Customer Reviews

Babylon 5 - The Collection [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is something I've awaited for a long time. This boxed set contains the first installments of J. Michael Straczynski's five-year "novel for television." THE GATHERING (orig. 1992) is a slightly touched-up TNT version of the series pilot. At first glance, THE GATHERING might seem slow moving and overly tedious in places. But while it is certainly demanding, it had a lot of weight to carry both introducing many of the main characters and setting the stage for the complex plot developments to come. There are minor problems, but overall THE GATHERING works.

This set also contains the first four episodes, MIDNIGHT ON THE FIRING LINE, SOUL HUNTER, BORN TO THE PURPLE, and INFECTION (1993). MIDNIGHT starts with a bang, establishing the ongoing enmity between two alien races, the Narn and the Centauri. After that, things never really let up. There is plenty here for everyone. Whether your addiction is to sci-fi space action, suspense, or behind-the-scenes scheming and plotting, you will not be disappointed. The dialogue--thought-provoking, often witty, always intelligent--has prompted some of us to begin compiling our own collections of "5 quotations". The characters are complex, engaging, and frequently have pasts that have left them with a lot of emotional and psychological baggage (Ivanova, Garibaldi, G'Kar).

But the real value in BABYLON 5 is how Straczynski has employed his characters and situations to provoke us to think. The best science fiction, like any form of literature, has always tried to address the human condition and prompt us to try and improve ourselves. BABYLON 5 is no exception. The importance of this show lies not merely with rich, compelling stories about life and conflict aboard a futuristic space station, but in its constant commentary on our own times. Some might find the preachiness annoying or overbearing at times, but plenty of current events indicate that we need this. Thus we find ourselves revisiting the basic evils of racism and xenophobia (Commander Sinclair, in INFECTION: "When you become obsessed with the enemy, you become the enemy!") We observe the corrosive effects of anger and desire for vengeance (G'Kar, the Narn, sarcastically to Londo Mollari the Centauri in MIDNIGHT: "The wheel turns, does it not, Ambassador?") Londo is perhaps the series' most colorful character--a guy who calls his attache a "moon-faced assassin of joy" for interrupting a romantic interlude (in BORN TO THE PURPLE) can't be all bad, one would think. But Londo's casual fascination with power and with reclaiming his Empire's lost glory has already gotten him in trouble. Later in Season One (episodes to be released this year, hopefully) he will make a terrible mistake. Before five seasons of BABYLON 5 have run their course, he will have paid an enormous price.

There are myriad other questions raised in this boxed set. What is the nature of the relationship between Sinclair and the Minbari? What happened to Sinclair during those "lost hours" during the Battle of the Line? Why did the Minbari stop the Earth-Minbari War on the eve of victory? Finally, who are the enigmatic and mysterious Vorlons, and what is their role in the events to unfold?

For those already in the B5 "family", I trust I haven't said too much! No spoilers here, just a teaser or two (or three or four). For potential viewers who have never watched this show, I hope I've whetted your curiosity a little. To sum up, BABYLON 5 is easily the most intelligent and thought-provoking show of the 1990s, science fiction or otherwise. It is one of the few television shows that actually compelled me to reexamine aspects of my own thinking. If there is any justice in this universe, J. Michael Straczynski will soon be as respected as Gene Roddenberry.

Two final notes. Visually, BABYLON 5 is brilliant. And last but not least, we shouldn't forget the gripping soundtrack by Christopher Franke (ex-Tangerine Dream)

I could write a review of each B5 video, but instead I decided to consolidate my thoughts into 1 review at the start of the published series. As a 48 year old professional man who has historically had little interest in sci-fi, I was deeply touched and engrossed in B5, when it originally aired on UPN, and subsequently moved to TNT. This is a series written by a master story teller, mapped out with great detail and depth with a 5 season plan. Not like your typical TV sci-fi show (e.g., the perennial Star Trek derivatives that seem to often rely on the "monster/alien invasion/crisis of the week" and contain characters who march around in skin tight military body suits doing their non-thinking duty like the personified ideal of some totalitarian society of the future), B5 portrays a world of real human beings. There is still poverty, corruption, back biting, political pressure, dirt, grime, swearing, humor, mourning, hope, charity and kindness. In other words, the future is still a REAL PLACE, not a white washed Disney Land where high technology has somehow solved all mankind's problems so we can focus on testosterone goals, such as boldly going where we were not invited!

