Rating: 
Summary: If you love B5, you'l like it
Review: I would have liked both the TNT and original versions, but I guess it's better than nothing. Not much for special features either. But I loved watching this series when it was new and I'm glad it finally came out on DVD (I don't do VHS anymore)
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Blessings
Review: The double dvd, B5: The Gathering, In The Beginning, suffers from a lack of value. There are no extras on the dvd, which is acceptable, but what is unforgivable is the sound. Neither title is rendered in 5.1. One of the points of buying a DVD is the sound reproduction.In terms of content, the first side of the DVD contains the B5 pilot entitled "The Gathering". This is in fact a "Special Edition" of that piece. Some of the effects have been redone (in the case of an absolutely cartoonish breaching pod, not redone to the degree that they should have been), some voice overs have been added (one for Kosh, and a surprisingly successful sampling of sound from the Season 1 episode "And The Sky Full Of Stars" in a scene made particularly poignant by its addition). This piece is Babylon 5 at its best and worst. It has the worst acting and worst pacing of any episode of the series, but it gives you an interesting taster of what is to come. Remember that in 1993, when this aired, nothing like this had been seen on American TV. Some of what you will see is jaw dropping - like the beauty shot of the interior of the space station, covered in gardens. Other things, like the previously mentioned breaching pod are so ridiculous that it is impossible to reconcile that they are both visuals in the same piece. The main difficulty is that many people became so disgusted with the acting in this pilot, that they gave up on the series before it began. To be fair, the returning cast needed time to become acclimated to their roles. The Gathering was produced very quickly, and the acting suffered from that. The sister piece, In The Beginning, suffers from none of its predecessors weaknesses. Top notch acting, excellent visuals. Like The Gathering, it is a truly interesting story and a great intro to the series, even if it spoils a bunch of the great B5 mysteries. Considering the price, perhaps the value is not as bad as I originally let on. They should have fixed the sound though, and the addition of the original version of "The Gathering" with Stewart Copeland's soundtrack would have been a nice addition.
Rating:
Summary: The Beginnings of an Epic
Review: The Gathering is the movie/pilot for Babylon 5. Though production values were relatively low, and the acting mediocre, it lays the foundation for a brilliant series. This movie is not to be missed. Be sure to buy it along with Babylon 5 season 1. In The Beginning takes place before The Gathering, but must not be watched before the end of Season 4. It was made at that time and contains spoilers for story arcs in prior seasons.
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