Rating: Summary: I HATED the movie, but... Review: OK the maybe hate is too strong a word, I thought there were some good bits too it but plot holes big enough to drive a truck through. When it was announced that Richard Dean Anderson was making a TV version of it in Vancouver I thought " Eygpt in Canada, riiight..." But it at least MacGyver was working again.Then I caught a marthon of the first season on a Showtime free Weekend. I subscribed to Showtime the next day. Not the perfect show, but it is funny, exciting, doesnt take itself too seriously and the cast and SFX are very good. It is the best example of what is increasingly rare on TV, a good adventure show. Season 1 sets the pace for the increasing better seasons, topping out at Season 4 I think. IT is still a fine show, better then 98% of the stuff out there ( and FAR the best thing on Sci-Fi Channel currently). Besides, it has MAcGyver in it! How can you say no to that?
Rating: Summary: "Stargate: SG-1 . . . It's Definitely My Favorite DVD" Review: I won't ramble on about the myriad positive attributes to this DVD; albeit, I read some great ones previous to mine. All I can say is: "Approximately 10 months ago I stumbled onto 'Stargate' -- the Showtime series. Coincidentally, I had seen the movie which came out, I believe, in 1994 [I wasn't enthusiastically impressed -- hence, the memory lapse. But Stargate: SG-1, with Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks [my favorite character], Amanda Tapping and Christopher Judge -- they are superlative actors! Honestly, they couldn't have come up with a better cast ANYWHERE! Okay, back to the DVD: the pilot is excellent. Firstly, I had no idea how all this started. Finally, my questions, doubts, etc. were allayed. The DVD is configured/ formatted in a way that you feel as though you are in a theater. The film quality is probably the only attribute I would say "needs improvement" [but it's still far superior to Prime Time television]. The storylines, audibles, and the linear progression of the Stargate story -- all are excellent. The interviews and the addendum stuff is also great! I strongly recommend Stargate: SG-1 to all Science Fiction 'aficionados'. It is riveting. I was literally ambivalent as to what to do. Emotionally, I couldn't tear myself away from the series and wanted to stay up the entire weekend watching the whole 5 disc set. The rational/ practical side of me said: "Gar, you need to stretch out your pleasure here. Don't get it all at once. Take bits of it and relish it slowly". That's what I am doing; although it is difficult because I want to know what is going to happen NEXT. Folks this Boxed Set is fantastic. Loved It. My only question to Amazon and to the producers of the DVD series is: WHEN WILL WE GET (THE REST...)? STARGATE: SG-1 is superb!
Rating: Summary: ancient human history meets over-the-top evil aliens Review: The sci-fi that I was raised on was Star Trek. I have never yet found a Star Trek series that I don't like. But before Stargate, my previous attempts at finding a sci-fi series besides Star Trek that would keep me watching left me thinking that Trek might be the only really good stuff out there. Then I found this show in syndication. Within a few episodes, I realized most of the things that I would eventually say make this show great. The technology level of the show's Earth characters begins very much like that of ours in real life - no spaceships, no phasers, just terrestrial tech plus the newly-discovered round thing from ancient times that lets them explore the galaxy. Add to that great writing, great acting, great humor, great special effects, subject matters ranging from military to anthropology that never get headdy, and a star character so deep and refreshing that his character could make up for a weak surrounding ensemble if it had to (but believe me, there's no need, the other characters are great too), and you have what has become my favorite television series of all time.
Rating: Summary: great show Review: I'll save the same for every single season... richard dean anderson is the life of the show. Love it.
Rating: Summary: Stargate Movie goes to TV Review: Lost in Space, The Twilight Zone, Charlie's Angels, The Flinstones, Dragnet we all know of storylines that went from one media to another. Sometimes popularity in TV didn't always relate to good movies and visa versa. Stargate cannot be listed among them. A relatively successful movie went on to become a vastly popular TV show. The writing on this show is superb and demonstrates the research that goes into creating this innovative series. (Apparently, there are Air Force advisors on staff.) The actors do a great job bringing their characters to life. Many episodes are stand-alones, but minor storylines and season-ending-cliffhangers have allowed SG-1 to grow out of their movie-confined characters. Those who are new to the series will find this box set fills in much of the characters' beginnings, and add to the current story lines via reference to previous chapters. A fine birthday, Christmas, or what-ever gift to your spouse, friend, or even your older brother!
