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re: the 'Parts: The Clonus Horror'/'Spares' mini/pseudo-controversy... 'Parts...' is obviously not the only movie or SF concept with clones being used as an organ bank, and 'Spares' really only uses the idea as a springboard for, well, the entire rest of the story, which really has more in common with post-Vietnam style narratives like 'The Deer Hunter' and 'First Blood'. And maybe 'Magnum PI'. I don't think Smith can be accused of ripping anything off as far as that's concerned... it's a standard sf premise that provides a catalyst for his hero-protagonist to act.
The basic story structure to 'Parts...' is probably ripped off from 'Logan's Run' and other sci-fi chase narratives, as many have pointed out with 'The Island'. However, 'Parts...' isn't very well known, or very good for that matter, so it's unlikely that 'The Island' has cribbed from this film. And it's my understanding that Fiveson didn't write the movie anyway, so where he gets off is beyond me. Even without any precedent, the plot is basically an extended chase/conspiracy theory narrative. You don't need a knowledge of classic sci-fi to come up with stuff like this.
The more likely plagiaristic angle, if you can call it that, is probably from 'Spares' after all, surprisingly. Dreamworks SKG optioned 'Spares' when it was first published, and spent the entire time trying to squeeze a 'Minority Report' style sci-fi thriller out of it. When the option came up for renewal, they declined and the rights reverted to Smith again. Dreamworks then commissioned a script dealing with the cloning-for-spares issue alone, which Spielberg, after passing on it himself, gave to Bay. I could understand Smith's being fairly pissed off at this, as it's pretty much put the kibosh on being able to get anyone to option 'Spares' again, which probably paid for his house a few years back, but aside from exasperation he doesn't seem to give a monkey's. They'd only make a shit version anyway. |
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