SCI FI PI

DVD Release
Starring Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Beau Bridges, Julian Sands, Morena Baccarin
Director Robert C. Cooper
Released April 9

From the opening sweeping mix of the Stargate theme and an alien alpine landscape, you can tell that The Ark of Truth is bigger than the usual SG1 episodes. For those of us who have waited so long since the curtailed completion of Season 10, there's a Lord of the Rings grandeur to the opening titles, a mix of great expectation and relief. It's finally here.

Cut to a digitally inserted village on top of a mountain and then close up on one of those classic faux alien medieval SG:1 sets and we're back, right where we belong.



These planets really do look a lot like Canada, don't they?

With an immense increase in budget, the SG:1 team of Robert Cooper, Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner has the chance to create much more of a movie look and feel, with richer photography and more studied camera set ups. Combine that with a plotline that is action from the get-go and you have yourself a whale of a time. It's an experience that cries out for the biggest screen possible.

The Ark of Truth is the movie that ties up all the loose ends of Stargate: SG1, the series. And there are a lot of loose ends, so you really do get a heck of a lot of action in the hour and a half. It's like a 'best of' album from the Ori storyline, all tied up and neat and tidy, with returning hits of all your faves. Who those faves are, would be telling, but let's just say the Ori aren't the only baddies that the SG1 have to worry about!

For those who don't know the Ori, but have some knowledge of the SG1 series, just imagine an enemy more powerful and more merciless than the Goa'uld. Where the Goa'uld were false gods, the Ori are, in a sense, real gods, unstoppable and hell bent on taking over every single galaxy they find by converting humans to their religion, Origin. To help them, they alter humans to become their 'priests' who have amazing powers themselves. Their ships are practically invulnerable to human and even Goa'uld technology. As far as baddies go, the Ori are a tough bunch.

For Ark of Truth, there is a new character, James Marrick, from the IOA (International Oversight Advisory - the political overseers of the Stargate program), taking the role of the interfering and annoying Woolsey. You can tell with the inclusion of Julian Sands and Morena Baccarin that Doci and Adria return, providing real oomph to the dark side of the story.



Cam Mitchell, getting his behind kicked. Again.


What is the Ark of Truth? A weapon for killing ascended beings. Just the kind of thing that is required when the Ori come in and kick over your galaxy's furniture. The general outline of the plot: the SG1: team have to go and find it, and hopefully be able to stop the Ori before they wipe out all 'non-believers'. But it's hard to do that when other problems that you may remember from previous shows pop up. Let's just say that the IOA manage to screw things up again. Royally. The SG1 team have 'more than one' problem to deal with.

The action includes forest battles (of course!), space battles, the supergate, on-ship battles, Stargate Command, the Odyssey get a hell of a work out, there are chats with ascended beings and a balls-to-the-wall boondoggle at the end. There's plenty of time with General Landry, and some very nice psychological moments that go beyond the usual character banter. Each character gets at least one 'moment' with Teal'c and Mitchell being especially heroic. Mitchell, as per usual, gets the crap beaten out of him.

The special effects, are for the most part, simply stunning, with some magical moments you'll want to replay a few times to reward your eyes once more.

Stargate Ark of Truth is a satisfyingly rich experience for all fans of seasons 9 and 10. If you haven't gotten involved with post RDA SG:1, it's still a hell of a ride, and with the prelude (nine minutes long) you can refresh your memory or get up to speed on the Ori storyline. With its big budget and rich mythology this is classic Sci Fi at its best, with a real emphasis on action.



Morena Baccarin returns as the lovely but evil Adria.

Extras:

Commentary with Robert C Cooper, Christopher Judge and director of photography Peter Woeste.

Stargate: SG1: The Road Taken - Prelude to the Ark of Truth. A nine minute 'previously, on Stargate: SG1' Covering the entire Ori storyline from Cam Mitchell's joining of SG 1 in the beginning of Season 9 to the crucial moments of 'Undying'.

Uncovering the Ark of Truth - Behind the Scenes doco. Includes footage form the special effects department using a gel that allows a guy to receive a flamethrower in the face!

The Ark of Truth: Stargate at Comic-Con
The cast and key crew visit the immense hordes at San Diego Comic-Con. See what the world's biggest fan convention looks like, and what the actors are like in person. An amiable bunch, who enjoy kidding around. A special moment is when a fan gets up and sings! Such a bad song, but such courage!

There's also a squizz at Continuum, with its trip to the North Pole.




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