Rating: Summary: A must have for fans of Science Fiction and Adventure Review: Stargate SG1 is the best Sci-fi adventure series in years (well, since Babylon 5 anyway), and is closer in spirit to the original Star Trek series of the 60's than any of the recent Star Trek series. The show is a fun adventure series, and also has some good Science Fiction concepts. The scripts are well written, and the cast (led by Richard Dean Anderson) is excellent. The characters are well rounded, and the stories are exciting. The special effects are top notch as well. This box-set features all of Season 1 in anamporphic widescreen, and has some nice extra features as well (featurettes, promo trailers, etc), making it a "must-have" for any Science Fiction OR adventure fan. If you check the other reviews you can see the episodes on the 5 discs, but - trust me - this is a great set. BUY IT! MGM has already said that the release of Season 2 on DVD will be based on the sales of Season 1 - so BUY IT! The show seems to get better every year, so seasons 2 & 3 are must have's on DVD as well. They won't be released on DVD unless Season 1 does reasonably well - so BUY IT! (You will not regret it. This is a GREAT show!)
Rating: Summary: Off To A Good Start Review: Stargate SG-1 is my favorite show. Ever. I'm not a Sci-Fi nut- I tend to gravitate more towards sitcoms and the like. But Stargate isn't just for Sci-Fi addicts. The show is so rich that you can't help but be drawn in. There are those who dislike the series, yes. Personally, I can't see why. There are plot-holes- the fact that the entire Universe appears to speak English is a bit off-setting. But the rest of the show more than makes up for its failings. I'm personally of the opinion that some people dislike the show because it's so very different from typical Sci-Fi. The show is set on earth in modern day, with characters who are fallible and less than perfect. The simple realism of the show puts off some Sci-Fi fans- how the good doesn't always win, how the lines between good and bad aren't so clear-cut. Season One is probably the worst season of Stargate. It's still worth watching and simply quite entertaining, but it is also lacking in many areas. Several of the episodes are less than excellent; the story-lines can be shaky and the characterizations uncertain. However, the writers soon hit their strides, and by the end of the season some truly good material is produced. The season ender is one of the best episodes in the series, and is the first episode where the dynamic between the members of SG-1 truly developes. Stargate is the one show I've seen- ever- where the episodes are consistently good. Even the worst episodes- Brief Candle comes to mind- are worth watching. It's an intelligent show, packed with emotion and humor and action. The continuity is another high point. So many small splot devices in the first season are later continued; characters you'd never expect to see again are reintroduced over and over. Each season- each episode- builds upon the previous ones, and it is perhaps due to this that the series as a whole is so compelling. Of the first season, there are several episodes that are well-worth watching more than once. Broca Divide is good entertainment, Cold Lazarus is heart-breaking, the Torment of Tantalus fascinating, Hathor and Singularity good fun, Tin Man chilling, and Within the Serpent's Grasp simply excellent. They easily make up for the weaker additions- Emancipation, Brief Candle, and Politics.
