7.3 | / 10 |
Users | 3.8 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.4 |
This thrilling feature-length film picks up where Stargate SG-1 left off, thrusting the Stargate team - Daniel Jackson, Vala, Teal'c, Sam and Cam - into their most exciting adventure yet. In search of an ancient artifact they hope can defeat the oppressive Ori, the team learns that the Ori are set to launch a final assault on Earth and a double-crossing I.O. operative is aboard the Odyessy!
Starring: Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, Christopher Judge, Amanda Tapping, Ben BrowderAction | 100% |
Adventure | 94% |
Sci-Fi | 93% |
Fantasy | 44% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 3.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Foolhardy are those that do not follow the path.
It was just supposed to be another movie. 1994's Stargate, however,
proved to be just a bit more. Opening more doors than just the portal to another world,
Stargate paved the way for "Stargate: SG-1's" debut several years later, a spinoff
television
show that enjoyed a 10-seaosn run, longer than "The X-Files" or any "Star Trek" series.
Retaining the same two primary characters but replacing Kurt Russell and James Spader with
Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks as O'Neill and Jackson, respectively, "SG-1" itself has
spun off two additional television series ("Stargate: Atlantis" and the
newly-minted "Stargate Universe") and two direct-to-video films: Stargate: The Ark of
Truth and Stargate:
Continuum. Suffice it to say, Stargate mania is in full force with little sign of
slowing down.
Into the Supergate
Stargate: The Ark of Truth arrives on Blu-ray with a decent 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer. It's as-expected of a midline direct-to-video movie sequel to a longstanding television series; the film enjoys solid production values but it's clear that The Ark of Truth isn't meant to be the next great thing in high definition. Fine detail is adequately rendered in clothing, and assorted foreground objects -- buttons on a ship's console or rocks and leaves on a planet surface -- look appreciably good, though faces often appear devoid of fine textures. Still, the movie takes on a generally flat appearance and goes inexplicably soft in a few scenes. Black levels are adequately rendered, though flesh tones vary between a shade of deep red and a more neutral tone. The film does feature a tremendous level of grain in some scenes, and appears fairly smooth in others. Overall, Stargate: The Ark of Truth delivers a suitable high definition image that's about as one might expect of a film of its budget.
Stargate: The Ark of Truth features an impressive DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Action scenes -- the highlight of the film -- are loud and immersive. A shootout early on features gunfire and energy weapons blasting throughout the soundstage to excellent effect, with a high volume, plenty of power, and a good presence across both the front and rear halves of the soundstage. Music enjoys a fair deal of clarity, and dialogue reproduction is sound. Sound effects are clear and distinct, and the track delivers a nice amount of atmospherics that spread throughout the soundstage. The rear channels aren't utilized to full force throughout, but there's a nice presence to them when called upon. Bass isn't terribly aggressive, but one scene does deliver enough energy to noticeably rattle the floorboards. All in all, Stargate: The Ark of Truth delivers a satisfying action-oriented sonic experience.
Stargate: The Ark of Truth unearths a few bonus materials of note. First up is a commentary track with Writer/Director/Producer Robert C. Cooper, Actor Christopher Judge (Teal'c), and Director of Photography Peter Woeste. The participants discuss the differences between the scope of a television show and a feature-length film, the nitty-gritty details of the shoot, the difference between shooting on 35mm versus digital high definition and the choice behind shooting on film, the professionalism of the cast and crew, and more. This is a surprisingly informative track that, unlike the film, should satisfy a broad range of audiences. 'The Ark of Truth:' 'Stargate' at Comic-Con (480p, 19:53) allows viewers to sit in on a question-and-answer session between a vast audience and several cast and crew members. Uncovering 'The Ark of Truth' (480p, 29:45) is an in-depth piece that takes viewers behind-the-scenes of the making of the film with the requisite collection of interview clips and footage from the set. Also included is The Road Taken (1080p, 9:05), a companion piece that unveils crucial information pertinent to the understanding of the film, and 480p trailers for "Stargate Atlantis: Season Four" and the entire "Stargate" franchise.
A tale of two worlds in more than one sense, Stargate: The Ark of Truth is a film that only a true "Stargate" fan could love. Longtime viewers will appreciate the resolution of complex story lines and the appearance of a plethora of characters and races, while newcomers will be confused by the jargon, the mysticism, the dialogue, and the alien species found throughout the film. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray release of The Ark of Truth suits the film. Featuring a respectable 1080p transfer, a strong lossless soundtrack, and a few bonus features, this Blu-ray release of Stargate: The Ark of Truth comes recommended only to established fans of the series.
2008
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2017
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1994
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1994
2018
1986
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2013
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2019
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1991
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