Stargate | | Cast : | Kurt Russell, James Spader | | Director : | Roland Emmerich | | Studio : | Lions Gate Home Entertainment | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound | | Released Date : | October 28, 1994 | | DVD Released Date : | February 17, 2004 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | one of my fathers favorites | Content
 | I enjoyed this movie, it was the first sci-fi movie I ever watched. A good blend of sci-fi and action. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | 1997 vs 2004 DVD Releases | Content
| I won't bother with providing a review of the film. Many people before me have provided many good reviews of the film. My 'star rating' is for the DVD release only (I really enjoyed the film and would give it 4 stars). I thought it might be useful to provide a few comparisons on the two DVD versions that are available. I have the June, 1997 release of the film provided by LIVE Entertainment as well as the new 'Ultimate Edition' released in 2004.
The 1997 DVD version provides a trailer and a teaser for the film; an information section of the cast and crew; audio selection for English or French language; and a choice of English, Spanish, or French subtitles. The menus are all still (no motion or videos), but are all crisp and easily navigated. The only real down side of the disc is that it is a 'flippy'... a two-sided disc that you must turn over to resume the film. Otherwise, The film looks great and contains what I believe is the 'theatrical release' of the film (one place in the packaging lists the film runtime as 119 mins. and in another place it lists it as 122 mins. ??)
The "Ultimate Edition, Extended Cut Stargate DVD" released in February, 2004 by Artisan Entertainment is a little different than the version that was released in 1997. The DVD packaging tells you this is a 119 minute version (same as the 1997 edition), but nowhere on the box does it tell you if this is the "Special" edition or the "Director's Cut" (per IMDB). The audio provides three different English language tracks (why only English and why three?). There is only one subtitle track in Spanish (I guess the French folks are out of luck for this version). There is a new commentary track by Devlin and Emmerich and a short by Erich von Daniken about his 1960's "Chariots of the Gods" theories. There are no trailers or teasers or cast and crew bios. Overall, the new version was mastered 'lighter' than the earlier work, as though the DVD crew decided the film was too dark and they needed to increase the brightness control. While this bright effect improved the opening credits, allowing you to see the details of the egyptian mask better than before, overall I found it gave the entire film a washed out, grainy look. The scene where Doctor Jackson comes out of the hotel before getting into Catherine Langford's car in the pouring rain is so bright it looks like the sun should be out. Some of the effects scenes do not hold up well with the brighter look. The scene where the Stargate team first see the inhabitants of Abydos for the first time in the long shot seemed to look a lot more 'fake' than in the original version.
So, in all, I was somewhat disappointed in the new "Ultimate Edition" DVD. They really didn't improve upon the original release with extras, they actually took away some of the extras of the earlier version. I also did not care for the 'brighter' look they gave the film. To me the colors looked washed out and grainy compared to the earlier release.
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| Rating | | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | One of the coolest sci-fi movies of the 1990s | Content
| Do 2005's summer blockbusters bore you? Are you tired of people defending weak, unimaginative retreads as "popcorn flicks"? Then sit back and enjoy one of the least pretentious and most entertaining science fiction films of the early 1990s.
"Stargate" is as far-fetched as they come, but it's far-fetched in a good-natured, Flash Gordon style. If you can accept that not only were the Ancient Egyptians actually lorded over by aliens but also that said aliens travelled to and from Earth via a teleportation device known as the "Stargate" then you know exactly what to expect from a movie like this. The effects, costumes and action are excellent, coming from a time just before the dominance of computer graphics. The plot moves forward cleanly and neatly in its Marvel Comics-kind of way and more than once the visuals and storytelling will remind you of the mood behind the original "Star Wars" trilogy. This is a fun sci-fi movie that doesn't pretend to be anything but a great time.
Above-average characterization is the most important ingredient in "Stargate." Sure, James Spader was a bit too young to play the Egyptologist Dr. Jackson but he perfectly captured the idealism and naiviete of an academic out of step with his more experienced colleagues. Kurt Russell was absolutely fantastic as Colonel O'Neill; he gives a performance that is comparable to those John Wayne gave in his best-known films, and even looks a little like Wayne in some scenes. The two characters play well off each other, and we're never asked to swallow an overly warm relationship between the nonconformist Jackson and the career military hero O'Neill.
If you haven't seen "Stargate" before, I envy you. You're in for a treat! |
| Rating | | | Date | July 27, 2005 | | Summary | Belivable SciFi | Content
| The team of the movie been so perfect in all aspects, The story is kinda believable comparing to any other SciFi movie. Actors been selected and did their work perfectly with the director's excellent job. Audio / Video effects are stunning also.
As interesting as this film is, I recommend the StarGate SG-1, which I also purchase the first 7 seasons.
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| Rating | | | Date | July 23, 2005 | | Summary | DO NOT BUY the new Stargate Extended Edition if... | Content
| you need the sub-titles in anything except Spanish
I would have NEVER thought that something I buy in the USA would ONLY have Spanish sub-titles. You know, this is America-the language is English.I only speak and read English. It's kind of stupid-the damn audio isn't in Spanish, why wouldn't they have the sub-titles in English for people who have a hearing problem? Discrimination I tell ya.
I've been trying to find a way to contact someone at www.artisanent.com which is the address on the dvd, but it keeps throwing me to Lion's Gate and there is no way to email them that I can see.
I just never thought I would have to stand in Louisiana, USA and pick up a dvd and make SURE it had sub-titles in English
DUH
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