BATTLESTAR GALACTICA
THE COMPLETE SERIES

Starring:
Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer, Grace Park, Aaron Douglas, Michael Hogan, Tahmoh Penikett and Richard Hatch

Based on the series created by:
Glen A. Larson

Developed by:
Ronald D. Moore

“So Say We All”

Forty years had past since the end of the Cylon War but the machines created to serve the Twelve Colonies of Mankind had been quietly, patiently plotting their return. In a calculated attack, they almost wiped the entire human race from existence but just over fifty thousand survived heading to the vastness of space in any ship capable of faster than light travel, led by the last surviving military vessel, the Battlestar Galactica. Under the command of veteran William Adama (Olmos) and the newly appointed President of the Colonies Laura Roslin (McDonnell) and with the Cylons determined to hunt them down, Adama declares that the rag, tag fugitive fleet has a destination, a shining planet known as Earth. This journey was never going to be easy however. The Cylons are not the toasters that thought the first war, they now look like humans, with eight models revealing themselves and a final five yet to be discovered. There are also enemies within, as politics, religion and the fear of the unknown threaten to treat the fleet apart but they have to survive unless all is lost for last remnants of the human race.

When it comes to naming Television series that have not only defined a genre but defined the televisual medium itself in the 00s, there is one series that stands head and shoulder above everything else, Battlestar Galactica.

Back in 2003, when the Sci-Fi Channel announced that former ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ writer/showrunner Ronald D. Moore was going to remake the classic 70s TV show ‘Battlestar Galactica’, the online science fiction community went mad. The series had gained a cult status and rumblings of a return had been muted for decades with former star Richard Hatch (Apollo) at the forefront of its revival. So when it was announced that Moore’s version would be a more drama-influenced series, introduce human looking Cylons and rewrite one of the shows most beloved characters Starbuck, as woman who had a romantic history with Apollo, the Sc-Fi community was up in arms. When the three-hour mini-series hit the airwaves however, this quickly negativity quickly changed.

The mini-series used the same premise as the original series but with twists that brought the show thrusting up to date. The popularity and the critical acclaim lorded at the pilot of the show quickly pushed the showing into its first season. Season One deals with the escape from ever pursuing Cylons, with the machine’s Basestars chasing the rag-tag fugitive fleet. This, of course, supplied the action, but ‘Battlestar Galactica’ quickly became more than just an action show. As Ronald D. Moore did with ‘Deep Space Nine’, he introduces the human element to the show, looking at religion, politics and the simple matter of the survival of 50,000 humans crammed into an ailing fleet of starships with only an almost mothballed Battlestar to protect them.

This was not a show all about the human race however. The Cylons had just as big a role to play. Here we discover their evolution from the toasters that were, basically slaves serving their human master, to the force that rose up and plotted a devastating revenge. We are also introduced to the human looking Cylons, eight different models with a final five to be revealed. We see that humanity’s children also have their problems, infighting and are battling for their own survival, as shown throughout season two with the revelation of the Resurrection Ship, Sharon’s pregnancy and the introduction of their own religion of a one, true god.

Season three saw Ronald D. Moore and his creative team push the boundaries of science fiction and produce some of the most politically daring television that only Sci-Fi can dare to broach. Moving the series on a year from the end of the previous season, the first part takes place on the settlement of New Caprica, which is now under the occupation of Cylons and the new President of the Colonies, Gaius Baltar. This occupation drew parallels with the American occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, but with the human’s going to extremes to suppress their Cylon overlords. For a primetime American show to take these risks and make these bold statements in the realm of Science Fiction, no wonder the show won so many Emmy’s and so much critical acclaim.

The fourth and final season saw the show move towards its inevitable conclusion but half way through, the writers took you in an unexpected direction changing the whole mission of the show and making you wonder where they could go next. The final half of the season was an emotional roller coaster, leading to one of the best finales in television history.

With a cast that provided some of the best performances every to grace the small screen and writing that will be unsurpassed in science fiction for decades to come, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ breaks the rule and surpasses the original to become one of the best shows in the history of television. Ronald D. Moore and his cast and crew have created Science Fiction history, so say we all.

PICTURE & SOUND

The Blu-Ray disc presents the movie in High Definition wide screen 1:75 up to 1080p, with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound.

BONUS FEATURES

The Blu-Ray Complete Series Box Set for ‘Battlestar Galactica’ includes all of the bonus features that accompanied the original season releases. ‘Deleted Scenes’, ‘Sketches and Art’, ‘Behind the Scenes featurettes’ and selected commentaries for many of the episodes throughout the four seasons. As part of the Box Set, the original Mini-Series is also included as well as the mid-series movie ‘Razor’.

U-Control
Universal’s interactive viewing service provides a cornucopia of extra features that can be viewed while watching this groundbreaking series. Character profiles, picture-in-picture featurettes and interviews and information on plot, characters and the history of the show are all included.

BD-Live
Place the Blu-Ray in an Internet enabled player or PS3 and connect to receive extra content for the film

OVERALL

The sheer mass of bonus features adds to the brilliant presentation of ‘Battlestar Galactica’ on Blu-Ray. For fans who having been waiting for the complete High Definition version of this astonishing series, your wait has been worthwhile as this is simply stunning.

BLU-RAY


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