Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Series Collection Reviews

 

Stargate Atlantis: The Complete Series Collection

Studio: MGM / 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment

US DVD Release Date: March 23, 2010 (previously available exclusively at Amazon.com)

Rated: TV-14

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen

Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English), additional languages vary by season

Subtitles: English (SDH), additional languages vary by season

Movie: 4 out of 5

Premiering on the Sci-Fi Channel in July 2004 as a spin-off to the popular Stargate: SG-1 television series, Stargate: Atlantis follows an international team of scientists and soldiers as they explore the Pegasus galaxy from their home base in the lost city of Atlantis. Upon arrival in Atlantis, the team unintentionally awakes a race of vampire-like beings known as the Wraith. The series stars Joe Flanigan as Lt. Colonel John Sheppard, Torri Higginson as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Rachel Luttrell as Teyla, Jason Momoa as Ronon Dex, and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay.

The first 25 discs in this set are identical to those in the individual season sets. Season one even includes logos for Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and promos for the studio's other DVD titles. Sony handled distribution for MGM DVD titles in 2005.

Season one opens as Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) uncovers the gate address to the Lost City of Atlantis at the Antarctic base, and Dr. Weir assembles a team to explore the city in what is assumed to be a one-way trip. Upon arrival, they awaken the Wraith during a rescue mission, and explore other worlds within the Pegasus galaxy. As with most series, season one is perhaps the weakest, partially due to the fact that it takes time for the writers to get to know the characters and the dynamics of the series. In fact, most of the characters during this first season are never fully developed, and the interactions with other characters often seem forced. In particular, the character of Lt. Aiden Ford, played by Rainbow Sun Francks, often feels like he's just tagging along as a member of Sheppard's exploration team, the proverbial fourth wheel of a tricycle. In true Stargate form, the season ends in a cliffhanger.

As soon as the cliffhanger is resolved, season two begins to kick the series into gear by developing the characters and their relationships. One of the problems with Season One was the lack of a character on Sheppard's team similar to Teal'c from SG-1. The writers fixed this problem by introducing Ronon Dex (Jason Momoa) in episode three (Runner), a former soldier captured by the Wraith, implanted with a tracking device, and hunted for sport. Ronon added some much needed conflict to Sheppard's team, as well as some additional comic relief with his knowledge and methods of tracking and weaponry. The character of Dr. Beckett (Paul McGillion) is expanded, and his friendship with McKay is also further developed.

 

Season three departs somewhat from its standard formula by taking time to develop its main characters and making the enemies less generic by using recurring characters. This season also further develops the theme of creating your own worst enemy in Michael, played by Connor Trinneer (Tripp from Star Trek: Enterprise), a Wraith the Atlantis team experimented on near the end of season two to see if they can be turned back into a human.

 

Season four brings some cast changes, including bringing Amanda Tapping over from Stargate: SG-1, reprising her role as Samantha Carter, as the base commander. Also new this season is Jewel Staite (in a recurring role) as Jennifer Keller, the new chief doctor. The writers continue their focus on more character-driven episodes, further developing their villains, especially the Wraith hybrid Michael (Connor Trinneer) and the double-crossing Wraith, Todd (Christopher Heyerdahl). My favorite episode this season was Harmony, where Sheppard and McKay accompany a precocious pre-teen princess through the forest as part of her quest for Queen.

 

Season five brings the series to a satisfying conclusion, tying up the story arcs with the Wraith-hybrid Michael and double-crossing Wraith Todd. Jewel Staite joins the cast full-time, as does Robert Picardo, reprising his role as Richard Woolsey, who assumes command of the Atlantis Expedition. The writing in this final season was strong, with many notable episodes:

 

Brain Storm - McKay is invited to a science conference by a former classmate, played by Dave Foley, who has a solution to global warming. The episode also features a humorous performance by Bill Nye as himself.

 

Vegas - An alternate-universe episode with Sheppard as a Las Vegas homicide detective on the trail of a serial killer, who happens to be a Wraith. The episode is also an homage to the CSI franchise, and is featured in an extended edition, adding approximately three minutes of footage that did not appear in the original broadcast version.

 

Enemy At The Gate - The Atlantis team along with the SGC are in a race against time as a Wraith armada makes its way through hyperspace towards Earth. This episode also appears in an extended edition, adding approximately three minutes of footage that did not appear in the original broadcast version.

