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RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt?

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RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 3:21:35 AM   
Rgirvan44


Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park
quote:

ORIGINAL: Dirty Hartigan

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rgirvan44

This thread inspired me to pick up the complete collection (including everything- the movies, Crusade, Legend of the Rangers, Lost Tales...) on Amazon for 60 quid.

Sadly they are out of stock at the moment. Need something to tide me over January...


Wow, I didn't know they had that. I've alway put off getting the DVDs because of the widescreen remastering issues - it's probably the only time I'd prefer 4:3 ratio!



To be honest I don't see any change in the future -  if they even try and put any of this on Blu Ray it will look horrible. I doubt that the studio will be willing to invest in the upgrading of every episode.

Hopefully Amazon will get some stock in soon.

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Post #: 61
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 9:24:19 AM   
HIM


Posts: 9687
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Star Trekkin', across the universe
 Well I've watched 6 episodes now and it's definately growing on me. The CGI isn't as jarring as at first. I'm also liking the ambiguous nature of the two central aliens - Londo and G'Kar. That alien woman (I think she's a Mumbari) is very bland though and the same can be said for the human contingent. I've not really warmed to any of them yet. The Commander isn't anything special, the guy who plays Garibaldi isn't charasmatic enough for that type of role, that Russian is bland and annoying and the doctor is just bland. Oh there's that phsychic woman who's alright. So all in all a pretty poor group of humans. Where's the Kirk/Spock/Bones triumvirate or the O'Brian/Bashir or Paris/Kim friendship? Hopefully something (anything) will develop, but as I said I'm still liking it enough to carry on. Will probably watch a few more episodes while recovering on New Year's Day.

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Post #: 62
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 9:59:58 AM   
The Hooded Man


Posts: 2728
Joined: 12/7/2006
I bought the first series and gave up after half a dozen episodes, found it to be annoyingly plodding.

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Post #: 63
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 10:31:08 AM   
spark1

 

Posts: 5860
Joined: 18/11/2006
shame they didn't have cash to film on location occasionally to break from stagebound look of the live action shots.

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Post #: 64
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 10:38:11 AM   
The Hooded Man


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Outer space tends to be costly to shoot in.

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Post #: 65
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 10:46:23 AM   
sanchia


Posts: 16902
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Norwich
quote:

ORIGINAL: The Hooded Man

Outer space tends to be costly to shoot in.




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Post #: 66
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/12/2008 3:28:26 PM   
icelandicwolf


Posts: 531
Joined: 30/12/2005
From: UK
quote:

ORIGINAL: HIM

Well I've watched 6 episodes now and it's definately growing on me. The CGI isn't as jarring as at first. I'm also liking the ambiguous nature of the two central aliens - Londo and G'Kar. That alien woman (I think she's a Mumbari) is very bland though and the same can be said for the human contingent. I've not really warmed to any of them yet. The Commander isn't anything special, the guy who plays Garibaldi isn't charasmatic enough for that type of role, that Russian is bland and annoying and the doctor is just bland. Oh there's that phsychic woman who's alright. So all in all a pretty poor group of humans. Where's the Kirk/Spock/Bones triumvirate or the O'Brian/Bashir or Paris/Kim friendship? Hopefully something (anything) will develop, but as I said I'm still liking it enough to carry on. Will probably watch a few more episodes while recovering on New Year's Day.


Good to see you are keeping at it HIM.
Be patient, the characters all grow over time, Delenn (the Minbari) has a lot of evolving too do and will be pivtol to the series, the commander isn't all that and was glad when  he was replaced HOWEVER he is VERY VERY important, but this won't be clear to season 3.
Garibaldi is pretty standard, but like the rest of them, they all have their roles to play in the grandur scheme of things, the doctor is an amazing actor, sadly richard biggs is lost to us now, gone beyond the rim as we say, but again he has a part to play in it all....the group of humans will grow on you trust me, once the arcs kick in you will not know who lives and who dies, and believe me people die A LOT!

Keep it up, you won't be disapointed..

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Post #: 67
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 2/1/2009 10:32:17 AM   
spark1

 

Posts: 5860
Joined: 18/11/2006
quote:

ORIGINAL: The Hooded Man

Outer space tends to be costly to shoot in.


i meant on planet surfaces-say on minbar, narn-instead of using blue screen/cgi.
modern tv trek were able to do so but then they had the budget.

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Post #: 68
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 3/1/2009 1:14:54 PM   
spark1

 

Posts: 5860
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don't give away the homeworld!!!!!!

