A Modern Classic

28 January 2010

Who would have thought that a clunky, dated Star Wars rip-off TV series could be revamped into a gripping, topical and multi layered science fiction show? The basic plot outline is that 50,000 or so refugees manage to escape a devastating attack by a man-made robotic race called the Cylons and decide, instead of fighting to the death, that they will search for the promised land of Earth despite the ruthless Cylons being in pursuit.

Battlestar Galactica stands out from the endless sci-fi crop for many reasons- it is filmed in a modern slightly shakey style which gives a hint of realism to the story, the special effects are Hollywood quality, the script doesn't insult the viewer with either stupidity or scientific mumbo-jumbo but deals with topical themes of the modern world in a subtle and respectful manner, the acting, bar a little hammyness here and there, is of a decent standard and the show has an unusually dark and gritty tone that often doesn't patronise the viewer with black and white solutions or banal heroics but provides an enthralling and realistic drama in an unusual setting.

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