Hindsight is a wonderful thing. As I reach the last 50 reviews for FRONTROW, I reflect on things from the past and wonder what if? One of these is what if they had explored the STARGATE universe? It is one of those places that you wish would have been explored a little more (outside of the MacGyver inspired series starring you know who of course.) Roland Emmerich and his world of inter planetary portals, feels fresher today than ever before. Starting in 1928, with the uncovering of an ancient Egyptian circular artefact covered in strange symbols, it leapfrogs to the 1990s and Egyptologist Dr Daniel Jackson (James Spader). He thinks aliens built the pyramids and now might be able to prove it thanks to the Stargate. There are issues. A code on the stones is indecipherable but never fear, he might be able to decode their secret language. When he does, Colonel O’Neil (Kurt Russell), who up until now was just looking for a way to see his dead son, takes on the role of leader to explore the gateway to intergalactic travel. You all know this story well. I don’t need to go over it again right?

So what instead have Imprint offered us up in this ultimate edition? Firstly two versions of the film, both on separate discs and both I have seen and have been around. Both look good mind and better than the VHS and DVD versions seen by me before. No grain. No discolour and the 90s special effects really hold up in the main. Even after being cleaned up. The note is 1080p mind, so I am not sure its a restoration. What I definitely do know is this. The extended cut is more revealing but the original version plays better to a crowd as its more dramatic reveal sits better. I also know that the commentary from Devlin and Emmerich has been around and is a standard, this is that, you remember this, that was tough type conversation. Like vanilla ice cream for the ears on a warm day. Fun but not going to hit that spot or quench that need…

This is where almost all the extra content sits. Studio filler for the set that is promotional and not probing. Not a sycophantic as the stuff coming out of some of the labels that are claiming ‘niche’ status mind but not exciting. Where the discs do excel mind is in the outake stuff. I raked my brains and feel I have seen this before. However its a hoot.

Special Features:

• Original Theatrical Cut
• Extended Cut
• Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Roland Emmerich and Writer/Producer Dean Devlin
• “Deciphering the Gate: Concepts and Casting” Featurette
• “Opening the Gate: The Making of the Movie” Feturette
• “Passing Through the Gate: The Legacy” Featurette
• “Is There a Stargate?” Featurette
• “The Making of Stargate” Documentary
• 5 Original Stargate Previews
• B-Roll Footage
• Gag Reel

https://viavision.com.au/shop/stargate-the-movie-ultimate-edition-blu-ray/