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Post #: 69
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 5/1/2009 4:07:59 PM   
icelandicwolf


Posts: 531
Joined: 30/12/2005
From: UK
 ENTILZAH! IN VALENS NAME!!

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Post #: 70
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 8/1/2009 2:36:36 PM   
darth silas


Posts: 4949
Joined: 1/10/2005
From: My living room
quote:

ORIGINAL: HIM

Well I've watched 6 episodes now and it's definately growing on me. The CGI isn't as jarring as at first. I'm also liking the ambiguous nature of the two central aliens - Londo and G'Kar. That alien woman (I think she's a Mumbari) is very bland though and the same can be said for the human contingent. I've not really warmed to any of them yet. The Commander isn't anything special, the guy who plays Garibaldi isn't charasmatic enough for that type of role, that Russian is bland and annoying and the doctor is just bland. Oh there's that phsychic woman who's alright. So all in all a pretty poor group of humans. Where's the Kirk/Spock/Bones triumvirate or the O'Brian/Bashir or Paris/Kim friendship? Hopefully something (anything) will develop, but as I said I'm still liking it enough to carry on. Will probably watch a few more episodes while recovering on New Year's Day.
This is Babylon 5,not Star trek.And its all the better for it.Having said that,Garibaldi and Dr.franklin get to be very good friends as the show goes on(which is tested on more than one occasion in season 3).When Sheridan comes into it in season 2,he has very good chemistry with most of the main cast because Bruce Boxleitner is ace.

Stick with it.You wont regret it.

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Post #: 71
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/1/2009 2:57:50 PM   
HIM


Posts: 9687
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Star Trekkin', across the universe
 Right season 1 is done with! Now to season 2!

So on the whole I think it was 'OK'. The characters definately grew on me, even the humans. I do like the story and there's a lot of 'Ooooh' moments where you can see hints of things to come. I've also warmed to the effects. One thing that is rather annoying is some of the acting. The central cast are all adequate - and the alien actors really throw themselves into their roles - but the bit part actors really are extremely poor. It's like they were just dragged in off the street and handed the script and told to read. I've always thought that for the most part Star Trek is very well acted. The same cannot be said for B5. Which is a shame, because the story is great but I feel like it's let down by poor acting.

I still love Londo and G'Kar. You can tell the actors really relished those roles. That Nimbari woman (Dalen? I'd IMDB or Wiki their names but I want to avoid spoilers) has also grown on me, but that's mainly because I'm beginning to see how vital her character is. I've even warmed to the humans.

My girlfriend is out tonight so I'll start season 2. I'm quite excited, which I guess is a good sign and despite all my misgivings means season one was quite successful in setting up the universe of B5.

Oh one more thought; Has anyone who watches B5 played the game Mass Effect? I adored that game but throughout season one of B5 I was constantly reminded of it. it could almost have been Babylon 5: The Game, with a few character tweeks and changes of location.

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Post #: 72
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/1/2009 3:12:35 PM   
borstal


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From: its grom up nirth
 Im thinking about watching B5 again from scratch. Would I have to rummage around for a cheap dvd or are the chances of getting it elsewhere high?

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Post #: 73
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/1/2009 3:22:41 PM   
Rgirvan44


Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park
quote:

ORIGINAL: borstal

Im thinking about watching B5 again from scratch. Would I have to rummage around for a cheap dvd or are the chances of getting it elsewhere high?


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Babylon-Complete-Collection-Exclusive-Amazon-co-uk/dp/B000WDSRG4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1233414963&sr=8-1

This has all five seasons. The Crusade tv show. The five tv movies. The Legend of the Rangers and the recent Lost Tales.

All for the sum of £60. Ordered mine last night. Will need something to fill the Battlestar sized gap when it finally finishes.

Season 2 is really when things start to come together. I agree that some of the acting is a little ropey, but I suppose it was from a time where Sci-Fi/Fantasy was still considered in the ghetto of tv land - but they do bring in a number of side characters who do good work.

G'Kar and Londo are easily the best of the bunch.

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Post #: 74
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/1/2009 5:01:52 PM   
Dirty Hartigan


Posts: 5890
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Manchester
quote:

ORIGINAL: Rgirvan44

Season 2 is really when things start to come together. I agree that some of the acting is a little ropey, but I suppose it was from a time where Sci-Fi/Fantasy was still considered in the ghetto of tv land - but they do bring in a number of side characters who do good work.



