DVD : Stargate - The Ark Of Truth [2008]

Rating: - What was it all about?
The reviews of this film didn't really make clear that you have to be a SG1 fan to understand it. Having watched the original 1994 film, and a few of the TV episodes, I thought this was going to be a complete "thrilling adventure" with a beginning, an end, and an explanation of what was going on. I still have no idea who the Ori are, why they need to be defeated, or what the ark of truth has to do with it, even though I ploughed on to the very end of the film.

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Rating: - Good but feels rushed, overall leaving you unenthused.
I am an immense Stargate nut and bought the DVD knowing it would be a part of my collection even if not so good.
...and that is the problem with reviewing a film like this; I was always going to like it.
Pointless owning unless you are a complete fan, this brings nothing new to the table except a slightly higher budget and an attempt at a more 'epic' feel.

Comedy aspects and team dynamic are present with some excellent writing in particular scenes (Teal'c discussing genocide in the name of false gods) as well as some decent action. Overall the film leaves you wanting more but something of much higher quality.

From what I have seen; Stargate: Continuum (Released region 2 - Sep 08') will be the tester as to whether SG-1 lives on in DVD movie format.

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Rating: - Not bad, but a typical ploy for more cash
As a big fan of SG, I admit I havnt enjoyed series 9-10 as much as I did the previous eight. But I was distinctly pissed off when I instead of a proper ending of series 10, the franchise decided to go into silly extended episodes pretending to be movies. That rip off apart, the "film" was an ok extended episode rounding up loose ends, to be honest if I wasnt a fan it would only get 2 stars.

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Rating: - loose ends
stargate SG1 is a tv show that ran for ten years. based upon the 1995 movie stargate it involves a military/science team exploring the galaxy via an ancient system of gates that allows instanteous travel between worlds. they seek out new life and new civilisations and battle nasty aliens on the way.

When the tenth and final season came to an end there were still a few stories to be tied up, most notably involving the ori, the big bad enemy of the final two seasons. and this movie exists to do that, giving the team a chance to take down all those involved with the ori once and for all.

It looks and feels like a movie rather than a long tv episode, thanks to some impressive visuals, a cinematic feel, and a strong score. but I suspect that how much you enjoy this depends on how big a fan of the show you were. And despite there being an eight minute long prelude [an optional extra on the dvd] to bring viewers up to speed I don't thin non fans or new viewers could really get into this, as there are plot elements that do depend on you knowing your stargate continuity.

Personally I always liked the show but it was never my favourite programme and I thought It was showing signs of getting tired later on. And to me, the movie confirms that. plot wise it's nothing we've not seen before, there are quite a few plot devices, and despite all the characters getting some decent moments there was nothing new here. the whole thing does what is required of it, and that's wrapping up the story arc, and the final scene is slightly stronger than the final scene of the very last episode, but that's about that.

But don't necessarily take my word for it. As I say, the bigger a fan the more likely you are to enjoy it. Although you may wish to be aware that original lead character jack o'neill does not make an appearance here.

There's another stargate dvd movie coming soon, and hopefully that will be a little stronger now the loose ends have been dealt with.

the dvd contains direct scene access, a trailer for the next movie - on the disc once loaded, prior to the main menu - the mentioned prelude to the film.

Plus language tracks in english german and spanish, and subtitles in german spanish turkish and english.

there's also a thirty minute documentary on the making of the movie, which is pretty good, and a twenty minute long film of some of the cast and crew at a comic convention taking questions from fans. again the bigger a fan the more you'll enjoy this, but it is pretty funny, and superbly hosted by gary jones, known for playing supporting character walter in the show, who shows an excellent gift for comedy that the role never game him a chance to do.

there's also a leaflet in the box that gives you a code to put into the stargate website to unlock some extra content there. but this only applies to uk residents

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Rating: - Great story
This was 1 great story from start to finish despite some early reviwers critising the movie i thought it was a great attempt of ending the story that began in season 9 of SG1, The effects are just out of this world & the cast make a great return for what is probably a great ending to the the ori story arc i will not give the story away but i just have to say all fans must go out & get this 1.

I am looking forward to seeing the next movie continuum

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