I can remember being 12 years old and watching and waiting for the premier episode of this show to come on. It was probably the most anticipated show of the new season that year. Some @#$%! peace conference delayed it (smile), but I stayed up to watch it.

This DVD is that movie, albeit with a scene or two missing (more on that later). Universal should've spent a little more time on this before releasing it. There is so much backstory to this show; so many cast interviews that could've been done, so many behind-the-scenes stories I've heard at conventions, so much special effects that could've been updated.

For 1978, the special effects were truly amazing. A fortune alone was spent achieving these effects, mostly by using models and hand-painting in other effects. CGI had not come about yet. Taking that into account, the effects are incredible. If you compare it to the technology that's now 23 years later, it could be a lot better. My first occasion for viewing the DVD was on a computer at a convention. The black lines surrounding all the models against the background were very obvious (and still are to a certain extent on the television as well). Using CGI now, however, a lot of these effects could've been updated easily. George Lucas did this with the Star Wars special edition.

Then there is the case of the missing scenes. Most notable is the Starbuck/Athena scene where she is changing and we see her directly turn him away. Without this scene in the story, he comes off as a complete cad for going off with another woman while he seems to be still dating her. It would've been easy for Universal to add this scene in, or at least give you the option of seeing it, as was done recently with the X-Men DVD.

The upside to this is the story and the acting, as it has always been. Commander Adama is probably the greatest role Lorne Greene ever had. Dirk Benedict, as Starbuck in his pre-A-Team days shows the potential he has and really steals the movie from Richard Hatch (who, as Apollo was supposed to be the star); Rick Springfield in a brief cameo as well, before he was well-known; Jane Seymour in her pre- Dr. Quinn days portraying a very savvy newswoman. My personal favorite is John Colicos as Baltar. The coldness he exudes as he has betrayed the entire human race to the Cylons is electrifying.

Though Battlestar Galactica was (and still is) immensely popular, it has never gotten the respect it deserves and Universal gave it the shaft once more by releasing the DVD without adding in any extras. Though I heartily recommend the DVD for the story and the acting, it could've been done a lot better.


Other Battlestar Galactica reviews:

The complete one and only season of Battlestar Galactica on DVD: The Complete Epic Series on DVD

On the sci-fi channel: 20 Years and Still Going Strong

Novel: Battlestar Galactica: Armegeddon by Richard Hatch

Novel: Battlestar Galactica: Warhawk by Richard Hatch


© 2001 Patti Aliventi


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12