mrossman-89850 I don't care what other people say, this movie is awesome. Worth a watch.

Fahnenjoker Stargate breathes this lighthearted and naïve 90s blockbuster feeling, an innocent a bit childish attitude you just can't be angry with. It is an original story before everything was a franchise and/or a comic adaption (even though it has kickstarted its own TV-franchise). It felt fresh and original at the time and still does. The visuals, practical and special effects and the cinematography look awesome, convey a monumental scale and have aged quite well. The soundtrack feels epic and unique, perfectly combining an Egyptian vibe with a sci-fi note, a mix of wonder and curiosity with the possible perils that lurk and might find you when you leave for uncharted waters. (Ok, I admit I have a weakness for good soundtracks. They really can, to a certain degree, save a movie for me.)James Spader and Kurt Russel fit perfectly in their roles as nerdy unworldly linguist and traumatized Colonel. They are mostly clichés, but relatable and even go through small developments throughout the mission. The rest of the expedition group is sadly wasted with the usual mostly nameless soldier stereotypes. Viveca Lindfors is intriguing as scientific leader of the project but sadly only appears in the first third of the movie. Jaye Davidson, finally, gives Ra the androgynous and godlike aura the antagonist needs.The first 30 or so minutes until we travel through the stargate and arrive on the other side are the best part of the movie. There is suspense around the stargate mystery and curiosity for the unknown it might lead to. In the middle part, however, the plot is treading water a bit and the resolution involves too much of generic action and the old good vs. evil. It feels like the story just doesn't live up to its full potential here. The setup of a gate to the other end of the universe (or who knows where else) promises more wonders and discoveries, than the movie can deliver in the end. That is my biggest issue with the story (I was expecting something more like the video game Outcast, that told a richer story with a similar premise, but was quite obviously inspired by this movie). If you can put that aside, however, then you're in for an enjoyable and simply fun ride, if a little pulpy and trashy.This is by no means a masterpiece, but a simple, epic sci-fi adventure with an old-school feel to have fun with. It had the potential to be more, but it's difficult not to enjoy it if you don't overthink it too much.

kalyan-srinivas The plot at first seemed extremely promising but then again it falls on its face with the typical Hollywood cliché and made ancient egyptians look like a bunch of idiots and have come up with an alternate version that some aliens build pyramids etc and these advanced aliens got owned by few 4 or 5 military men with guns! Complete waste of time, Pyramids follow the Sri Chakra pattern and angles from ancient India, it is most likely Indians travelled to Egypt and imparted a culture that egyptians used and built them but it is definitely not aliens..What a cliché! Bad and disappointed

Tweekums In 1928 archaeologists in Egypt discover a circular device and an accompanying cover-stone; cutting to the present Dr Daniel Jackson, an Egyptologist with some radical views, finds himself invited to work on a secret project run by the US Air Force; they want him to translate the symbols on the cover stone. At first he can't identify some of the key symbols but then he realises they represent the constellations and together they point to a location the other side of the universe. At this point he is shown the device… the 'star gate'. Programming the symbols in activates the device and opens a gateway between it and a second star gate on a distant planet. A team, led by US Air Force Colonel Jack O'Neil is to be sent to explore, Jackson will accompany them to program the other gate to bring them home.Once there they learn that they are no symbols for them to copy into the device; they will have to find them if they are ever to see Earth again. Soon they discover a primitive society, not dissimilar to ancient Egypt. Here they gradually learn the truth about the star gate and things that happened in Egypt millennia ago. An alien being with godlike powers arrived seeking immortality; he took over the body of a young man and took slaves from Earth to work for him before a slave revolt in Egypt shut off his access to Earth… until now. When Ra turns up he is far from happy and attacks the people; the small group of troops and Daniel will end up leading a revolt that will save not only the local population but also that of Earth.It shouldn't be a surprise that this film is pretty good given that it led to a successful TV series and various spin offs. The general idea of what is going on is quickly established and little time is wasted before translation difficulties are solved and the team are on the distant planet. This world is interesting without being obviously alien; apart from a creature the only living beings we see are human. I liked the fact that it took a while before they could understand the local; trying to understand each other with gestures seemed more real yet having Daniel eventually realise how their language was related to one he knew meant they could communicate when it was essential. Similarly I liked how the science fiction was combined with ancient Egyptian mythology. The cast do a fine job, most notably James Spader as Dr Jackson and Kurt Russell as Col. O'Neil. There is a decent amount of action although it isn't too violent… even so I was a little surprised to see a severed head in a (UK) PG rated film. The effects are pretty good; especially the armour worn by Ra's troops and the Star Gate itself. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of action sci-fi who want a film that is suitable for all but very young viewers.