Rating: Summary: Better Than the Movie! Review: If you liked Stargate the movie, you'll adore this series. If you found the movie a bit slow and pedestrian, you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the first season of this series which has the rare distinction of being better than the movie it is based on. Stargate, SG-1, the series currently on cable and syndicated on FOX is a terrific scifi adventure show. In brief, the "Stargate" is an ancient relic which allows travel via worm-hole to numerous other planets. The classic sci-fi obstablce of language is creatively handled by the premise that these other cultures were "seeded" by the same aliens which potrayed ancient gods back in the time of the pharaohs (the same who built the pyramids). (Later is season one we are introduced to other aliens, including the Roswell greys such as "Thor"). The cast benefited from some useful changes from the movie to the series. "Jack" the leader is now played by Richard Dean Anderson (originally played by Kurt Russel in the movie). He is less sullen and has a "daffy side" which makes an otherwise straight military character more intersting. David Spader has been replaced by Michael Shanks ("Daniel Jackson"). The cast is nicely rounded out with two new additions. Amanda Tapping plays the brilliant physicist "Capt. (Dr.) Samantha Carter" (a millitary woman to the core, but with a soft side) and Christopher Judge playing "Teal'c" a jaffa turned good guy who makes good use of ironic facial expressions. The series begins right where the movie left off. The first episode Jack has to go back to Abydos to retrieve Daniel Jackson, who is now married to a local woman. By the end of the first episode the team is a well established entity and the action is fast and engaging. The series clips along at nearly the pace of the TV series "24". Each episode builds on the last, yet stands alone nicely. The series culminates in a 3 part cliff hanger with the fate of SG-1 and indeed all of earth in the balance. You can sit and watch this series all the way through and not be bored. Before you start you'll want to order the second season!
Rating: Summary: The best Sci-Fi Series I've seen so far Review: I was really curious of this title what after reading so many rave reviews. So when I bought this set and started viewing expectations were really high. Guess what IT WAS GREAT. A guy from India like me never gets to see such superb series on TV. Star trek Voyager was all we got from hallmark sometime back. Now even that is gone and thanks to Amazon I have started seeing them on DVD. Now I am really glad that I've found stargate SG1. I am totally hooked and shall buy all the seasons. Guys if you are from India and love sci-fi just go for it! Its simply Sci-fi storytelling at its very best.
Rating: Summary: Gateway to Extreme Entertainment Review: There are some ideas that seem to work better as a movie than as a show, or better as a TV show than movie. For example, I think something like FOX's Wonderfalls (I haven't seen it; I'm judging from previews) or Tru Calling would be a better idea as one feature film rather than a weekly TV show. I'm not saying they don't work as TV shows, they might just work better as films. Stargate, on the other hand, is completely opposite. Don't get me wrong; I loved the Stargate movie. It had a good plot, and it served as a good prequel to the TV show. However, The idea of multiple Stargates is so much more believeable than just two. After all, what is the point of only having a desert planet and a planet with rebellious humans? So Stargate: SG-1 is born. It follows the adventures of Col. Jack O'Neill (now with two "l's" and played by Richard Dean Anderson), Dr. Daniel Jackson (now Michael Shanks), Capt. Samantha Carter (the beautiful Amanda Tapping), and the former Goa'ould warrior Teal'c (Christopher Judge). They are SG-1, one of nine SG teams of the SGC (Stargate Command) led by General Hammond (Don S. Davis). They go to different planets on missons of exploration, diplomacy, and national security. Each planet brings about new problems, such as the planet where people age one year every day, the planet inhabitted by Mongolians, and the planet of the pacifistic Nox (led by Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Armin Shimmerman). This season seems to focus on more episodic plots with a core story arc rather than a major arc with many offshoots (like 24, Alias, or Angel). Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with shows that are episodic, but I do enjoy a good arc, and there were times when I was really antsy to find out about what happened with Apophis and Skaara (Alexis Cruz). I was a little disappointed that Cruz was only in two episodes, but I liked what they did with him. My favorite episodes were definitely the one that dealt with the overall story involving the fight against the Goa'oulds. That's not to say the the episodic adventures weren't engaging. I especially like the episode "Tin Man". At first, when you realize what has happened to SG-1, you sorry for them, but at the same time, you kind of envy them. Then, when the truth is revealed at the end, it is almost impossible not to feel a little sad for the doubles. The episode "Brief Candle" was also a great stand-alone. It was about O'Neill becoming infected with little things that made him and the rest of the planet's population age at an accelerated rate. Some other good episodes (both stand-alone and arc) include the pilot, "Children of the Gods", "The Enemy Within", "The Nox", "Hathor", "Solitudes", "There But For The Grace of God", "Politics", and "Within the Serpent's Grasp". I can't wait to see what happens next season, and I would definitely reccomend this to any sci-fi fan. If you are not that big on sci-fi, you might want to check it out before you buy it, but I stand by my beliefs that this is one of TV's greatest shows.
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