Stargate: The Ark of Truth (2008) (V)

Director:

Robert C. Cooper

Writers:

Brad Wright (developer) &
Jonathan Glassner (developer) ...

Release Date:

11 March 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

SG-1 search for an Ancient Artifact to finally defeat the Ori. But the Artifact is in the Ori Galaxy.

Plot Keywords:

Intragalactic Travel | Alternate Timeline | Wormhole | Deus Ex Machina | Stargate

Cast

Ben Browder	...	Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell
Amanda Tapping	...	Lt. Col. Samantha Carter
Christopher Judge	...	Teal'c
Michael Shanks	...	Dr. Daniel Jackson
Beau Bridges	...	Mjr. Gen. Henry Landry
Claudia Black	...	Vala Mal Doran
Currie Graham	...	James Marrick
Morena Baccarin	...	Adria
Tim Guinee	...	Tomin
Julian Sands	...	Doci
Sarah Strange	...	Morgan Le Fay / Ganos Lal
Michael Beach	...	Colonel Abe Ellis
Gary Jones	...	Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman
Martin Christopher	...	Major Marks
Chris Gauthier	...	Hertis (as Christopher Gauthier)

Also Known As:

The Ark of Truth (USA) (short title)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Netherlands:12 | Australia:M | Finland:K-13

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

In an interview Michael Shanks revealed there was an alternate ending shot for the film. Following Landry telling him that the Ark being stored in Area 51 is out of his hands, Daniel meets with the team. He convinces them that it is too dangerous to be left in the government's hands and they agree. They then plan and execute a raid on the facility and take back the Ark. Shanks said he isn't quite sure why it was cut other than the fact that maybe the movie had "too many endings".

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end of the film, when Sam is walking down the hall into the gate room, she is holding the P-90 in her right hand and cap in her left. In the next shot from inside the gate room, her left hand holds the gun, while the right has the cap.

Quotes:

[final lines]
Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell: Walter, hit it!

Movie Connections:

Followed by Stargate: Continuum (2008) (V)

A Solid Ending for Season 10

The Ark of Truth was the kind of satisfying finale to season 10 that I was hoping for. Great stuff - a lot of fun.

The Ark of Truth was well written and directed, and felt like a direct continuation of season 10. The actors continued to do what they do with these characters (which is a good thing), and the action was very good (although they've done better before). As for the special effects, I thought they were excellent (not $100 million budget excellent, but for a straight to DVD movie based on a cancelled TV series they were fantastic).

The only gripe I had about it was that they threw in everything but the kitchen sink (all of the prerequisite SG1 subplots were there). Paring it down and eliminating one of those subplots might have made the movie a little better (Sam and Teal'c don't get quite enough to do in the movie as a result), but as it is I still think it's a damned entertaining movie - as long as you've watched the last 10 years of SG1. If not, you're going to be lost.

Clearly, though, this was not made to win over new fans. This was made for the fans who have been following the show for the last decade. This was made for the fans who weren't happy about the Sci-Fi channel cancelling the show in a cost cutting move, and as one of those fans I am very glad they made this movie. I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Finally, the resolution of the story is what they've been setting up for the last two years of the series. No major surprises, but it was carried off very well.

For those familiar with the SG1 series (particularly seasons 9 & 10) The Ark of Truth is highly recommended. For anyone who has NOT seen seasons 9 & 10 of Stargate: SG1 I would advise holding off until you have seen those seasons to put everything in proper context.