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Loading … Rent Movie.com movie reviews presents Battlestar Galactica movie review a 2003 film starring Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell and directed by Michael Rymer
Despite voluminous protest and nitpicking criticism from loyal fans of the original 1978-80 TV series, the 2003 version of Battlestar Galactica turned out surprisingly well for viewers with a tolerance for change. Originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2003 and conceived by Star Trek: The Next Generation alumnus Ronald D. Moore as the pilot episode for a “reimagined” TV series, this four-hour “miniseries” reprises the basic premise of the original show while giving a major overhaul (including some changes in gender) to several characters and plot elements. Gone are the flowing robes, disco-era hairstyles, and mock-Egyptian fighter helmets, and thankfully there’s not a fluffy “daggit” in sight… at least, not yet. Also missing are the “chrome toaster” Cylons, replaced by new, more formidable varieties of the invading Cylon enemy, including “Number Six” in hot red skirts and ample cleavage, who tricks the human genius Baltar into a scenario that nearly annihilates the human inhabitants of 12 colonial worlds. Thus begins the epic battle and eventual retreat of a “ragtag fleet” of humans, searching for the mythical planet Earth under the military command of Adama (Edward James Olmos) and the political leadership of Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), a former secretary of education, 43rd in line of succession and rising to the occasion of her unexpected Presidency. As directed by Michael Rymer (Queen of the Damned), Moore’s ambitious teleplay also includes newfangled CGI space battles (featuring “handheld” camera moves and subdued sound effects for “enhanced realism”), a dysfunctional Col. Tigh (Michael Hogan) who’s provoked into action by the insubordinate Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), and a father-son reunion steeped in familial tragedy. To fans of the original BG series, many of these changes are blasphemous, but for the most part they work–including an ominous cliffhanger ending. The remade Galactica is brimming with smart, well-drawn characters ripe with dramatic potential, and it readily qualifies as serious-minded science fiction, even as it gives BG loyalists ample fuel for lively debate. –Jeff Shannon
Comment by Mr. Sinister
# January 2, 2007,
Battlestar Galactica Movie Review:
Growing up in the mid-70s and early-80s meant having and holding a strange nostalgic fascination for old TV shows like The Dukes of Hazzard, Fantasy Island, Buck Rogers & of course, Battlestar Galactica! Let me say something, here and now, aside from the initial homages to the original show, the retelling of Battlestar Galactica bears no resemblance to the original short-lived series. Gone are Lorne Greene and Dirk Benidict. Richard Hatch, is, strangely, still here.
A friend of mine kept badgering me to see this show. “Dude, you gotta check out the new Battlestar Galactica!” he kept saying. Sure, I’ll get around to it, I kept saying. Was I ready for the retooled version of some ancient show that I could barely remember? That kinda made me drag my feet a little. So, my birthday rolls around and my wife asks me is there any DVDs the kids can get me and I say, oh yeah, Battlestar Galactica…
I was not ready for what awaited me.
Going into the first season with the old show still looming in the back of my mind, those thoughts were quickly evaporated. Jesus, this show absolutely rox on all levels! The newer box set of Season One contains the original miniseries, which is kewel. Watching it, feeling the emotion of the show, playing into the characters angst and terror and guilt. Supreme. The makers of this show are not afraid to show you the little girl whose ship is about to be obliterated by Cylon nukes! They’re not afraid to show you that some people are going to have to die to save the rest of the human race from extinction. Deep and dark and very thought-provoking. This is what television should be like all the time. Each and every episode takes you further into the psyche of these mal-adjusted characters, showing their flaws, their weaknesses, their undefined pockets of courage and tenacity. This is not a retelling of Battlestar Galactica, this is what Battlestar Galactica should have been in the first place!
Storyline: Humans created the Cylons out of need, greed & necessity. Cyborg robots to do all their dirty work throughout the years. Well….one day the Cylons become self-aware (here we get a little Terminator on you) and decide that the humans are no longer needed. They break away. The fight. A space station is created as a place where the Cylons & Humans can meet once a year to discuss peace. In forty years the Cylons have never sent a representative to make such peace talks….until now.
The Cylons have decide to upscale the conflict by total annihilation of the human race. Using a gorgeous blond female Cylon (who looks, acts, and feels entirely human) they infiltrate the defense network of the humans via a scientist named Baltar. Meanwhile the Battlestar Galactica, an old relic to a past way of war that is being turned into a museum, is floating out in space, making preparations to be permanently mothballed. It’s againg Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) contemplating a career reaching its conclusion.
The Cylons strike!
Complete destruction!
Nothing left of the human race but a rag-tag armada of ships and The Battlestar Galactica.
If you take the Pepsi challenge with one show all year, make it Battlestar Galactica! This show will rock your world!!!!!
Dig it!!!!!