Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Quite possibly the most concrete sci-fi TV series of all time is back! This is very exciting for Babylon 5 (B5) fans! If you are new to the series, please check the existing universe of B5 DVDs here at Amazon. Some of the spotlight reviews provide a list of the order in which to start watching. This is the first in a proposed series of anthology format direct-to-DVD releases. The DVD contains two interwoven stories featuring three B5 universe regulars (Sheridan, Lockley and techno-mage Galen (of Crusade)) and some new characters, including a Centauri Prince. This had a (working) title of "Voices in the Dark", but I don't see it mentioned on the DVD box cover. Originally JMS was planning three stories but the two stories ended up getting bigger, so the third story (involving Girabaldi) was postponed for a future release. Needless to say the decision on how many additional Babylon 5 DVDs to make and how frequently to make them will be partly affected by the sales of this one. So you know what to do, buy early and buy often ;-) Update 6/1: The official babylon5 website has posted a trailer (yes a trailer!) and two director's blogs under "The Lost Tales movie" segment... The trailer starts quietly but explodes halfway :) The DVD ======= Ergonomics: The DVD is easy to slip in and out of the case. It comes out real easy, no need to flex or put pressure on the DVD like some dvd cases have When you put the dvd in the dvd player and do nothing, playback starts with a two-minute promo for the direct to DVD animated release "Superman Doomsday". There is one audio track in english and subtitles in english. No other options. Voices in the Dark ================== You can watch the two stories together or you can watch them separately. The separate titles are "Over Here" for the B5 story and "Over There" for the Sheridan story. I don't want to spoil the story or the plot or anything like that but the things I liked: * nicely done in-movie tributes to G'Kar and Dr Franklin (Beyond the Rim) * It was so nice to have brand new B5 universe stories! * A lot of subtle things in the movie were a treat for B5 fans. This shows that special attention was paid to make this true to the B5 spirit, and not yet another shoot'em up in space. Also I appreciated that it did not have the traditional tv/movie mentality of saving-the-world in the last 30 seconds of the show. * Nice views of B5, and some nice ship views (but never enough!) * The first story (Lockley/B5) was a bit over the top at times, and Lockley talked a bit too much at times. Not that I am complaining, I'm just pointing it out :) * The closing lines at the end of the movie could have an additional meaning: you could read into them that they are also talking about future of dvd releases - perhaps :) Bonus Features ============== 1) Beyond the Rim Memorials for Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar) and Richard Biggs (Stephen), duration: 13 minutes 2) Fireside Chats: JMS answers fan questions on camera (almost 19 minutes) 3) JMS Diaries, production diaries (with some funny moments (eg sock puppets instead of actors)), 21 minutes long 4) Interviews with JMS and the three stars of the dvd (Sheridan, Lockley and Galen), duration: 17 1/2 minutes. *) Total of bonus features: Around 80 minutes long Why buy it? =========== If you are a hardcore B5 fan (and you know who you are), this supports B5 in a way that encourages the masters of the universe to fund JMS for more and more B5 universe projects! When looking at the price please keep in mind that this is a direct to DVD release, with no TV/cable revenue and no theatrical release revenue. Viewers like us can make a difference by buying it!