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Skriven 2007-06-02 14:14:19 av Tropicsrpite (1622.babylon5)
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Ärende: TV Movie Package - My Review
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Well, I just got done watching all the Babylon 5 TV movies and I have my
reviews I"ll go in the order they come in the package (which is not
necessary the order in which they should be viewed)
THE GATHERING (Remastered version)
General Opinion: Better than the original, but still kinda disjointed in
spots. Looking back you can tell just how far CGI had to go in the mid
90's, but you also saw it's glorious upside. Pat Tallman's performance
seemed a little more forced in hindsight - and the warddrobe for her seemed
very 80s. Still get a kick out of the "coffee bean" scene - proves that
even in the 23rd century, regs get violated for some simple pleasures of
home. One thing still bugs the hell out of me though: even through they
were on a limited budget, couldn't they at least gotten some hair extensions
and improvised with those to make the Centauri look less like they had "bed
head?" Im sorry, but it Londo look more like the Shadows tinkered with
Centauri hair DNA ahead of time. And why couldn't they delve more into the
relationship between Sinclair in his girlfriend? That would have put even
MORE intrigue into the series.
High Points: Michael O'Hare's performance was spectacular considering the
limited resources he had to work with, and JMS did a great job with
improvisation in some areas. CGI on the Station in general was good
considering. Ben's performance as the doctor was excellent, especially his
line about "I have looked upon the face of a Vorlon..." which foreshadows
his departure and the arrival of the late Richard Biggs.
Low Points: The "Dust" scene just smacked of "Winners Don't Do Drugs"
videos. Not a low point, but an observation - did anyone realize, at that
time, that Delenn's makeup, sans the bonecrest, was almost identical to
G'Kar? That drives me a little nuts as well. Then again, it was a pilot.
Lyta with her "HE DID IT!" line just reminded me of every episode of Law &
Order I ever watched. I was waiting for Briscoe and Greene to come in and
crack a witty line like "Come on, Captain Kirk - it's off the brig!"
Best Scene: Without a doubt, near the end when Sinclair get G'Kar to
thinking that he had planted a bug in his tummy.
Worst Scene: This one is a little more difficult since pilots tend to have
plenty of bad scenes. Overall though, my vote goes to the "happily ever
after" scene with Kosh nodding to everyone...and then "aw shucks" head
tilt?! Cheddar must still be plentiful in 2257.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 out of 5
IN THE BEGINNING
General Opinion: Let me first say that I read the book adaptation by Peter
David, so I was able to nitpick the holy hell out of this one! That being
said, I will say this was one of the better prequels to any series I had
ever seen (that includes the ENTIRETY of ST. Enterprise!). JMS and his team
did a fantastic job with the scenes, the CGI and the overall storyline. A
well woven tapestry told from a point of view you would never expect, but
the choice of Londo's POV was outstanding and gave the story a credibility
that it would have otherwise lacked, considering that reading the book
exposed a multitude of plot holes in the DVD. I HIGHLY recommend reading
the book as a companion to the movie - it really fills in some gaps and
gives a fantastic "oomph" to the movie.
High Points: Too many to list. But my absolute favorites were the scene of
the Minbari warrior slaying the GROPO when Londo spoke of humanity's dignity
in battle - it truly brought to life the horror of hand-to-hand combat.
Also loved it when Richard Biggs delivered his "it was the only way to get
out of the stockade" line, and Boxleitner's facial expression was even
better. Londo's powerful-yet-vulnerable appearance at the very end of the
movie was both touching and poignant, especially when he said "how strange,
to come so far and want so little." A good lesson for us all.
Low Points: Mainly a lack of a few scenes in the book not in the movie
itself. Sheridan's encounter with Londo following his first meeting with
Lefcourt, for one, and Capt. Jankowski being discovered in his room dead
from a suicide shot being another. These would have tied up some loose
ends. Also, the book contains an address to the pilots in the briefing
center by Sheridan following the destruction of the "Black Star". The movie
does not have this - it would have been nice to have had that - would have
given a preview into Sheridan's ability to lead and rally the troops.
Best Scene: The look of horror on the Prometheus' gunner's face after
firing first - nobody knows what went through is mind, but I would bet good
money it relates to Bill Cosby's classic line of "did he have on clean
underwear?"
Worst Scene: Easy - the "oh please don't off to war" scene between Ganya
and Susan. Who knew Days of Our Lives was still on the 23rd century? Now
had they included the scene in the book in which Susan wakes up screaming
"NO!!!!' at the same time Ganya died battle, this would have become a
two-part best scene - by a country mile. Instead, it turned a scene with
fantastic tie-in potential into something totally unnecessary - sorry
Claudia.