Instead, B5 (in a sense a huge metaphor for our times), shows a cosmos populated with the self-interest of bickering alien races and the attempts of the crew of B5 to maintain a space station created by earth (after a devastating war that almost destroyed human kind) to bring them all together to discuss peace (yet another attempt at a UN that works?). The eventual acknowledged failure of that goal leads to interplanetary war between 2 "older races", the Vorlons and Shadows with the younger races being caught in the middle, (a metaphor for the cold war when America and Russia were at each other's throats and the other nations of the planet were pawn pieces?).

If you are looking for an ADULT sci-fi masterpiece that evolves via a continuing connected story line over 5 seasons, try B5. Although not a rich man, I have bought ALL the published videos to enjoy the greater visual quality, even though I taped many of them from the original live TV broadcast.

My only complaint is much of seasons 3 and 4 are not available via Amazon.com. I would hope this will be remedied at some point in the future. If you did not have access to these seasons of B5 on TV (now showing them on the sci-fi channel), you may be a bit lost if you must rely only on the tapes available on Amazon.com for the complete story line.

Final note: do not judge the series by the first tape in this series. I understand it was originally a made-for-TV movie that was later transformed into the weekly series. Characterizations were still weak at that point, the scenery was much more murky (dark) than what became standard in the series, and some of the major characters (who I also saw as weak) were replaced by the first episode of the TV series. So much the better! Evolution is the word that springs to mind for this series, not filler between internet provider commercials (casting a final aspirsion upon Star Trek, the boom-bam show that high tech advertisers cattering to yuppie boredom love...).

First of all, you have to understand: This box contains the first four one-hour episodes of Season One and the two-hour pilot episode, The Gathering, for only $35 dollars. Considering the pilot as 2 episodes, that's less that 6 dollars a shot. (Other popular SF shows sell single episodes for $15. Or 2 for $20.) Secondly, it is the Special Edition pilot episode - complete with new score by Christopher Franke and missing footage. The result is a tighter, faster paced, more staisfying introduction to the complex world of Babylon 5. Thirdly, each video jacket has it's own individual cover design. One gets the feeling that each video is a special part of a much greater whole. Fourthly, it's just good TV - arguably the most compelling SF TV ever. Midnight on the Firing Line goes for your throat right at the beginning and doesn't let go. Other episodes include, in order, Soul Hunter, Born to the Purple, and Infection.

The only deterrent may be a desire to wait until the entire series appears on DVD. But... well. I'll let you decide.

The first four years of this science fiction epic are fantastic. It fell off a bit the last season, but even then was worth watching. This is one of the few television shows I followed over its 5 year life span on TV. Babylon 5 is an epic story of a galactic struggle where a very realistic view of humanity in the future is presented. Difficult moral problems are dealt with, and the author does not shy away from controversial subjects. The focus of this show is on human (and other beings') problems in which technological advances play a part, but do not dominate the story. Also, in this series, people still order out for pizza, watch Warner Bros. cartoons, belong to various religions, deal with problems like alcoholism, drug addiction, etc. That is: humanity is still humanity, and individuals still have problems that cannot be resolved with a sudden technological solution near the end of each episode. Characters in this series can and do die, and each episode adds something to the coming galactic struggle. Philosophical and religious elements frequently enter into dialogues between characters. Enjoy the series, but be sure to watch each episode in order.

In contrast to ther Sci-Fi series, Babylon 5 was conceived from the start as a broad multi-year story arc. That makes this series an ideal candidate to be released as a collection of boxed sets.

Through this format, you can definitelly get the sense of the over-all story moving forward from one episode to another and identify the continuity (and the several discontinuities) that it establishes.

The beauty of this first installment is that it includes the pilot from the series, in which you see several characters and situations that eventually get dropped or modified in the course of the series run. Thus, you are invited to witness the creative process in full flux.

Chroniclifng the begining of the first season, it starts off the story of Jeffrey Sinclair (Michael O'Hare)the original commander of B-5, and one the most interesting characters in that universe. Sinclair's journey is one of discovery. He has to find out why he has been chosen for a diplomat's job, why he feels like a pawn in a much bigger game and, most important of all, why ever since the climax of the Earth-Minbari War, there is a 24-hour "hole in his mind."

