Stargate (1994) - USA - SciFi - Rated PG-13Directed by Roland EmmerichStars Kurt Russel, James Spader, Jaye Davidson, John Diehl, French Stewart, Mili Avital
Testosterone fueled action movie takes the time to develop a story too and delivers a fun and exciting result.
Starting with an archeaological dig in 1928 in Egypt where an unusual and large metal ring is unearthed, with even stranger hieroglyphs, the story fast forwards into the present day where a linguist is recruited to decipher the hieroglyphs, leading to the discovery the device is an interstellar gate capable of transporting objects and people to the other side of the galaxy in an instant. Naturally, they go through the gate, to an alien world not unlike Earth. Their adventure will uncover the sinister origin of the gate and put a military team and scientist at odds with an alien power far advanced.
Stargate begins with a tried and true premise of an historical discovery brought into the present (e.g. The Exorcist), but where it takes off from there is its own unique story. The movie presents us with a contrast of protagonists with a scientist bent on discovery and communication, a military team more used to communicating with aggression, and a team leader stuck in between those two pursuits while having his own secret orders. Throw in an actuall story that evolves with edge of your seat action, a romance, and lots of 5th Avenue candy bars, and the end result is a satisfying story with enough for everybody and a catalyst that inspired several successful TV series.
My Rating: 4 Fingers
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