OVERALL RATING: 4.5 out of 5
THIRDSPACE
General Opinion: Excellent concept, excellent idea, excellent execution.
This one stands out for, among other things, have cranked the CGI up to the
max levels. Better yet was the layering of the CGI to give it perspective -
was Rick Berman watching this when he was writing the story for ST:
Nemesis? Well written and acting was top notch. My second favorite.
High Points: Again, too many to list. My votes go to Vir and Susan in the
Thirdspace city - a rare site to see those two together alone, and even
rarer that Vir is a "ladies man" in this scene. Great line "that's
bureaucratese for 'take a hike'" all too true. Dr. Trent's scene with
Sheridan where she hides the Vorlon writing reveals a glimpse into his
marital life with Anna - nice touch. And the timing the initial fight scene
was tremendous, and the some comic relief with Zack dodging a flying object
was even better.
Low Points: Only two that I could think of: Lyta scribbing on her walls -
that's gonna come out of her security deposit!!!! The other was the line of
"you mean it was a standoff" followed by the White Stars - seriously...who
didn't see THAT coming?
Best Scene: Tie - Sheridan wheeling and dealing with Dr. Trent for access -
he was a regular Corp. Klinger! I'm surprised he didn't get season tickets
to the Mars Blue Jays with the deal! And when Delenn teases Sheridan about
picking him up - "This isn't funny, Delenn" "Yes it is" "Oh no it isn't!"
Just see who gets nookie tonight, my dear!
Worst Scene: Not really a bad scene - just wishing the big ship would have
been able to get one shot off to see how powerful it really was. The only
other scene i would rate as "bad" was the fight scene between Trent and
Ivanova - mad scientist vs. seasoned Earthforce Officer - hmmmm....who feels
like placing a bet?
OVERALL RATING: 4.5 out of 5
RIVER OF SOULS
General Opinion: Inconsequential to the series but a very cute story
nonetheless. Lochley and Garibaldi's tenuous relationship made this movie
entertaining enough. Add Martin Sheen's ability to be "ham on wry" and this
one is a nice "afternoon, kick back with a beer in hand" movie. It does
pose some troubling questions though about evolution and who has the right
to decide anothers fate.
High Points: The scene on the planet with the alien and Lochley - but could
we have lost the ring/rainbow/whatever the hell it was? Also, the opening
when Lochley describes her so-called "Girabaldi Effect." Very well
delivered. Also, from a comic relief/male hormone standpoint, who DOESN'T
love Tracy Scoggins in lingerie! May I see some more of that soon? Maybe a
bikini?
Low Points: Two BIG ones, and these are what drag this movie down - Martin
Sheen's death scene - reminds me of some really cheezy demon possession
scenes - is this B5 or the Exorcist, and Corwin's with Lochley and "the
bat", he looked like was wanted a piece of her SO badly.
Best Scene: Near the end, when the lawyer confronts Lochley, and she
threatens to counter with a suit for use of her image and then gives him the
programmed "Bat."
Worst Scene: Again, Martin Sheen's death scene - totally negates an
otherwise wonderful performance.
OVERAL RATING: 2.5 out of 5
A CALL TO ARMS
General Opinion: By far the best of all the movies. Crackjack writing and
plot that sets up Crusade, which would have been a wonderful series have TNT
not screwed with it! Several the major ties from the original B5 series was
not in the cards, and that made this movie more entertaining. The addition
of Galen to the mix made it even better.
High Points: Galen's scenes, period. The battle scenes alone are worth the
price of the DVD set, but what makes this movie soar is the Girabaldi and
Drake's relationship - a wounded puppy turned really deviant bad guy going
up against his boss.
Low Points: Call me crazy, why is it always the Russians who are the
skeptics? Why couldn't it have been someone from, say, South America?
Also, it would have been nice to have seen the look on Lucenko's face when
she saw Lochley at 2AM. If only Ivanova was there, she could have
translated for Lochley when Lucenko started to swear in Russian!
Best Scene: In a movie with great scene all around, my votes to Sheridan
getting caught with his pants down by the Drakh and then using the jumpgate
as a weapon! That was ingenious!
Worst Scene: Not too many really bad ones, but can't we, just once, see
explosive decompression from the inside of an Earthforce ship? Is that TOO
much to ask?
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 5
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32
* Origin: Time Warp of the Future BBS - Home of League 10 (1:14/400)
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