All the episodes included are important in setting up both the personal and collective story arcs, with the exception of "Infection," which in my opinion is one of the series weakest offerings.

The series soundtrack (by Christopher Franke) is very effective in producing B-5's unique mood.

I was somewhat dissapointed that, aside from several trading cards, the set does not offer any additional features (such as behind-the sets- features or "lost" scenes) as a bonus for those fans who are loyal enough to buy a series that is currently being re-runned in syndication.

Nevertheless it is Babylon 5's opening chapter. And through this set, we can revisit the wonderful feeling of wonder that we experienced when we were introduced to that strange and operatic universe created by J. M. Straczynski.

And that's good enough for me.

(Similar sets will continue to come out periodically in chronological order until the completion of the 5-year arc)

Having long been a fan of the early and newer Star Trek shows,I was somewhat apprehensive about this series when it first premiered...HOWEVER,boy was I floored!!..This show is what Star Trek never really was.While Star Trek always seemed to present the future in rose colored glasses,with thouchy feely episodes.Babylon 5 offered a more REALISTIC view of the future..And more importantly,the series had a beggining and end..From the very first episode to the last,the series was building charachter and plot lines that would lead to its 5 year conclusion...Simply outstanding actors and performances,allowed for the viewer to become part of this universe,and learn from both its good and bad personalities..Everyone in this show had a purpose,and every episode,(unlike many Star Trek)was fascinating..Actually,you really couldnt miss an episode because of the many subtle hints that were key to the finale...This show probably offered the best view of ourselves and our "growth" as a species,and didnt resort to gimmicky "beam me up" and "hollow deck" technological fantasies...Ok,yes Im being hard on what was considered the best sci-fi of all time..However,after experiencing the run of Babylon 5,I now KNOW that the best vision,storytelling and charachter developement in a sci-fi drama belongs to Babylon 5.....I have all the old and new Star Trek shows,(voyager also) recoreded...However,I only find myself drawn back to view my collection of Babylon 5 episodes...I think you will also..!

When Babylon 5 first came around, I thought, bah, just another sci fi show. I'll just go watch DS9. Eventually, my friends talked me into watching it. Fortunately, a friend had copied all the episodes to tape. Thus, I was able to view them in sequence from the beginning, to what was then current...without commercials. I was HOOKED. I now own a complete set of episodes (or at least, very close)... Political intrigue, characters with depth, POWERFUL story, no "perfect" society. And a side comment, though the picture on the box appears to be the station "upsidedown". There is no "up" in space, and therefore, it cannot be upsidedown. :)

Babylon 5 was the show that not many gave a chance when it first aired. It was going up againts another sci-fi series set on a space station show by the name of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The surprising thing is that despite all that it had against it this show turned into one of the best in all of sci-fi. Rather than have an episodic format the story really does have a "five year mission" feel to it. The beginning middle and end were all planned out. Part of the fun of watching a show like this is watching something in season 4 and watching how it ties together with something in seasons 1 and 2. While comparing it to Star Trek is a bit like comparing Oranges to Tangerines, similar but still distinctly different, it stands up very well story and writing wise with all but the last 3 seasons of Deep Space Nine. The characters are all very dynamic with the events happening around them affecting them all in different ways and having that character change as a result. With a few nitpicky things about production values, some of the best sci-fi TV on in recent memory.

this is a must have for any B5 fan. if you don't already have it, GET IT

Although not always at its best Babylon 5 is an outstanding science fiction TV series, far outstripping such series as Star Trek or Farscape. This series is more of an epic which unfolds the story of the titanic struggles of two powerful ancient races : the Shadows and The Vorlons and the other more "primitive" races are caught in between. The best part of this series is its mystique, always hidden tales and more to be understood as the mysterious maneouvreings of the Vorlons and Shadows play themselves out. This is well supported by very good graphics and the exquisite encapsulation of the aura surrounding the two antagonists. The Shadows have black spider-like ships with amazing abilities, the Vorlons squid-like ships also with incredible powers and the beings themselves are reminiscent of creatures out of The Lord of the Rings, the invisible Shadows and the encounter-suit clad Vorons. Not only this but the words uttered by the Vorlons are more akin to the saying of Zen masters than ordinary beings. These attributes is what captured the imagination accompanied by a host of other fascinating people such as The Captain, Lando Molari and others.

The best TV science fiction since Space 1999.