DVD review (region 1 & 2)
Directed by Robert C Cooper
Starring Ben Browder, Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping, Chris Judge, Claudia Black
Release date Out now (region 1); 28 April 2008 (region 2)

SG-1 goes in search of an ancient artifact they hope can defeat the oppressive Ori before a full-scale attack is launched against Earth…

“In 10 years you fall into habits,” says writer, director and producer Robert C Cooper on the commentary. “You fall into habits in terms of performance, you fall into habits in terms of the way you shoot. You get comfortable with certain things.” Despite his best efforts to escape those ingrained habits and turn a serialised show into a fully-fledged movie, the production can’t outrun its television past.

Consequently, what Cooper ends up with is a feature-length double episode of SG-1. That’s reflected in the production, with towns still looking like a lot of other settlements the team has visited, planet environments uncannily resembling forests in Vancouver. Even the plot can’t escape its TV origins, with the political character being a stereotypical arrogant thorn in SG-1’s side and the return of a threat that proves old Stargate enemies never die!

At least the extras are up to scratch. A chatty three-handed commentary featuring Cooper, Chris Judge and cinematographer Peter Woeste is informative and fun, while the ‘Making of’ featurette offers up a sequence no stunt fan should miss as a heat-resistant material is tested by firing a flame-thrower into a man’s face!

The peach though is a boisterous 20-minute question and answer session from San Diego Comic Con. Gate-guy Walter (Gary Jones) shines as the quick-witted host, Cooper declares war on Scotland, Ben Browder does his Simon Cowell impression and even a missing Michael Shanks manages to get in on the act.

Overall, while fans of the show will always be happy with more of what they know and love - especially given an increased budget that makes for bigger special FX and some sweeping scenic shots - The Ark Of Truth is unlikely to pull in new viewers and pave the way for a Star Trek-like movie franchise. Matt Chapman

VERDICT: 7/10
The film’s lofty ambitions are welcome, but it falls one chevron short of a full shift into new territory.

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