An interesting film, Its spinoff series going on to become one of the longest running science-fiction series ever created. While I found the film to be enjoyable with an interesting concept I felt it to be lacking in some areas. While not crucial to the television series Stargate SG-1 it is a film every "Gater" will enjoy.
Looking back at Stargate (for Kurt Russell, of course, and he does provide the film with necessary humanity), I feared it would be much worse than it actually was. The Emmerich/Devlin dumbassery is, of course, present, even at this early stage, with stupid science, unearned coincidences, and bad messaging (if one of your heroes' tragedy is that his son accidentally shot himself with a badly stowed gun, you can't have arming child soldiers as one of your solutions later). It would have gone unnoticed at the time, but Emmerich's belief that conspiracy theorists are right and will save the world is already present (which is one of the reasons I hate his movies so much now). But the Egyptian sci-fi designs are cool, it's a bold choice to subtitle so much of the film (though apparently, Emmerich was going to let it play without translation until a catastrophic preview forced a producer's hand), and I enjoyed watching Russell slowly take the movie away from nominal lead James Spader. Obviously, Stargate went on to have a big legacy on television, though I've never seen more than a couple seconds of ANY of those shows. And several of its supporting players went on to bigger things like Djimon Honshou (here just a henchman) and 3rd Rock from the Sun's French Stewart (here as an annoying, unprofessional soldier). Better than I dreaded, sure, but too problematic for a recommendation.
Interesting premise and cool aesthetic... by the book everything else. Cliche characters and plotlines, pew pew action scenes, symphonic blockbuster soundtrack and stereotypical feel good Hollywood ending. Lame villain. More of a space fantasy than sci-fi. You've seen this movie a thousand times already, guess it's worth a watch if nothing else is on.
Loved this movie when I was a kid - when I rewatched it later, I found it hard to neglect certain technical 'impossibilies' - for example them detecting signals from their probe which has been send to the other end of the galaxy within seconds, which is bullshit of course. I like my science fiction based in SOME actual science.
This is a great movie. Roland Emmerich's best, which isn't saying much. It's definitely good for repeat viewings, the story-line and characters are fleshed out very well, the cinematography is great, the special effects hold up really well, the music is fantastic. You also see how the camaraderie and humor got started that you see later in SG-1 started. I would not have been angry had French Stewart had a recurring character on SG-1. Unfortunately, he did that awful third rock show.
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Comments 1 - 13 of 13
CWHarlan
An interesting film, Its spinoff series going on to become one of the longest running science-fiction series ever created. While I found the film to be enjoyable with an interesting concept I felt it to be lacking in some areas. While not crucial to the television series Stargate SG-1 it is a film every "Gater" will enjoy.porscheguy19
SG-1 is much better than the movie. This movie you watch for the backstory; and then you don't watch it again.Siskoid
Looking back at Stargate (for Kurt Russell, of course, and he does provide the film with necessary humanity), I feared it would be much worse than it actually was. The Emmerich/Devlin dumbassery is, of course, present, even at this early stage, with stupid science, unearned coincidences, and bad messaging (if one of your heroes' tragedy is that his son accidentally shot himself with a badly stowed gun, you can't have arming child soldiers as one of your solutions later). It would have gone unnoticed at the time, but Emmerich's belief that conspiracy theorists are right and will save the world is already present (which is one of the reasons I hate his movies so much now). But the Egyptian sci-fi designs are cool, it's a bold choice to subtitle so much of the film (though apparently, Emmerich was going to let it play without translation until a catastrophic preview forced a producer's hand), and I enjoyed watching Russell slowly take the movie away from nominal lead James Spader. Obviously, Stargate went on to have a big legacy on television, though I've never seen more than a couple seconds of ANY of those shows. And several of its supporting players went on to bigger things like Djimon Honshou (here just a henchman) and 3rd Rock from the Sun's French Stewart (here as an annoying, unprofessional soldier). Better than I dreaded, sure, but too problematic for a recommendation.Marakuja
Interesting premise and cool aesthetic... by the book everything else. Cliche characters and plotlines, pew pew action scenes, symphonic blockbuster soundtrack and stereotypical feel good Hollywood ending. Lame villain. More of a space fantasy than sci-fi. You've seen this movie a thousand times already, guess it's worth a watch if nothing else is on.Nuked
1 % sci-fi, 99 % action. Don't watch it if you're going for sci-fi - you will be very disappointed.hyperform
It's very hard to believe that it was the same guy who made this master piece and the other "literally" disaster movies.Malena
great movie.........wizardhat
Awesome movie and looks great on a big screen (projector).Most movies looks good on a big screen, but this one excels.
Mackmannen
Liked the movie, loved SG-1.But as said before, you only watch it ones.
Margresse
Loved this movie when I was a kid - when I rewatched it later, I found it hard to neglect certain technical 'impossibilies' - for example them detecting signals from their probe which has been send to the other end of the galaxy within seconds, which is bullshit of course. I like my science fiction based in SOME actual science.+ what Nuked said.
seithscott
This is a great movie. Roland Emmerich's best, which isn't saying much. It's definitely good for repeat viewings, the story-line and characters are fleshed out very well, the cinematography is great, the special effects hold up really well, the music is fantastic. You also see how the camaraderie and humor got started that you see later in SG-1 started. I would not have been angry had French Stewart had a recurring character on SG-1. Unfortunately, he did that awful third rock show.Bnoover
Just be grateful for this movie because without it there would be no SG-1.Woliver
PFFFFFFFFFF!