I have been a devoted fan of the original House of Cards, and raved about it here several times. It's the reason I signed up for Netflix in the first place, so I could watch it again. Sir Ian Richardson's Francis Urquhart is the best and much more sinister than Kevin Spacey's Francis Underwood.

However, even though I was prepared to not like the new version, I have to admit it did win me over. I do find myself comparing the two versions, and there are some things I really don't like in the new one--the girl reporter and the young politician that was an alcoholic off the top of my head. But overall I did enjoy watching it all the way through. Spacey was really chewing the scenery in a good bit of it, and struck me as more overtly evil than sinister as mentioned above. I think it's worth watching just to see him, even though he will never take the place of the original FU in my heart.

[fizzgig]

6. having never watched the original, i enjoyed it

the original is in my queue, but i've been waylaid by star trek and battlestar galactica. but i will get to it.

[tblue]

16. Same here. I have only seen the US version so far.

It's pretty good. I tried the British version, and it looked dated and dry, but I will try watching it again. My BFF recommends it highly, so I guess I gotta.

[wyldwolf]

7. Seen the original, l like the new one better

I feel more connected to it.

I do agree there are American remakes not as good as originals. I've found the opposite to be true (in my opinion) as well.

[cbayer]

8. I loved it, but never expected to see a likable character.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. did you see the UK version first?

[cbayer]

10. Yes, several years ago, but I like this better.

Probably in part because I am so much more informed about US politics.

[NRaleighLiberal]

11. Like I said, we are trying...but are just finding it really flat when compared to the UK version -

I think because the UK one was if possible even more tongue in cheek and diabolical! This one is just too obvious to us (maybe due to DU - we tend to know how this stuff goes down over here!).

We are giving up on it....finishing Boardwalk Empire now (wow! what a season...) - trying to start Breaking Bad, but Disc 1 has been on long wait for a few months!

[cbayer]

12. We watched all 7 episodes of Derek last night.

Would be interested in what you think of it.

[TuxedoKat]

14. We saw one episode

but weren't that interested to watch anymore of it. I thought I'd give it or the UK version another chance though since they have both been so acclaimed. Have you seen Orange is the New Black? We just started that one last night and it looks good so far after two episodes.

[Squinch]

13. I thought Ian Richardson was more fun, but in that one, I thought the young girl was unwatchable.

Mostly because she was written creepy. I don't think it was the actress.

I'm interested in how they treat the wife in future seasons. The one in the Ian Richardson version was so fabulously evil. I think they might be making this one too relatable.

[bif]

15. The original was so good, I never bothered with the remake.

[ananda]

17. I got through most of it, but it really is inferior to the original.

..