Stargate Universe: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Stargate Universe: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 22, 2021

VEI has released the complete 'Stargate: Universe' series to Blu-ray. Fox previously released the first season (1.0, 1.5) to Blu-ray in 2010. This is the Blu-ray debut for the series' second, and final, season. This set includes essentially the same video for season one but loses the lossless audio track in favor of a pair of lossy options. The set includes plenty of extras but does not port all of the supplements from the Fox discs. See below for a few thoughts on season two video, the new audio, and a breakdown of returning and absent extras for season one and new supplements for season two.

Ken Brown already explored season one in his reviews (here and here) so there's not much need to rehash observational content. Season two offers new challenges but holds steady to the same gritty aesthetic and tonal departure from franchise predecessors. This reviewer enjoyed the show a good bit, even if it's an alternate perspective type of show that refuses to follow in rather large footsteps left behind by SG-1 and Atlantis. It's truly a "spinoff" in every way, a series set in the same "universe," so tp speak, but leaving behind the essential cadence, action ebbs and flows, and tonal foundations that made the previous two series major successes. Perhaps that is why this show did not connect as did the others. That, and that other Sci-Fi shows have done this, and better. Universe works within the largest, broadest context as the Stargate series is defined, but it is certainly its own show.

Stargate Universe: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The season one episodes look essentially identical to the Fox release. If one wants to nitpick and pull the images apart, backgrounds on the VEI disc are a little smoother whereas the Fox has a slightly grittier, noisier look. But otherwise there are no major differences to color timing, clarity, definition, and the like. Season two carries over much the same aesthetic from season one. The review for the Fox discs (also here for season one, part two) certainly holds for season one and essentially works for season two, too. In that light, all of the included screenshot here are from season two. Also because season two is new to Blu-ray, below are a few core observations:

The season two 1080p image is solid and stable, some obvious (and sometimes a bit too much so) compression artifacts aside. The image is sharp and clear, dark by the show's lighting and intended aesthetics but more than capable broadly with intimate reveals in facial close-ups and Destiny interiors, though certainly the latter are limited by sometimes feeble production design and the overbearing darkness within the ship. But grime, consoles, corridors, and the like hold up well under general HD scrutiny. Colors pop as allowed; Eli's t-shirts are often the standout, appearing in stark contrast to those bleak backgrounds. Colorful computer readouts also offer some reprieve from Destiny's dank and dark structure. Skin tones are very nice and blacks are good and deep, critical in selling the larger illusion of life on the ship. Noise is of little concern even through the pervasive darkness. This is a quality Blu-ray presentation, easily the best of the VEI Stargate releases.

Stargate Universe: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Rather than just break down some of the key elements the show has to offer, this review is more of a comparison between the two offered audio options based on general observations from a lengthy selection of episodes and scenes from throughout the two season run. The 5.1 track is certainly the fuller option, offering critical atmospheric supports that bring Destiny interiors to life with a little more richness and sense of place. Even little hums and minor support effects that just recreate everyday audio backdrops do wonders in more fully drawing the listener into the location. The two-channel track sacrifices that greater sense of immersion for a feel of firmer command of the essentials. The 2.0 track is a little more composed and focused and does make fine use of the front end available to it. It would be nice if there was a track that combined the best of both – the finesse and the somewhat more forceful feel of immersion – but either track serves general atmosphere well. There's not a significant LFE output in 5.1. The bottom is not absent or timid but one could imagine more forceful engineering and strong support of action effects and music. Score is nicely handled in both tracks, fluid along the front in either presentation but enjoying a more organic airiness and sense of place in 5.1. The multichannel track further delivers meatier action, though not necessarily beefier; the extra speakers help to propel battles into the further reaches of the stage while the two-channel track offers a more focused listen that is fuller in its area of operation but, of course, absent those engaging directional and discrete surround effects. Dialogue is fine in both instances with output via center in 5.1 and imaging to that area quite nicely in 2.0.

Stargate Universe: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

SGU's complete series boxed set release includes a thorough selection of extras, including dozens of commentaries and even more featurettes. Season two is new to Blu-ray and all of the season two extras are, therefore, new as well, at least to the 1080p format. Season one was previously released by Fox but VEI's set does not include all of the extras that Fox released years ago. VEI adds nothing new, either. Extensive cross referencing suggests that these "Destiny SML" supplements, included on the Fox set, are absent in this VEI set: A Brand New 'Universe;' Designing Destiny; Kawoosh! 2.0; Chatting with the Cast: Shooting on the Destiny; Director's Minutes: Andy Mikita (Air); No Day at the Beach (Air); White Sands, NM (Air); Director's Minutes: William Waring (Water); Falling Through Ice (Water); On the Ice (Water); Setting the (Alien) Mood (Water); Out on the Town (Earth); A Stunt in Tight Places (Earth); Director's Minutes: Ernest R Dickerson (Earth); Helmet-Cam 101 (Time); Shooting in the Rain (Time); Let It Rain (Time); Fight! (Justice); Future/Past: The New Stargate; and A New Look for SG:U. There are also two absent commentaries for "Air" (broadcast), and "Air" Part 2. All of the other season one extras are included. They are listed below but please click here and here for more coverage. Supplements from season two are also included and the featurettes are given brief content overviews. The half-point deduction in supplemental score from a perfect five is to reflect the missing extras.

