NeilGartner
January 14th, 2004, 05:34 PM
'What’s On'
By Stephanie Earp
Saturday
Battlestar Galactica SPACE
For many, the original series Battlestar Galactica is a sacred part of their childhood. I missed the series by a few years, but talk around the office confirmed my suspicions that when it comes to this space adventure, people are fiercely loyal, despite the fact only a handful of episodes made it to air.
As result, the buzz around the new mini-series has been accumulating for months. In the U.S., it was the third-highest rated show on the Sci-Fi channel – ever. But fans of the original vowed to boycott the make-over, which altered the story and even the gender of key cast members. Now the two-parter airs in Canada and fans can decide for themselves if stars Edward James Olmos (Blade Runner), Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves) and James Callis (Helen of Troy) have rewritten history or destroyed it.
As for me, ignorant of the charm of the original, I was less than impressed. The creeping pace had me rooting for the robotic Cylon enemies, who at least didn’t waste my time with spurious dialogue. But it was enlightening to find out where The Matrix, Armageddon and Independence Day cribbed their plots from. Maybe the video game is better (see next week’s Games column for our review). Continues tomorrow.
By Stephanie Earp
Saturday
Battlestar Galactica SPACE
For many, the original series Battlestar Galactica is a sacred part of their childhood. I missed the series by a few years, but talk around the office confirmed my suspicions that when it comes to this space adventure, people are fiercely loyal, despite the fact only a handful of episodes made it to air.
As result, the buzz around the new mini-series has been accumulating for months. In the U.S., it was the third-highest rated show on the Sci-Fi channel – ever. But fans of the original vowed to boycott the make-over, which altered the story and even the gender of key cast members. Now the two-parter airs in Canada and fans can decide for themselves if stars Edward James Olmos (Blade Runner), Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves) and James Callis (Helen of Troy) have rewritten history or destroyed it.
As for me, ignorant of the charm of the original, I was less than impressed. The creeping pace had me rooting for the robotic Cylon enemies, who at least didn’t waste my time with spurious dialogue. But it was enlightening to find out where The Matrix, Armageddon and Independence Day cribbed their plots from. Maybe the video game is better (see next week’s Games column for our review). Continues tomorrow.