"STARGATE ATLANTIS: FANS’ CHOICE"
Blu-ray Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: ****1/2 (out of 5 stars)
BLURAY EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Joe Flanigan as LT. COL. JOHN SHEPPARD David Hewlett as DR. RODNEY MCKAY Rachel Luttrell as TEYLA EMMAGAN Jason Momoa as RONON DEX Jewel Staite as DR. JENNIFER KELLER Robert Picardo as RICHARD WOOLSEY Christopher Heyerdahl as TODD THE WRAITH Torri Higginson as DR. ELIZABETH WEIR Paul McGillion as DR. CARSON BECKETT Not Rated Studio: MGM Created by: Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Now that “Stargate Atlantis” has wrapped up its television run for good, it’s time for fans to yearn for a Blu-ray release. Here’s the first shot across the bow: “Stargate Atlantis: Fans’ Choice.” After a voting process, fans of the show chose the two-part series premiere and the one-part series finale as their favorite episodes. Bundled together on a single Blu-ray disc, these shows are presented without commercial interruption in glorious hi-definition.
“Rising” the two-part series opener in which the Atlantis team takes a one-way trip to the Pegasus galaxy to discover the lost city of the Ancients. Upon arrival, they make contact with a primitive society that introduces them to the Wraith, a vampire-like race that culls their human herds throughout the galaxy.
“Enemy at the Gates” is the season five finale to cap off the show. Todd the Wraith contacts Atlantis to let them know about a ZPM-powered super-hive that is planning on laying siege to Earth. The Atlantis team uses all their tools at their disposal to wipe out the hive and arrive home safely.
WHAT I LIKED
Ever since I started watching the series in its second season, I have become a huge fan of “Stargate Atlantis.” I like it better than “Stargate SG-1,” particularly in comparison to that series first eight years. I was very sad to see it leave the airwaves this past spring. However, I do look forward to the direct-to-DVD film coming up as well as future crossovers.
“Stargate Atlantis: Fans’ Choice” is significant because it’s the first release of the show in high definition, and it’s a blast to watch. The depth and intricacies of the “Atlantis” set design is even more crisp on the Blu-ray, and the epic space battles in the series finale are excellent in this new platform.
I can’t say that either “Rising” or “Enemy at the Gates” are my favorite “Atlantis” episodes, but they are definitely significant to the show. It’s a great way to draw new viewers in, and hopefully seed a future Blu-ray release of the series.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
My only complaints about “Stargate Atlantis: Fans’ Choice” will make me sound like a petulant fanboy. In short, I wanted more. More episodes, more special features, more “Stargate Atlantis.”
Even though “Enemy at the Gates” offers a slightly extended episodes, I know they could have easily fit more than just three episodes on a single Blu-ray disc. On the same token, there are no special features to speak of, which is a bit disappointing, considering how the DVD releases always offered plenty of bonus material, even up to the fifth season.
BLU-RAY FEATURES
Just an extended version of “Enemy at the Gates,” and of course the whole hi-def experience.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Fans of “Stargate Atlantis” and anyone looking to get an intro to the series in high definition.
