Will I like Battlestar Galactica?

Pezerinno · 01-03-2009, 1:28 AM

I keep hearing everyone go on about Battlestar Galactica but always dismissed it as I don't like shows like star trek; is my view misguided?

Thanks

LostFanBoy · 01-03-2009, 1:54 AM

I really wanted to like it but I just couldnt get into it

alphaomega16 · 01-03-2009, 2:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostfanboy

i really wanted to like it but i just couldnt get into it

+1

AML · 01-03-2009, 3:12 AM

Wow, I cant beleive you guys arent in to it.

Well, in my opinion Its one of the best sci-fi shows ive ever seen!

The writing is top notch, so is the acting and the CGI and music work is hollywood quality.

Give this show a chance.

You wont regret it.

I do admit tho that it may not appeal to all age groups.

Im in my early thirties, and I think its targeted at the 25-35 age group.

But i think younger folk can enjoy it too.

Starburst · 01-03-2009, 10:19 AM

I can totally understand people not getting it, it is so different from the mainstream scifi shows most of use have seen over the last couple of decades.

I'm a huge fan, love the technical aspects of the production, the characters and writing hit home with the human condition to a greater degree than perhaps most non-genre serious dramas do and all set against the wonders of the universe and a thumping soundtrack

That said it's a much harder show to rewatch than say Firefly, Trek or well anyother scifi show perhaps because it is dark, disturbing and yes depressing at times but like all dramas that take to the abyss it has it's humour and truimphs just like the real world.

It's been said before but I'll say it again, watch the mini-series and then watch the first episode proper, if you can't accept the world DRM and Co have created then go no further but if you can the first season is high quality scifi drama. The second season and third seasons expand to 20eps and suffer a little and have some mighty twists as science, politics, religion, survivial, betrayl, hope, honour, sacrifice and everyother human trait impacts on the final remnants of the "human" race.
Season 4 is fast turning into a piece of genre dramatic television that won't be equaled by more "proper" dramas for years to come and certianly not on the budget of BSG.

brian s · 01-03-2009, 10:58 AM

Pezerinno

I assume you're taking the new BSG not the original. It's individual taste of course. It appears you don't like sci fi in general. You shouln't let that automatically let that put you off BSG. The show is a gritty drama within a sci fi setting. Starburst mentioned many of the subjects it deals with but it also looks at terrorism in a non sensational fashion.

Give the opening mini series a go and see what you think. Play are selling it for a fiver.

Play.com (UK) : Battlestar Galactica (2003 Mini Series) : DVD - Free Delivery

Cheers
Bri

Pezerinno · 01-03-2009, 12:07 PM

Thanks all. I will try the mini series and see how I get on

EDIT: Just ordered it.

**Hillskill** · 01-03-2009, 12:19 PM

Will check back to see how you get one. I have had Season one on my list from Lovefilm for ages yet its still not come through. Should I be watching the mini series first ??

Razor · 01-03-2009, 12:24 PM

Its a brilliant show and not typical sci-fi like star trek.

Instead its more of a drama which just happens to be set in space. Its been one of the best shows for the last 4 years.

In fact Lostfanboy not liking it means its a quality show and everyone should really enjoy it.

brian s · 01-03-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillskill

Should I be watching the mini series first ??

Very much so.

All the best
Bri

Razor · 01-03-2009, 12:26 PM

Agreed, like most shows it should be watched in order for it to make sense.

Pincho Paxton · 01-03-2009, 12:50 PM

I'd rather compare BSG with Lost than Star Trek, even though they are totally different. It seems that most people who like Lost also like BSG.

domtheone · 01-03-2009, 1:02 PM

I too had seen rave reviews everywhere.

I like Sci Fi (though not Star Trek

) and liked the original BSG.

So far i've watched Seasons 1-3 (S2 & 3 practically back to back).

Absolutely excellent stuff.

Normally it goes something like...

The theory. It's 10PM. Hmm, i'll put a disc in and watch an episiode for 45 mins before I go to bed.

The practice. All 4 epsidodes watched back to back.

it's 1AM. Turn everything off before I put another disc in

That only every happens with top drawer stuff like 24, Heroes etc etc.

