...a load of fun and adventure as long as you don’t sit back and try to figure out the details and fill in the plot holes.
The 2.35:1 widescreen transfer of the 1080p / MPEG-2 Blu-Ray titles is pretty sharp looking. Detail and color are very good. The film is quite drab at times, as much of the action occurs in either the desert, pyramids made from sand or in dilapidated and primitive villages where brown and light brown are the dominant colors. However, there are some pretty colors in Ra´s great metal pyramid and a few other colorful segments. The infamous wormhole scene looks incredible in digital glory and fare more detailed than previous releases. The film does have its ugly moments. There are various scenes that have film grain that may get heavy at times. Some of the darker scenes look slightly overblown in its lighting and results in an overly bright and washed out feeling. Overall, detail was very sharp, the source materials were very clean and with the Samsung update, the Lionsgate Blu-Ray title performed flawlessly.
Sound:
One of the reasons my LaserDisc had been spun for more than a couple times was the wormhole sequence. Sound is thrown from every corner of the room with the multi-channel surround format and at one time, this scene was one of the best examples of the old AC-3 Dolby Digital format found on LaserDisc. The Blu-Ray disc is now a couple generations of technology newer, but both the DTS HD High Resolution ES Audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX Audio are quite effective, aggressive and sound far better than one would expect from a soundtrack dating back to 1994. The film was first released when Dolby Digital was just making crossroads into high-end home theaters and it finds a similar purpose as Blu-Ray is now replacing many of the DVD players that replaced the LaserDisc format where "Stargate" was once reference material.
The DTS track felt more finely detailed and fuller than the Dolby Digital track. They both sounded great. "Stargate" has an aggressive soundtrack with wonderful environmental effects, an effective musical score by David Arnold and wonderful audible effects. There is plenty of gunfire, the alien blasters pack quite a wallop and rumble the .1 LFE channel effectively. A few of the action sequences are all out assaults on a six speaker setup and once the sound gets rolling, it does not stop for a moment. Dialogue is clean and understandable, though I found I had to turn the English subtitles on to get the translation of the ancient Egyptian tongue. After a dozen years, "Stargate" is still something to behold to the ears.
Extras:
"Stargate" has been released to DVD more than once. There has been theatrical releases, extended releases and the "Ultimate Edition." The Blu-Ray release features the 128 minute extended cut that is seven minutes longer than the theatrical release. It is definitely nice to see the longer cut presented on Blu-Ray, however, it would have been nice to use branching or whatever means capable on Blu-Ray to also display the theatrical release. The only supplement that makes its way to Blu-Ray is the Audio Commentary with Director Roland Emmerich and Producer Dean Devlin. The two filmmakers are very vocal in their commentary and provide a plethora of details on the making of the film. Listening to them is quite an experience and an education. I guess one could consider the Spanish Subtitles an added bonus or the Interactive Menus Powered by Metamenu Technology. I have a lot of confidence that we will see "Stargate" return as a BD-50 release and have all of the features we are expecting now.
Closing Comments:
I have seen "Stargate" plenty of times. I don´t think I´ve ever called it a good film. However, I have no qualms about calling it a fun film. It is exactly that – fun. There are enough plot holes to sink a ship and if you try to find logic to explain many of the events in the film, you will go mad. The film throws logic aside to allow for a grand adventure that mixes "Star Wars" technology with Egyptian mythology. Spader and Russell are solid in their starring roles and even though the film is not for the thinking man. Devlin and Emmerich turned out one more fun film after "Stargate" and that was the even-sillier, yet entertaining "Independence Day." Let us just forget about "Godzilla." The Blu-Ray release of "Stargate" looks very good visually and still sounds impressive. What is not impressive is the complete lack of supplements. Only a commentary track is provided. The picture quality is an upgrade, but it may not be enough for owners of the "Ultimate Edition" on DVD.
Sound:
One of the reasons my LaserDisc had been spun for more than a couple times was the wormhole sequence. Sound is thrown from every corner of the room with the multi-channel surround format and at one time, this scene was one of the best examples of the old AC-3 Dolby Digital format found on LaserDisc. The Blu-Ray disc is now a couple generations of technology newer, but both the DTS HD High Resolution ES Audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround EX Audio are quite effective, aggressive and sound far better than one would expect from a soundtrack dating back to 1994. The film was first released when Dolby Digital was just making crossroads into high-end home theaters and it finds a similar purpose as Blu-Ray is now replacing many of the DVD players that replaced the LaserDisc format where "Stargate" was once reference material.
The DTS track felt more finely detailed and fuller than the Dolby Digital track. They both sounded great. "Stargate" has an aggressive soundtrack with wonderful environmental effects, an effective musical score by David Arnold and wonderful audible effects. There is plenty of gunfire, the alien blasters pack quite a wallop and rumble the .1 LFE channel effectively. A few of the action sequences are all out assaults on a six speaker setup and once the sound gets rolling, it does not stop for a moment. Dialogue is clean and understandable, though I found I had to turn the English subtitles on to get the translation of the ancient Egyptian tongue. After a dozen years, "Stargate" is still something to behold to the ears.
Extras:
"Stargate" has been released to DVD more than once. There has been theatrical releases, extended releases and the "Ultimate Edition." The Blu-Ray release features the 128 minute extended cut that is seven minutes longer than the theatrical release. It is definitely nice to see the longer cut presented on Blu-Ray, however, it would have been nice to use branching or whatever means capable on Blu-Ray to also display the theatrical release. The only supplement that makes its way to Blu-Ray is the Audio Commentary with Director Roland Emmerich and Producer Dean Devlin. The two filmmakers are very vocal in their commentary and provide a plethora of details on the making of the film. Listening to them is quite an experience and an education. I guess one could consider the Spanish Subtitles an added bonus or the Interactive Menus Powered by Metamenu Technology. I have a lot of confidence that we will see "Stargate" return as a BD-50 release and have all of the features we are expecting now.
Closing Comments:
I have seen "Stargate" plenty of times. I don´t think I´ve ever called it a good film. However, I have no qualms about calling it a fun film. It is exactly that – fun. There are enough plot holes to sink a ship and if you try to find logic to explain many of the events in the film, you will go mad. The film throws logic aside to allow for a grand adventure that mixes "Star Wars" technology with Egyptian mythology. Spader and Russell are solid in their starring roles and even though the film is not for the thinking man. Devlin and Emmerich turned out one more fun film after "Stargate" and that was the even-sillier, yet entertaining "Independence Day." Let us just forget about "Godzilla." The Blu-Ray release of "Stargate" looks very good visually and still sounds impressive. What is not impressive is the complete lack of supplements. Only a commentary track is provided. The picture quality is an upgrade, but it may not be enough for owners of the "Ultimate Edition" on DVD.
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[release]19623[/release]