Farscape The Peacekeeper Wars DVD with Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe (NR) +Movie Reviews

"John Crichton is alive!"

M. Hart | USA | 11/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Between 1999 and 2003, the unique sci-fi television series "Farscape" was aired on the Sci-Fi Channel in the U.S. Filmed in Australia primarily by Jim Henson Productions with assistance from several Australian production companies and some funding from the Sci-Fi Channel, the series developed a strong following and was under contract for a total of five seasons. However, various funding & political issues forced the premature cancellation of the show following the fourth season (a total of 88 episodes), much to the dismay of loyal fans who (for the most part, including myself) were greatly disappointed by the inconclusive events left in the final minutes of the final fourth-season episode.

However, under the leadership of Jim Henson's (1936-1990) son, Brian Henson (Jim Henson Productions' president & CEO), Jim Henson Productions was able to secure full control over "Farscape", allowing it to produce a four-hour mini-series in 2004 to provide a better closure for the existing four seasons than the final events of the final fourth-season episode. Entitled "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars", the four-hour mini-series was ostensibly equivalent to what the planned fifth season would have been, albeit much shorter, but in no way less wonderful or engaging as the original 88 episodes. On the contrary, thanks to Brian Henson's efforts (which included directing the mini-series himself), "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" was a fantastic, engaging and powerful conclusion for one of the best sci-fi television series that has ever been produced.

Seamlessly beginning where the final fourth-season episode ended, all of the cast members from the final fourth season returned in "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars". This includes the no-nonsense Earth astronaut John Crichton (Ben Browder), his fiancée Peacekeeper Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black), Ka D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe), Chiana (Gigi Edgley), Rygel XVI (voice of Jonathan Hardy), 'Pilot' (voice of Lani John Tupu), Scorpius/Harvey (Wayne Pygram), Sikozu Shanu (Raelee Hill), Joolushko Tunai Fenta Hovalis (Tammy McIntosh), Stark (Paul Goddard), Utu-Noranti Pralatong (Melissa Jaffer), Skarin Emperor Staleek (Duncan Young), Skarin War Minister Akhna (Francesca Buller), Peacekeeper Commandant Mele-on-Grayza (Rebecca Riggs), Peacekeeper Captain Meeklo Braca (David Franklin), Ka D'Argo's son Jothee (Nathaniel Dean) and wormhole alien dubbed 'Einstein' (John Bach).

With exquisite special effects, superb direction, an engaging & consistent plot and excellent acting, I rate "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" with a resounding 5 out of 5 stars and very highly recommend it to all "Farscape" fans. Some of the many memorable scenes in "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" include Rygel's efforts to help restore John & Aeryn and the subsequent consequences, the various battle scenes both in space and on the ground, John's solution to war, and the birth. Many thanks go to Brian Henson and the many wonderful actors and film crew that brought "Farscape" back to life. On a side note, Ben Browder has received four Saturn Award nominations from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, of which he won one in 2002 for "Best Actor in a Television Series"."

"I Wore a Bomb, a Nuclear Bomb, In a Field of Flowers."

TastyBabySyndrome | "Daddy Dagon's Daycare" - Proud Sponsor of the Lit | 11/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We all know the drill. JC, astronaut, is shot through a wormhole and joins up with a crew of a ship, a living ship, as they blast through space one season at a time. Along the way they run into multiple baddies, destroy a wide array of bases, depositories, and even a few civilizations, and they also become something of a family. Sometimes that makes for humor, sometimes for seasons of sadness, and sometimes for thrilling adventure.
Such is Farscape.

