Published via Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

Any good film can be ruined by Hollywood in two major ways – either by making an instant sequel or instant television series based on it. Stargate, 1994 science fiction film directed by Roland Emmerich, managed to avoid that fate. Planned sequels were never made, while the television series, aired under title Stargate SG-1, became great success, not only lasting for ten seasons but also having two spin-offs and proving to be one of the more respected franchises in the history of the genre. Its start was Children of the Gods, feature-length episode directed by Mario Azzopardi and originally aired on Showtime in 1997.

The episode represents the sequel of the film. Few years after US  military has used “Stargate”, ancient Egyptian artefact as a interdimensional gateway towards Abdyos, planet on the other side of galaxy, it is being guarded in top secret underground facility. One day it gets activated and couple of soldiers are killed by alien creatures that resembles ancient Egyptian gods. Retired USAF Colonel Jack O’Neill (played by Richard Dean Anderson), leader of the previous expedition to Abydos is summoned by General Hammond (played by Don S. Davis) to help find out what happened. O’Neill reluctantly admits that he lied about destroying the “Stargate” on Abydos with nuclear bomb, because he didn’t want to harm Daniel Jackson (played by Michael Shanks), scientist who had decided to stay in order to study human civilisation on the planet. O’Neill goes back to Abydos to reunite with Jackson and old friends before they are attacked by Go’auld, parasitic aliens that control their human hosts. Upon return to Earth, O’Neill and Jackson are assigned into SG-1, special team that would also include USAF Captain Samantha Carter (played by Amanda Tapping), a scientist; and T’alc (played by Christopher Judge), former “Jaffa”, G’ouald soldier that defected to human side.

When developing Children of the Gods, writers and producers Jonathan Gassner and Brad White had bigger task than most creators of pilot episodes. They not only had to establish or reinterpret new fictional world and its characters, but also to maintain some sort of continuity with feature film. Some aspects of the latter were impossible, mainly due to most of the cast being unable or unwilling to repeat their roles and television production team having less financial and technical resources than Emmerich three years earlier. Despite those difficulties Gassner and White has achieved their aim. Some of changes were definitely for the better. Recasting O’Neill with Richard Dean Anderson made his character more complex and warmer than dark and traumatised character played by Kurt Russell in previous film. Michael Shanks was good replacement for James Spader in the role of Jackson. Some of the additions also proved to be good – Amanda Tapping as Captain Carter proved to be the warmest and most humane character of the newly created team and transcended all cliches of an eye candy. Christopher Judge brought quiet dignity to arguably most imposing of all characters. Same can be said even for some supporting actors, like Don S. Davis, real-life former military officer who became famous by playing character of another USAF officer, Major Garland Briggs in Twin Peaks. Peter Williams, who plays main villain Apophis, isn’t that impressive and his character was to be fleshed out in subsequent episodes.

Children of the Gods was produced in Vancouver, popular location for American television series at the time. This didn’t create problems with scenes that require sets, but those made in exterior locations around the city look too different from the deserts used in the feature film and that might created need for too much suspension of disbelief. Maltese director Mario Azzopardi, on the other hand, directs the film well and manages to squeeze adequate amounts of plot and exposition within required hour and half of running time. Some of the content during its original showing at Showtime created a bit of controversy, mainly the scene with female full frontal nudity featuring Vaitiare Bandera, actress playing Jackson’s wife (who would later become Shanks’ wife in real life). Many considered this scene gratuitous and unsuitable for the series that was supposed to be intended for family audience. Children of the Gods nevertheless achieved its aim and allowed Stargate SG-1 to develop into one of the most successful science fiction television series in past few decades. In 2009 special edition of the film was released, with “problematic” scene edited out and replaced with few with allow for better plot and character exposition.

RATING: 6/10 (++)