8.1 | / 10 |
Users | 3.5 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.2 |
The feature-length pilot episode, Rising, sends a brilliant team of scientists through a Stargate to the legendary city of Atlantis. But not only is the city about to be engulfed by ocean water, an enemy appears who threatens everyone in the Pegasus Galaxy. And in the lengthened Enemy at the Gate from Season 5, as the team tries to disempower Wraith hive ships, the Wraith discover coordinates that will allow them to destroy Earth.
Starring: Joe Flanigan, Rachel Luttrell, David Hewlett, Jason Momoa, Torri HigginsonSci-Fi | 100% |
Action | 99% |
Adventure | 98% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 2.0
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English SDH, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
With full-season television sets a staple of most home video collections, the release of only a series' premiere and final episodes seems a bit odd, to say the least. Though "best of" releases are no stranger to store shelves -- and with Science Fiction-themed shows in particular -- they generally follow, not precede, the release of the entire series on a season-by-season schedule. Nevertheless, MGM has delivered Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice to Blu-ray, and the only two episodes available on the disc -- and on Blu-ray, period -- is the two-part pilot episode "Rising" (original air date July 16, 2004) and the series finale "Enemy at the Gate" (original air date January 9, 2009). For long-established fans of the show, this release perhaps comes with open arms; for newcomers, however, it's probably met with a shrug and a "next please" mentality. Many potential buyers, both established fans and those wanting to enter the world of "Stargate: Atlantis" for the first time, probably see the release with some level of disdain for the lack of a proper season-by-season release.
The lost city.
Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice enters the Blu-ray realm with a rather weak 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer. "Rising" features minimal but visible banding and shimmering, and the image on the whole appears somewhat dull and completely flat. There's no "pop" or a sense of real space; backgrounds look listless, and foregrounds reveal only the major details with little attention paid to the nitty-gritty details and textures that truly bring an image to life. The image also appears soft on occasion. White Antarctic backgrounds as seen at the beginning of the episode are abuzz with noise, but "Rising" otherwise takes on a generally smooth texture. A few daylight outdoor scenes also reveal smeary and undefined details on clumps of shrubs, trees, and rock faces. Black levels sometimes drown out background detail, and flesh tones look pasty. The more recent "Enemy at the Gate" fares better in every area, with an appreciably higher level of detail in faces, though they sometimes take on a slight red push. Colors, depth, clarity, and fine details and textures in foreground and background objects are significantly improved, too. Though neither episode offers astounding visuals, they each seem to reflect the quality of the original source material.
The DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack marks the lone technical highlight to be found on this Blu-ray release of Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice. Both episodes deliver the goods, mixing aggressive and nuanced sound effects well. The entire soundstage is utilized, and listeners will enjoy a full and satisfying rear-channel presentation that nicely supports the front primaries. Whether subtle atmospherics inside the Antarctic station early in "Rising" or a rip-roaring aerial battle in "Enemy at the Gate," the soundstage comes alive in its conveyance of all the sound effects "Atlantis" has to offer. Likewise, automatic weapons fire thumps and reverberates throughout the listening area to good effect. Music, too, is loud and deep; notes across the entire dynamic range enjoy a clarity that's second to none. Also featuring crisp dialogue reproduction, Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice should more than satisfy listeners with its aggressive approach to the material.
This release of Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice contains no supplemental features.
This all-too-brief Blu-ray release of "Stargate Atlantis" serves only to whet the appetite for the remainder of the series. Whether looking at it from the perspective of a hardcore fan or a newcomer to the series or even the "Stargate" universe as a whole, it's hard to be satisfied with only the first and last episode; this release is like a book that contains only the first and last chapter. It's obvious that this disc is geared more towards the hardcore fan, but again, that is the audience that would buy en masse the individual season releases. Newcomers are left alienated, and the series might lose potential fans as a result. As it is, the overall quality of the Blu-ray release is nothing to write home about. "Rising" just doesn't look all that good, and while "Enemy at the Gate" is a marked improvement, the quality still leaves something to be desired. Also completely absent any special features, the disc's one highlight is an enjoyable DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice is worth a rental for the hardcore fans that want to revist two highlight episodes, but newcomers are encouraged to hold out for a season-by-season release.
2004-2005
2004-2009
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2011
1997-2007
2008
2008
2009
25th Anniversary Edition / Includes The Peacekeeper Wars Miniseries
1999-2004
Budget Re-release
1987-1994
Budget Re-release
2001-2005
1991
IMAX
2013
2009
1994
1998
1996
1989
1986
1984
Extended Cut
1994
1982
2016