Babylon 5: The Lost Tales
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Movie Reviews of Babylon 5: The Lost Tales
Movie Review: Many Happy Returns
Summary: 5 Stars
Series creator J. Michael Stracynski has given us two linked stories that are more intimate in scale than the original series. If there is a problem with this DVD, it's that the second, Sheridan-centered story is so good that the talky first segment, which focuses on station commander Lochley, is overwhelmed. I found myself wishing that he had used the Lochley story as a "B" plot, which would have had the effect of highlighting the stronger Sheridan story, cutting up some excessively long blocks of dialog, and making more effective use of the acting staff and sets.
The original sets and CGI elements have for the most part been lost, so we don't see some B5 landmarks -- C&C, Lochley's office, what have you. And there aren't enough extras, costumes and prosthetics for the crowd scenes that were a hallmark of the series. Also missing, of course, the cumulative tensions of a five-year story arc, though Straczynski introduces some compelling new ones.
On the other hand, the effects are spectacular, the sets, props, and costumes that we do see are hardly chintzy, and there's some very fine acting.
In the end, I'd say that TLT suffers only by comparison to the very best of the original series, which is to say that it's head and shoulders above most of what one sees on TV. Were I to rate it against Stracynski's best, I'd probably give it a four, but I think it makes more sense to rate it against what's out there, so I've given it a five.
Movie Review: For old fans and a few new
Summary: 5 Stars
It's tragic that JMS didn't take the opportunity for a feature film. The Lost Tales are between the television show, made for tv movies, and a feature film.
The graphics are amazing, a big step up from the already formidable graphics of the past. The acting, writing and sets are as you would expect for this type of release. Some of the writing leaves too little to the imagination. The acting is good, if rusty for the B5 universe. The sets had to be completely redone due to the old ones all being stolen, so they're not the ones that had 5+ years of work that the originals had. The new ones do however look good and add new elements to the older themes of B5.
The soundtrack was perfect, Christopher Frank was the man to do the soundtrack and it fit exactly. The soundtrack combined with the graphics, the inside references and nostalgia. If you have seen B5 in the past but never really got into it, this is for you. If you were half the geek that I was (am) then you will love it. You will look past the 8 years of rust and see how momentus this is. Babylon 5 is among the top Sci-Fi stories ever, TV, movie, or print and this movie hints at the depth of the universe and gives me enough of a taste to really look forward to more work.
I was broken when the series ended, and attempts to continue it failed. I was nearly in tears to see that the studios hadn't forgotten about B5. This is a great thing for the story.
Movie Review: Put your money where your mouth is - Vote for more B5
Summary: 5 Stars
For years fans of Babylon 5 have longed for more of their favorite Sci-fi television series, and now that longing is finally being met. Yet, in the midst of this joyous announcement there are skeptics and critics who have attacked this yet-to-be-released DVD based on its length, price, and currently unknown plot. In response, I would like to make this suggestion: If you are a fan of Babylon 5 - buy this DVD. This DVD is monumentally important to the future of Babylon 5, and by purchasing it you are voting for more Babylon 5 DVDs. JMS has stated that he has story ideas for future B5 Lost Tales installments involving Garibaldi, Londo Mollari, and the Telepath War. But if this DVD does not sell well, Warner Brothers will not finance any future installments; therefore, these stories will never be told and Babylon 5 will be dead. Warner Brothers Executives only speak one language - money. They don't care about online petitions, forums, or blogs; they care about money. Thus, the best thing we fans can do is put our money where our mouth is and buy this DVD. If sales are high, it's possible Warner Bros will give JMS more money for future installments or B5 Lost Tales could even be picked up as a TV series. High DVD sales could open up many possibilities for the future of Babylon 5. Just look at what high DVD sales did for Family Guy and Firefly: The Series. I have already cast my vote for more Babylon 5 by pre-ordering the DVD and so should you!Movie Review: Quite childish bevahiour, if you'll excuse me.
Summary: 5 Stars
The only thing that comes to mind is "Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!!!!"
It has been far too long since the series ended, and as all good things, it did so prematurely, and too many movies "almost made it". This release has evoked those quite childish feelings: ooooh booooooy!!!!
I have a hint that the forementioned memorials will be quite emotional, for the losses of Andreas Katsulas and Richard Biggs won't ever heal. I own the Complete Babylon 5 Universe, wich I think wasn't released in the US, only in the UK, and I sure do hope one day my children will be able to learn from the series as I have.
To many it may seem that a TV show would never have meaningful content from wich we could learn from, but Babylon 5 crossed a line that very few productions, including literature, have, that is to leave to the observer how he will apply or interpret the lessons and situations presented, according to personal experience, other than leading to an obvious road that everyone should follow. In my opinion, Joseph Scraczynski is either a brilliant man that learned how to accomplish this, or a natural genius that has mastered this technique and doesn't even realise it.
I am quite sure that The Lost Tales will not please everyone, as it was never intended to do so, but almost a decade after the end of the original series, it will certainly be refreshing and fun.
A great salute to Andreas Katsulas and Richard Biggs! Long may their names and work be remembered.Movie Review: MARK, AUSTIN TEXAS
Summary: 5 Stars
I THINK FANS WHO ARE CRITICIZING THE B5 EPISODES AS NOT BEING COMPLETE OR NOT UP TO PAR TO THE ORIGINAL SHOW HAVE TO REALIZE ONE THING: JMS WAS ON A STRICT BUDGET. THIS WAS A TRIAL RUN TO SEE HOW THE SHOW WOULD DO AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT JMS IS TRYING TO RELEASE THESE EPISODES AS A PRELUDE TO SEE IF SAY THE SCIFI CHANNEL WHO I BELIEVE OWNS THE SHOW FOR THEIR NETWORK MIGHT PICK IT UP AS A NEW SERIES. ANYTIME YOU CREATE A SCIFI SHOW, YOU HAVE TO CREATE CHARACTERS, THE HISTORY, MYTHOLOGY AND SO ON. WITH BABYLON 5, ALL OF THE MENTIONED ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING IS THAT B5 HAS MILLIONS OF FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD SO THE FAN BASE IS ALREADY IN PLACE. SO AS A B5 FAN, WE ALL NEED TO LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE, A POSSIBLE FUTURE SERIES. THE SCIFI CHANNEL IS THE ONLY CHANNEL THAT CAN AFFORD TO BEGIN A SERIES OF THIS SCALE. WITH THE SCIFI CHANNEL TRYING HIT OR MISS SHOWS, THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL SHOW FOR THE SCIFI CHANNEL. THE SCIFI CHANNELS BREAD AND BUTTER SHOWS ARE STARGATE SG-1, ATLANTIS, AND BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. WITH 2 OF THESE SHOWS FINISHED, THERE IS A HUGE GAP TO FILL, WITH THE OTHER SHOWS NOT VERY WELL WRITTEN. A BABYLON 5 SERIES WOULD FILL THIS GAP PERFECTLY. SO LET'S SUPPORT JMS AND CONTINUE TO BUY EPOSIDES AS THE COME OUT AND MAYBE WRITING TO THE NETWORKS MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.