Release
Date: 28th October, 1994
Running Length: 124 minutes
Rated: PG-13 (Violence, language)
Starring: Kurt Russell, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, Viveca Lindfors,
Alexis Cruz, Mili Avatal
Director: Roland Emmerich
Producers: Joel B. Michaels, Oliver Eberle and Dean Devlin
Screenplay: Deal Devlin and Roland Emmerich
Cinematography: Karl Walter Lindenlaub
Music: David Arnold
There's a fine line between Science, Egyptology and the United States Militarily but this film raps all of the following into one huge bang.
Stargate is on uncharted grounds. This big-budget science fiction/fantasy movie enters a new realm of intergalactic discovery that basses itsself around its own origin concept that has not yet been used in other films although there are similarities that can be distinguished between other Science fiction films such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Close Encounters and Doctor Who.
The story combines traditional popular science fiction themes with a heavy dose of Egyptology occasionally. Mostly-halfhearted attempts at character development are ignored whenever they don't impact directly on the plot. This has frequently become the case with movies of this genre. The visual effects and breathtaking cinematography far outstrip everything else offered by Stargate.
James Spader plays nerdish Egyptologist Daniel Jackson, whose linguistic expertise is called upon for decoding inscriptions on tiles discovered in an Egyptian archeological site. These turn out to be the key that turns the lock in something called the "stargate", an intergalactic portal (that looks like a giant donut) to some Earth-like world on the "far side of the unknown universe."
Kurt Russell is Colonel Jack O'Neil, the borderline-suicidal
military commander of a mission to the other side of the stargate. Accompanied
by his crack troops and
Ra, it seems, created human society on Earth, on this world as well and also the stargates, and was displeased when the ancient Egyptians closed their side of the wormhole, confining Ra and his army to one planet. Now that the way home is open again, Ra has decided to prepare a little surprise for those waiting at the far end.
What begins as an enjoyable introduction quickly degenerates into a tired rework of the age-old good-versus evil battle pitting a group of overachieving mortals against a ruthless god-like being. An example of this would be "Luke Skywalker" against the Emperor from "Return of the Jedi" without the presence of Darth Vader. Ultimately, the final battle, aside from being inexplicably rushed, is dull and lacking in genuine suspense.
The first half of the film, which includes the setup, Jackson's intense struggle to break the stargate's code, the expedition to Ra's world, and humankind's first contact with an alien culture, is handled reasonably well. Things only start to fall apart with Ra's appearance. Then it's all shoot-outs and fight scenes, with action taking precedence over intelligence. It’s interesting how a movie can take two thousand years of history, analyze it in a day, and bring to pass a revolution over night.
The cast members do their best with sketchy roles. Kurt Russell makes an effective no-nonsense military man who doesn't overplay his grief at a recent personal tragedy. Not for the first time, James Spader is believable as a dweeb forced into a heroic act or two. And Jaye Davidson, despite never speaking a word of English, has a commanding presence as the volatile Ra.
Stargate is peppered with numerous minor faults, some of which - although not all - are easily forgiven. It's the bigger plot problems and lackluster climax which are more difficult to excuse. Director Roland Emmerich, who previously made Universal Soldier, appears infatuated with his film's look without caring if anything moderately substantial lies beneath the glitz. Stargate is all flashes and bangs - a cinematic fireworks show without the grand finale. The reason for this was to keep the storylines open for a possible series.
Review By Director Edward Jeffries
EJs Films © August 15, 2005