Stargate

Stargate_360P

source: Stargate

Moviecut—Stargate

Stargate

This is one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen. Too bad too, since visually it was really terrific and the acting wasn't bad either. I am a Kurt Russel fan and I don't think his talents were well used here at all. But two things made this movie almost unwatchable. The main thing was the utterly dopey story. The dopiest movie I have ever seen. I mean SciFi does have some rules, after all, but this story was so dopey, that it interfered with my enjoyment of it. I know what you're thinking, it is a movie after all, but this one went too far. The second thing that bothered me is really a little thing, but it is a pet peeve of mine. You know how when armed men move in on their target, how they always * their guns? A lot of noise effects from that very threatening click-clack of metal on metal? Not that anyone would ever do that in real life, and it's only a movie, I know, and I can take some cocking of guns at inappropriate moments, if that's what's needed to convey an imminent fire fight. But I have never heard so much cocking of guns in any movie before. I felt embarrassed for the actors. It just went on and on. It even interfered with the dialog. OK, here is this soldier moving in on a target with great stealth until he catches his foe unaware, but still quiet though. Then right before he shoots, he shatters the silence by cocking his gun. I mean, gimme a break.

In 1928, in Egypt, a strange device is found by an expedition. In the present days, the outcast linguist Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is invited by a mysterious woman to decipher an ancient hieroglyph in a military facility. Soon he finds that the device was developed by an advanced civilization and opens a portal to teletransport to another planet. Dr. Jackson is invited to join a military team under the command of Colonel Jonathan 'Jack' O'Neil (Kurt Russell) that will explore the new world. They find a land that recalls Egypt and humans in a primitive culture that worship and are slaves to Ra, the God of the Sun. But soon they discover the secret of the mysterious "stargate". "Stargate" is still a fantastic sci-fi after almost twenty years and watching it at least six times. The story is intriguing and entwines action with humor and romance. The cast is excellent, with Kurt Russell and James Spade in the top of their careers. The special effects are still great after almost twenty years. And the haunting music score completes this timeless classic sci-fi with a touch of class. My vote is nine. Title (Brazil): "Stargate - A Chave para o Futuro da Humanidade" ("Stargate – The Key for the Future of Mankind") Note: On 18 May 2017, I saw this film again.

Taking a leaf from Indiana Jones where someone will one day presumably dig up the Ark Of The Covenant out of storage and see how it works, in the inscrutable ways of the Washington bureaucracy, somebody in the Defense Department has taken an interest in something called Stargate and now want to see how it works. The somebody they sent for is archaeologist/linguist James Spader who deciphers some ancient Egyptian writing and poof, the gate is upright and operational. At that point the military takes over led by a hardnosed professional played by Kurt Russell. He's going through that gate with a team of special forces and with James Spader presumably so they can communicate with whatever life is out there. Stargate is a teleportation device and the team travels through time and space and ends up across the galaxy on a primitive planet where the people worship a being called Ra played by Jaye Davidson. He and his much technologically advanced confederates enslave the rest of the population. To see the changes the earth expedition makes and what the connection of this being to the Egyptian sun god Ra you will have to see this very well made and exciting science fiction film, one of the best films made during the Nineties. I saw it in theater when it first came out and seeing it again on the small screen still excites and entertains me. It's one of those films that with repeated viewing you get still another perspective. I liked best the interplay with Kurt Russell and James Spader. Two very opposite men in temperament and in training over the course of the film gradually gain a great respect for each other. Both deliver performances that would rank in the top five for both these players. One of the ways that Ra keeps his people subjugated is the forbidding of any of the nomadic types that are under his thumb to learn to write or even create a written language. In that culture and in every culture, literacy is the strongest weapon against tyranny. In fact one of the characters makes quite a sacrifice to secure the permanence of the revolution they've wrought on this world in another part of the galaxy that has a strange connection to our Earth. Stargate succeeds at being both thinking person's science fiction and also has enough action and adventure to keep you to the edge of your seat, especially in the second half. It's not to be missed when broadcast, ever.

When I first saw Stargate in 1996 I thought it was a great movie. It had plenty of action, excitement and special effects but also a brilliant story. James Spader does a wonderful job as Daniel Jackson and ditto for Kurt Russell as Colonel Jack O' Neill. The villains in the movie are very interesting and were a refreshing change to those we usually encounter in movies. This film would probably be of great interest to those interested in Egyptology or anything to do with the ancient world. It is a thought provoking film for fans of ancient history. All in all, a great movie which spawned an equally great TV series three years later.

"Stargate"'s an exciting, high concept science fiction film from Roland ("Independence Day") Emmerich. With a capable cast, solid script and excellent set design, this is a big-budget adventure for viewers looking for pure escapist fun. The ever reliable Kurt Russell plays the square-jawed, world weary Jack O'Neil, who is responsible for leading the military mission to another world. James Spader plays the brilliant archaeologist, Dr. Daniel Jackson. At the time, this was a different type of role for Spader and he handles the humorous content of his scenes with great success. There's also an appearance by "The Crying Game"'s Jaye Davidson as the evil baddie, Ra. Although Davidson's role is quite small, he brings an other-worldly presence to his part. The score by David Arnold is excellent. A great idea for a movie, I can't help but think the concept would have made a successful television series...

I loved this movie. It captured my attention quickly and kept it throughout the movie. It's a great ensamble cast and the special effects add to the movie's appeal, rather than BEING the appeal. The premise is engaging, and gives some very plausible explainations for mysteries that have stumped man for thousands of years. The bad guys are just as engagine as the good guys and that makes the movie all that much more enjoyable. I would give this movie an 8 out of 10. It's not perfect, but good for a very enjoyable movie night!