For those who don't know about the series all that well, it is one of the few I'd tout as a complete product that can't be hyped enough. Following the exploits of John C. and the crew was a thrilling whirlwind to take part in because it evoked so many emotions and rewarded you, the viewer, for riding shotgun through the wormhole. You saw the transitions from character introduction plots and awkward travels to the becoming of crew labelled with words like "notoriety," "infamy," and a message filled with the hope for a better tomorrow. You even had the "little things" handed to you, from references to brushing teeth and how alien lifeforms could communicate, and you got it all with an Earth twist. Personally I've never pulled for "the good guy" before, not really one to touch base with the cliche characters in most shows, but the crew of Moya was different. They actually touched me with their plights and the ways they could always turn a bad situation into something worse and still come out alive, and I found myself addicted to it by the end of Season Two. That all seemed to come to an abrupt end when the plug was pulled on the series, though, and many people weren't happy with the cliffhanger ending. So, amidst a flurry of protest and the knowledge that Farscape sells, the Peacekeeper Wars was born.

Vaguely commenting, the storyline picks right up where we left off, taking into consideration a few things I didn't think of and setting off a war that everyone watching knew was going to come. You could smell it brewing, the Scarrans threatening too many people and Scorpius standing too close to that end, and when it falls it falls beautifully. I was actually taken by all the digital love the series was shown in this miniseries, shocked in a way by the amount of currency I saw circulating in those lovely ship battles, and I loved it. Added to this is the continuation of the tale of the main characters, with even Rygel getting a little news of home and the promise of things to come. And those these comments have to be vague, I can say with certainty that the storyline flowed and wasn't forced. If you liked the series, you'll love the taste of this brew as well, with all its emotional kicks in tow.

One other thing to note in all of this is that EVERYONE was back and taking part in this epic piece. I'm not talking about the crew and the main biggies, either, but I'm instead filtering through the "little guys" and happily noting their faces. Bracca, possibly one of my favorites, is joined by an array of people that take part in the series, again rewarding people that were perhaps wondering where they'd all gone. By and large, it is a complete set of faces to admire (and without that "guest spot" taste).

So, in a nutshell, buy this BUT ONLY if you've kept up with the series. If not, it would be akin to reading the final chapter in a book and trying to taste the textures. To those who wanted it, though, it has come and it felt good to have more. By the frelling gods, I'm still pumped up from seeing it.

"

Outstanding conclusion to the series leaves room for more

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 10/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" ties up the loose ends from the series including the cliffhanger from season four. Crichton and Aeryn aren't dead after all and are restored through the hard effort of D'Argo and the rest of the crew from Moya. There's one problem; The Scarrans and the Peacekeepers are both headed to the planet where the crew have taken refuge.

Scorpious still wants his Holy Grail--wormhole technology that can be used to build a massive weapon against the Scarrans. Unfortunately, the Scarrans want the same thing. Crichton has no choice but to do something he never wanted to do in the first place--build the weapon but who will he give it to?

With top notch production values, a great script by Rockne O'Bannon and David Kemper, sharp direction by Brian Henson and great performances from the returning regulars, "The Peacekeeper Wars" manages to close "Farscape" on a grand scale never imagined before. Unfortunately, the four hour TV movie must compact a story arc that was original designed to occur over a much longer period of time. It doesn't detract from the drama but there's many additional dramatic options that can't be explored because of the limited time frame.

I have to applaud the Sci-Fi Channel for airing the conclusion but still can't believe the idiotcy of their decision to cancel one of the best most provocative series on TV. While the channel did a great job with the Dune films, they really blew it with "Farscape". At least fans finally got their conclusion. If not for us fans, this would never have been produced (Sci-Fi Channel certainly wouldn't have done it on their own).

Here's hoping that the DVD boxed set will include deleted scenes, background on the production of the conclusion and also the outtakes from season four as well as from the mini-series."

Great Way to Wrap it up

Deborah A. Gross | 10/31/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With the final episode of the series leaving all of the fans a bit lacking, and the huge amount of campaigning that was done to bring the show back, this miniseries was an answer to all that.

And what an answer it was.

Wrapping up many of the questions left behind after 4 action packed seasons, and bringing back to TV the characters that so many people fell in love with, The Peacekeeper Wars keeps up with the tradition of excellence that fans of the series have grown accustomed to. The plot line, though condensed considerably(this could have easily have been a Season 5 for the show) it still gives people a sense of closure to the series, but opens up new doors as well. The writing is excellent and the direction is fantastic, better than anything seen on tv or even in movies in a long time.

