Having enjoyed the original series of 'Battlestar Galactica' as a child in the seventies I wasn't too keen to see this believing it to be a remake where favourite characters had changed gender for no obvious reason... how wrong I was! The basic story about a single battlestar and a ragtag fleet of survivors from twelve colonies that have been decimated by a Cylon attack remains but whereas the old series was an exciting romp suitable for all the family this is something much darker. I even came to think it was an inspired move to make Starbuck and Boomer female as it makes it easier to forget the old character while watching this.As the story opens, forty years after the first Cylon War the Battlestar Galactica is about to be decommissioned and turned into a museum. While preparations for the decommissioning ceremony are underway the Cylons return without warning and attack the colonies with nuclear weapons. These Cylons aren't like the old ones; there are still some centurions but there are also ones which look human and one of the latter has infiltrated the colonies defence computers so that when they attack they can shut down all newer colonial systems. Luckily Commander Adama refused to let new computers be installed on Galactica so it is unaffected. After the attack Galactica heads to remote arms depot to stock its empty magazines while the ship carrying the newly appointed president sets about finding as many survivors as possible.Like all great shows its strength comes from a combination of a great story acted out a great cast. For a show with such a large cast it is surprising just how good they are. Edward James Olmos is fantastic as Commander Adama showing him to be a forceful leader willing to make tough decisions but also willing listen to others such as the new president, played by Mary McDonnell, who was merely the Education Secretary before the Cylon attack killed the rest of the cabinet. Katee Sackhoff was great as Kara Thrace, call sign 'Starbuck, her performance soon made me forget about Dirk Benedict's portrayal of Starbuck I enjoyed as a child. The show was packed with spectacular action including some of the best space battle scenes I've seen with not a laser beam in sight. If you want a dark space based series I'd certainly recommend this as well as the four seasons that follow.

In a far away galaxy, a peace treaty between Cylons, a race of machines and the humans is broken. The Cylons being more advanced destroy the colonies that are inhabited by the humans until the only survivors that are left, are in space....In an old battle ship known as Battlestar Galactica.I read the other reviews and thought...It can't be that bad....And its not.... The show has a genuinely good cast who provide satisfactory performances; I liked the relationship between Captain Apollo and Commander Adama...I found Grace Park very beautiful.... And I thought that James Callis who plays Gaius to be hilarious....especially when he is the only one who sees Number six....Hilarious! The only thing I didn't like was Star Buck and Cononel Tigh....they didn't do much expect fight...Overall a satisfactory TV show and I will definitely watch the TV show.

The Battlestar Galactica mini-series is a two hour and a half extravaganza that sets itself up as an introduction to the forth coming full series, detailing the Cylon's attack on the twelve human colonies, that leaves the 'Galactica' and her rag tag fleet of civilian vehicles as the only thing between their robotic nemeses and total eradication of the human race. It pays homage to the original series and indeed as well as re-imagining its predecessor, attempts in its own way to gift them both existence in the same plane. More importantly, however, the mini- series sets out to stamp its own authority on the highly lacking sci-fi series universe using its brand of sublime special effects, intense action, gripping storyline and absorbing characters (even if one in particular is, thankfully, never seen again) to hook you from the get go so that you go further and search for its subsequent seasons. However, and unfortunately there is a however, the very first episode of the first season is an incredibly difficult place to start for those that have not watched the mini-series. Personally half way through the lengthy introduction I went out to purchase both seasons 1 and 2 on DVD as I was hooked, but the seasons do not lend themselves to watching without the introduction. So much happens and takes place and is set up in the preceding film that any one who you have recommended the new look "Battlestar" to simply must view this first, otherwise subtle nuances and plot points will be lost. Why is this such an issue? Simply because the "Mini-Series", while an enjoyable entertaining affair, does not prepare you for how good episode one is, and how you are then catapulted into a world which will eat away hours of your life. This first instalment is unrefined: certain quotations and characters are unnecessarily placed within it to cater to the original fan base (I'm also aware the director and producer are seeing what works within their construct) one of which is so far removed from needed that it almost spoils the experience. The dialogue is also in a rough stage of development, whereby the outlines of characters must be forged so the conversations and interactions don't flow as smoothly as they should, and can provide for a partially cringe worthy affair.However, I will maintain (as I have to many friends I have recommended it to) that perseverance is the key. You will not appreciate the greatness of the subsequent seasons without ploughing through the mini-series. Not that the mini-series isn't an enjoyable watch, but for those who are still undecided about the concept or not immensely avid science fiction fans, it can come across as turgid and clichéd, which is why I would suggest watching the first episode of the series immediately thereafter. If that doesn't capture your imagination then Battlestar Galactica is not for you. It is a great deal of time to invest in what is nothing more, for the cynics, than a dirge-fest of a 70s show transported into the noughties equipped with blonde bombshells and everything that any prepubescent needs in its sci-fi, but BSG is so much more than that, and to be frank, the quality of the show means that there are not many cynics about. Countless times, before I began watching, I read and read in various television supplements that this was and is the best thing on television, and to be frank they are right, for once you are involved it's a sterling whirlwind, but this two and a half hour affair is a must if you are to fully appreciate the series. If you enjoy or have enjoyed this instalment you will adore the series, for those still undecided I would recommend watching the first episode and judge from there whether you wish to continue, and for those that found this tedious and science fiction twaddle...well...you can just frak off!

I saw the original back when it was released in Australia at out local cinema (Bundaberg) in 79 or 1980(?) and loved that and the TV series even if the centurions heads wobble when they talk. Funny stuff! But the re-imagined series just blows my socks off. I like it so much I have bought the DVD's so I can watch them whenever. The casting is superb, the acting is sublime, the writing is sensational, the directors do brilliant work and as far as I am concerned the story line/plot remains basically true to the basic original concept with the obvious perfectly acceptable exceptions here and there. There is not one thing about the new series I can fault. IT ROCKS!! I also completely love the fact that they have changed some of the original male characters to be female. IT'S PER-R-R-R-FECTION with a capital P. I hope there will be many spin off stories. Keep it coming BSG creators!