Stargate - Continuum (2008/Blu-ray/MGM)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: B Film: C+
Stargate seems to be an idea with undying
amount of possibilities. After a
groundbreaking film and a number of television series the direct to DVD/Blu-Ray
films are now also becoming a strong entity to the already established Stargate
mythos. MGM Entertainment now adds a new
film to the Stargate library with Stargate:
Continuum.
Acting as
the second post-SG1 installment (The Ark
of Truth being the first) Stargate:
Continuum starts with the Season 10 SG-1 crew at the extraction ceremony of
Ba’al, the last clone. Meanwhile back in
1939 the ‘real’ Ba’al massacres the crew on the ship carrying the Stargate to
the United States, the ship eventually drifting to the Arctic Circle. The events of that day in 1939 change the
future and certain Stargate members disappear into oblivion, because the
Stargate Program mission never occurred.
The team struggles to regain a foothold on those world changing events
for 1 year and in that time Ba’al begins his attack on earth. The Stargate team is called back into action,
but it may already be too late.
The film
to this reviewer was like a bad high school reunion; it is nice to see some old
faces, but before long you want to get the hell out of there. Stargate:
Continuum reuniting the old SG-1
cast should excite any fan, but for the most part the odd plot holes (or
convenient cheating) coupled with a certain rushed atmosphere truly detracted
from the film. If nothing else this film
wrapped up the entire Stargate SG-1
series into a nice package and definitely caters to long time fans. This reviewer, only mildly enjoying the SG-1
series, viewed the film on a more standalone and independent basis and it still
managed to hold up as an enjoyable hour and a half. Any Stargate
fan will be pleased to add this film to their probably already immense Stargate library.
The
technical features on this straight to DVD/Blu-Ray Stargate film are nice, but
far from the level that a new Blu-Ray should be at. The picture is presented in a 1080p 1.78 X 1
Widescreen that whereas it does have a solid color range with a balanced
light/dark presentation, the sharpness and image crispness leave something to
be desired. This critique is not to say
that the image is not very nice, but this reviewer expects a Blu-Ray
presentation to step up its game. The
sound is presented in a DTS HD 5.1 Master Lossless Audio and an English 5.1
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround that for the most part is strong and solid track that
demonstrates good range during the more pivotal moments of the feature, but
does have moments where it there is an overly distant and soft quality.
The
extras on this single disc release are not overloaded with useless games and
features that only act as filler, but there are a good amount of solid,
interesting, rewatchable special features for fans to enjoy. The extra features include an Audio
Commentary with producer/writer Brad Wright and Director Martin Wood that
whereas it is discussing a film that was less than stellar the writer, director
pair do a good job in offering up a plentiful barrage of interesting factoids
and insight. The extras on this release
also contain a slue of featurettes such as a Making Of Stargate: Continuum Featurette, a Stargate Goes Artic
Featurette, and a Layman’s Guide to Travel Featurette. This reviewer can say that not a single
featurette is wasted (if you at least somewhat enjoyed the film) and allow fans
to partake in the creative process almost every step of the way.
This is
not the best incarnation that the Stargate
franchise has seen, but it is adequate and gives fans another taste of that
sweet, sweet sci-fi goodness we call home.
Time is on your side with this one, it is only a remote click away…
- Michael P. Dougherty II
