Battlestar Galactica, The Plan is a piece of the puzzle we didn’t know we needed, but was absolutely necessary in many ways – it gives us something that many SF shows do not spend enough time on, which is subtlety and texture. It is a grace note, an aperitif after a nice meal.
It’s good, but not great.
Not to say there is not great stuff in it: The performances of most of the series regulars are top notch (many do not reappear in new footage and are seen in footage shot and reused from the series), the effects work are superb, and the writing is textured and subtle (except for one scene with Brother Cavil at the end with a young boy he had “befiended”). But…
It’s just kinda THERE… it doesn’t stir the emotions as much as I expected or hoped (you see the destruction of the colonies, in graphic detail, and I did not care… NOT seeing things in the original miniseries was much more affective). It’s entertaining, it’s a must-see for fans, but I feel very sorry for anyone who picks this up without any exposure to the Sci-Fi series – those poor souls will be completely frakkin’ lost (heck, my wife, who watched every episode with me, was confused, and she’s a smart cookie).
I won’t hash over the plot too much, but it basically reveals The Plan that was referenced in almost every episodes’ opening – and I love that The Plan becomes so unraveled so obviously throughout the film. Cylons, apparently, aren’t very good at improvising.
Three quick thoughts: First, though the actors for the most part have not changed much since the 5+ years that passed when they first shot some of the footage that is reused in The Plan, some actors have changed a lot in that time (Aaron Douglas, I’m glancing in your general direction). Second, Mary McDonnell’s Roslin is completely absent, not even shown in the reused footage from previous episodes – it makes me wonder, did she want more money? Or was she just “done” with the character? And finally, Dean Stockwell is the true star of this movie, and he is fantastic in it. Worth watching for his performance(s) alone.
So, final verdict: recommended for BSG fans, not for casual viewers. So Say We All.
In an “exclusive” that apparently every site that interviewed him this morning got, Eddie Olmos (I call him Eddie, cause we bonded at Dragon*Con ‘08) says that there are more stories to tell in the Battlestar universe, and that additional new films (direct to DVD/blu-ray) may yet mbe made if enough people buy The Plan, on video tomorrow.
So, BSG fans, what are ya waiting for? Pick up a copy! So say we all!
(Course, this could just be a craven stunt to gin up interest in the new movie, but I trust my man Eddie.)
Since I have not posted about Galactica in a while, here’s the newest trailer for the direct to video movie The Plan, which may be the last time we see our beloved cast together (and it’s directed by THE Edward James Olmos, who ROCKS):
Atlanta’s Dragon*Con 2009 is now in the books, and here, in abbreviated form, are my impressions of the good, the bad, and the ugly… Mostly good, cause I had a blast. Please keep in mind I did NOT do anything after 6:30 at night on any of the days of the con because I went with my 11-year old and he tires easily…
The Good:
The Battlestar: Galactica cast
These guys are just the best, and I especially appreciated the addition of Aaron Douglas and Michael Hogan to the guest list, filling in for Edward James Olmos as Olmos is shooting his part in the upcoming Green Hornet movie. Of all of them, Mary McDonnell was a highlight for me – I adore her work, and have been a fan since Dances with Wolves. I told her when I met her yesterday “Dang you, you made me cry (at the end of the series)” and she replied “well, that’s what we do, we wouldn’t be very good at it if we didn’t.” The. Best.
Karen Allen
Allow me to lose my composure and once more put my Hyperbole Hat on. This woman is delightful, and I daresay if you could harness the energy of her smile we could have powered all four of the convention hotels for the entire weekend. She is one of the main reasons I married a brunette, and is the best thing about Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (a fact that has been scientifically proven by our government’s top men).
Shatner and Nimoy
I had the chance to be in the room and watch them play against each other, on stage, twice… and that was worth the price of admission by itself. These guys are like brothers ore than old friends, and their chemistry is undeniable. For a Classic Trek fan like me, it was glorious.
Terry Gilliam
I have a new favorite memory. I was first in line to ask Terry Gilliam a question at his Friday panel, and I told him how much I loved The Fisher King and asked him if he had any interesting anecdotes about the making of the movie. He looked confused, and my heart sank. Oh, crap, I’m one of THOSE guys – asking an obnoxious question the panelist doesn’t want to answer.
That wasn’t it – “I’m sorry, I could barely hear you – the sound system is very bad. Can you come closer?”
