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Friday Night Movies: Stargate

Friday Night Movies: Stargate

This week, we journey through the stars with "Stargate," a 1994 sci-fi marvel directed by Roland Emmerich.

April 12, 2024

Source: Prime Video

Welcome back to "Friday Night Movies," the quintessential guide for those seeking an extraordinary film experience to cap off their week. This week, we journey through the stars with "Stargate," a 1994 sci-fi marvel directed by Roland Emmerich. Before we delve into the heart of ancient mysteries and interstellar travel, let's hover a moment on the launchpad. "Stargate" is not just another entry in the sci-fi genre; it is a groundbreaking adventure that blends ancient myth with futuristic fantasy, making it an unmissable feature in our series.

Plot

"Stargate" introduces us to a world where the past and future collide with thrilling precision. The story unfurls with the discovery of a mysterious artifact in 1928 Egypt, buried amidst the sands of time. Fast forward to the present day, and we meet Dr. Daniel Jackson, an Egyptologist whose theories have marginalised him within the academic community. When he's recruited to decode the hieroglyphs on the artifact, he uncovers the purpose of the ancient ring-shaped device: a stargate, capable of creating a wormhole to distant worlds.

Teaming up with a military unit led by the stoic Colonel Jack O'Neil, they step through the stargate and find themselves on a planet echoing ancient Egypt, ruled by the powerful and tyrannical Ra. What follows is an epic tale of rebellion, discovery, and the fight to save Earth from an otherworldly threat.

Cast

The cast of "Stargate" is a constellation of talent, with each actor bringing their unique light to the ensemble. Kurt Russell and his unbelievable flattop portray Colonel Jack O'Neil providing a brooding and complex character. James Spader famous for his work on Boston Legal and The Blacklist, stars as Dr. Daniel Jackson, the heart of the film, combining earnest curiosity with a brave spirit, making him an endearing and relatable hero. The enigmatic Ra, played by Jaye Davidson, provides a chilling presence that elevates the film's stakes.

Reviews

"Stargate" has carved its niche within the sci-fi genre, earning mixed but generally positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film boasts a score that reflects its polarising nature with an Audience Score of 73% but only a critics score of 54%. Meanwhile, IMDb rates "Stargate" with 7.0/10 from over 200,000 user reviews — marking it as a solid entry in the science fiction category.

Trailer

Fun Fact

The linguistic puzzle that Dr. Jackson solves to activate the stargate was developed with the help of real Egyptologists, adding a layer of authenticity to the film's depiction of ancient hieroglyphs and myths.

How To Watch Stargate

Available to stream on Prime Video.

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