As for the acting, everyone did a more than excellent job with their roles, Ben Browder and Claudia Black once again show everyone why they are and always will be the sexiest and funniest, if not actionable, couple ever to be seen on TV. Wayne Pygram comes across better than ever as the dark anti-hero Scorpius, and also as the bumbling sidekick Harvey who still resides inside John Crichtons mind. All of the friends that people have made over the past 4 seasons return, and none of them give us a bad performance.

With Peacekeeper Wars you'll laugh, you cry, and you'll cheer, and your heart will break. It's the best mini-series I've ever seen, and I only hope that we see more of this wonderful show.

5 out of 5 stars."

Online Review Of Peacekeeper Wars

Jeremy | San Jose, CA United States | 09/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I found this through thedigitalbits.com and thought you all might like to see it!

"Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

Back by overwhelming demand "Farscape" returns to the SCI FI Channel with the epic miniseries event "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars." Perhaps the most guarded science fiction media project to go into production in the last year outside of "Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith," this exciting adventure is without a doubt the best science fiction feature film to be released this year and it is only going to appear on the small screen. "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" picks up right where the fourth season series finale "Bad Timing" left off and then the story manages to recap the basic premise for viewers new to the series and then at about a rate of every six minutes or so, the miniseries goes at "starburst" pace with more twists and turns than any single "Indiana Jones" adventure let alone "Farscape."

I was totally amazed at how much of the various plot points were resolved without sacrificing the excitement, action, and humor that has been a signature of the series since it first started. The script by Rockne S. O'Bannon and David Kemper is nothing short of excellent. Fans will find out things they never even thought would ever be addressed and the miniseries is so satisfying that I think it will leave all viewers of the series with a sense that they have witnessed something truly wondrous and obviously fans will want more, but if nothing should ever follow, this is the ending I think "Farscape" deserved and I applaud everyone involved with making this come to fruition because believe me "Farscape" would be a lesser sci-fi TV franchise without it. Brian Henson's screen direction is straight forward and to the point where he shows us just what we need to get the ideas across and never spoils a single second by lingering on something too long. I was glued to my TV screen from start to finish and in many cases the events unfold ways in ways even hardcore fans will never suspect. The Jim Henson Creature Shop creations are nothing that "Farscape" fans have not seen already, but the high standards are carried over to this miniseries so in short, "Farscape" still has some of the most exotic extraterrestrial beings to ever appear in a single series. The music for the miniseries is epic in quality while still remaining true to what "Farscape" fans are accustomed to while the CGI is more than adequate for television broadcast.

Watching "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" felt as if the series had never been cancelled. This is "Farscape" as fans remember it and so much more. It is a given that those already familiar with "Farscape" will get more out of this miniseries than newcomers, but with episodes airing on SCI FI and the complete series now available on DVD-Video in the States through ADV Films, there is still plenty of time to catch up and if you can't, be prepared to become converted because "Farscape" is infectious and I have no doubt the miniseries will make new fans after it airs. "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" elevates the series as a whole to new heights as the best sci-fi television series to air on TV since "Babylon 5" and anyone who knows how much of a fan I was of that show, can definitely attest that my stating this must mean I am extremely serious.

Hence in case you are wondering why I have not delved into the storyline at all, here is your answer. I do not want to give away even the minutest detail regarding this miniseries. It is just so engaging that I truly fear even a one-sentence logline would be too much to spoil what is easily the best sci-fi on SCI FI. It truly is that good. "Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars" will debut on the SCI FI Channel with the World Premiere of Part One on Sunday, October 17, 2004, at 9pm (ET/PT) and the conclusion airing on Monday, October 18, 2004, at 9pm (ET/PT). Don't miss it!"

© Copyright 2004 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.
"

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	Farscape - The Peacekeeper Wars Actors: Ben Browder, Claudia Black, Anthony Simcoe, Gigi Edgley, Wayne Pygram Director: Brian Henson Genres: Action & Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television NR 2005 3hr 2min Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 02/14/2006 Run time: 182 minutes Rating: Nr
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