World Famous Comics: Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)
Starring: Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis Directed By: Michael Rymer Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Miniseries, NTSC Label: Universal Studios Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: December 28, 2004 Running Time: 183 minutes Theatrical Release Date: December 08, 2003
Amazon.com: 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
Probably the best space opera ever put on film. The reimagined battlestar galactica is without a doubt the best space-based SF ever put on the small screen, and easily rivals the best ever put on film. It thankfully departs from the hokey, cheesy 70s predescessor and gives us utterly realistic imagining of the future in space. As anyone who has watched NASA TV can attest, space travel is an untidy affair, and BSG delivers that look in spades.
The characters bring a realism and pathos that is unmatched in the genre. Olmos's war-weary Adama is award-caliber stuff, as is Mary McDonnel's increasingly cynical president Roslyn. The supporting cast delivers the goods, too, from start to finish. Richard Hatch, the lone representative from the old series, is kind of bland, but what do you expect?
All in great entertainment.
Battlestar Galactica I have never seen the original. This new version is fairly enjoyable. There are a lot of good action sequences and an interesting plot. This miniseries is 90 percent sci fi action movie and 10 percent pathetic tear-jerker. There are a few scenes stuck in there just to elicit some emotion, but most were incredibly heavy-handed.
There are a lot of good characters with one big exception. Dr. Baltar is whiney and annoying. (His "imaginary" friend doesn't help.) I prefer a bad guy to enjoy being bad, not whimper about getting caught and worry about how bad might be too bad.
Most of the other characters are fun early on, when Galactica is about to be decommissioned and turned into a museum and strong later when circumstances chance. It is interesting to see how they handle it all.
Love it. As a non-TV person, I am weirdly addicted. Now I have the tool to spread the addiction to unsuspecting friends. Great show.
Excellent reinvention of sci-camp into Sci -Fi Literature. I really liked the original series as a young man when it came out. I thought it was sooooo cool. I can barely watch one now without cringing.
I have finally gotten around to watching the miniseries of this great modern version of Battlestar Galactica, as I started watching during season two, and haven't missed an episode since.
For those who haven't watched this series yet... if there are any, this is not anything like the original series. It is a completely different vision full of flawed characters; it is a dark vision in a setting where technology is savior and destroyer. Battlestar is a story where war is hell, and war is life.
So even if you don't love Sci-fi, but do love well written drama, you still may love this dark, dark vision. Caution; this show is at least MA TV.
BSG Miniseries ... only the BEGINNING ... I've seen each and every episode on the Sci-Fi channel, plus the extras online. I bought seasons 1 thru 3, plus the "Razor" and the "Miniseries".
WOW! Can't leave the couch! Watching this series WITHOUT commercials is a true gift! Already into the 4th (and final) season, and can't wait for the DVD set!!!!
BTW - did you know that BSG won a "Peabody" award for their writing? W2G BSG!!!!
If you're a sci fi fan, then WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
If you're NOT a sci-fi fan, then GET ON THE BANDWAGON and watch the BEST dramatic (sci-fi) series EVER on TV. I kid you NOT. This show ROCKS!!!!
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