Search - Galactica 1980: The Complete Series on DVD

*** The Return of Starbuck! ***

J. McDonald | 10/13/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Basically, you should buy this entire box-set for a single episode. "The Return of Starbuck". Your original Battlestar Galactica collection isn't truly complete without it. No matter what is said of this series as a whole, this one episode truly captures the feel of the original series.

What about the other episodes? Well, let's just say that on many occasions, critics have selected Galactica 1980 as the worst sci-fi tv series of all time. How could it turn out so horrid? The budget was slashed to just a fraction of the amount spent on the original series. Also, many of the episodes were aired in an early time slot (I believe it was 7:00pm) which placed restrictions on the content of the series (writers had to avoid writing too many action scenes or even the most innocent adult themes). Galactica 1980 was basically a rushed effort, pushed forward and then severely hindered (by various network executives) on a mission to recoup from their mistake of canceling the original series.

This series may have been a train wreck, but the final episode (The Return of Starbuck) is a bittersweet tribute to the original series. A must have!

P.S.

This is being sold as "The Original Battlestar Galactica's Final Season". It must be noted that the original series was cancelled after the first season. While Galactica 1980 can indeed be considered a continuation of the first season, it is in fact a seperate TV series. Most fans of the original series pretend that Galactica 1980 never happened :)

JM"

Not that bad, and actually pretty good!

Matthew C. Dempsey | 12/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've read many poor reviews of Galactica 1980 over the years, so I was expecting a pretty cruddy show. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed it! Sure, it's more like "Galactica on Earth" than a space show, but that doesn't mean I enjoyed it any less.

It's great to see Adama and Boomer again, and the last episode is really good too. Also, the pilot episode was excellent, as well. Are there some campy moments? Sure. But the original BSG had them too. I found many BSG episodes slow and hard to get through, surprisingly, I got through G:1980 rather quickly.

I say pick it up and add it to your collection!"

Worth the one episode...and those silly bikes!

A. Kazimierczak | Maine, USA | 03/08/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since I bought the Battlestar Galactica complete series I'd been thinking, "What happened to that episode with Starbuck stranded on a planet?? And what about those flying motorcycles on Earth??" I'd almost convinced myself that I'd imagined them, since I did own the "complete series." Well, here they are. I was 6 years old when this series came around and it didn't enjoy the reruns of the original Battlestar Galactica, so my memories of Troy and Dillon (the new Starbuck and Apollo) were sparse at best (it's like when Dukes of Hazzard had those other cousins show up or Airwolf had a whole new cast suddenly show up....crazy 80's TV clones).

Overall the episodes are pure low budget 80's sci-fi trash-- vaguely reminiscent of Star Trek IV in its disturbing blend of heavy handed environmentalism (the "Super Scouts" episodes) and high school theater quality time travel (the pilot episodes with a generic Nazi Germany romp).

It's worth the Starbuck episode though-- he's the best!"

Not as bad as you think...Revised

P. Moy | Brooklyn, NY USA | 12/26/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with Mr Dempsey's review of BG-1980 it is not as bad as (I assume die hard original series fans) most of the reviewers have panned this series. Let me recount the origins of BG-1980. ABC have canceled the the original series in 1978 after 1 season, but thanks to letter writing campaign (from die hard original fans) ABC agree to bring it back but on the network terms,with a tiny budget and only 10 "trial" episodes. Also,the executives wanted the show to be more kid friendly so Dr Zee is introduce. The pilot 1st 3 episodes are actually quite good dealing with time travel. True the writers have to comply with the family aspect of the show,so the episodes have very little fight scenes (would not be able to film it any way due to limited budget). After learning ABC would not renew the show, the producers filmed the last episode "The Return of Starbuck" to wrap up the series as a whole. Give a rental if those of you are not sure about the show. I took away 1 star because of packaging I don't know why Universal keep releasing their shows in double sided discs.***I was corrected BG-1980 is released in 2 single sided discs - give the fifth star back but the system would not allow it."