“Sure,” I quickly said, and proceeded to walk all the way from 1/3rd of the way from the back of a VERY big room to the front of the stage, skipping like Pied Piper (as I was leading a couple of dozen questioners behind me). Terry then got up from behind the table on stage and he leaned down towards me, hand on my shoulder.
Before the thoughts OMGIMSTANDINGINFRONTOFTHOUSANDSOFPEOPLE WITHTERRYGILLIAMSTARINGATME had a chance to race through my mind my comedic instinct kicked in.
I started yelling, with him standing less than three feet away.
“I SAID I WAS A BIG FAN OF THE FISHER KING!”
He started giggling, and if you have ever seen lengthy interviews with Terry Gilliam, you know he’s a giggler. He repeated my question to the audience.
“HE’S A BIG FAN OF THE FISHER KING!” he screamed, cupping his hands to yell through them.
“IT’S A GREAT MOVIE!”
“IT’S A GREAT MOVIE!” Gilliam repeated, giggling.
“YOU SHOULD ALL SEE IT!” I said, turning to the audience. Again, Gilliam repeated me.
Before I spoke again, it dawned on me I was now doing a comedy bit. With Terry Gilliam. From Monty Python.
O. M. G.
“DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING ANECDOTES ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE?” I finished asking/shouting.
“DO I HAVE ANY INTERESTING ANECDOTES! GOT IT.” And at that, he raced back to his seat and his mike and I sat down in the front row.
Because of that, ALL of the people asking questions were then able go to the front of the stage and ask their question to him in person, even after they fixed the mike and sound system. I saw Terry later that evening, and he said, smiling after he recognized me, “that was fun.”
Best. Moment. Ever.
The Dragon*Con staff
These guys are fantastic. Now, I’m about too get into some of the bad stuff about the convention, and some of these are staff related, but let me tell ya – these guys put on a HELL of a show each year and almost all of them do it for just free admission. I made special efforts this year to be polite, friendly and thank staff members for their hard work. You should do the same next year and in years to come.
The Weather
If you had told me a month ago that we would be enjoying partly cloudy 84-degree days the first weekend of September in Atlanta I would have asked if you were on something and if I could have some of whatever it was. But that was the weather this weekend, and it was perfect.
The costumes
Man, I am amazed at the talent at display – the costumes are, for the most part, fantastic. It’s very surreal when you see someone in a Flash costume that looks just like Alex Ross draw him talking to a Colonial Marine that could have been an extra in Aliens. Here, just look at the parade (and click to see the next two parts):
The BAD:
Registration
WHY does it take 2 hours to get you badge when you PRE-REGISTERED at the event? WHY were there big freaking gaps in the alphabetical line at the end of the queue all the time, with staff people idle? WHY were the signs to indicate what alphabetical line to get into so badly designed and hard to read from a distance?
Starting on Friday morning at 10 AM
I understand that there are a LOT of panels and guests but, Dragon*Con organizers, you had SHATNER AND NIMOY as well as the first Battlestar: Galactica panel at 10 AM on Friday? Really? I know many many people who could not get their BADGE before 11 AM Friday morning and they were there 30 minutes before registration opened that morning. Guys, please reconsider this (or at least don’t put big events on first thing on Friday..)
The lines for Patrick Stewart
These lines were insane, and they felt like they were designed by the kid from Family Circus. I bailed Saturday after staying in the line for 45 minutes, and when I saw the length of the line for his second appearance the next day I didn’t even try. Obviously, Patrick Stewart is a BIG draw, but for these big draws can you at least “count off” to a place in the line that is the if you get in line past this point odds are you will not get in area? And more volunteers are needed to man these big lines, too.
The UGLY:
Saturday’s crowds
This cannot be avoided, obviously, but the number of people who was there by 1 PM Saturday afternoon was INSANE. I mean, “suck the oxygen out of all the open spaces” insane. I’m surprised the fire marshall didn’t barricade off the entire city block and prevent people from coming in (and/or nuke it from orbit – it’s the only way to be sure). Dragon*Con may be getting TOO big, which is a problem in and of itself. The only solution, methinks? A FIFTH hotel for programming, just to smooth the crowds out…
Some of the costumes
Ok, everyone who ever wants to put on a costume and walk around at a convention like me, a quick word of advice. Put it on, and look at yourself in a full length mirror. Not one that is convex and makes you look thinner, an actual 100% honest -to-god MIRROR. Ask yourself, “do I look good in this?” Now, I’m not anti-pudgy (if you’d meet me, you’d quickly become aware of that) but I saw WAY too many people wearing costumes that were unflattering. I’m not against people dressing up, go ahead, have fun… but present yourself well.