 

The set also includes an exclusive bonus disc containing the original broadcast versions of the series' final two episodes, Vegas and Enemy At The Gate.

 

Video: 3.5 out of 5

This Complete Series set contains all 100 episodes, spread out over the exact same 25 discs included in the previously released individual season sets (5 discs per season).

 

The series was filmed, for the most part, with Panavision Genesis HD cameras (with some occasional use of 16mm and 35mm) in Vancouver, Canada, which provides a nice, film-like look to the show. Overall, colors are not oversaturated, with good blacks. Compression artifacts are rarely present, and are not distracting when they do appear. This is about as good as the series will look until the eventual Blu-ray version is released, if ever.

 

Audio: 3.5 out of 5

For a cable series, the sound design, in Dolby Digital 5.1 and encoded at 448 kbps, is rather impressive. Dialogue is clear and intelligible, emanating mostly from the center channel. Music is mostly stereo, with some bleed to the surrounds. Discrete sound effects are used, but mostly during action sequences. The soundtrack is active, but only when it needs to be.

 

Special Features: 2 out of 5

The packaging for this set is hands-down an early candidate for Worst DVD Packaging for 2010, knocking two points off my score. The box itself is twice the width of a standard DVD case, making it difficult to fit on the shelf with your other DVDs. Each season is housed in a flimsy paperboard foldout, and each disc is secured with a clear, hard rubber hub in addition to a slit in the foldout, making the disc susceptible to scratches. The hub is slightly larger than the spindle hole in the DVD, not only making it difficult to remove the disc, but also making it almost impossible to secure the disc back on the hub. I have since re-packaged this set in five Amaray-style 6-disc DVD cases. When will the studios realize this type of packaging is worthless?
 

 

Exclusive to this set is a bonus disc containing two featurettes in addition to the original broadcast versions of the series' final two episodes.

 

Mission 100: Atlantis Reaches a Milestone (15:04): The cast and crew reflect on their reaction to the show's cancellation and shooting the series finale.
 

Stargate Atlantis: A Retrospective (27:24): The cast and crew look back at the production of the series, the difficulties they encountered trying to produce both SG-1 and Atlantis simultaneously during the first three seasons, and the evolution of the show and its characters.

 

The first 25 discs in this set contain the same special features included on the previously released individual season sets.

 

Season One, Disc One:

Audio Commentary for Rising (Parts 1 & 2) with Director Martin Wood and Acor Joe Flanigan

 

Audio Commentary for Hide and Seek with Actors Rachel Luttrell, Torri Higginson, and Paul McGillion

 

Audio Commentary for Thirty Eight Minutes with Actors Racel Lutrell and Paul McGillion

 

Stargate Atlantis Set Tour with Martin Wood and Peter DeLuise

 

Photo Gallery

 

Season One, Disc Two:

Audio Commentary for Childhood's End with Writer Martin Gero and Actors Rachel Lutttrell and Rainbow Sun Francks

 

Diary of Rainbow Sun Francks

 

Photo Gallery

 

Season One, Disc Three:

Audio Commentary for The Storm and The Eye with Director Martin Wood, Witer Martin Gero, and Actor David Hewlett

 

Audio Commentary for The Defiant One with Director Peter DeLuise and Stunt Coordinator Dan Shea

 

Mission Directive: The Storm/The Eye

 

Wraithal Discrimination: It's Not Easy Being Green

 

Photo Gallery

 

Season One, Disc Four:

Audio Commentary for Hot Zone with Writer Martin Gero and Actors Rachel Luttrell, Rainbow Sun Francks, and Paul McGillion

 

Audio Commentary for Sanctuary with Actors Rachel Luttrell and Torri Higginson

 

Audio Commentary for The Brotherhood with Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, and Actor David Hewlett

 

Mission Directive: Sanctuary

 

Mission Directive: Before I Sleep

 

Photo Gallery

 

Season One, Disc Five:

Audio Commentary for The Gift with Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG-1 Cast Member Gary Jones

 

Audio Commentary for The Siege (Part 1) with Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, and Actor David Hewlett

 

Audio Commentary for The Siege (Part 2) with Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, and Actors David Hewlett and Joe Flanigan

 

Mission Directive: The Siege

 

A Look Back On Seaon One With Martin Gero

 

