Stargate - The Ark of Truth
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Movie Reviews of Stargate - The Ark of Truth
Movie Review: The Truth
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is spoiler free!!
I have to preface this review with the statement that I am an avid Stargate fan, and as such, my review may be biased (but I think not!)
After enduring season 4 of Atlantis this year, it is nice to get back to the show I truly love, Sg-1. Opposed to Atlantis, SG-1 takes place on earth, spends time on the explorations, and takes into account ancient mythologies, opposed to Atlantis, which is more action oriented, with dumbed down dialog, and shooting anything that moves.
I have been awaiting this release since it was announced, it finally came to my home yesterday, I watched the movie, then the extras (comic con conference which was really cool! and a behind the scenes which was great as well (this is almost 1 hour of material), I then watched the movie again, this time with commentary (again, I love SG-1).
This dvd has a "prelude" which basically goes over everything you need to freshen up on to fully enjoy and prepare for this viewing. As someone who has seen each episode of stargate countless times, I found this prelude a great review, as it has been a while since I watched it all.
The movie then follows, and it is a great movie. The scenery in this movie is astounding, it looks much better than we are used to seeing on the TV show. The pacing is slower, more akin to when the show aired on Showtime, which works well, as the aspect of stargate that i enjoy most, is the interactions between the characters, the explorations of new worlds and civilizations, and how everyone reacts to the culture.
This brings the conclusion to a satisfying end. I think several of the cliffhangers are drawn out a bit much (putting a tad too much tension near the end), but all in all, I enjoyed the movie.
This reminds me of why I love this show, I know they are coming out with another movie soon (this one will have Richard Dean Anderson in it), and word on the streets is, it should arrive this July.
I truly hope people are not just downloading bootleg copies of this dvd, and I really hope everyone will buy this dvd, and the next one. I really want this show to continue on, if the studios do not get the results they are looking for, this could be the end.
I really hope the dvds do sell well, maybe they can continue to do movies throughout the year, and maybe even a mini series or another season. There are many aspects of the Stargate world that have gone unexplored, and unfinished.
I hope the producers read this review, and understand that what make stargate work is not the snappy dialog, the wonderful interactions, the brilliantly designed enemies, sound design, artwork, and constant tension, but the exploration of new worlds, the ability to learn something (ancient history, see ancient figures, the Egyptian gods) and the exploration of these foreign cultures. Something Stargate Atlantis completely misses, which is why I do not enjoy it as much.
I truly hope everyone will buy this dvd, enjoy it, and more get made.
I also must comment on the beautiful video quality and sound design, the show has never looked or sounded this good (they did use 35mm film) and it shows.
Please keep up the great work, and I hope everyone enjoys this fantastic dvd.
(note, if you are a fan of the movie, and haven't watched too much of the series (last 2 seasons--9 and 10) this dvd is likely not for you, do yourself a favor, and buy the complete series collection, and catch up, then enjoy this fantastic dvd, as you will not be able to understand much of what is going on)
Also, the creators of the show, are working on a third show, that deals with the ninth chevron, tentatively called "Stargate Universe" which is set in present time. I really hope this will be the return of intellectual Stargate, and I eagerly await its arrival on TV.
Movie Review: The big step
Summary: 5 Stars
This film, the baby of Stargate franchise writer and producer Robert C. Cooper, proves that direct to DVD is a viable second life for Stargate SG-1. While the film manages to just reach "big screen" production values, it really feels like an extended length episode - and that's not a bad thing. It feels good, and familiar.
Regular viewers know the plot line of this story arc, and want to see the resolution that the Sci-Fi cable channel preempted by canceling the show. The movie does not disappoint here. The loose ends are tied up, with a couple of new twists added to the mix to keep the audience on their toes. All of the character relationships are intact and the canon of the show has not been violated in the slightest. For viewers who know Stargate SG-1, but aren't familiar with the arc of this story line, a "Previously on Stargate SG-1" extended prelude sequence is provided. As a regular viewer of the franchise, I even found it helpful in jogging the memory of a few plot points from season 9 of the series.
