Rating: 
Summary: best sci-fi in years...
Review: ... if not one of the best sci-fi series or movies that i've ever seen. great acting, effects, and a solid storyline.
Rating: 
Summary: So say we all.
Review: Although hoaky in retrospect, the original BATTLESTAR GALACTICA television show was definitely entertaining for generation Xers like myself who were young and bewildered at the time the show aired. Therefore there is a nostalgic bar to be met when word got out about a 'revamped' new version of the T.V. classic. Well, it has been met and then some. SCI-FI CHANNEL original movies usually blow, but with the advent of some savy programming gambles (the mini-series TAKEN paid off), things are looking brighter for a cable network that should be 24 hour sure-fire entertainment. BATTLESTAR is no exception. Having spent some dough on talented scriptwriters and sharp FX, this mini-series is engaging and cool. Great characterization is complemented by confident performances by a great cast. The story moves quickly and with purpose as the intelligent plot unfolds. There are moments that don't shine as bright as others, but are forgiven by some great visuals and exciting pacing. I find the 'sexual' parts to be lulls and don't see the purpose for them, and I would've loved to see more of the new CYLON CENTURIONS (really cool, as is the CYLON star fighters). Otherwise BATTLESTAR is some solid entertainment. Sound and picture on the DVD should make viewing even better due to the inventive sound editing (great score, too) and stellar GC space battles. Looking forward to the series based on this excellent introduction to a new and much improved BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.
Rating:
Summary: a departure that stands on its own
Review: Battlestar Galactica began as the movie "Saga of the Star World", which was distributed as a theatrical release in Canada in 1978. With some re-editing, it was aired as the pilot of the short-lived television series on ABC. While the series only lasted one season, it inspired a cadre of fans who have sought its revival for the last 25 years. While several people have sought to revive and continue the series, for various reasons these efforts have been unsuccessful. The Sci Fi channel announced that it would do a Battlestar Galactica project, but ultimately decided on a remake of the original pilot rather than a continuation.The original Battlestar Galactica told the story of the fleeing survivors of the space faring "twelve colonies of man" in the wake of a genocidal attack by the evil cylons. Loren Greene, best known for his role as Ben Cartwright on the Western series "Bonanza," played Adama, Commander of the Battlestar Galactica. Richard Hatch played Adama's serious and responsible son, Apollo. Playing foil to Apollo was Starbuck, whose character has become synonymous with Dirk Bennedict's light hearted, devil may care portrayal. Over the course of shows season, these hero's looked for clues to find the planet Earth, home to the lost thirteenth tribe and a potential refuge for the surviving colonists. Ronald Moore, who made his name with the latter seasons of "Star Trek, Deep Space Nine "and "Start Trek: First Contact", was tapped to write the remake. His interpretation makes significant changes in the background story, the character relationships and even the sexes of some of the principle characters of the original series. The result is a show that keeps the central premise of the original series but throws almost everything else up for grabs. While the original series relied heavily on a mix of Greek, Judeo-Christian and Central American traditions in its background, the remake is more contemporary and urban. Instead of the Moses-like Adama of the 1970's, leading his tribe of space-Israelites to the Promised Land; this Adama is like Sitting Bull leading his tribe to the safety of Canada with the US Army at his heels. Edward James Almos as Adama has a quite dignity and presence that makes him the emotional center of this new Galactica. Mary McDonnell plays Laura Roslin, who is propelled from being the Secretary for Education to the President of the 12 colonies as the last surviving official of the colonial government. Her struggle to assert her authority and take the leadership role over the 50,000 human survivors makes her the most interesting character of the show. These two actors truly are the core around whom the rest of the cast, most relative newcomers, add layers around. Katie Stackhoff has the unlucky job of playing Starbuck; who defined the swashbuckling space hero for a generation of boys who grew up to be science fiction fans. Despite her youth, she has an emotional intensity and a sense of mischief that is appealing. She gives a fine performance despite being under tremendous scrutiny. This is not a girl trying to act like Dirk Benedict but a young woman trying to own the role. Jamie Bamber plays a more uptight and rigid Apollo, which creates a tension between he and Starbuck beyond merely being foils for one another. The original BG pilot spent the first half of the show detailing the destruction of the colonies and then moved on to the fleeing survivors encounter with an alien race, the new BG focuses strictly on the destruction of the colonial home world and their escape. In that sense it is a more focused story than the original pilot, leaving more time to devote to character development and exploring the terror of a civilization being wiped out. There is a palpable tension in the show as the characters realize and react to the enormity of the destruction visited upon them. The characters in this new Galactica are rife with flaws, misgivings and mixed motivations. We see tensions between a father and son, between subordinates and their commanders, Faust-like traitors and machines that believe in God. These are not the hero's you may have looked up to as a kid, but they are people you can recognize as an adult. It's not often that one gets to see a childhood favorite remade with adult sensibilities. Die-hard fans of the original series have expressed considerable opposition to the remake, and there is little here to persuade them from their view. The religious and mythological emphases of the original series are given token reference or are simply gone. The characters are not the iconic heroes of the original. There is more overt sexuality. This is a grittier, less sweeping, more edgy and intense BG than the original. None of this is necessarily bad, but viewers who were hoping for more reverence for the original will be disappointed. Like the characters portrayed in it, I found myself truely enjoying this show despite its flaws. This is not the Battlestar Galactica of the 1970's, but a different vision of the core concept that has strengths and an appeal all it's own. If you're a thirty something hoping for a faithful homage to the original, this is not it. If you like suspense, good special effects and realistic characters in a familiar story with interesting villains, take a look. Like the original 70's pilot, this mini series left me asking the question "what happens next?" The story leaves plenty of room for development in a regular series and creates enough interest to want to go along for the ride. I will watch this show if it becomes a series. I will be sorry to hear if this is the last we will see of these folks.
