Rating: 
Summary: A good background movie if you like the series..
Review: This made-for-television movie takes place about a year or so after the Stargate movie and it is a good introduction to the series, Stargate SG-1, but it doesn't deliver the action and special effects it promises and that we have come to expect in the series. Sadly, the producers found it necessary to add nudity that is nothing short of gratuitous. While I'm not against nudity if it contributes to the story, I do oppose it when it occurs in a movie that is the precursor to a series that is popular with children. The writing was good, Richard Dean Anderson is a better o"Neill than Kurt Russell, and Amanda Tapping as Sam Carter is able to deliver all of those quantum physics phrases with credibility. While the series definitely does a better job of character development, this is a must-see for the SG-1 fan.
Rating: 
Summary: StarGate is right up there w/ X-Files!
Review: I also have to admit that I haven't bought the video, but I have seen this 2 hr. episode. It was such a turn in Sci-Fi television for Showtime, that I haven't missed an episode since it's air date on June 27th, 1997! If you enjoy this movie, be sure to check out the rest of the series!! Their ideas are fantastic. Great add-on to the movie, with a stellar cast of WONDERFUL people, including Mr. Anderson, Michael Shanks, Chris Judge and Amanda Tapping. The only reason I haven't bought this video is the price. Mind knocking it down about $20?! What's the big deal w/ it?!? Is it imported?
Rating:
Summary: A decent movie is turned into a pretty good TV series
Review: I have stumbled across "Stargate SG-1" on cable television from time to time and so it was a real treat to go back to the beginning and see how Showtime was able to turn a moderately successful science fiction film into a very good science fiction television series. There is a special edition version of the 1995 theatrical film starring Kurt Russell and James Spader so even if you have seen it before you can refresh your memory as to what happened and get some added scenes as well. The pilot movie, "Children of the Gods" (Written by Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright, Aired July 1997) has General Hammond (Don S. Davis from "Twin Peaks") dragging Colonel Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson in the Russell role) back for one "last" mission through the Stargate. Since the huge, shimmering ring of glowing matter that allows instant transportation between different worlds could be used by the evil Egyptian-like aliens to use to Earth, it was supposedly destroyed. But there is now evidence that Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks in the Spader role) might still be alive (a great use of Kleenex by the way). The pilot takes O'Neill and his team back to Abydos, where they have a confrontation with the Goa'ulds, who are now led by Apophis (Peter Williams), a Ra-wannabee. What makes this a good pilot is that not only does it assemble what will be the SG-1 team, adding Captain Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping), a theoretical astrophysicist, and Teal'c (Christopher Judge), a high-ranking Jaffa for Apophis who defects to the humans, but it establishes several elements for the series that can be exploited down the line. 5 Stargates. Consequently, the first season of "Stargate SG-1" offers a blend of episodes that have the quartet visiting new worlds through the Stargate and those that deal with the continuing evil efforts of Apophis and the Goa'ulds. Many times, even if the Jaffa are not running around, the have had an impact on the planet being visited. Episode 1, "The Enemy Within" (Written by Brad Wright, Aired August 1, 1997) is basically a continuation of the pilot with one of O'Neill's officers and friends, Major Charles Kawalksy (Jay Acavone), the host of one of the Goa'uld larvae. The contrast here is between a friend being turned into a traitor against his will by one parasite while Teal'c has to prove his loyalty. The attempt to get the larvae out of Kawalsky continues the theme in the pilot of making the conflict with the Goa'uld extremely personal for O'Neill. 5 Stargates. Episode 2, "Emancipation" (Written by Kathryn Powers, Aired August 8, 1997) sends the SG-1 crew back out through the Stargate and makes it clear that each trip to a new planet is usually going to confront them with a people who are not as technologically advanced (there are a couple of key exceptions in season one). This episode also establishes that most of the people they are going to encounter come form Earth stock, such as the Shavadai, a tribe related to the Mongols, on the planet Simarka. The Shavadai consider women to be inferior, which means Carter is in for a series of rude shocks. The plot is rather predictable, but the episode does have its comic aspects and shows that Carter can hold her own with the boys both in terms of cracking jokes and fighting her way out of duel to the death. 4 Stargates. Even if you never saw or were not overly enamored of the original "Stargate" film, if you make it through these first three episodes (keeping in mind the pilot is basically a movie) you will be impressed enough to move on to the next volume. I would encourage you to keep going because you should get seriously hooked on this series by the time you get to the fourth volume, let along the season-ending cliffhanger in volume five. Let me put it to you this way. The first season of "Stargate SG-1" is a lot better than the first season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and you know how good that series got. It is also helping me avoiding suffering serious withdrawl from the end of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Rating:
Summary: a must
Review: If you love stargate, you must own this DVD with the pilot. What more is there to say?
Rating:
Summary: The best SciFi show on television.