With the actors being completely comfortable in their characters, the performances are just what the Stargate viewer wants. Cooper does a very good job of directing actors and a story he's very familiar with. The movie was made using film cameras, as opposed to the more recent use of the Hi-Def video format of the series. As good as Hi-Def "film" is, there IS something about 35 mm film resolution that lends to the big scale feel of the movie. The visual effects, having been completed by Stargate's in-house facility, are familiar and comfortable. But, their scale is wider and more time has obviously been invested in ensuring the visuals live up to "movie" standards.
The only criticism I would make is that the pacing occasionally DID feel like this was an episode, rather than a movie - a bit ironic in as much as much was made by the producers and cast about how liberating the "2 hour" format was. Two particular sequences seemed a bit glossed over, with one character setting off without a solid explanation of "how," while the situation three other characters find themselves in doesn't get treated with enough depth. But, that is minor, because the third act sets up a scenario that places most of the leading characters into great danger. Even though we know that the resolution will be successful, it doesn't take away from the jeopardy because of the earlier mentioned completely unexpected plot twist. Act 4 resolves the story and set SG-1 up for further adventures in this direct to disc format.
The disc itself has wonderful "special features," including the treat of watching the actors, as themselves, at the ComicCon convention in San Diego. Having attended one Creative produced Stargate convention, with the opportunity to meet and hear stories from Michael Shanks and Christopher Judge, I know how much fun the folks at the San Diego convention had.
I feel that my enthusiasm and money was well spent on this film, and that it was worth the wait. I certainly don't find paying such a small price for more SG-1 movies, and I think MGM and the Stargate brain trust at The Bridge have found a wonderful way of keeping the shows alive. I'm looking forward to the upcoming "Stargate Continuum" release in July, and hope that the production team can get another film in the pipeline soon.
Movie Review: An Epic Conclusion with no loose ends....
Summary: 5 Stars
If you are reading this, yes, all night 4 times... no, not that, I have seen it 4x now. A lot of "answers" packed into an epic style true movie with dynamic visuals and sound. As a fan for all 10 years and all 10 seasons on DVD... I'm liken this a lot.
Cam and Sam lead the way with Cam really coming into his SG-1 role as leader and commander and he does it very well and naturally. Something that took 2 seasons to come into, but he does with great satisfaction.
Sam continues well and as expected in a true to character role as a declared "I got your back" team member. Have you noticed she addresses Cam as "Cam" and not sir? I never heard her say "Jack". These two continue the first name basis. If you've notice the last few season a very subtle affection growing between Sam and Cam, it continues here with a closing scene that is "just right", but I could see more in the next production. It's clear she accepts his leadership and is fond of him all at the same time while not breaking regulations. She is a bit "sexier" a few times too.
Daniel is true blue also nothing out of character, but finally manages to get the Ancients to cooperate and interven on behalf of human kind... finally.
Teal'c also is spot on in his traditional role in doing anything he can to forge ahead, enduring, strong, spiritual and finally "helped" by a "touch" from the Ancients too. Nice.
Vala, except for the first scene, finally "settles down" and is less annoying in this 'episode' than so many of the others. She is finally a full team member, is receptive and "tuned in" to Daniel while handling her relationship with all her men with calm and maturity... nice to see as her previous "methods" always kept me "away" from liking her character.
All the rest of the cast and crew are here too, no one is left out and Landry, Walter and others all do their "standard" stuff, no tricks.
Morgan Lafay finally reveals all with Daniel, cooperates with him after his torture, has mercy and finally... finally steps in on behalf of the Ancients. Divine intervention that is the only way to deal with Adria. I identify with this personally as I often feel things could "work out" here on earth IF we could just get some help once in awhile.
No spoilers here, but the IOA finally "intrudes" in a way that almost costs us our human civilization in the Milky Way Galaxy by hijacking the "approved" mission to find the Ark with an alternative "plan" set forth in a "rogue" fashion that proves to be catostrophic and Sam and Cam gotta deal with the Replicators... yes, again.
No "alternate reality" stuff either... straight on adventure and challenges that all ends well and leaves me feeling "satisfied" after 10 years with my favorite TV show ever. "They" could have made a mistake trying to be spectacular to extreme and go overboard, but this is an epic long adventure that's true to a movie form with action and adventure and "hanging on till the end" and that is the way it should be and the way "we all" want to remember this great series.
