Scifind Logo By Seb Cain
Scifind Logo Science Fiction City Sunset Science Fiction Science Fiction News Science Fiction Reviews Index Science fiction Conventions events and signings Top Sci-fi DVDs TV and Film Top Sci-Fi Books Scifind Science Fiction / Sci-fi Films, DVDs, Books
Scifind Logo Science Fiction City Sunset UK SciFi / Horror and Fantasy

Battlestar Galactica: Season 3 [2006] [2004]

Battlestar Galactica: Season 3 [2006] [2004]

RRP £49.99
Lowest New Price
£23.90

Suitable for 15 years and over

Universal Pictures Video

Release date: Monday 3rd of September 2007


Starring:
Jamie Bamber, Edward James Olmos, Katee Sackhoff, Mary McDonnell, James Callis,


Director(s):

Format: Box set, PAL,
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)


RRP: £49.99
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Let's get straight to the point: bar none, Battlestar Galactica is the best science fiction television programme currently showing. In fact, let's go further. It's the best of the last decade. And truthfully? You'd find very few sci-fi fans who'd disagree.

What's more, plenty of people must be busy eating their words, too. Back when it was announced that Battlestar Galactica was being revived, feelings were mixed, not helped by the divided reaction to the mini-series that kickstarted this iteration of the show. Yet over the past couple of years, it's cleverly proven to be a tense, gripping mix of action and drama, with a tightly-woven plot.

This third season? It's arguably the best so far. A delicious soup of mystery, relevations, actions, striking characters and winding narrative, Battlestar Galactica is also served superbly well by a quality cast, some quality special effects, and a real focus on what matters from behind the camera.

As usual, there are no spoilers in this review, although it's not giving much away to say that the deadly cylons have to share the screen time with some intriguing and revealing character development this time round. And with word that season four of the revived Battlestar Galactica will be the last, things are set up for a terrific final act.

Season three of the show though is extraordinarily good, a real, genuine sci-fi classic that's going to have one mighty shelf life once this particularly iteration of the programme has gone. And with umpteen surprises to go back and check out, it's never likely to be one to gather dust on the shelf, either. --Jon Foster



A Worthy Re-Imagining of a Classic Sci-Fi Show.
Review date: 2008-06-08 Rating: 10 out of 10

The Only other successful Re-Imagining of a Classic Show other than this is DOCTOR WHO. But BATTLESTAR GALACTICA has done well as a sci-fi drama kicking the original out of the Galaxy.

A True Representation of Television made good.
When I first heard of it i thought "Yet again, They'll screw it up." But the New version grabbed me from the Pre Title on the Miniseries right until the Cliffhanger. starting on the First Season Currently then moving on to seasons 2 & 3 (Already Seen RAZOR - Not a Bad Film).

some of the many things this version has over the original is the fact that the Galactica is a ship that was meant to be put in mothballs. The shocks that are through the whole story. But the thing I love most is the Blake's 7-esque feel to it: that unlike the original the deaths are thivk and fast (By The End of "33", the first episode of Season 1, the Survivour count had reached 47,972, Went Up by 1 when a Child was born on the rising star, and kept dropping throughout Seasons 2-4)

Hands Down the Best GALACTICA So Far.



Reviews


Favourite TV for years!
Review date: 2008-06-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

If you have not seen any of the recent remaking of BSG, then I wholly recommend you watch this first! The 'mini-series' is basically the introduction to this wonderful remaking. As a kid in the early eighties the original BSG was one of my favourites and a remaking is like a dream come true.

It really is sci-fi of top drawer quality. It does take itself quite seriously, but I like that and can get put off by other sci-fi shows that are quite tongue-in-cheek. The characters are great and the special effects are also awesome. Highly recommended.


