Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

To build a universe from scratch (while obviously still leaving plenty of material to explore) is not an easy task to accomplish, but that's what this mini-series does. It runs three hours, but it's never dull, it never lets up, something is always happening. It has a compelling, complex story, first-rate sets and special effects (superior to "Doctor Who", and I like "Doctor Who"), strong performances (phenomenal in the case of Edward James Olmos), and even eye-candy in the (amazing) form of Tricia Helfer. Highly recommended whether or not you want to follow it up with the main series, though chances are that after watching it you will. ***1/2 out of 4.

Disclaimer: The only reason I started watching this series was to stop my friend from constantly badgering me to watch it. Oh I wished I hadn't listened to her and instead listened to my gut.Like I said the miniseries and season 1 were pretty good (except for them dumping 2 characters on another planet as a sub plot (and those characters achieving nothing for 10 episodes or so) & developing other minor characters I didn't give a crap about).And then season 2 happened and I lost my patience. The cyclons having "a plan" but none of this plan being revealed in any form of a timely manner. Gius' continuing hallucination spouting nonsensical fluff about destiny which turned from intriguing to annoying. The unnecessary focus on politics and other random nonsense which in no way added to the plot. And I could just see that it was going to move more towards this whole spiritual-god- religious path storyline of which I have ZERO interest.The only storyline I actually cared about was the romance between Kara and Lee but sitting through all the other crap wasn't worth finding out what happened between these two.Bottom line, I was bored out of my mind. In fact I fell asleep multiple times watching this.It's not sci-fi. It's a dramatic, soap opera which happens to take place in space.Recommendation: Don't walk, run in other direction. Don't waste your time. Put in an episode of Star Trek and go to your sci fi happy place.

What a way to start off a reboot! Well, technically, this is what the 21st century Battlestar Galactica show was, taking off from the original series/movie from the 1970s, and this time it's got a lot more money, better actors, and less of the stigma of what the original had (a rip-off of Star Wars to a large extent). With this series, the writers Ronald Moore and Glen Larson start a-new, with the focus on what it's like when, basically, humanity can be almost wiped out in a matter of hours, and what the humans will do when up against their own creation- the Cylons- who are robots that have been able to become human in form. Well, twelve of them at any rate.While I can't speak for the actual television series that followed, with this mini-series, which could be viewed possibly as its own epic feature with more than a few things left open for continuation, there's no time for anything very amusing. It's a very dark kind of story, where hope appears to be lost in the face of not just the massive loss of life on the humans' planet, Caprica, but how one person, a so-called 'Genius' Gaius Baltar (well-played in conflict by James Callis) can have his mind overrun but one of these Cylons (a for all intents and purposes Goddess in stature, Tricia Helfer). What's most frightening is the simplicity of how everything is wiped out so quickly, how it sort of captures everyone- i.e. the military personnel on the Galactica- off guard, not least of which the Commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) who is on his way to retire and is put back in the leaders' seat. Funny how that works out in these stories.This is writing that is dedicated to conflict and character, making sure due time is given to the personalities, such as Starbuck's anti-authoritarian kick-ass pilot or the problems that arise early on for Adama's son, who is a Captain and a hell of a pilot as well (also a deceased brother, but I digress). It helps too that we are never sure where the Cylons are coming from, how they're able to knock out all of the transmissions and such, excel for the Baltar part of the equation. They're a threat that can come from anywhere at any time, unrelenting and without any call to reason (a little like the aliens in Independence Day, only here not given a shred of anything to see as what they are except as steel-robots or the alluring #6). And all the while other issues come up - survival versus military might, religious preoccupations, the place for love in all of this, and trust.For some who are hardcore into science fiction stories and media, this might not all be news. What's remarkable is the execution of the action and details. Here and there one almost feels like it could be a cold mood, or just so dark and grim that there's so little room for any warmth. At least, at this point in the story. Where other science fiction or space tales wait for the middle act to get really dark (i.e. Empire Strikes Back), this plunges head in, so that by the end, when things are just at best stable, we know things will get even more interesting. On its own terms its thrilling and shocking, heart-rending and moving, and on occasion amusing (mostly in the warped interactions between the Englishman and the Cylon), and that it also leaves the viewer shouting "ENCORE!" is a big plus. Not to mention above average special effects (compared to something like old Joss Whedon shows, or even Star Trek Generations, the space scenes are nearly cinema quality with the CGI), and a peculiar but awesome musical score with drums in battle and melody in the somber moments.After this, you'll either go on or you don't to the rest of the series. At the least, and forgive the analogy, you'd have to be Cylon to not get something out of the three hours of entertainment and drama.

The Battlestar Galactica mini-series is a two hour and a half extravaganza that sets itself up as an introduction to the forth coming full series, detailing the Cylon's attack on the twelve human colonies, that leaves the 'Galactica' and her rag tag fleet of civilian vehicles as the only thing between their robotic nemeses and total eradication of the human race. It pays homage to the original series and indeed as well as re-imagining its predecessor, attempts in its own way to gift them both existence in the same plane. More importantly, however, the mini- series sets out to stamp its own authority on the highly lacking sci-fi series universe using its brand of sublime special effects, intense action, gripping storyline and absorbing characters (even if one in particular is, thankfully, never seen again) to hook you from the get go so that you go further and search for its subsequent seasons. However, and unfortunately there is a however, the very first episode of the first season is an incredibly difficult place to start for those that have not watched the mini-series. Personally half way through the lengthy introduction I went out to purchase both seasons 1 and 2 on DVD as I was hooked, but the seasons do not lend themselves to watching without the introduction. So much happens and takes place and is set up in the preceding film that any one who you have recommended the new look "Battlestar" to simply must view this first, otherwise subtle nuances and plot points will be lost. Why is this such an issue? Simply because the "Mini-Series", while an enjoyable entertaining affair, does not prepare you for how good episode one is, and how you are then catapulted into a world which will eat away hours of your life. This first instalment is unrefined: certain quotations and characters are unnecessarily placed within it to cater to the original fan base (I'm also aware the director and producer are seeing what works within their construct) one of which is so far removed from needed that it almost spoils the experience. The dialogue is also in a rough stage of development, whereby the outlines of characters must be forged so the conversations and interactions don't flow as smoothly as they should, and can provide for a partially cringe worthy affair.However, I will maintain (as I have to many friends I have recommended it to) that perseverance is the key. You will not appreciate the greatness of the subsequent seasons without ploughing through the mini-series. Not that the mini-series isn't an enjoyable watch, but for those who are still undecided about the concept or not immensely avid science fiction fans, it can come across as turgid and clichéd, which is why I would suggest watching the first episode of the series immediately thereafter. If that doesn't capture your imagination then Battlestar Galactica is not for you. It is a great deal of time to invest in what is nothing more, for the cynics, than a dirge-fest of a 70s show transported into the noughties equipped with blonde bombshells and everything that any prepubescent needs in its sci-fi, but BSG is so much more than that, and to be frank, the quality of the show means that there are not many cynics about. Countless times, before I began watching, I read and read in various television supplements that this was and is the best thing on television, and to be frank they are right, for once you are involved it's a sterling whirlwind, but this two and a half hour affair is a must if you are to fully appreciate the series. If you enjoy or have enjoyed this instalment you will adore the series, for those still undecided I would recommend watching the first episode and judge from there whether you wish to continue, and for those that found this tedious and science fiction twaddle...well...you can just frak off!