Stargate: Atlantis – Rising

Few TV series have launched more successfully than Stargate SG-1’s first live-action spin-off, Atlantis. Devised over the best part of three years by the makers of SG-1, Atlantis takes all the exciting action, winning drama, stunning visuals and fine characterization of the original show and successfully breathes new life into the franchise by setting the adventure in a whole new galaxy.

The series begins on a confident note with the movie-length pilot, Rising. A very enjoyable opener, this beautifully establishes Atlantis’ format, characters and regular villains, the irresistibly-evil Wraith. It also benefits from a memorable guest turn by The X-Files' Robert Patrick.

The region one release suffers from a lack of episodes (the region 2 disc included Rising, Hide and Seek and 38 Minutes), but makes up for this with a commentary by director Martin Wood and actor Joe Flanigan. They share some interesting facts about the new series – it was the first Stargate to be filmed in HDTV; it was Flanigan’s eleventh pilot! – but it’s their in-depth discussion of character and dialogue that shows the work that went into creating the show.

The 23-minute Preview to Atlantis featurette will be well known to SG-1 DVD fans, while ‘Sneak Peak: Stargate: Atlantis Preview to Season 2’ gives a few scant facts about what’s to come (I don’t think I’m spoiling anything by telling you Dr. Weir gets a bigger office and McKay gets a permanent lab).

Buy Stargate: Atlantis on DVD at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

DVD reviews by Matt Chapman