You'll watch this because of the first two series but it's nowhere near as good
Review date: 2008-05-12 Rating: 6 out of 10

It seems that the writers may have taken themselves a bit too seriously in this installment, because the pacing is incredibly slow. The religious and political aspect of the show takes on a far greater role, and as a result the balance of the show is greatly interrupted. There is far less action, and this is replaced with long, drawn out and wordy scenes which in my opinion are very pompous indeed. Also, the plot lines are a lot less strong-there are some episodes where you just think "oh please, this is just ridiculous." One very important episode springs to mind-the whole series could come to a close, but the ending is preposterous, and is just glossed over, then things move on to the next episode (trying not to include spoilers here). You'll watch it because you have to in order to keep up with the series, but it really is pretty poor in comparison to the first 2 series.


Very entertaining!
Review date: 2008-04-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

I wasn't sure what to expect of this. I liked the original (it was dated and cheesy but also a lot of fun) but resisted checking this out for quite a while. After hearing nothing but positive things I gave in. I wish I had sooner. The updates/alterations are great. Only very passionate fans will be all that bothered. It's not a continuation, it's a re-imagined version so it doesn't need to be all tied in to the old version. The mini series references the old version (old cyclons in the museum, vipers, the red light on the new cylons/ships) enough that fans of the original shouldn't really be all that upset. The production values are excellent, I was very impressed by how great it all looked. Series one here I come.

Intelligent, Compelling Science Fiction
Review date: 2008-03-06 Rating: 8 out of 10

Season Three contains BSG's best and worst moments. Luckily for this viewer, the worst moments are niggly and the best brave and bold.

The writers of BSG had set up an intriguing storyline at the end of season 2 - a huge city on a difficult planet, with the Cylons running a brutal occupation over the citizens of New Caprica. Season Three wastes no time in showing the desperate lengths that the embittered survivors in New Caprica will go to when fighting the Cylon occupation. Suicide bombings, people betraying other people, and double-agents are the de-rigour from the offset. This is challenging science-fiction, showing chilling contemporary relevance and a bold vision.

Characters continue to make tough choices, right up until Admiral William Adama arrives back with the Battlestar Galactica to make one of the most audacious rescues in television history. Without spoiling anything, it is pretty special and well balanced with some intense characterisation.

The challenging storylines continue with the fleet seemingly 'reunited', but nonetheless still 'split', with the survivors of New Caprica bitter and looking for reparations over their own extreme actions and those who allegedly collaborated with the Cylons.

Its at this point though that the season begins to 'sag' a little. There are excellent story arcs here and there, but occasionally the feeling of 'stand-alone' episodes seems to seek in. Opinion seems divided on them. To me the raging-bull-esque 'Unfinished Business' is strong and a brilliant piece of direction, but I felt frustrated by some of the other episodes, as either threads are suddenly buried, or I just didn't feel interested enough in some of the other threads.

Still, BSG's weaknesses put most other Science Fiction (i'm not just talking about television), to shame. The acting remains nuanced and compelling, even if a 'soap-opera' feels does permeate the rivalries that develop over the essentially forbiden love of Lee Adama and Kara Thrice.

As always though, BSG pulls its best punches in the final third. One character seems to vanish, while the trial of disgraced president of New Caprica, Guis Balthar, provdies a good dramatic weight to anchor the final episodes. As always there's one heck of a shift in terms of story at the end (and without spoiling it), which makes the final season seem like it will have plenty of story to get into, without, one hopes, veering to close to some of the weaker aspects of this series.

Certainly when its at its best, BSG is compelling Science Fiction of the highest order. Highly reccomended. (If you're starting from scratch get the mini-series and the 1-3 boxset. It's worth it!)


Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jamie Bamber
Edward James Olmos
Katee Sackhoff
Mary McDonnell
James Callis

Director(s):

Recording label: Universal Pictures Video
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures Video
EAN: 5050582499094
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 6
Format: Box set, PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-03
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Theatrical release date: 2004-02-17
Language: English (Original Language)

Add to Cart


Tech info, cast and quotes/trivia when available. Exclusions may apply with free delivery. Price and availabiltity subject to change

Search


Newsletter



Similar Products


All Review Text © Copyright the Respective Reviewer
Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Add scifind.co.uk news headlines to your website for free
News | Events | Links | DVDs | Geek Gifts | Star Wars Lego | Scifi Downloads | Contact Details | Interact | HEROES Scifi