The worst are the ones when they have a B-story with some thug or lowlife in "Down Below" - just always the most appalling no mark actors with dodgy accents. B5 always struggled to get decent actors, probably cause of the budget, I bet any Trek series paid tons more.

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Post #: 75
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 31/1/2009 6:10:31 PM   
HIM


Posts: 9687
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Star Trekkin', across the universe
quote:

ORIGINAL: borstal

Im thinking about watching B5 again from scratch. Would I have to rummage around for a cheap dvd or are the chances of getting it elsewhere high?


Put your hand in your pocket, it's only £12 for a season which is rediculously good value. Buy one a month or something and you won't even notice the outlay.

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Post #: 76
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 6/2/2009 9:34:26 PM   
Rgirvan44


Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park
 So I'm watching the DVDs now. Whats the problem with the widescreen transfers? I think the show looks great! It looks less like a set and actully feels bigger than I recall than when it was on tv.

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Post #: 77
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 5/4/2009 2:48:16 PM   
HIM


Posts: 9687
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Star Trekkin', across the universe
 I finally finished season 2 now. The reason for the delay was purely because I got bored of it and actually stopped watching. After the events of the climax of season 1 I was expecting season 2 to hit the ground running, but it didn't. The first half was pretty dull. However I hate leaving things unfinished so while I was off work the other week I was bored so decided to finish off the season. And I'm glad I did! J Michael Strazinzer (sp?) really upped the ante.




****SPOILERS FOR SEASON 2****



I was really surprised at the direction Londo went in. He was my favourite character but now he's pure badass. He's obviously regretting what he wished for and is in too deep to stop, but still it's quite surprising. I had him pegged as the Quark character. Always up to mischief but with a good heart. I would have thought G'Kar would be more the kind for mass genocide. I think it's really interesting how the Narn and Centauri are portrayed in B5. Compare for instance DS9. In that the nasty looking aliens - the Cardasians - are the aggressors, conquoring and enslaving the very human looking Bajorans. B5 goes very much against our expectations. Here the agressors are the human looking ones and the alien types are being victimised and more or less whiped out. Meanwhile, the humans stand by and allow this to happen and in fact go one step further and actually sign a non-aggression treaty with the agressors! Look back at DS9. If the Cardasians tried to reinvade Bajor there's no way the Federation would have stood aside and let them. It was the Romulans would did that and signed a non-aggression treaty. I can see what people mean when they say B5 goes places Star Trek never did.

****SPOILERS FOR KNOWING (the recent Nic Cage film)****

Also after 2 seasons I finally know what the Vorlon look like. I'm not sure what I make of this. It's very similar to the ending of Knowing if anyone's seen that i.e. aliens being responsible for the angels myth. So having seen Knowing it really did change the perception of that for me than if I'd seen B5 first.


****END SPOILERS****

Anyway, I've ordered season 3 - incidently, the season boxsets have gone down to only £10.99 on Play.com!!!! Bargainlicious - and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it goes from here.

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Post #: 78
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 5/4/2009 2:59:21 PM   
Funkyrae


Posts: 20308
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From: Just stick a pin in a map
 Oh it gets far more sinister and nasty from here.   You're in for a treat.

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Post #: 79
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 5/4/2009 5:08:03 PM   
Dirty Hartigan


Posts: 5890
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Manchester
 ****SPOILERS FOR SEASON 2****

The revelation about what the Vorlons really look like was pretty cool, though I'd figured it out beforehand.

****END OF SPOILER****

Glad you're still enjoying it HIM, as Funky says you're in for a treat with S3, it's awesome. Oh, and it's spelt Straczynski.

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Post #: 80
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 5/4/2009 10:12:36 PM   
Rgirvan44


Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park
quote:

ORIGINAL: Funkyrae

Oh it gets far more sinister and nasty from here.   You're in for a treat.


Agreed -  you're in for a LOT of surpirses and season 3 and 4 barely have any filler so you should blast through them pretty quickly.

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Post #: 81
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 7/4/2009 1:57:42 PM   
spark1

 

Posts: 5860
Joined: 18/11/2006
got to defend ds9-the cardassians were not 2 d villians. there were lot of variations from dukat, damar and garak.

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Post #: 82
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 7/4/2009 2:17:34 PM   
HIM


Posts: 9687
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Star Trekkin', across the universe
quote:

ORIGINAL: spark1

got to defend ds9-the cardassians were not 2 d villians. there were lot of variations from dukat, damar and garak.


