Stargate: The Ark of Truth, is a direct-to-DVD movie written and directed by Robert C. Cooper that will be released on Region 1 DVD March 11, 2008. It is the final installment in the decade long Stargate TV series that picks up after the SG-1 series finale on the Sci-Fi channel.
The movie is the conclusion of Stargate SG-1's battle against Ori story that began in season nine. It centers around the SG-1 team's efforts to recover the "Ark of Truth." An Alteran technology developed before The Ancients left for the Milky Way. Guided by Daniel Jackson's visions of Merlin, SG-1 races to find the Arc in an attempt to prevent the Ori from gaining total control of the Universe. Using the Ark, the SG-1 team could prove to the individuals brainwashed by the Ori that the gift of Ascension promised by Origin is a lie.
Using an Asgard ship, the SG-1 team sent a bomb through the Ori super-gate that was supposed to kill all of the Ori leaders. It wiped out nearly all the ascended Priors, but because of their shared power. A single survivor now holds so much power that even an Ancient cannot defeat them. Angered at their near annihilation, the Ori declare revenge on the perpetrators with Earth first on the list.
Captured by the Ori moments after finding the Ark, Daniel and Vala are faced with a new challenge to stop the now all Powerful Adria who's amassed power makes her the supreme Ori. Daniel's visions of Merlin have guided the team. Told that he still has a single chance to defeat the Ori. The defeated Daniel calls out to the vision to explain its true origin and purpose. It is then that we learn the true intentions of The Ancient, Morgan le Fay. A little enlightenment goes a long way. With the help of Tilk. Daniel, Vala, Tomin and he are able to escape and confront the ever powerful Adria for a final showdown.
With a budget of $7 million, "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" has all the high production values and FX you'd expect from a movie. The TV series was good, but here everything is bigger and better. Joel Goldsmith's super sonic musical score and enhanced audio are just the beginning. The sets are HUGE. The stunts are more extreme. The FX are more complicated. Tied in with great cinematic production that includes ariel shots and filming in a 16:9 aspect ratio on 35 mm film, "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" makes for Stargate goodness like we've never seen.
Overall, I loved every minute of it and think any one can at least appreciate the specter of all that is/was Satrgate: SG-1. I particularly enjoyed the I.O.A. who kept things interesting by inserting a plan of their own. Extended action scenes were great too, Mitchell's relentless fight scene with the Merrick cyborg culminates in a fantastic explosion that kept me on the edge of my seat. The always charming Adira walking around fire was quite amazing. Having Vala's significant other Tomin turn against his faith was a nice touch as well. And I don't think anyone will forget the exploding mountain.
While the Ark of Truth ends with the SG-1 Team embarking on a new adventure, SG-1 is not quite the same without the threat of the a super evil force like the Ori still looming in our future. The story wraps up leaving us without resolution of much else. The typically rushed, all or none stakes ending, felt more like a TV show finale than the opening to a movie sequel. I would have liked to see more closure than Vala wanting to make SG-1 her home. Perhaps that was on purpose?
There's some notable extras on the DVD. The optional commentary with Robert. C Cooper, Christopher Judge and Peter Woeste is through and informative. They give us a lot insight and insider info on each of the scenes that definitely made me appreciate the enhanced production used in the movie. The Uncovering of the Ark of Truth is great too. Offering some spotlights on how some of the more technical parts of the film were shot like the CGI work that was employed on the exploding mountain scene. For those who need a refresher, there a Prelude to the Ark clip that summarizes episodes leading up the movie.
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