Stargate: The Ark of Truth

Stargate. Check
Explosions. Check
Ori. Check
Ancients. Check
Replicators? Possibly…

The feature-length movie that all Stargate: SG-1 fans have been waiting for is here. After the grandiose ending that left the Asgard in the dust, the Ori possibly finished, and our heroes stepping through to the unknown, this chapter ties up the loose ends once-and-for-all — so don’t worry about any “To Be Continued” showing up.

The movie’s direct-to-DVD format has allowed producers Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright, the opportunity to finish of the Ori story arc mostly the way they intended to.

The DVD also comes stuffed with special features you’ll actually want to watch. There’s everything from a “making of” featurette, to a special Comic-Con Spolight. The cover-art, alone is worth getting it legally and not from P2P networks. Having the golden artwork in your physical DVD collection can really make it seem more like a trophy, than just another movie. Plus, it’s only around $20. Trust me, you’re getting your money’s worth, if not more.

The main film has a Prelude option, which serves as a “previously on…” segment, which is worth watching if you missed a couple of Season 10 episodes. Or, if you just haven’t been watching the Season 10 DVDs lately and you want a refresher course. It highlights where we left off from the TV series, from the time of Mitchell joining the SG:1 to Adria’s ascension, and finally the acquisition of the Asgard technology in the final episode.

I applaud the extended, full orchestra main theme. Jerry Goldsmith has outdone himself again.

SPOILER WARNING

In the opening scene, we get to see the Ancients, but old, benevolent race who built the Stargate system many years ago. Then the movie cuts to Daniel Jackson uncovering an artifact.

It all feels very much like a regular Stargate episode. This time around, theres no teaser. The action quickly vamps up. There are really no introductions per-se, so anyone coming in out of the blue will not know what the hell is going on.

Tomin, who we saw in seaons 9-10, makes his appearance early on, adding to the continuity of the story arc. As a small skirmish over the newly-discovered artifact quickly turns into a surrender, we find that our heroes have again something up their sleeve.

As Mitchell, Carter, Jackson and Teal’c begin their mission after receiving vital Intel, a new appointee from the IOA, James Merek, has his own agenda.

As the problems begin to mount for our team, new avenues of truth and solutions begin to unravel and appear. Sometimes in the form of Ancients, and other times it’s Mitchell’s run-and-gun approach. Carter’s ingenuity is always helpful, especially when seven Ori motherships are alerted the Odessey’s presence.

Teal’c’s past makes a wonderful come back, in an emotionally driven dialog between him and Tomin — betraying your false gods. The stakes get even higher when a Prior arrives on Earth with an urgent message.

You will not be disappointed with the conclusion and the aftermath.

It’s too early to tell whether this will lead to more direct-to-DVD movies for SG-1 but one thing’s for sure: This movie makes true legends of the team of SG-1.

[rating:5/5]

By the way: Due to a reporting error, we incorrectly reported that Jerry Goldsmith made the musicial score for “Stargate: The Ark of Truth,” when in fact it was Joel Goldsmith.