Battlestar Galactica (2003) (TV)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Michael Rymer

Writers:

Glen A. Larson (earlier teleplay)
Ronald D. Moore (written by) ...

Release Date:

8 December 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Never create what you can't control.

Plot:

A re-imagining of the original series in which a "rag-tag fugitive fleet" of the last remnants of mankind flees pursuing robots while simultaneously searching for their true home, Earth.

Plot Keywords:

Cylon | Planet | Survivor | Quest | Fighter Pilot

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Edward James Olmos	...	Commander Adama
Mary McDonnell	...	Laura Roslin
Katee Sackhoff	...	Lt. Kara Thrace - Starbuck
Jamie Bamber	...	Capt. Lee Adama - Apollo
James Callis	...	Gaius Baltar
Tricia Helfer	...	Number Six
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Leoben Conoy
Grace Park	...	Lt. Sharon Valerii - Boomer
Michael Hogan	...	Col. Tigh
Matthew Bennett	...	Doral
Paul Campbell	...	Billy
Aaron Douglas	...	Crew Chief Tyrol
Barclay Hope	...	Transport Pilot
Lorena Gale	...	Elosha
Kandyse McClure	...	Dualla

Also Known As:

Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries (USA) (long title)

Runtime:

USA:180 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:14A (DVD/video rating) | Netherlands:12 | Sweden:11 | Australia:M | Germany:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | UK:12 | USA:TV-14 (part 1) | USA:TV-PG (part 2) | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Bloedel Floral Conservatory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

R&D TV

Trivia:

The Cylon Basestar in the display case in the museum originally contained the Galactica from the 1978 series with a sign that read "The First Battlestar Galactica". The Galactica was eventually dropped in favor of the 1978 Cylon Basestar.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: In part 2, when the fleet is preparing to leave the storm at Ragnar station, Col. Tigh is heard giving orders to lay down covering fire, but his mouth isn't moving while he speaks into the radio.

Quotes:

Starbuck: I thought you were dead.
Apollo: Well, I thought you were in hack.
Starbuck: It's - it's good to be wrong.
Apollo: Well, you should be used to it by now.
Starbuck: Everyone has a skill.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "South Park: Fantastic Easter Special (#11.5)" (2007)

Intelligent scifi for a new generation

A fantastic reinterpretation of Larson's original premise.

I loved the old Galactica. It was cheesy, simplistic fun. However, I always find Larson's old pilots hold more promise than their series.

Like Buck Rogers, the original Galactica pilot is far darker than the rest of the series run. For a show based on the genocide of 12 planets, the original Battlestar Galactica never really got to grips with the futility, fear and condition of a race on the edge of extinction.

The new show makes up for that in abundance. The tone is dark, the pace is slow yet methodical. In the old show the attack on the colonies was dealt with in the first half hour. Here we have a far slower build up.

The characters, while sombre are very real. Even Starbuck (and kudos for changing sex here, how many male Solo rips offs will we have to endure in SciFi?) works well. She has a hint of Benedict in expression and dialogue with far more consistency ever offered to Benedicts character.

Apollo takes some getting used to, but surprisingly, the best characters this time around aren't the pilots, but the Administration. Adama is fantastic. Believable and oozing authority. Tigh is a wonderful mess and the President surprisingly well written.

Finally, the glory to the show has to be Baltar. No longer a panto baddie, he is deeper character. A character with realistic motivations, drives and issues. While a tragic character, his portrayal is humorous and sinister at the same time.

The best scifi show since Farscape. The series is pretty fine too!