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Battlestar Galactica - The Mini Series [2003] [2004]
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Thus begins the epic battle and eventual retreat of a "ragtag fleet" of humans, searching for the mythical planet Earth under the military command of Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the political leadership of Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), a former secretary of education, 43rd in line of succession and rising to the occasion of her unexpected Presidency. As directed by Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned), Moore's ambitious teleplay also includes newfangled CGI space battles (featuring "handheld" camera moves and subdued sound effects for "enhanced realism"), a dysfunctional Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) who's provoked into action by the insubordinate Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), and a father-son reunion steeped in familial tragedy. To fans of the original BG series, many of these changes are blasphemous, but for the most part they work--including an ominous cliffhanger ending. The remade Galactica is brimming with smart, well-drawn characters ripe with dramati! c potential, and it readily qualifies as serious-minded science fiction, even as it gives BG loyalists ample fuel for lively debate. --Jeff Shannon
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £4.89 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Despite voluminous protest and nitpicking criticism from loyal fans of the original TV series (1978-80), the 2003 version of Battlestar Galactica turned out surprisingly well for viewers with a tolerance for change. Originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2003 and conceived by Star Trek: The Next Generation alumnus Ronald D Moore as the pilot episode for a "reimagined" TV series, this four-hour mini series reprises the basic premise of the original show while giving a major overhaul to several characters and plot elements. Gone are the flowing robes, disco-era hairstyles, and mock-Egyptian fighter helmets, and thankfully there's not a fluffy "Daggit" in sight... at least, not yet. Also missing are the "chrome toaster" Cylons, replaced by new, more formidable varieties of the invading Cylon enemy, including "Number Six" in hot red skirts and ample cleavage, who tricks the human genius Baltar! into a scenario that nearly annihilates the human inhabitants of 12 colonial worlds.
A Worthy Re-Imagining of a Classic Sci-Fi Show.
Review date: 2008-06-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
The Only other successful Re-Imagining of a Classic Show other than this is DOCTOR WHO. But BATTLESTAR GALACTICA has done well as a sci-fi drama kicking the original out of the Galaxy.
A True Representation of Television made good.
When I first heard of it i thought "Yet again, They'll screw it up." But the New version grabbed me from the Pre Title on the Miniseries right until the Cliffhanger. starting on the First Season Currently then moving on to seasons 2 & 3 (Already Seen RAZOR - Not a Bad Film).
some of the many things this version has over the original is the fact that the Galactica is a ship that was meant to be put in mothballs. The shocks that are through the whole story. But the thing I love most is the Blake's 7-esque feel to it: that unlike the original the deaths are thivk and fast (By The End of "33", the first episode of Season 1, the Survivour count had reached 47,972, Went Up by 1 when a Child was born on the rising star, and kept dropping throughout Seasons 2-4)
Hands Down the Best GALACTICA So Far.
Similar Products
- Battlestar Galactica: Razor [2007]
- Battlestar Galactica: Season 1 [2004]
- Battlestar Galactica: Season Three
- Battlestar Galactica Season One (McCreary)
- Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion: Season 3
Reviews
Favourite TV for years!
Review date: 2008-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
If you have not seen any of the recent remaking of BSG, then I wholly recommend you watch this first! The 'mini-series' is basically the introduction to this wonderful remaking. As a kid in the early eighties the original BSG was one of my favourites and a remaking is like a dream come true.
It really is sci-fi of top drawer quality. It does take itself quite seriously, but I like that and can get put off by other sci-fi shows that are quite tongue-in-cheek. The characters are great and the special effects are also awesome. Highly recommended.
You'll watch this because of the first two series but it's nowhere near as good
Review date: 2008-05-12 Rating: 6 out of 10
It seems that the writers may have taken themselves a bit too seriously in this installment, because the pacing is incredibly slow. The religious and political aspect of the show takes on a far greater role, and as a result the balance of the show is greatly interrupted. There is far less action, and this is replaced with long, drawn out and wordy scenes which in my opinion are very pompous indeed. Also, the plot lines are a lot less strong-there are some episodes where you just think "oh please, this is just ridiculous." One very important episode springs to mind-the whole series could come to a close, but the ending is preposterous, and is just glossed over, then things move on to the next episode (trying not to include spoilers here). You'll watch it because you have to in order to keep up with the series, but it really is pretty poor in comparison to the first 2 series.
Very entertaining!
Review date: 2008-04-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
I wasn't sure what to expect of this. I liked the original (it was dated and cheesy but also a lot of fun) but resisted checking this out for quite a while. After hearing nothing but positive things I gave in. I wish I had sooner. The updates/alterations are great. Only very passionate fans will be all that bothered. It's not a continuation, it's a re-imagined version so it doesn't need to be all tied in to the old version. The mini series references the old version (old cyclons in the museum, vipers, the red light on the new cylons/ships) enough that fans of the original shouldn't really be all that upset. The production values are excellent, I was very impressed by how great it all looked. Series one here I come.
Intelligent, Compelling Science Fiction
Review date: 2008-03-06 Rating: 8 out of 10
Season Three contains BSG's best and worst moments. Luckily for this viewer, the worst moments are niggly and the best brave and bold.
The writers of BSG had set up an intriguing storyline at the end of season 2 - a huge city on a difficult planet, with the Cylons running a brutal occupation over the citizens of New Caprica. Season Three wastes no time in showing the desperate lengths that the embittered survivors in New Caprica will go to when fighting the Cylon occupation. Suicide bombings, people betraying other people, and double-agents are the de-rigour from the offset. This is challenging science-fiction, showing chilling contemporary relevance and a bold vision.
Characters continue to make tough choices, right up until Admiral William Adama arrives back with the Battlestar Galactica to make one of the most audacious rescues in television history. Without spoiling anything, it is pretty special and well balanced with some intense characterisation.
The challenging storylines continue with the fleet seemingly 'reunited', but nonetheless still 'split', with the survivors of New Caprica bitter and looking for reparations over their own extreme actions and those who allegedly collaborated with the Cylons.
Its at this point though that the season begins to 'sag' a little. There are excellent story arcs here and there, but occasionally the feeling of 'stand-alone' episodes seems to seek in. Opinion seems divided on them. To me the raging-bull-esque 'Unfinished Business' is strong and a brilliant piece of direction, but I felt frustrated by some of the other episodes, as either threads are suddenly buried, or I just didn't feel interested enough in some of the other threads.
Still, BSG's weaknesses put most other Science Fiction (i'm not just talking about television), to shame. The acting remains nuanced and compelling, even if a 'soap-opera' feels does permeate the rivalries that develop over the essentially forbiden love of Lee Adama and Kara Thrice.
As always though, BSG pulls its best punches in the final third. One character seems to vanish, while the trial of disgraced president of New Caprica, Guis Balthar, provdies a good dramatic weight to anchor the final episodes. As always there's one heck of a shift in terms of story at the end (and without spoiling it), which makes the final season seem like it will have plenty of story to get into, without, one hopes, veering to close to some of the weaker aspects of this series.
Certainly when its at its best, BSG is compelling Science Fiction of the highest order. Highly reccomended. (If you're starting from scratch get the mini-series and the 1-3 boxset. It's worth it!)
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Jamie Bamber
Edward James Olmos
James Callis
Katee Sackhoff
Mary McDonnell
Director(s):
Recording label: Playback
Manufacturer: Playback
EAN: 5050582230413
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2004-03-01
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 180 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2003-12-08
Language: English (Original Language)