LostFanBoy · 01-03-2009, 2:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pincho Paxton

I'd rather compare BSG with Lost than Star Trek, even though they are totally different. It seems that most people who like Lost also like BSG.

not me

mattpeers · 01-03-2009, 3:49 PM

It's a great show. Seems a lot more adult like unlike shows such as Star Trek etc. BSG hasn't got that 'nerdy' aspect to it.

I'd recommend it. Gods knows how its gonna end!!!

Adama · 01-03-2009, 4:27 PM

Well.... I'm biased anyway

brian s · 01-03-2009, 6:26 PM

For anyone who lives in or near Sunderland I saw the season one DVD for £5.99 in the Roker branch of Morrisons today. Only the one copy though.

Bri

Mark_a · 01-03-2009, 6:56 PM

No matter how good the acting, writing, direction, production etc, it's utterly failed by the imbecilic decision to lumber it with cliched, hackneyed wobbly-cam. Talk about shooting yourself in both feet... such a shame too, as it was promising as hell.

Regards

Mark

brian s · 01-03-2009, 7:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_a

No matter how good the acting, writing, direction, production etc, it's utterly failed by the imbecilic decision to lumber it with cliched, hackneyed wobbly-cam.
Regards

Mark

I'm not a great fan of hand held shooting but I don't find it distracting.

All the best
Bri

Starburst · 01-03-2009, 9:51 PM

It was more evident in the mini-series so if you stopped watching at that point you missed out on quality TV and of course by extension missed some fantastic shows which relied on handheld or at least more flexible camera platforms.

In no way could BSG be described to the same extent as Bourne or Cloverfield in shakey cam terms and was shakey cam cliched back in 2003, I think not.

Mark_a · 01-03-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starburst

was shakey cam cliched back in 2003, I think not.

Never heard of Cinéma vérité then?

And it was as crap then as it is now. Only nitwits think it isn't.

Regards

Mark

AML · 02-03-2009, 12:10 AM

Some strong words from Mark_a there

I also find the cam work distracting at times, but you get used to it.

Its just part of what makes the show what it is.

I think BSG redefines sci-fi and no longer makes it look "nerdy"

(Im sure we can all agree that over the years people have looked down on sci fi and considered it to be for nerds)

Theyve shown that you can make any genre seem gritty and real.

Its totaly beleivable because they dont focus on tech talk (like they do on startrek) and they focus on the characters and stories.

Solutions to problems are often real world and not convenient "tech miracles" like they are in trek.

Pincho Paxton · 02-03-2009, 12:25 AM

The grain is the most annoying ever of any movie, or program. But the program is still good. If I get distracted by the grain, I just rewind back, and try to concentrate harder.

alphaomega16 · 02-03-2009, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pincho Paxton

I'd rather compare BSG with Lost than Star Trek, even though they are totally different. It seems that most people who like Lost also like BSG.

I didint like either Lost was worse than BSG.

Pezerinno · 02-03-2009, 12:43 AM

I love Lost so I'm hopeful!

brian s · 02-03-2009, 2:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezerinno

I love Lost so I'm hopeful!

I hate Lost.

Bri

eric pisch · 02-03-2009, 4:46 AM

i grew up on BSG and still love it

cant stand the new series, totally miss

Razor · 02-03-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian s

I hate Lost.

Bri

Yeah but you like Doctor Who so your vote is void.

Pezerinno · 02-03-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Yeah but you like Doctor Who so your vote is void.

Bri likes Doctor Who

Nematon · 02-03-2009, 12:24 PM

Just to add to the other comments:

BSG was really designed from the ground up to be a complete antithesis to the Star Trek model of science fiction.

There were a few central guidelines - no aliens, no time travel and no techno babble.

The quality of the cast is simply outstanding - not only the well known actors like Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell but they really found some new stars like Michael Hogan (Tigh) and Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck).

The show is also extremely well written, and maintains a very high quality throughout.
As others have highlighted there are some seriously weighty complex issues covered, but it never imo gets bogged down.

It is also very well structured, and always treats the audience as intelligent.
The special effects and music are also mindblowing.

BSG is on the whole very 'dark', often disturbing and takes risks to the extent that its surprising that the network allowed them to go in the directions they did.

Of course the mini series should be watched initially, but the first proper episode '33' really shows what the show is about.

Please excuse my overenthusiastic ranting but I quite like it.