DVD REVIEW: STARGATE: ARK OF TRUTH

[MattBrady]

Stargate: The Ark of Truth
From: 20th Century Fox
Directed by Robert C. Cooper
Writers: Brad Wright (developer); Jonathan Glassner (developer); Robert C. Cooper (writer)
Starring: Ben Browder (as Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell); Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson); Amanda Tapping (Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter); Christopher Judge (Teal’C); Claudia Black (Val MalDoran); Beau Bridges (Major General Hank Landry)
Also Starring: Martin Christopher, Morena Baccarin, Julian Sands, Tim Guinee; Sarah Strange; Currie Graham
Review by Troy Brownfield

Some spin-offs of genre material arrive ready-made for a new audience. Though occasionally slow as molasses, Star Trek: The Motion Picture carefully took the time to reintroduce each character at the offing. The X-Files film operated in a way that you could get into the story even if you didn’t know all the intricacies of the show (thought it certainly helped). Coming off a ten-season television run, any Stargate SG-1 movie should come equipped with the ability to satisfy old fans and acquaint any potential new viewers with ongoing plot concerns and character identities in speedy fashion.

Well, one out of two ain’t bad.

The thing that Ark of Truth does supremely well for new viewers is the “prelude” track. In the Main Menu, you can select Play Movie or an option to Play Movie with the prelude. The prelude is essentially a lengthy “previously on” that gives you the low-down on the Ori arc that occupied much of seasons nine and ten. Important terms and concepts receive highlights, and even a new viewer can comfortably segue into the show.

Unfortunately, aside from the intro of Mitchell at the beginning (and bits of sensory osmosis that will download you some Jackson and Vala info), there is no similar effort made with the characters. You can start watching Ark of Truth and be drawn in by the action (and the set-up you received from the prelude), but you go many, many minutes after the start before the five major characters (Mitchell, Jackson, Teal’C, Vala, Carter) are all even referred to by name (let alone rank).

This is all fine if you’ve followed the show for one to ten years. If you picked it up because it was a new release and you thought you’d give Stargate a try, then you could be very lost. Teal’C in particular sticks out; new viewers will constantly wonder about his head.

On its own terms, this is a decently exciting movie that honestly really just plays like a bigger version of a regular episode. This could be a function of the fact that this story is what would have played out over several episodes had this piece of the franchise stayed on television rather than moving into a series of direct-to-DVD movies. There’s not a lot here that I felt couldn’t have been done on the show. It’s got some good moments; it’s just not overwhelmingly special.

The plot concerns the disposition of the Ori threat. SG-1 is after “the Ark of Truth”, an artifact that may help them overcome the Priors and the Ori. Much of the plot could seem confusing and convoluted to new or casual fans, but it does make sense on the level of internal consistency.

Across the board, it’s generally well-acted. The leads carry easy familiarity with their characters and each other (Tapping and Judge, for example; each played their characters for ten solid seasons; Shanks ran through the first five, appeared in six, and came back for the rest of the duration). Morena Baccarin is always a treat, and Currie Graham does a great job as a prick of a government agent.

My initial reaction is that hardcore fans (like my Dad) will either be a) wildly enthused, or b) slightly deflated that it just feels like some regular episodes welded together. For me, a casual viewer at best, I thought that it had decent acting, pacing and effects, but that it suffered the fundamental flaw of lacking accessibility.

Bonus Features: Easily the best extra is footage from the 2007 San Diego Comicon panel, which featured, among others, Browder, Tapping, Judge and Cooper. Judge in particular comes off as good-natured and hilarious. When a fan tries to sing them a song and gets his microphone cut, Judge launches into a dead-on Randy Jackson impression (Tapping follows as Paula Abdul, and Browder ices it with a bitter Simon Cowell); it’s funny stuff. There’s also a look at filming in the Arctic, the aforementioned prelude, and a commentary track that includes, again, Cooper and Judge.

For the resolution that it offers on the Ori front, I’d say that Ark of Truth is a must-have for the Stargate faithful. For the rest of you, you’ll either want to find something that’s not made for a such a specific pre-existing audience, embrace the challenge of catching up, or hit your DVD outlet of choice to view (at a minimum) seasons 9 and 10. The previously converted need it, but there’s not a lot there to win over the non-believers.

Troy Brownfield captains the Best Shots team for Newsarama.

[deathmasterj]

On its own terms, this is a decently exciting movie that honestly really just plays like a bigger version of a regular episode. This could be a function of the fact that this story is what would have played out over several episodes had this piece of the franchise stayed on television rather than moving into a series of direct-to-DVD movies. There’s not a lot here that I felt couldn’t have been done on the show. It’s got some good moments; it’s
just not overwhelmingly special.

I think you've pretty much answered your own thoughts on it not being accessible to new viewers, it's not meant to be. It is, and always was meant to be, a cleaning up of loose ends from the show, which never got to finish off those plots.

From what I understand the next direct to DVD "movie" will be more stand alone (and brings back Jack!!).

[CodeGuy]

Any opinions on the commentary track? Sometimes the commentary is so sparse that they shouldn't have bothered. Other times they load it with so much information that it's very entertaining in itself. The commentary on Justice League: New Frontier made me very happy that I bought the DVD instead of waiting to see if it eventually came on TV.