I didn't say that the Cardassians were 2-D villians. What I meant was that they were the stereotypical bad guys, purely in their looks. They look 'evil' and inhuman, where as the Bajorans look very much like humans. In B5 what i thought was a great touch was that the 'evil' and inhuman looking Narn were the ones being whiped out by the human looking Centauri. It's a great reversal of roles and plays very much against your expectations.

In terms of how they were written you cannot falt the writers of DS9. They did a fantastic job of creating well rounded and multi-layered villians in the Cardassians.

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Post #: 83
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 12/4/2009 11:02:04 AM   
HIM


Posts: 9687
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Star Trekkin', across the universe
 To all you B5 fans, there's a four-page feature on B5 in this month's SFX magazine. I picked it up because Star Trek was on the cover so I was pleasently surprised to see the B5 feature when I got home. I haven't read it yet though as I still have (at least) 2 seasons left to watch. Speaking of which, I'm going to start season 3 today. 

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Post #: 84
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 14/4/2009 3:52:14 PM   
spark1

 

Posts: 5860
Joined: 18/11/2006
Sheridan, in his dress uniform, practices his apology. "I apologize. I'm sorry. I'm sorry we had to defend ourselves against an unwarranted attack. I'm sorry that your crew was stupid enough to fire on a station filled with a quarter million civilians, including your own people. And I'm sorry I waited as long as I did before I blew them all straight to hell. As with everything else," he muses, "it's the thought that counts."

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Post #: 85
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 14/4/2009 10:30:02 PM   
Dirty Hartigan


Posts: 5890
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Manchester
quote:

ORIGINAL: HIM

To all you B5 fans, there's a four-page feature on B5 in this month's SFX magazine. I picked it up because Star Trek was on the cover so I was pleasently surprised to see the B5 feature when I got home. I haven't read it yet though as I still have (at least) 2 seasons left to watch. Speaking of which, I'm going to start season 3 today. 


Yeah, I flicked through this in the shops today - it's the most spoileriffic thing I've ever read, so file it away till you've finished the series I think. It's very surprising to see them be so positive about the series after the mag fell out with JMS back in the 90s (his Usenet posts used to read "permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine" at the end for years), and admitting it was better than DS9. Heh.

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Post #: 86
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 14/4/2009 10:47:47 PM   
Rgirvan44


Posts: 18934
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Punishment Park
quote:

ORIGINAL: Dirty Hartigan

quote:

ORIGINAL: HIM

To all you B5 fans, there's a four-page feature on B5 in this month's SFX magazine. I picked it up because Star Trek was on the cover so I was pleasently surprised to see the B5 feature when I got home. I haven't read it yet though as I still have (at least) 2 seasons left to watch. Speaking of which, I'm going to start season 3 today. 


Yeah, I flicked through this in the shops today - it's the most spoileriffic thing I've ever read, so file it away till you've finished the series I think. It's very surprising to see them be so positive about the series after the mag fell out with JMS back in the 90s (his Usenet posts used to read "permission to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine" at the end for years), and admitting it was better than DS9. Heh.



They fell out? That explains why, when they did a top 50 Sci-Fi shows magazine, Babylon 5 came 9th and Deep Space Nine was 3rd. Now its the other way around appranetly. I enjoy both shows, but B5 does have a larger scope, although DS9 allowed more than one character at a time to be going through a personal criss. I am currently rewatching the show and will post a review at some point.

The change in quailty from about half into seaosn two right through to the end of season 4 is pretty cool. And that one subplot no one liked in season 5 didn't last as long as I remembered it when it was broadcast on tv.

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It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known.


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Post #: 87
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 15/4/2009 5:04:31 AM   
Dirty Hartigan


Posts: 5890
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Manchester
quote:

ORIGINAL: Rgirvan44

The change in quailty from about half into seaosn two right through to the end of season 4 is pretty cool. And that one subplot no one liked in season 5 didn't last as long as I remembered it when it was broadcast on tv.


The final 6 of S2 are an amazing run in particular, it's when the show really became unmissable TV.

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Post #: 88
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 9/5/2009 1:13:09 PM   
spark1

 

Posts: 5860
Joined: 18/11/2006
glad JMS was able to bring back lyta to replace talia-of course she was used replace lyta when the network wanted her dropped after the pilot ep.

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Post #: 89
RE: Babylon 5. Worth a punt? - 10/5/2009 7:55:55 AM   
Dirty Hartigan


Posts: 5890
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Manchester
 I preferred Talia as a character to be honest.

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Post #: 90
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