Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice Blu-ray Movie Review

Two episodes form a spinoff show that was a spinoff of a movie . . . in time for the introduction to a "Universe."

Reviewed by Martin Liebman October 4, 2009

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.

"Rising"

The Stargate team -- led once again by Jackson (Michael Shanks) and O'Neil (Richard Dean Anderson) -- is on the verge of another breakthrough. It seems the team may have discovered the whereabouts of the long-lost city of Atlantis, home to the "Ancients" that built the Stargates that are found scattered about the universe. When a nobody Air Force Lieutenant Colonel named John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan) is discovered to possess a similar gene code to the Ancients, he reveals the final pieces of the puzzle required to send a team to Atlantis. Sheppard joins Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), Colonel Marshall Sumner (Robert Patrick), and a multinational team of soldiers, scientists, doctors, and assorted experts through the gate and into a brave new world located within the Pegasus Galaxy. The fun is short-lived, however, when it is discovered that Atlantis is submerged and running on minimal power, and the force fields keeping the water from entering the city won't hold for much longer. Without the power to make the long-distance trip back to Earth, a small military unit is sent through the gate to a world much closer to Atlantis in hopes of discovering a means of powering the city. Instead, they find a powerful new enemy called the Wraith with a particular hunger for human flesh. With the clock ticking down to Atlantis' destruction on one side of the gate and the team face-to-face with a frightening foe on the other, it appears the Stargate team has finally bit off more than it can chew.

The aptly-titled premiere episode "Rising" represents one of the better Science Fiction pilot episodes in recent memory. Though "Rising" lacks stellar special effects, it is aided tremendously by the pre-established world of "Stargate SG-1," and "Atlantis" seems more a natural extension to the universe rather than a brand-new venture. "Atlantis" retains "SG-1's" charm and trademark sense of humor, and the writers have splendidly integrated jokes into the episode that never fall flat and, more importantly, work very well in the context of the moment. The presence of O'Neil and Jackson in the episode's opening minutes bridges the gap between the two series, much in the same way that Jean-Luc Picard's appearance in "Deep Space Nine's" pilot episode "Emissary" smoothed the transition from one show to the next in the "Star Trek" universe. "Rising" does everything required of a successful pilot, whether a standalone or an extension of a preexisting universe. It introduces a new dramatic element, a cast that's a mixture of new friends and old favorites, a dangerous new enemy, and opens a world with seemingly infinite possibilities. Each is enough to maintain viewer interest, and together they mesh wonderfully and in such a way so as to leave the audience wanting more.

"Enemy at the Gate"

It seems inappropriate to comment on "Enemy at the Gate" in light of the above recap of "Rising." "Stargate: Atlantis" ran for five full seasons and 100 episodes, and the result is a show with a vastly different feel to it when compared to "Rising." It would be a disservice to newcomers to spoil the fun, but suffice it to say, "Rising" proved but a blip on the radar for what is to come over the following five seasons worth of adventures leading to the series climax as seen in "Enemy at the Gate." Unfortunately, this Blu-ray disc's menu screen does reveal a few major secrets that might upset viewers that choose to forego the second episode on the disc in favor of watching the series through its entirety before venturing into "Enemy at the Gate." Be forewarned.

Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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.

Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This release of Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice contains no supplemental features.

Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.