Movie Review: An Exciting Adventure for Loyal Stargate Fans!
Summary: 5 Stars
As a long time Stargate SG-1 fan who has come and gone throughout the ten-year run of the series, and had been watching quite regularly for the last couple of years, I was sad to hear that the show was finally coming to an end. When you grow so close to characters that you feel they are as much a part of your life as the real people in your life, the thought of losing these characters can really instill an impending sense of loss within you. And in some ways, I was feeling this very thing as the show neared its end.
And then I began hearing about the Stargate movies. While excited to see the films when they came out, I was also apprehensive, because the fatal flaw inherent in the act of anticipation is that such things can rarely live up to one's high expectations. But as it turns out, Stargate - The Ark of Truth far exceeded my expectations.
The film picks up and completes the Ori saga which had dominated the series for its last two seasons, and takes us into the Ori galaxy in search of The Ark of Truth, the only device capable of stripping the Ori of their powers by revealing the "truth" to their devout followers. The movie is classic Stargate, except it feels bigger, more grand in scale and scope. Even though it wasn't shown on a big screen, you get a bit of the cinematic experience when watching SG-1 travel to the Ori galaxy and doing battle on several different fronts, as always walking on the brink of disaster. While each of the characters get their just moments in the spotlight, Cam Mitchell (played excellently as always by Ben Browder) steals the show with some of the best action scenes I've ever seen in a Stargate show. The movie is a fitting ending to the series as a whole, and also puts a nice cap to the Ori saga.
The DVD extras are also nice. My favorites were the behind the scenes special which runs about half an hour, and the footage of the Q &A session filmed at ComicCon. Getting to see Ben Browser, Amanda Tapping, and Christopher Judge as themselves was quite fun. And for those not familiar with the series or the Ori storyline, there is a prelude which will catch you up on the storyline and lead you right into "The Ark of Truth."
So if you are a fan of Stargate, or of good adventurous Science Fiction, give "Stargate - The Ark of Truth," a try!
- Gregory Bernard Banks, author, reader, reviewer
Movie Review: Epic and Fun
Summary: 5 Stars
All I can say is, "Wow!" This film was a lot of fun and while the ending was just a little contrived it did what was intended: tied up the Ori storyline so the team can move on to other adventures. First, let me say that I'm not one of those people who thinks the Sci Fi Channel was doing the bidding of Satan by cancelling Stargate SG-1. It was time, in my opinion, for the long-running series to leave the air. The Ori storyline, which I never liked, was dragging on forever and it seemed the writers of the series were just rehashing old sci-fi plot devices to fill out a full season. Second, this film goes a long way to redeeming the Stargate franchise and reminding us just how great Stargate was in its heyday. The only missing link in this film was an appearance by Richard Dean Anderson's Jack O'Neill.
One of the major positives about this movie is that each character gets his or her moments to shine. Tel'c especially has a wonderful scene with Tomin in which they discuss the terrible things they've done and about the idea of forgiveness. Probably was one of finest moments for Christopher Judge in years. Another stand-out is the character of Cam Mitchell. In his two years on the series I never really warmed to this character, which always surprised me since I'm such a huge fan of Ben Browder's performance in Farscape. In this movie, I think the character really comes into his own as an individual and a leader. Of course, Sam and Daniel have their great moments, and the saving grace of Stargate's final two seasons, Vala, is as funny and dramatic as ever. Claudia Black is truly an underused actress. Her scenes with Tomin (played wonderfully by Tim Guinee) are some of the best in the movie.
It goes without saying the special effects were as good or better than the series, which were already fantastic for something made on low-budget cable money. It's also worth mentioning the music was great and reminded me a lot of the music in the original Stargate movie.
This is not the best film for new viewers of Stargate, but a nice prelude that catches you up is included on the DVD, so new viewers shouldn't stay away. What this film does is tie up the loose ends from season 10 of Stargate SG-1 and allow for the beginning of some new adventures. I eagerly await the next film, Stargate: Continuum.