Stargate (Ultimate Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely entertaining...
Review: ...and therefore of course highly recommended for those of you who enjoy sci-fi-adventure-movies, and previous and later releases of director Roland Emmerich. The special-effects are rather impressive, costumes and acting as well (Kurt Russell as always delievers with a certain style).

There's an Indiana Jones-feel to "Stargate", mostly because of the fabolous music-score of course (very similar to the Indiana-score I think) -but there's also just as much adventure to the movie, perfect for a day you spend indoors because of bad weather or such.

Recommended!

Rating:
Summary: "Ultimate Editions" from last 1 1/2 years only 1 version
Review: The five stars are for the movie itself and the original "Ultimate Edition."

I bought my original edition in February 2003 and got the one with the gold foil embossed slip case, 2 disks with both the extended version and the theatrical version of the movie. Since then, even though almost every e-tailer and retailer show that the Ultimate Edition with 2 disks and two versions of the movie, they do not actually have them to ship. I have ordered from several e-tailers and the keep cases show "Extended Cut" on the bottom of the front case label and not "Director's Cut," they do not have all of the featurettes any more or many of the other extras.

I feel the manufacturer has deluded all of their clients who sell these DVDs by NOT changing the name of the DVD. It should not say "Ultimate Edition" when it is not the Ultimate Edition.

I don't think Amazon is trying to cheat or fool their buyers but they do need to check out the DVD that they are selling and change their website description.

Rating:
Summary: EMINENTLY WATCHABLE, IF ONLY FOR ALIENS IN EGYPT
Review: Fantastic story of intergalactic travel that's certainly a worthy rental. Imagine a cross between the Twilight Zone and The Ten Commandments spruced up with laser guns and bazookas. Mili Avital is quite the bomb as Sha'uri. Keep an eye out for Horus (Djimon Hounsou), none other than Cinque from 'Amistad.' Russel and Spader need little applause, they go about their business with a single-minded devotion. Don't expect E.T. type wonder and awe at every alternate pace, the whole extravaganza is fast-paced and compulsively watchable in a way that only a foolhardy scifi movie can be. Highly recommended for people looking for some action.

Rating:
Summary: Amazon ripped me off!
Review: Amazon promises that this DVD has a "making of" documentary included(look where it says "DVD features"). In fact, the version they sent me does NOT! I later learned that the ultimate edition is supposed to be a 2 DVD set, with the "making of" doc being on the second disc. Amazon sent me one disc only. I think what happened pherhaps is that originally, the first ones they produced were a 2 disc set(these were the ones with the gold foil) and later editions without the gold foil did not include the second disc. That is all fine and good, but Amazon should not make false claims about what you're getting. Also, they say that it includes both the theatrical cut and the longer version. Mine has only the longer version, probably becuase the theatrical cut is on the missing second disc! I've been cheated by amazon.com

Rating:
Summary: Favourite movie!
Review: Even at four years old, I knew this movie would be my favourite for years to come.

A film about a Colonel (Kurt Russell), hardened by the accidental suicide of his son, who accepts an apparently suicidal mission to another planet by use of a 'Doorway to Heaven'. The mission appears simple on paper.

Enter an academically unpopular Egyptologist (James Spader), who translates the coverstone of the gateway, which other scientists had mistranslated. 'Doorway to Heaven' becomes 'Stargate'.

The two, accompanied by a military team, travel through the Stargate to the planet Abydos, and meet the primitive natives (primitive because an evil alien who had taken the persona of Ra had supressed the Abydonian's academic evolution).

An hour and a half, a couple of deaths-then-revivals, a blossoming relationship and a turn-back from suicide later, the foe is defeated and everyone lives happily ever after.

Personally, this movie is well worth the price of purchasing the special edition. Though the DVDs don't have much extras, the small booklet which comes with the set is full of information about the production and history of the Dean Devlin/Roland Emmerich partnership.

This movie rocks!

Rating:
Summary: Best new concept of the last decade
Review: This movie launched one of the best TV series of the last decade...Stargate SG-1.

The movie itself is done very well, with decent special effects and acting. Suprisingly, the series has never strayed very far from this original pilot. This is also one of the rare times when the pilot was good enough to have some staying power in the market.

This is definitely a movie you must own if you are a Sci-Fi fan.

Rating:
Summary: It's all about being DTS and anamorphic
Review: Contrary to many reviews here, there are two very compelling reasons to purchase the Ultimate Edition: DTS 6.1 ES and anamorphic widescreen. This is the first release to include either of these. Granted, that does nothing for the purchasing incentive for many people, but there are still many technophiles for whom these matter a lot, and this release to directed at them.

As for the movie, I've always liked it. It's got to be the only thing of Roland Emerich's that I find good, much less decent. Yes, it's rather cheesy, but I find the mixture of sci-fi and ancient civilization to be a very fascinating and original idea. The fact that it is a wall-shaking, action rollercoaster is very attractive, as well.

I've noticed the TV/movie debate and I'll throw in my 2 cents. I've seen a lot of the TV series and I've never really liked it. I understand that a TV series needs likable, bumbling characters with goofball senses of humor and with a wide range of out-in-the open idiosyncrasies. That's not at all realistic, though, and I prefer the movie's angle. The movie's characters consist of a kickin' squad of serious marine types, similar to the squad in Aliens. Personally, in a movie with military squads, I find that more enjoyable. Maybe the whole TV/movie debate is akin to a geek/jock debate; I don't know. I do know, though, that I find the movie's characters, though more one-dimensional, at least more believable and responsible.

Anyways, I recommend the movie as an adrenaline-pumping, popcorn flick and this new edition is required viewing for any technophile with a souped-up home theater.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Escape and Great Science Fiction
Review: Frankly, who is going to watch Stargate other than science fiction fans? That said... can you name ten better science fiction movies? This movie has an interesting plot, surprisingly good action and writing and was very suspenseful in the theater. It also has good effects and excellent sound and a top sound track.

As for the TV series being better... I really like SG-1 but the movie has a much cooler feel to it. It's much more mysterious and dark. Some SG-1 stories are awesome and they have a great cast as well, but it is very straighforward and really lacks the menace that the original movie portrayed.