Finally got around to watching the DVD, and finished with decidedly mixed feelings. The first story is a total waste of time and filled with holes. The guy is clearly a telepath, but the story instead goes with his assertions that he's a demon from hell. Bah. However the second, featuring Sheridan and young Regent Vintari has so much promise, and delivers only to an extent while leaving one hanging, presumably for the next DVD. The cover tauts a big decision Sheridan must make to save one life or billions. Well, knowing the guy like we do, we know what he will do - and he does. Move along. Nothing happening here.
The project is clearly hobbled by lack of budget. You see the main actors and a few throwaway extras, and that's it. Not the bustling B5 of old. Some of the matte work is poorly done and noticeable while some are fairly spectacular - like the B5 docking bay. The cgi is top notch, despite using none of the original meshes and a different production house.
Future DVD releases - and bigger budgets - rely on sales of "Lost Tales" and for a fan it's worth buying if only to see new devices - like Sheridan's new Valen class ship and it's quantum drive - and just to see some Starfurys taking a ride around the block and the big station itself again. The second story leaves one half full, but is compelling enough that I want to see how it turns out in future DVDs. Wish Delenn had been in it.
There are aslo touching tributes to Andreas Katsulas and Richard Biggs, who are mentioned in the movie as being away - "...beyond the rim".

I'm a big B5 and was really excited that Netflix shipped this day it was released (I actually received it on the day of release).

What a disappointment! It's almost a hour plus of conversation between two or three people (including a long reprise of Galen's advice to Sheridan) with less than two minutes of mediocre effects work. The stories are very weak, the sets are non-existent and the acting is wooden.

The only plus is some explanation of where the other characters are.

The extras are poor too. It was a nice idea to include memoriams to Andreas Katsulas and Richard Biggs but they only interviewed the stars from the DVD!

The biggest surprise is noting that the B5 creator, J. Michael Straczynski wrote and directed this. Was he that desperate for a quick buck?

Only for the completists, I'm afraid.

Jim

I was a bit surprised at the supernatural content! So far, only 5th season's "Day of the Dead" gave us any hint of the supernatural existing in the B5 universe. Here we get one story of demonic possession, and one of precognition.

I really loved the bantering scenes between Galen and Sheridan, but the rest was fiarly "meh."

I do hope they try again with another disc, and I REALLY hope Joe can get as many of the surviving cast together as possible next time - including Claudia! Ivanova and Garibaldi were, for me, the human hearts of the show.

So how does it compare with Legend of the Rangers? (which I actually kinda liked, although it seemed almost Trek-ish with the relationship between the human captain and Minbari first officer. IMHO...)

Minbari. MINbari!

they should have billed it as "Bruce Boxleitner and a cast of 5's"

one of the only things that was good about these "episodes" is it served to remind me just how pretentious JMS's dialog can be.

take a drink everytime some body gives a "this or that" line or a "this and that" line...

example... "Babylon five is a place of beginnings and of endings..."

" I always knew Babylon five was at the crossroads between what is known and what is unknown, but I never knew it was also at the crossroads between heaven and hell.." ooooh...a twofer...

cheese, but a fine cheese.

the absolute best part was G'kar's voiceover at the beginning..

I hope it makes enough money to warrant another attempt, cuz I'd still like to see a Delenn/Lennier/ Sheridan story

Minbari. MINbari!

Sorry John, I'm not worthy.

Mea maxima culpa

Took mine back to the store unopened and got Mission Impossible Season 2 instead. 26 times the entertainment (measured in viewing time) for only a few bucks more.

Huzz

Sorry John, I'm not worthy.

Mea maxima culpa

;)

Pet peeve, Sorry for the outburst.

So how does it compare with Legend of the Rangers? (which I actually kinda liked, although it seemed almost Trek-ish with the relationship between the human captain and Minbari first officer. IMHO...)

I'm afraid it makes "Legend of the Rangers" look extremely good.

Jim

Wish Delenn had been in it.I hear she's been stuck on an island somewhere for the last 16 years -- or so she says ...

;)

Qapla'

SSB

How do you spell Mini Bar incorrectly?

Huzz

^That way! :)

LOL! :thumbsup:

Huzz

I hear she's been stuck on an island somewhere for the last 16 years -- or so she says ...

Hahaha Would that make her Mary Delenn or Mrs. Delenn 'Lovey' Sheridan ? :p

The SS Mino-bari? :p

Huzz

Well, she is also said to be French, but her accent suggests Croatia. More to her story than meets the eye, I suspect.

Qapla'

SSB

Hahaha Would that make her Mary Delenn or Mrs. Delenn 'Lovey' Sheridan ? :p

You did realize that Scott was referring to her recurring role on "Lost," didn't you?

Jim

You did realize that Scott was referring to her recurring role on "Lost," didn't you?Jim

Yeah but I went for a joke that would appeal to a wider audience than the handful of people that watch "Lost". :tongue:

Well, she is also said to be French, but her accent suggests Croatia. More to her story than meets the eye, I suspect.

Qapla'

SSB

Probably because she is Croatian in real life. :tongue: But you never can tell. On TV, the French also sound amazingly like the British...

Gilligans Island with the cast of Babylon 5? The possibilities boggle the mind.
Babylon Island.
I suppose the Shadows would be the cannibals.

Ungawa.

Where did Tarzan come from? :freak:

;)

Pet peeve, Sorry for the outburst.

No worries at all :)

Honestly didn't realise it was spelt with an n and not an m so you were doing a public service :thumbsup:

I'm afraid it makes "Legend of the Rangers" look extremely good.

Jim

It's that bad?!
Despite what I said about actually (for the most part, anyway) liking LotR (no, not the 3 movies made in NZ...)