Comic geeks across the globe felt a tremor in the force this morning when it was announced that Disney is acquiring Marvel Entertainment for 4 (Doctor Evil voice) BILLION dollars. Disney hopes to capitalize on Marvel’s 5000 characters (a long list, with 90% of them characters you have probably never heard of, like Hydro-Man and Ka-Zar).
The first reaction of many many fanboys on the ‘net was a dramatic NOOOO! Many are afraid Marvels’ more cutting-edge adult comics will be quickly killed under the new Mickey-masters. I don’t know, and quite frankly, don’t care – I stopped reading comics regularly a long time ago (and, quite frankly, Disney bought Marvel for the merchandising potential of the characters Marvel has and the movie studio, not the comics).
My reaction was different, and a product of a particular interest of mine: What the heck is gonna happen in Orlando?
Orlando, of course, is where Disney and Orlando goes head-to-head in the theme park business, and the ride that many say is the best one in Orlando is The Amazing Spider-man ride… and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It’s the centerpiece of the “Marvel Super Hero Island” which features a whole lot of Marvel characters and themed rides – the Hulk Rollercoaster, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, etc… And very soon, Disney will own Marvel.
Hmm.
Today, a spokesperson for Universal said that they had the rights to the characters and that the attractions will not chage because of the acquisition. My response: of course you’re going to say that. Licensing deals are not perpetual contracts – they come up for renewal, and they will come up for review in a few years. And then…
Disney will either A) ask for a boat-load of licensing money or B) pull the rights to the characters from Universal. Personally, I’m guessing B – no way is Disney gonna let Universal make money off the characters they now own. So, if that day happens… what happens?
Retheming, that’s what. It happens a lot, and has been done quite a bit already in Orlando (remember the Earthquake ride at Universal? it’s now “Catastrophe!”) So what do they DO with the space that these rides and shops now fill?
I have an idea.
(Please be aware that the following is total fanboy blue-sky fantasy and I have no inside information. If these were actual rumors, you would be advised where to tun in the event of an emergency. Please stand by)
What is missing at both of the Universal parks? Sci-Fi. With the exception of Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal, they have no rides or areas with a SF theme… as opposed to the Magic Kingdom which has Tomorrowland, SF with all the fixins. So, what SF properties does Universal already own? Two properties they can use without having to pay a rival studio? One they had ALREADY used for many year prior? Two big ones:
Back to the Future and Battlestar Galactica.
With some work Spider-man can be rethemed to a new Back to the Future ride, and the Hulk coaster can be painted Cylon silver and renamed the “Galactica Space Launch” or something like that. Doctor Doom Free-fall can be painted gray and themed to be “space mission training” (and tied to Apollo 13, too). The rest? Paint everything silver and sell SF DVDs and toys in the shops. Make some of the empty space a mini-version of the SF Experience Museum based out of Seattle, and you’re good.
Heck, if you want to do something REALY cool, license Star Trek from Paramount again, as you did in the 1990s, and fill an available space with a Klingon photo-op.
Done.
Now, as I mentioned, total fan-boy stuff but if it DOES come to pass? Universal, give me a call – I got tons of other ideas, and my consulting fee is very reasonable.
I react to this news not with excitement, but incredible trepidation. Bryan Singer kinda went to Director Jail with me after his incredibly awkward and boring Superman Returns. The Sci-Fi series is still, affectively, not even done yet (the Cylon-based tv-movie The Plan airs later this year) and the BSG spinoff Caprica is going to series next year. Galactica is not Star Trek, where multiple series took place in the same timeline/universe… and something tells me that if JJ Abrams recent Star Trek reboot had not made a boat-load of money this would never have been considered.
I look back at the timeline of all these franchises and smile: Galactica was created in direct response to the success of Star Wars (Lucas even sued), and Star Trek: the Motion Picture was elevated from a sequel TV series to a big-budget film for the same reason. Now, Galactica is being promoted to the big screen because of the success of… Star Trek.
All this has happened before, and will happen again.
Joseph Dickerson is a User Experience Architect focused on improving the usability of on-line and mobile applications. With over a decade of experience in software design and user research, Dickerson has made it his mission to make technology easier for people to use.
