CONCLUSIONS
It is difficult to offer a final evaluation of The Ark of Truth without commenting more specifically on the writer’s story choices. But overall, I must say that the film accomplishes everything it sets out to. It is bigger than TV Stargate, more movie-like, and it brings the Ori storyline to a fine conclusion. It is satisfying, taken in context with the way that the SG-1 writers have been telling the Ori story for two years.
Fans who have enjoyed the show in Seasons Nine and Ten will absolutely love The Ark of Truth. But this won’t be the movie to use to introduce your neighbors to the Stargate franchise. Even with the 9-minute prelude, they will spend the entire movie trying to catch up.
Writer and director Robert C. Cooper clearly had two goals for this film: finish out the Ori storyline from the television series, and do so in a way that takes full advantage of the film medium (as far as the reported $7 million budget allows). The Ark of Truth stands not only as a fine achievement of those goals, but as a showcase example of nearly everything that makes the Stargate franchise what it is. Though it is but the final chapter in a longer story, it is a film that entertains and challenges in its own right.
MOVIE: A-
BONUS FEATURES: B
OVERALL PACKAGE: B+
SPECS
Release Date (Region 1): March 11, 2008
Suggested Retail Price: $26.98 U.S. / $37.98 Canada
Movie Run Time: 97 minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.78:1
Audio: English Dolby Surround 5.1 / Spanish & French Dolby Surround
Languages: English, French & Spanish
Subtitles: English & Spanish
Bonus Features: Commentary with Robert C. Cooper, Christopher Judge and Peter Woeste; “The Road Taken: Prelude to The Ark of Truth,” “Stargate at Comic-Con,” “Uncovering The Ark of Truth”
Trailers: “AVPR,” “In the Name of the King”
CAST
Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell Lt. Col. Samantha Carter Teal’c Daniel Jackson Mjr. Gen. Henry (Hank) Landry Vala Mal Doran Marrick Adria Tomin Doci Morgan Le Fay Colonel Ellis Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman Major Marks Hertis Reynolds Merlin Alteran Woman Alteran Woman #2 Amelius Captain Binder Alteran Man Ori Warrior Prior #1 Prior #2 Prior #3 Prior #4 Prior #5 Prior #6 | BEN BROWDER AMANDA TAPPING CHRISTOPHER JUDGE MICHAEL SHANKS BEAU BRIDGES CLAUDIA BLACK CURRIE GRAHAM MORENA BACCARIN TIM GUINEE JULIAN SANDS SARAH STRANGE MICHAEL BEACH GARY JONES MARTIN CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER GAUTHIER ERIC BREKER MATTHEW WALKER ALISEN DOWN GABRIELLE ROSE FABRICE GROVER SPENCER MAYBEE SIMON BRADBURY JASON CALDER GREG ANDERSON DOUG ABRAHAMS MORRIS CHAPDELAINE NICHOLAS PODBREY IAN WALLACE J. DOUGLAS STEWART |