Rating:
Summary: If you can forget the past . . .
Review: Battlestar Gallactica (2003) is a "reimagining" of the original television series, which might be a more apt word than "remake" as this new version starts with the same basic premise, and then diverges markedly, while holding on to some of the character-names and themes. The premise is:
1) Humans live in colonies
2) Humans invent robots ("Cylons")
3) Cylons revolt, but are defeated, and flee into hiding
4) Decades later, Cylons strike back, almost obliterating humanity
5) Remnants of humanity flee, in a fleet of varied spaceships
The changes are from old series to new series are too numerous to list, if one goes into detail. The biggies, though, are:
- More detail regarding the attack of the Cylons
- Starbuck is female instead of male
- Baltar is weak and manipulated, not power-hungry
- New Adama (Edward James Olmos) is hard as nails, unlike old, commanding-but-compassionate Adama (Lorne Greene)
- Apollo is less likeable in the new version
- More death, destruction, violence in the new version
What I liked about this new version is the level of action and detail, and a better portrayal of the characters' desperation. I also liked the muted sound effects during the battle scenes, as it comes closer to the reality of silent explosions in the vacuum of space.
The new version also draws more on the concept of Man being betrayed by Robot, his own creation. This draws parallels to Frank Herbert's Butlerian Jihad in the history of the Dune universe, plus has echoes of Isaac Asimov's robot stories.
I miss the original series, and had trouble setting it aside while watching this. But, it was worth the effort.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Story; DVD is technically below par...
Review: By know most of you know the story behind the revival of the former 70's TV show, which I will refrain from calling a classic. The mini-series itself was exceedingly well done with outstanding writing, acting, storytelling and special effects. This DVD however is a different story. The sound is below par on every count, the "specials", including additional scenes with incomplete special effects, are boring beyond belief, and the whole thing left me feeling like it was rushed out, poorly planned, and added nothing to the version you already had on your home digital video recorder or Tivo box. When a DVD of a big-time sci-fi movie or program comes out, I expect something in the package to enhance the experience from the movie or TV version (see Frank Herbert's Dune, also by Sci-Fi Channel, as an example). There is none of that here. Disappointing, in the extreme. Perhaps we will have to wait yahren and yahren for a better version, or perhaps this is just it. Either way if you already have it recorded, save your money. If not, it's probably wirth picking up just for the great story itself.
Rating:
Summary: Friend planned it, I loved it.
Review: DVD could have been better, but the mini-series was great. Specifically, the writers did a great job setting up the story. Just get the DVD and enjoy. I know this won't help you decide, but I had to up the average.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent show, but some technical issues with DVD
Review: First off, the show is simply phenomenal. However, some rabid fans don't like the changes from the original. Well, you are talking about a show that aired for *one season.* It's not like they are long-running established characters. Judge this show on its own merits, not by a 30 year old series that cancelled after a season.
I'm not really going to go into plot specifics, that's already been covered ad-nauseum. I'm just going to say that I like it, and here's why. In a nutshell, it is because it takes the normally dry, impersonal genre of sci-fi and suddenly makes it strikingly human. Imagine the tranformation of the old Cylons into the new as a metaphor of sorts for what this show does for the genre. Yes, the show is set in space, but it doesn't feel like science fiction anymore, it feels like a straightforward character-driven drama. With killer robots thrown in. It doesn't fall into the old sci-fi trap of being about the technology instead of the characters, in fact it almost completely ignores the tech except for its implications to the story and characters.
There are a few technical issues with the DVD that distracted me, however:
First off, the packaging and DVD menus say that it's one double-sided DVD. Even the labelling on the DVD makes room for data on the flip side. However, my version came with two single sided discs, the second being what was supposed to be the flip side of the first disc. This led to some confusion, since the DVD menus still say "Flip the disc over for more features," even though said features are actually on the other disc.
The second issue is that the video is very noisy. It might very well be part of the overall look of the show, but it was distracting to me.
