Thirty years ago, we were first transported to a galaxy far away with the release of Stargate. Directed by Roland Emmerich (Universal Soldier), the movie introduced us to the mysterious Egyptian artifact that enabled travel to distant worlds. Fast forward three decades and several TV series later, Stargate has carved its place in the pantheon of science fiction, influencing countless fans and creative minds along the way.
The concept of an ancient portal unlocking the universe’s secrets captured the imaginations of viewers worldwide. If like me, you’re an avid watcher of shows like Ancient Aliens then you’ll have heard theories that perhaps the technology isn’t so far-fetched.
The cast alone makes Stargate worth watching including Kurt Russell (who makes everything better) and James Spader (playing a rather stereotypical nerd character).
Kurt Russell’s character Col. Jonathan ‘Jack’ O’Neil, is a man devastated by the accidental death of his son. Riddled with guilt he volunteers to go on a one-way trip through the Stargate and to destroy whatever is on the other side. When he discovers a race of enslaved humans, his plans slowly change. At first, Russell’s character is hard as nails, but as the story continues, his defences unravel and he befriends one of the enslaved boys; the boy essentially replaces his lost son, thus giving O’Neil the redemption he needs to go on living. Russell also gets to give one of my all-time favourite one-liners regarding King Tut at the end…
James Spader plays Dr. Daniel Jackson who ends up joining the military as they investigate the Stargate; he’s an appealingly gentle character and it remains one of my personal favourites of his.
Jaye Davidson is perfectly cast as the evil Ra; he truly is a monster and his comeuppance is thoroughly satisfying at the end.
David Arnold’s sublime score is one of his absolute best with an instantly recognizable main theme that was used in countless trailers back when movies had memorable scores. The costume and set-design are amazing and I love how Ra’s disciples wear the masks of Anubis and Isis.
The film’s success laid the groundwork for the television series Stargate SG-1, which premiered in 1997 and continued for ten seasons. Following the adventures of a team led by Colonel Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks), SG-1 explored themes of friendship, sacrifice, and exploration of the unknown, all while facing formidable foes like the Goa’uld and the Replicators.
The success of SG-1 paved the way for further exploration of the Stargate universe. Stargate Atlantis debuted in 2004, taking fans on a journey to the lost city of Atlantis in a distant galaxy. This spin-off introduced a new crew and fresh challenges while maintaining the franchise’s signature blend of humor, camaraderie, and suspense.
In later years, Stargate Universe brought a darker, more serialized approach to storytelling, focusing on survival and the human experience in unfamiliar circumstances. Though it faced mixed reviews, it demonstrated the franchise’s versatility and willingness to evolve.
As we celebrate 30 years of Stargate, it’s an exciting time to reflect on how far the franchise has come and the impact it has had on popular culture. With advances in technology and storytelling, the possibilities for new adventures are boundless. I’m sure it won’t be long until the inevitable reboot makes its way into our galaxy…