Review: If you saw the movie Stargate and felt left out in left field, don't let that stop you from seeing the series on Showtime. If you don't mind the commercials, Fox is syndicating it and is a season behind Showtime. Richard Dean Anderson adds a personality that for some reason Kurt Russell left out. IMHO, Michael Shanks does a lot better Daniel Jackson. It's fun to watch a show that gives female leads a strong character as in Captain [now a major] Samantha Carter. As far as matters dealing with the "how to's" of the stargate she's much smarter than O'Neill. Teal'c played by Christopher Judge is incredible in his depth of character and his ability to do other things in the show. He's done several voice overs for other characters. If you've already seen the first few episodes, I can only repeat the old worn out cliche that says, "you ain't seen nothin' yet." They just keep getting better and better. Heavens, I can't forget General George [Don S. Davis] Hammond. A real "by the book" General that can actually have a softer side. BTW, this show is the only program being made today that has the USAF approval and they oversee all scripts dealing with military activities and protocols. What you see is the real deal, folks. Well, the gate is fiction. But, the rest is watched closely. The show actually rates 11 stars if I could give it to them. The SG-1 team really deserves a LOT of kudos for this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Must See for Late Comers
Review: Not everyone who loves Star Gate has watched it from the begining. If you're one of those late comers then this DVD is a must-see. It answers numerous questions of the who-how-whys behind the characters and especially the ever-mysterious Te'alc. While none of these episodes are ones you'll want to see more than once, everyone needs to see them at least once.
1) Children of the Gods, the made for TV pilot, brings back Daniel's wife Shar-rae and O'Neill's (with 2 L's) friend Scara, and sets the stage for the Daniel's constant search in later episodes for his lost wife.
2) The Enemy Within, answers more questions about the symbiote/host relationship.
3) Emancipation, a typical shallow 1st season episode, assumeably meant to build up Capt(Maj) Carter's character. Good casual watching & one of the rare episodes that is safe for younger viewers. Bonus points if you can identify the actor in this episode who later played a major voice character in a Disney animated classic.
Rating:
Summary: A must for any Stargate Fan
Review: When I was first introduced to the TV show Stargate I had already seen, and fell in love with, the movie on which the series was based. However, coming in on the second season there were many question left in my mind, but my love for the movie extend to the TV hit. If you are like me, I highly recommend this title. Not only does answer some of the question I am sure you have had, but also provide an wonderful bridge between the movie and the series. If you only buy one DVD in the set, this is the one to buy.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: Waaaw
I am a big fan of Sci Fi and I must say that this DVD was above and beyond my expectations. Lot of action very well written stories and no waste of time, I mean some Sci Fi seriecs spend more than half of the time of the episode speaking about some feeling or personal changings or even love stories in between some of the characters with no action, while in Stare Gate one, those issues are blinded and mixed perfectlly in the story and not Just a waste of time I have ordered Season 1 Vol. 1 and 2, and I could not sleep unti I finished them all, Also I used to see some episodes of stargate sometiems on TV, but I had a million question on my mind, but this answered them all, for example I used to wonder how on earth Teal'c got to be on the group, and how come a supposingly "MILITARY" group is having two sientific minds on it and one of them is not a soldger? and alot of mroe but this DVD really answered every thing.
Rating: 
Summary: Filling in the gaps between movie & series
Review: Since I came late to the series, I decided to watch this movie in order to fill in the details between the original movie starring Kurt Russell, and the series. It does a terrific job introducing Capt/Maj Samantha Carter, explaining the return of Daniel Jackson, & developing the Jack O'Neal character. Of course being the pilot for a new series it ends with a cliff hanger that leaves you wanting more. But it doesn't develope Teal'c character or explain anything about him. In addition, it has inconsistancies with later episodes. In the final moments of the movie Teal'c explains to O'Neal that he's "carried a symbiot lifeform since he was a small boy." But in one of the episodes aired years later, Teal'c says the Goul'd murdered his wife & child when they enslaved him.
As a movie it's great, but if you're looking to understand the story line of the series it won't help much. The VHS only has the pilot movie on it; to get the episodes you'll have to watch the DVD version. Wish someone had told me that before wasted my time & money with the VHS.
Rating:
Summary: If you missed the beginning, get this!
Review: I was a latecomer to the Stargate SG-1 series, and seeing the pilot and first two episoldes explained a lot to me. This was a great DVD! Because I missed the beginning, I didnt understand some of the references -- such as the references to Kowalski or O'Neal's wife/son in later episodes. It also explained how he Jafar fit into the picture -- I always wondered why they were not Gau'uld (don't know if I spelled that right) warlords as well. The inital story was fascinating, and gave me the "story behind the story", some of which I had put together on my own, but this filled in the gaps. Over time, I can see that the series has maintained its quality promised in the pilot -- good plots, solid acting, well written dialogue and good special effects.
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