SciFi and More from Duane Simolke

DVD review: Stargate SG-1

I always enjoyed the 1994 movie Stargate, so I was glad to hear that Showtime planned to make a TV series of it, with reruns appearing in syndication. The special effects let me down at first, but not the acting or writing. Richard Dean Anderson is perfect for the part of Jack, so much so that it now seems strange seeing Kurt Russell in the part when I watch the movie. The special effects budget for the series has obviously grown over time. So has the mythology. This show provides a showcase of many talented people (on both sides of the camera) and keeps building on the possibilities that past episodes have raised. Stargate SG-1 eventually moved to the SciFi Channel, but has kept getting better!

It isn’t quite as good as Babylon 5 or Star Trek: The Next Generation, but it comes a lot closer than most scifi shows!