This set is packaged similarly to Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis. There are only eight discs and each ships in a double sided plastic leaf which are separate here rather than bound together as with the previous two, and much larger, Stargate complete series releases. SGU also ships with a small glossy booklet with episode and special feature listings and a few photos. No DVD or digital copies are included with purchase. This set does ship with a slipcover.

Notable is that the menu layout differs slightly here compared to VEI's other Stargate releases (SG-1, Atlantis); setup and extras tabs are now lower right.

Season One, Disc One:

• Kino Video Diaries (1080p, various runtimes): A selection of six different brief shorts that show scenes from inside the Destiny through the Kino's perspective.
• Audio Commentaries: Included is a track for "Air" (extended version) with Actors Brian J. Smith, David Blue, and Elyse Levesque.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • Stargate 101 Presented by Dr. Daniel Jackson (6:08)
  • Destiny SML - Ming-Na (2:08)
  • Destiny SML - David Blue (2:27)
  • Designing a New Race: 'Space' Aliens (2:13)
  • Finding Destiny: A Tour of the Destiny Set with Chris Beach (4:59)
  • David Blue: An Interview with the Creators of SGU (9:07)
  • Chatting with the Cast: Peter Kelamis (2:08)

Season One, Disc Two:

• Kino Video Diaries (1080p, various runtimes): A selection of six different brief shorts that show scenes from inside the Destiny through the Kino's perspective.
• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "Darkness" with Actors Brian J. Smith, David Blue, and Elyse Levesque; for "Light" with Actors Brian J. Smith, David Blue, and Elyse Levesque; for "Water" with Director William Waring and Actors Louis Ferreira, Brian J. Smith, and Elyse Levesque; for "Earth" with Actors Brian J. Smith, David Blue, and Elyse Levesque; for "Time" with Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper an Actor David Blue; and for "Life" with Actors Ming-Na, Brian J. Smith, and Louis Ferreira.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • Destiny SML - Alaina Huffman (2:13)
  • Destiny SML - Robert Carlyle (2:12)
  • The Destiny of General O'Neill (1:56)
  • A Day in the Life of Louis Ferreira (7:12)
  • Brian J. Smith: An Interview with the Creators of SGU (10:46)
  • Chatting with the Cast: Julia Benson (2:09)

Season One, Disc Three:

• Kino Video Diaries (1080p, various runtimes): A selection of six different brief shorts that show scenes from inside the Destiny through the Kino's perspective.
• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "Justice" with Director William Waring and Actors Brian J. Smith, Elyse Levesque, and Jamil Walker Smith; for "Space" with Director Andy Mikita, VFX Supervisor Mark Savela, and Producer Joseph Mallozzi; for "Divided" with Actors Louis Ferreira, Elyse Levesque, and Julia Benson; for "Faith" with Actors Brian J. Smith, Alaina Huffman, and Patrick Gilmore; for "Human" with Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper and Director of Photography Michael Blundell; and for "Lost" with Actors Brian J. Smith, Peter Kalamis, Patrick Gilmore, and Jamil Walker Smith.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • Destiny SML - Louis Ferreira (2:14)
  • Destiny SML - Lou Diamond Phillips (2:16)
  • Tanked! Elyse Levesque Goes for a Swim (2:21)
  • Out for a Spacewalk with Jamil Walker Smith (2:05)
  • Alaina Huffman: An Interview with the Creators of SGU (9:50)
  • Chatting with the Cast: Jennifer Spence (2:17)

Season One, Disc Four:

• Kino Video Diaries (1080p, various runtimes): A selection of six different brief shorts that show scenes from inside the Destiny through the Kino's perspective.
• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "Sabotage" with Actors Louis Ferreira, Elyse Levesque, and Julia Benson; for "Pain" with Actors Brian J. Smith and Patrick Gilmore; for "Subversion" with Actors Brian J. Smith, Alaina Huffman, Patrick Gilmore, and Jamil Walker Smith; for "Incursion" - Part 1 with Actors Alaina Huffman and Elyse Levesque; and for "Incursion" - Part 2 with Actors Alaina Huffman and Elyse Levesque.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • Destiny SML - Brian J. Smith (2:33)
  • Destiny SML - Elyse Levesque (1:52)
  • Destiny SML - Jamil Walker Smith (2:23)
  • A Behind the Scenes Look at Incursion (5:59)
  • Two-For-One: Behind the 'Incursion' Double Ratchet Stunt (2:02)
  • Chatting with the Cast: Patrick Gilmore (1:58)

Season Two, Disc One:

• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "Intervention" with Actors Louis Ferreira, Alaina Huffman, and David Blue; for "Aftermath" with Actors Brian J. Smith and Jennifer Spence; for "Awakening" with Director Andy Mikita, Actor Patrick Gilmore, and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela; for "Pathogen" with Actors David Blue and Ming-Na; and for "Cloverdale" with Actors Brian J. Smith and Elyse Levesque.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • Robert Carlyle Directs "Pathogen" (4:15): A look at the SG:U actor's turn behind the camera.
  • On the Set of "Intervention" with Andy Mikita and Paul Mullie (2:04): A quick behind-the-scenes piece into the season's premiere episode.
  • Breaking Down a Scene: Eli's Mom Comes Aboard (3:10): Looking at a critical theme for one of the series' most important characters.
  • "Great Scott!" - Brian J. Smith's First Fight (2:24): Prepping the actor for a fight scene.
  • How to Crash a Shuttle (4:07): Building a key visual effect from season two.
  • On Board the Seed Ship with Joe Mallozzi (3:18): Exploring the ship's cramped design and the challenges of shooting in it.
  • Saying Goodbye to Sgt. Riley (2:57): Killing off a character and the actor's response to being written out of the show.
  • Lou Diamond Phillips Talks About Season 2 Guest Stars (2:01): There are plenty of familiar (and alien) faces in season two.
  • Lt. Scott Gets Hit By a Car (3:00): Prepping a dangerous scene.
  • Inside Cloverdale with Brad Wright (3:35): Exploring the story behind the season's fifth episode.

Season Two, Disc Two:

• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "Trial and Error" with Actors David Blue and Patrick Gilmore; for "The Greater Good" with Actors Louis Ferreira and Alaina Huffman; for "Malice" with Actors Jennifer Spence and Brian J. Smith; for "Visitation" with Actors Louis Ferreira and Alaina Huffman; and for "Resurgence" with Actors David Blue and Patrick Gilmore.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • How to Get Sucked Into Space (3:05): Building a special effect in which a character is pulled from an interior and into space.
  • SGU Welcomes You to New Mexico's Bisti Badlands (19:40): Shooting some key sequences in harsh conditions.
  • Deconstructing Destiny: Patrick Gilmore hosts a tour through some key areas and technical elements from the Destiny. Included are Power (3:43), Weapons (3:34), Shields (4:12), Engines (3:35), Neural Interface Chair (3:17), Communication Stones (4:56), and The Bridge (4:02).

Season Two, Disc Three:

• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "Deliverance" with Actors Jennifer Spence and Patrick Gilmore; for "Twin Destinies" with Actors Jennifer Spence, Patrick Gilmore, and Peter Kelamis; for "Alliances" with Actors Ming-Na and Jamil Walker Smith; for "Hope" with Actors Jennifer Spence, Patrick Gilmore, and Peter Kelamis; and for "Seizure" with Actors Elyse Levesque, Patrick Gilmore, and Peter Kelamis.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • A Day in the Life of Jamil Walker Smith (5:52): Following the actor's day on the SGU set.
  • Transplant Day on the Destiny (5:07): Exploring a storyline which involves major surgery in space.
  • Sitting Down with Mike Dopud (3:35): Chatting with the actor who plays Varro.
  • Details, Details: Bringing the Destiny's Bridge to Life (3:47): Exploring what is arguably the most critical set on the show.
  • Louis vs. The Colonel (3:58): A humorous piece in which interviews are conducted by "various" individuals on the set.

Season Two, Disc Four:

• Audio Commentaries: Included are tracks for "The Hunt" with Director Andy Mikita and VFX Supervisor Mark Sevela; for "Common Descent" with Actors Jennifer Spence and Patrick Gilmore; for "Epilogue" with Director Andy Mikita and Producer John Lenic; and for "Gauntlet" with Director Andy Mikita and Script Coordinator Lauren Bancroft-Wilson.
• Behind the Scenes (1080p):
  
  
  • Pitches: A Journey of Friendship and Discovery (25:39): Patrick Gilmore and Peter Kelamis humorously brainstorm some story concepts for SGU.
  • Behind the SGU Season 2 Finale "Gauntlet" (9:32): Reflecting on the last episode, the second season, and the entire series.

Stargate Universe: The Complete Series Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Universe builds solid entertainment in the Stargate world but is a radical departure from established formula. It feels derivative, both within the Stargate franchise and the larger Sci-Fi landscape in which Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek: Voyager did something similar, and better. Still, there's a good two seasons worth of solid foundational genre entertainment here, some fine acting, quality narratives, and good ideas. It works, but Stargate fans expecting "more of the same" will certainly walk away disappointed. VEI's eight-disc complete series release marks the first time season two has been available on Blu-ray. The video presentation is imperfect but solid, audio is fair even in the lossy encode, and the set includes a thorough selection of extras but season one is absent some of the supplements from the Fox discs. Recommended.