[C_Striker]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Bonus Features: Easily the best extra is footage from the 2007 San Diego Comicon panel, which featured, among others, Browder, Tapping, Judge and Cooper. Judge in particular comes off as good-natured and hilarious. When a fan tries to sing them a song and gets his microphone cut, Judge launches into a dead-on Randy Jackson impression (Tapping follows as Paula Abdul, and Browder ices it with a bitter Simon Cowell); it’s funny stuff.

The Idol riff had me in stitches…Also them calling Shanks at home was also a great moment

[TheWay]

So, does this movie explain or reference how the gang gets off of the Asgard ship that was stuck in time at the end of season 10, and the end of the TV series?

[brawl2099]

Originally Posted by TheWay

So, does this movie explain or reference how the gang gets off of the Asgard ship that was stuck in time at the end of season 10, and the end of the TV series?

That episode explained it. I won't say for spoiler's sake, but they were off the ship (or at least on their way off) by the end.

I'm totally looking forward to this movie, and really hope the stars of Stargate end up in some very good places soon. I know Tapping already has her own show (Sanctuary) next season at Sci-Fi. Shanks is rumored to be starring in the third series- Stargate Universe. I hope Browder, Judge and Black are picked up quickly (and hopefully by someone like Joss Whedon or Tim Kring).

[icelator]

shanks has said he's not in universe

[TheWay]

Originally Posted by brawl2099

That episode explained it. I won't say for spoiler's sake, but they were off the ship (or at least on their way off) by the end.

Thanks! I just went to Wikipedia and refreshed my memory on that episode. I don't know why I forgot that ending. I think it is partly to do with the fact that I wasn't to happy with it so I blocked it out. I feared that these straight to DVD movies would somehow not happen and that would be the end, which would have been a huge disappointment for me.

I can't wait to see this! I received it in the mail today and will be watching it this evening.

[ultraaman]

Well, since both T'alc and Carter have been seen on Atlantis this year you know they don't die (and what was up with his hair going white? Did I miss something cuz it's not in his Atlantis appearance).

It's pretty okay, not the greatest finale Stargate ever had but about on par with what I had hoped. There are a few moments I really liked and overall the characters each have their moments and the writing is up to snuff. It makes a much better finale than that lame-o episode that was formerly the series finale. But some sequences seemed to just go on way too long and to me seemed unnecessary. One scene just made me dizzy. It felt like a regular episode where they inserted an extra 45 minutes of special effects and fighting and running away and stuff.

BTW - principle filming on Continuum is about done.

[Skillet]

Saw this movie about 2 months ago and it was a good ending to a great series. Tied up most of the loose ends that I remembered. Shame it couldn't have went on longer, I thought there was a lot they still could have done with the show. But as with all things it must come to an end.

[MNM]

Originally Posted by CodeGuy

Any opinions on the commentary track? Sometimes the commentary is so sparse that they shouldn't have bothered. Other times they load it with so much information that it's very entertaining in itself. The commentary on Justice League: New Frontier made me very happy that I bought the DVD instead of waiting to see if it eventually came on TV.

I didnt care for it. The vast majority of the time is the director talking about the type of film, shot etc they did/used, those type of commentaries never interest me.

[Lex]

I thought it was a great wrap-up of the Ori story. I was fairly satisfied with how they did. And they managed to include everything I think makes Stargate fun to watch. Good movie.

[Moriarty]

Well, my roommates and I watched it the day it came out. Flawed and anticlimactic in some ways (especially the Ark itself; I'm sick of Ancient Ex Machina), but effectively a good end to the Ori arc, thank god.

3.75/5

[Bobby Nash]

I thought it was a fun movie.

Bobby

[DoctorTom]

Originally Posted by deathmasterj

From what I understand the next direct to DVD "movie" will be more stand alone (and brings back Jack!!).

Actually, I had heard it was picking up some other dangling plot threads with Ba'al.

[deathmasterj]

Originally Posted by DoctorTom

Actually, I had heard it was picking up some other dangling plot threads with Ba'al.

It involves Ba'al going back in time and stopping the SGC ever being set up, but whereas The Ark Of Truth is pretty much a continuation of the show, I see Continuum being more like a "sequel", if that makes sense. In other words it will be more accessible from what I understand.

[jccalhoun]

Originally Posted by ultraaman

Well, since both T'alc and Carter have been seen on Atlantis this year you know they don't die (and what was up with his hair going white? Did I miss something cuz it's not in his Atlantis appearance).

I"m pretty sure it was there when he was on Atlantis they did reference his age which is related to the white hair.

Anyway the white hair comes about from the last episode when they are stuck in the time loop.

[Alextron]

Having never seen the show I assume that their all just old McGuyver episodes reworked into a space show.

[turkproverb]

ahm.. NO.

Watch the movie. Mix that with A military TV show and star Trek.

[deathmasterj]

Originally Posted by Alextron

Having never seen the show I assume that their all just old McGuyver episodes reworked into a space show.

You couldn't be more wrong.