Third, the audio level is extremely low. You will have to turn up your volume quite a bit to get the audio up to the same level as your other DVDs. And be careful not to watch television immediately afterward without adjusting the volume accordingly, broadcast audio is much hotter than even standard DVDs.
These reasons are why I gave 4 instead of 5 stars. It really is a fantastic show despite the shortcomings in the presentation.
Rating:
Summary: Parrallel Univ vs remake
Review: I am a loyal fan of the original, and was very annoyed by the changes. Back in the 70's egyptian mythology was on the rise and books like chariot of the gods was a new idea.<br /><br />The idea man may not have started on earth or there were other humans out there was neat.<br /><br />The idea of the cylons were a race of reptiles that created a slave race of machines that eventually revolded was similar to Dune's story.<br /><br />The remake I would say is not out to replace the old.<br /><br />Maybe change the details with a similar message. <br />The cylons are not from aliens, but from us! Showing our arogance seems to be a strong point in the movie.<br /><br />The plots are very interwoven, thoughtful, and exciting.<br /><br />Neat special effects that remind me of Babylon 5 (predating the muppet creation Farscape), and is VERY realistic in camera angles. The Science in the space combat is UN-Matched! Beautiful!<br /><br />I especially love two things: the computer security, hacking, and valid points in network security! Way better then many shows.<br /><br />And the details dealing with NUKES!!! (Although the nuke hitting the ship has to be better explained...) The glancing over the details of radiation (but not as bad as others...) is obvious...<br /><br />All in all loved it not as a replacement, but a parrallel companion. Would love to see a parrallel cross over of both galacticas...
Rating:
Summary: Wow, I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this
Review: I finally got around to seeing this (A friend made me borrow his copy). I had refused to see this based on Starbuck being a "chick". I figured, "If they tried to have a girl portray his role, how much else is mucked up".
Let me add one more thing before I get into my review. I like Sci-fi, but there are very few series I have liked. Most of the series that I haven't liked, has been due to poor acting or casting. Babylon 5 = Horrible acting : Stargate = mediocre acting at best...
My favorite Sci-fi series have been Farscape (by far), and ST Next Generation.
I thought the acting in "Galactica" was phenomenal (except on the part of "Gaius" and "number six" (though "Gaius" may have just been stuck playing off fem-bot's extremely poor acting)
Speaking of those two, I thought the plot line following those two was kind of cheesy. As was the whole "Commander Adamus"/cylon scene.
****spoiler warning****
The whole, them getting separated from the rest, was kind of pushing it, but when he gives the order to not "waste manpower" retrieving him, and that he'll waste time going another way out... Oh sure, that's a great decision to leave the commander of the whole fleet out of communication for an extended period, with a known dangerous criminal.
Those two things aside (and very small parts of the overall story), this was one of the best... no, THE best Sci-fi original production I've seen. Wait, there hasn't been any other good Sci-fi originals, so that's not saying much. OK, this was just plain excellent.
The role of "Starbuck" was very well done. Almos, playing the Commander, was exceptional in the role, and many of the other minor parts were well cast.
There was a great balance of story and action. The action was, out loud "Woo Hoo" good. The special effects were super as well. And the story had, for the most part, fantastic attention to detail, but didn't let the details overpower the very moving story.
Very pleased :)
Rating:
Summary: Best TV Sci-Fi Show Since Babylon 5!
Review: I had watched a few episodes of the original Battlestar Galactica TV series in the late 1970s, for two reasons: (1) It was the only sci-fi series on TV at the time, occurring as it did in the midst of the very long dry spell between Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation. (2) As a Mormon, I was amused by the numerous parallels with Mormon religion and theology.
However, in spite of these factors, I never became a big fan of the series.
When I saw the ads for the new Galactica miniseries, I figured that this would be little more than an updated version of the original, with better special effects and with a "politically-correct" 2004 feel instead of a 1978 feel (for example, female combat pilots instead of disco dancing).
I had no intention of watching the miniseries on the night it premiered, but ended up viewing the opening scene because there happened to be little else worth watching in that particular time slot. I expected to be disappointed. Instead, I quickly got hooked.
I recorded the miniseries on my hard drive and watched it many times over. It was that good. The few episodes of the ensuing series have been very good, too. Of course, it remains to be seen whether this series will be in the same class of excellence as Babylon 5 or the original Star Trek. However, "so far so good", as the saying goes.
The DVD version or the miniseries/pilot is nice because it's anamorphic 16:9, which looks better on my HDTV set than did the letterboxed satellite broadcast, and it doesn't have the commercials.
Incidentally, some of you may have seen a highly edited high-definition version of the miniseries broadcast over the air a few weeks ago on one of the major networks. This version had a lot of stuff cut out so that it could be shrunk to 3 hours and still have room for commercials. Thus, even if you recorded the high-def broadcast version, it's still worth getting the DVD so you can see the entire uncut presentation.
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