Stargate (1994)

Stargate promises and never delivers; sort of like election campaign speeches. Hell, it is not that bad. The film was a big hit when it was released. It must be me. Or must be the hype surrounding the TV series, which some alleged is much better than the original big screen version.

My colleague says that this film lacks firepower. Sure. He loves Aliens more than Alien and have included two or three James Cameron films in his top ten. Why wouldn't he say that this film need firepower. But I kind of agree with him. Mainly because the plot have included the military. The colonel, played by Kurt Russell, is there on screen most of the time; scowling, muscles all pumped up and ready. And you get some action here and there. That's it. Does it need more firepower? You betcha.

If the filmmaker is interested in romance sub-plot and a lot of history lessons about Egyptian history, they should have gotten rid of the military role in it altogether. It just doesn't mesh. I am not saying that there is no firepower, but they are not particularly what I remember first and foremost.

Mark P. Hurst, writing for the site www.the-tech.mit,edu has this in the opening of his review on this film:

I know how this movie was made. I can picture the scenario: The writers were all sitting around a whiteboard throwing out plot ideas. "Nuclear bombs!", "Flying pyramids!", "Subtitles!", "Transvestites!" Suddenly the head writer stood up, an excited gleam in his eye. "I just got the wackiest idea," he announced. "Those are all fabulous ideas. Let's use all of them!" And so they did.

As I said earlier, Russell doesn't get to do much. He is wasted. I believe it must be a reaction to this movie that he did Soldier, a testosterone laden macho fest.

Having said all that, the movie is a conspiracy-theorists dream. A mysterious portal or Stargate, is discovered amongst the ruins of ancient Egypt. This Stargate leads to another planet in another galaxy, and we are in for one of the greatest sci-fi trip. Well, sorta. Coulda. Kinda.

Led by eccentric scientist, Dr. Jackson (James Spader), Russell's character goes in and finds themselves in this strange civilisation, ruled by Ra, the sun god (Jaye Davidson with modified electronic voice). You see more about the era, learn a thing or two, get to see the native, see the hero makes love to the babe while learning her tongue (no pun, please) and masters the language in a matter of minute. The best moment in the movie comes at the end when the frustrated Russell finally gets to blow the bad guy to hell and shouts, "Say hello to King Tut, asshole!" Quite a finish. Maybe I should try viewing the TV series. Hell most TV series are crap anyway.

There are some fun moments in the movie. Most of which are far and between. The special effects was celebrated at the time of its release, but it cries a lot for attention. I care very little for SFX or CG unless they are character by itself and is interesting, say like those dinosaurs in Jurassic Park films.

Of performance, only Spader gets to do a thing or two. Jaye Davidson glides along, trying to be mean but looks confused instead. Russell, well, sorry mate. You are in a wrong movie. I'll see you in Soldier. We'll kick some bad guys butts there.


				*Rakesh's movie talk* *Stargate (1994)*



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		Directed by Roland Emmerich Written by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich Starring Kurt Russell, David Spader and Jaye Davidson



		Stargate promises and never delivers; sort of like election campaign speeches. Hell, it is not that bad. The film was a big hit when it was released. It must be me. Or must be the hype surrounding the TV series, which some alleged is much better than the original big screen version. My colleague says that this film lacks firepower. Sure. He loves Aliens more than Alien and have included two or three James Cameron films in his top ten. Why wouldn't he say that this film need firepower. But I kind of agree with him. Mainly because the plot have included the military. The colonel, played by Kurt Russell, is there on screen most of the time; scowling, muscles all pumped up and ready. And you get some action here and there. That's it. Does it need more firepower? You betcha. If the filmmaker is interested in romance sub-plot and a lot of history lessons about Egyptian history, they should have gotten rid of the military role in it altogether. It just doesn't mesh. I am not saying that there is no firepower, but they are not particularly what I remember first and foremost. Mark P. Hurst, writing for the site www.the-tech.mit,edu has this in the opening of his review on this film: I know how this movie was made. I can picture the scenario: The writers were all sitting around a whiteboard throwing out plot ideas. "Nuclear bombs!", "Flying pyramids!", "Subtitles!", "Transvestites!" Suddenly the head writer stood up, an excited gleam in his eye. "I just got the wackiest idea," he announced. "Those are all fabulous ideas. Let's use all of them!" And so they did. As I said earlier, Russell doesn't get to do much. He is wasted. I believe it must be a reaction to this movie that he did Soldier, a testosterone laden macho fest. Having said all that, the movie is a conspiracy-theorists dream. A mysterious portal or Stargate, is discovered amongst the ruins of ancient Egypt. This Stargate leads to another planet in another galaxy, and we are in for one of the greatest sci-fi trip. Well, sorta. Coulda. Kinda. Led by eccentric scientist, Dr. Jackson (James Spader), Russell's character goes in and finds themselves in this strange civilisation, ruled by Ra, the sun god (Jaye Davidson with modified electronic voice). You see more about the era, learn a thing or two, get to see the native, see the hero makes love to the babe while learning her tongue (no pun, please) and masters the language in a matter of minute. The best moment in the movie comes at the end when the frustrated Russell finally gets to blow the bad guy to hell and shouts, "Say hello to King Tut, asshole!" Quite a finish. Maybe I should try viewing the TV series. Hell most TV series are crap anyway. There are some fun moments in the movie. Most of which are far and between. The special effects was celebrated at the time of its release, but it cries a lot for attention. I care very little for SFX or CG unless they are character by itself and is interesting, say like those dinosaurs in Jurassic Park films. Of performance, only Spader gets to do a thing or two. Jaye Davidson glides along, trying to be mean but looks confused instead. Russell, well, sorry mate. You are in a wrong movie. I'll see you in Soldier. We'll kick some bad guys butts there.