Photo Gallery

 

Season Two, Disc One:

Audio Commentary for The Siege (Part 3) with Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, and Actors David Hewlett and Joe Flanigan

 

Audio Commentary for The Intruder with Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG-1 Cast Member Gary Jones

 

Audio Commentary for Runner with Director Martin Wood and Actor David Hewlett

 

Audio Commentary for Duet with Director Peter DeLuise, Writer Martin Gero, and Actor David Hewlett

 

Mission Directive: The Siege (Part 3)

 

Mission Directive: The Intruder

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Two, Disc Two:

Audio Commentary for Condemned with Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG-1 Cast Member Gary Jones

 

Audio Commentary for Trinity with Director Martin Wood and Writer Damian Kindler

 

Audio Commentary for Instinct with Director Andy Mikita and Producer Paul Mullie

 

Audio Commentary for Conversion with Writer Martin Gero and Actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett

 

Mission Directive: Instinct

 

Introduction to a Character: Ronon Dex

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Two, Disc Three:

Audio Commentary for Aurora by Director Martin Wood and Co-Producer Peter DeLuise

 

Audio Commentary for The Lost Boys with Writer Martin Gero and Actors Joe Flanigan and David Hewlett

 

Audio Commentary for The Hive with Director Martin Wood

 

Audio Commentary for Epiphany with Director Neil Fearnley

 

Road to a Dream with Martin Gero

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Two, Disc Four:

Audio Commentary for Critical Mass with Director Andy Mikita, Actor Rachel Luttrell, and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer

 

Audio Commentary for Grace Under Pressure with Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, and Actors Amanda Tapping and David Hewlett

 

Audio Commentary for The Tower with Producer Paul Mullie and Director Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for The Long Goodbye with Director Andy Mikita, Actor Torri Higginson, and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer

 

Profile On: David Hewlett

 

Stargate Atlantis: Stunts

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Two, Disc Five:

Audio Commentary for Coup D'Etat with Director Martin Wood, Writer Martin Gero, and Actor David Hewlett

 

Audio Commentary for Michael with Director Martin Wood and Supervising Producer/Director Peter DeLuise

 

Audio Commentary for Inferno with Director Peter DeLuise and Stargate SG-1 Cast Member Gary Jones

 

Audio Commentary for Allies with Director Andy Mikita, Writer Martin Gero, and Actor David Hewlett

 

Profile On: Paul McGillion

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Three, Disc One:

Audio Commentary for No Man's Land with Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

Audio Commentary for Misbegotten with Executive Producer Paul Mullie and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

Audio Commentary for Irresistible with Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Director of Photography Michael Blundell

 

Audio Commentary for Sateda with Executive Producer, Writer, and Director Robert C. Cooper and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer

 

Mission Directive: Sateda

 

Inside the Stargate Atlantis Visual Effects Department

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Three, Disc Two:

Audio Commentary for Progeny with Director Andy Mikita and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela

 

Audio Commentary for Common Ground with Director William Waring and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer
 

Audio Commentary for McKay and Mrs. Miller with Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

Mission Directive: Progeny

 

Profile On: Rachel Luttrell

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Three, Disc Three:

Audio Commentary for Phantoms with Co-Executive Producer Carl Binder and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

Audio Commentary for The Return (Part 1) and The Return (Part 2) with Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Executive Producer Paul Mullie

 

Audio Commentary for Echoes with Director William Waring and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer

 

Mission Directive: Phantoms

 

General O'Neill Goes to Atlantis

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Three, Disc Four:

Audio Commentary for Irresponsible with Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Director of Photography Michael Blundell

 

Audio Commentary for Tao of Rodney with Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Director of Photography Michael Blundell

 

Audio Commentary for The Game with Director William Waring and Director of Photography Brenton Spencer

 

Audio Commentary for The Ark with Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela

 

Mission Directive: The Game

 

Masters of the Alien

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Three, Disc Five:

Audio Commentary for Sunday with Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Submersion with Director Brenton Spencer and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela

 

Audio Commentary for Vengeance with Director Andy Mikita and Creature Effects Designer Todd Masters

 

Audio Commentary for First Strike with Producer/Writer Martin Gero, Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood, and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela

 

Mission Directive: First Strike

 

Stargate Atlantis: A Look Back on Season 3

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Four, Disc One:

Audio Commentary for Adrift with Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

Audio Commentary for Lifeline with Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping

 

Audio Commentary for Reunion with Executive Producer/Writer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Doppleganger with Executive Producer, Writer and Director Robert C. Cooper and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela

 

Mission Directive: Doppelganger

 

A New Leader: Amanda Tapping Joins Atlantis

 

Stargate: Continuum and Stargate: Ark of Truth Trailers

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Four, Disc Two:

Audio Commentary for Travelers with Executive Producer/Writer Paul Mullie and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Tabula Rasa with Producer/Writer Alan McCullough, Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping

 

Audio Commentary for Missing with Co-Executive Producer/Writer Carl Binder and Producer/Director Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for The Seer with Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director Andy Mikita

 

Stargate SG-1 Seasons 1-10 Trailer

 

The Doctor Is In: The Return of Paul McGillion

 

Stargate Atlantis Bloopers

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Four, Disc Three:

Audio Commentary for Miller's Crossing with Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Producer/Director Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for This Mortal Coil with Executive Producer/Writer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Be All My Sins Remember’d with Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Producer/Director Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for Spoils of War with Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director William Waring

 

Mission Directive: This Mortal Coil

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Four, Disc Four:

Audio Commentary for Quarantine with Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping

 

Audio Commentary for Harmony with Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Outcast with Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Producer/Director Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for Trio with Co-Executive Producer/Writer Martin Gero, Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood and Actress Amanda Tapping

 

Mission Directive: Quarantine

 

Mission Directive: Outcast

 

The Making of Trio

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Four, Disc Five:

Audio Commentary for The Kindred with Executive Producer/Writer Joseph Mallozzi and Director Peter F. Woeste
 

Audio Commentary for The Kindred (Part 2) with Producer/Writer Alan McCullough and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

Audio Commentary for The Last Man with Executive Producer/Writer Paul Mullie and Director/Supervising Producer Martin Wood

 

A Look Back at Season 4

 

Deleted Scenes

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Five, Disc One:

Audio Commentary for Search and Rescue with Executive Producer Martin Gero and Director/Producer Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for The Seed with Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Broken Ties with Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and Actor Jason Momoa

 

Audio Commentary for The Daedalus Variations with Supervising Producer Alan McCullough and Director/Producer Andy Mikita

 

Mission Directive: Search and Rescue

 

Showdown! Ronon vs. Tyre

 

Bringing The Seed to Life

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Five, Disc Two:

Audio Commentary for Whispers with Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for The Queen with Supervising Producer Alan McCullough and Director Brenton Spencer

 

Mission Directive: Whispers

 

Tricks of the Trade: Submerging the Stargate

 

Joe Flanigan: A Conversation with the Colonel

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Five, Disc Three:

Audio Commentary for Tracker with Executive Producer Carl Binder and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for First Contact with Executive Producer Martin Gero and Director/Producer Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for The Lost Tribe with Executive Producer Martin Gero and Director/Producer Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for Outsiders with Supervising Producer Alan McCullough and Director William Waring

 

Mission Directive: Tracker

 

Dr. Jackson Goes to Atlantis

 

Building a Humanoid

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Five, Disc Four:

Audio Commentary for Inquisition with Director Brenton Spencer and Actor Tobias Slezak

 

Audio Commentary for The Prodigal with Executive Producer Carl Binder and Director/Producer Andy Mikita

 

Audio Commentary for Remnants with Executive Producer Joseph Mallozzi and Director William Waring

 

Audio Commentary for Brain Storm with Executive Producer/Director Martin Gero

 

Mission Directive: Brain Storm

 

The Life and Death of Michael Kenmore

 

Deleted Scenes

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Season Five, Disc Five:

Audio Commentary for Vegas with Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper, Producer John G. Lenic and Editor Mike Banas

 

Audio Commentary for Enemy at the Gate with Executive Producer Paul Mullie and VFX Supervisor Mark Savela

 

Stargate Atlantis Goes To Vegas

 

Inside the Stargate Costume Department

 

Deleted Scenes

 

Photo Gallery

 

Production Design Gallery

 

Overall: 2.5 out of 5

Fans will have to ask themselves if the exclusive bonus disc is worth the headaches associated with the packaging issues and the higher price of this set when compared to the individual season sets, which are better packaged in THIN-pak cases and occasionally street for as little as $20 per season.