Stargate: The Ark of Truth (La Porte des Etoiles: L'Arche de Verite)

 

 

Create your own review

The ending of the "Stargate SG-1" TV show left some threads dangling -- for one thing, the Ori were still threatening the world with conversion or death.

Fortunately that particular thread is decisively tied up in the direct-to-DVD movie that followed: "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" While it doesn't quite have the unique flavour of the TV series -- and the Ark seems like a rather pat quickie solution -- the movie does bring back all the favorite characters in a satisfactory ending.

"The Ark of Truth" is an Ancient device that brainwashes people -- and SG-1 is searching for it, where they run into Vala's ex-hubby Tomin (who ends up teaming up with them). But soon they have a lead on where the Ark might be, and head for Celestis in the hopes of finding a bloodless method of stopping the Ori once and for all.

Unfortunately they have a slew of new problems -- Ori motherships are approaching Earth with the intent to convert or destroy, a nasty IOA rep has created and loosed a very familiar enemy on the Odyssey, and Vala's malevolent daughter Adria has gained godlike power. Fortunately SG-1 has a powerful ally of their own.

Since "The Ark of Truth" is basically intended to wrap up loose ends, and as such they're not quite as satisfying as the television show was. Unfortunately it sometimes feels rather rushed and has a somewhat out-of-the-blue solution (hello magic fix-all!), as well as a subplot involving ANOTHER superpowerful villain race that seems likely but a bit misplaced.

But as half of the series finales, it's a solid piece of work -- lots of action, space battles, mysterious artifacts, and a way bigger budget that a TV episode would ever have allowed. Fortunately that budget doesn't mean it jettisons the intriguing twists (Adria has an unexpected new position) or the moral dilemmas raised by the Ark (and the question of fighting evil faux gods vs. their followers).

It also has excellent scripting: plot threads drawn from the TV series, "Star Trek" homages, witty dialogue ("Well, you don't expect me to remember." "With the fate of two galaxies hanging in the balance, yes, I expect you to remember the essential clue!"), and some nice quiet moments, such as Teal'c talking with Tomin about their bloodstained pasts.

And seeing the actors as their SG-1 characters is like putting on a comfortable old shoe. Amanda Tapping and Michael Shanks are suitably brilliant and courageous, and Ben Browder does a good strong, slightly quirky soldier. Christopher Judge gets to shine in as a powerful, wise warrior, and Black gets to be both funny ("I have broken every nail") and emotional.

While it's a bit rushed and contrived, "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" is a solid enough finale to the Ori storyline. Only half the ending to go.

Excellent movie!!!

I was so afraid that this movie wasn't going to be as good as the series. But no, the whole crew and actors were the best as usual. I am eagerly awaiting for the next story coming up and will reserve it to make sure I have my own copy.

This is why I just love Stargate SG-1. I can always count on great entertainment.

Keep it up Guys!

Nicole

As a great fan of Stargate SG-1, I must say I am glad that the series was given the chance to wrap up the Ori storyline. I appreciated the opportunity to revisit with my favourite characters, and the writers were very good at maintaining continuity with the series mythology (for instance, featuring the Asgard core obtained in the last episode of the series). The actors all did a solid job, though unfortunately there was not as much character interaction as in the series.

There were definitely some excellent scenes, most notably:
-- opening the supergate
-- Teal'c and Tomin dealing with guilt and redemption, definitely the most riveting scene in the entire movie for its emotional resonance, and the best lines Teal'c has ever gotten in the entire series
-- Daniel pushed to the limits of his faith and endurance
-- Adria's flaming presence while confronting Vala

Unfortunately, there were some really annoying things as well:
-- the obvious and completely one-dimensional IOA bad guy
-- some very big scene jumps, like entering the supergate and then suddenly being in costume undercover on an Ori world contacting a member of the underground
-- deja vu with the replicators
-- the replicator-zombie fight felt like a sequence out of a horror movie, both really gross and utterly ridiculous at the same time, and unfortunately the opportunity for humour in reference to the Terminator skeleton was ignored

In my opinion, the entire replicator sub-plot was time wasted that could have been better spent with some actual character moments between the team members, who are facing overwhelming odds with only each other to rely on. In fact, the only real emotion emerged in the scene between Teal'c and Tomin. Without the team bonding moments, the adventure and even the victory seemed a bit hollow.

After listening to the commentary, I wished that the writer/producer/director had concentrated less on the production values and more on the emotional resonance of the story. Fans of SG-1 can only hope that sales of the DVD's will be sufficient to continue the franchise in this format, and hopefully the characters will be better served in future adventures.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 27 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

4.0 out of 5 stars There Are Reasons And Ways Around Them...
We just got this disc for $12.50 at a WalMart store here in Canada. When it comes to the price differences between Canada and the US, well, if you're selling in the US, you will... Read more

Published on Jun 24 2008 by Andre Lieven

2.0 out of 5 stars Pretty awful
I'll be honest - I never liked the Ori storyline, it always felt like it moved the story from being about sci-fi to being anti-religion. Read more

Published on May 13 2008 by Parity

3.0 out of 5 stars A disapointing ending to a great storyline
After season 8, with the Go'auld defeated, the Stargate people had found a new, powerful ennemy to throw at the SG-1 team. Read more

Published on April 1 2008 by P. Poirier

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Good Wrap-Up
This movie does a fantastic job of wrapping up the Ori storyline. The writing was great, the acting was great, and thestory was great. Read more

Published on Mar 25 2008 by Mr. Shaun Hayward

4.0 out of 5 stars We are finally at the end and the end is good!
Ok I must admit I am not a great fan of stargate but over the years I have seen all the shows loved how they wrapped up season 8 hated the ending of season 10. Read more

Published on Mar 14 2008 by T. Drake

3.0 out of 5 stars Un épisode bonus pas si mal après tout...
C'est triste à dire mais ce film qui est le premier de deux servant a clôturer l'une des plus grandes séries de science-fiction à l'heure actuelle n'est rien... Read more

Published on Mar 14 2008 by Vladyk Barnes

5.0 out of 5 stars Cross Border Fee's
What you people don't know is that if buy from US companies on-line, and have shipped from the states, that, a couple of months later you will have a Bill for Cross Border Broker... Read more

Published on Mar 14 2008 by Kim A. Odland

5.0 out of 5 stars Price difference? big woop
Uh...the price is only 1 dollar different than the US price... what's the big deal? Seems fair enough considering the aded cost of getting product all the way up here.

Published on Mar 12 2008 by Matthew Moylan

5.0 out of 5 stars cost vs amazon.com
I contacted their support line and they told me that amazon.ca and amazon.com are two seperate companies and they have seperate suppliers so they can charge seperate prices for... Read more

Published on Mar 12 2008 by Ryan

4.0 out of 5 stars Order from US
With all the complaints about pricing, I thought I'd check it out. Since this is no longer available at all in Canada, ordering it from Amazon. Read more

Published on Mar 11 2008 by Robert Mair

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 27 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!