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Space: Above and Beyond [1996] (REGION 1) (NTSC)


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Brilliant SciFi
Review date: 2008-06-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

There is no better SciFi anywhere ever (other than Babylon 5). S:AAB is a totally engrossing story, beautiful written and well thought out and acted. The characters are solid and believable as well as worthy of one's support and sympathies. There is plenty to cheer about and cry about in this highly emotional and brilliantly dark series. It would appear it was wasted on the masses, as it only survived one series, but for those of us who understood and appreciated what it was all about, that was a series never to be forgotten and now, thanks to DVD, one to be enjoyed time and time again.

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Reviews


Been looking for this!
Review date: 2008-04-05 Rating: 8 out of 10

I too remember sitting up till 12 o'clock on a Friday night on BBC2 waiting for this to come on, but I really got into this and im not a hard-core sci-fi fan.

I loved how the story had a really dark setting to it and you felt like every time something happened it was never the out-come that you think it was and that there was some sort of motive to someone else's advantage that you never found out.
The effects were very good and the acting was top class.

But then all of a sudden there was no more and that was that, but I still hold out (tiny Hope) that some one turns round and does a 'Battlestar Galactica' on it and brings it up-to date, as I still feel this had a lot to offer as the effects you see now you can do a decent job on on a home computer!.

Space: Above and Beyond [1996] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Review date: 2008-02-13 Rating: 8 out of 10

The science fiction series Space Above and Beyond, which enjoyed a brief run in the 1995-96 season, was created by X-Files producers Glen Morgan and James Wong as a revision of the classic war series Combat!. Set in the not-too-distant future, Space Above and Beyond follows the adventures of five inexperienced Marines of the 58th Squadron, who are involved in a war against the Chigs, a race of aliens bent on conquering the Earth. Morgan and Wong gave their main characters intriguing personalities--Nathan West (Morgan Weisser) has joined the Marines to save a girlfriend captured by the aliens, while Rodney Rowland's Cooper is an artificially created human whose service is inspired by a desire to escape the violent prejudice he faces on Earth. The action and stories are gritty and dramatic, and put a fresh spin on traditional wartime stories--highlights include "The Enemy," in which the 58th is stranded behind enemy lines; "Toy Soldiers," in which West's younger brother is serving under a dangerously reckless lieutenant; and the two-part "If They Lay Us Down to Rest..." and "Tell Our Moms We Done Our Best," which brought the series to a close with the Earth on the verge of peace talks with the aliens as the military launches a perilous operation. Commentary by Morgan and Wong and the cast would have been welcome, especially if the plans for the unseen second season could've been revealed, but unfortunately, no supplemental features are included in this slickly produced, no-frills set. --Paul Gaita

Product Description
This 5-disc DVD set includes all 23 episodes including the two-part pilot episode! Its the year 2063. After 150 years of deep space exploration, the people of Earth feel certain they are alone in the universe. Then word comes that two Earth outposts light-years away from home have been brutally attacked by an advanced alien civilization. Now the new young recruits of the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Calvary are heading for the front lines of space in the toughest battle the world has ever faced. Thrust into an intergalactic war beyond imagination, these untested fighter pilots suddenly find themselves waging a life-and-death struggle to protect Earth and to save mankind from total annihilation.


Has it's moments, but not enough of them.
Review date: 2007-12-14 Rating: 6 out of 10

Space: Above and Beyond appeared hot on the heels of the X-Files, and the fact that some of the people from the X-Files jumped ship to create this series was it's main selling point at the time - that and the amount of money spent per episode.

Unfortunately while it had it's moments there were never enough of them, leading to falling viewing figures and eventual cancellation after one series, just as it was starting to get interesting. Most of the money was spent on what was then state of the art CGI but that couldn't gloss over the fact that many of the episodes were average in terms of plot. That's not to say that there aren't a handful of excellent ideas and a couple of good episodes, but it's mainly remembered today for being just about the only non Star Trek sci-fi show on t.v. during the great sci-fi drought from the 80's to the late 90's.

A blast from the past which still shines bright
Review date: 2007-12-07 Rating: 8 out of 10

I really liked this series when it ran on TV. - and then it was cancelled because it was competing with Star Trek DS 9 and Firefly (also cancelled). I believe each episode cost $2m and 20th Century Fox could no longer sustain that spend even though the ratings were beginning to pick up.

What's left are these double-sided DVDs (weird!) with absolutely no special features, no cast interviews, no director comments - nothing but the shows.

I think the reason it didn't do as well in the ratings is because it is truly dark science-fiction and can be put in the "ahead of its time" category. The acting is good, the stories are classic war movie material and if you like these things, and are a fan of the new Battlestar Galactica and/or the darker more realistic war movies, you'll really enjoy this DVD.

The acting, once it settles down is of a good standard and the special effects are first class. In fact, it's difficult to remember that this series is over 10 years old. The plot lines are well defined and apart from the abrupt ending there is a feeling of continuity. Each character has a back story which influences their actions plausibly, so there's no sense of irritation, too common in some of the TV series these days.

It's a great show and deserves a better DVD treatment. However, if this is the only production then I guess this is the one to buy. Happy watching!

Product Details/Specifications


Creators:
Anthony R. Palmieri (Cinematographer)
Chris G. Willingham (Editor)
George Potter (Editor)
James Coblentz (Editor)
Ron Spang (Editor)
D. Howard Grigsby (Producer)
Dan Dugan (Producer)
Herb Adelman (Producer)
Ken Dennis (Producer)
Stephen Zito (Producer)
Tim McHugh (Producer)
Tom Towler (Producer)
Glen Morgan (Writer)
James Wong (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: 20th Century Fox
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
EAN: 0024543202455
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 5
Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, NTSC,
Release date: 2005-11-08
Universal product code (UPC): 024543202455
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Region code: 1
Running time: 60 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1995-09-24
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: Spanish (Unknown)
Language: French (Unknown)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)

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