Stargate: The Ark of Truth (2008)

SG-1 search for an Ancient Artifact to finally defeat the Ori. But the Artifact is in the Ori Galaxy.

Director:

Robert C. Cooper

Writer:

Robert C. Cooper

Stars:

Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Browder	...	Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell
Amanda Tapping	...	Lt. Col. Samantha Carter
Christopher Judge	...	Teal'c
Michael Shanks	...	Dr. Daniel Jackson
Beau Bridges	...	Maj. Gen. Henry Landry
Claudia Black	...	Vala Mal Doran
Currie Graham	...	James Marrick
Morena Baccarin	...	Adria
Tim Guinee	...	Tomin
Julian Sands	...	Doci
Sarah Strange	...	Morgan Le Fay / Ganos Lal
Michael Beach	...	Col. Abe Ellis
Gary Jones	...	Chief Master Sgt. Walter Harriman
Martin Christopher	...	Maj. Kevin Marks
Chris Gauthier	...	Hertis (as Christopher Gauthier)

Storyline

SG-1 searches for an ancient weapon which could help them defeat the Ori, and discover it may be in the Ori's own home galaxy. As the Ori prepare to send ships through to the Milky Way to attack Earth, SG-1 travels to the Ori galaxy aboard the Odyssey. The International Oversight committee has their own plans and SG-1 finds themselves in a distant galaxy fighting two powerful enemies.

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Plot Keywords:

stargate | evil god | wormhole | 2000s | space opera | 

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Taglines:

The lines have been drawn. The battle has been waged. Only one thing can save us...

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Ark of Truth

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Kawoosh! Productions DTV I

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (5.1 surround)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The code that Sam is trying to modify in order to stop the Replicators from replicating is actually JavaScript, the code used to program Internet browser behaviors.

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Goofs

When walking through the snowy/rocky area Teal'c's gray patch moves from the right side of his head to the left side.

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Quotes

Prior #1: You demonstrate great courage facing me in person, General.
Mjr. Gen. Henry Landry: Courage is only required when facing that which you fear.
Prior #1: The flames of ignorance burn without pain. Beware the power, or it will consume you before you know.
Mjr. Gen. Henry Landry: You can skip the fire and brimstone.

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Connections

References Stargate SG-1: The Quest: Part 2 (2007)

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Soundtracks

Stargate The Ark of Truth
(uncredited)
Written by Joel Goldsmith

User Reviews

The Fitting And Epic End Of The Ori Storyline

Leaving the Ori storyline unresolved at the end of Sg-1's final season, the makers of the show give us this film. The Ark Of Truth lives up the hype of fans hoping for an epic end to the storyline that drove the show's final two seasons. Indeed, The Ark Of Truth proves to be both an epic and fitting end to the Ori storyline.

In fact one might go so far as to assume that the show never ended. From the performances of SG-1's members, it's just like picking up where Unending left off. In particular Michael Shanks and Ben Browder both get to shine in their roles of Daniel Jackson and Cameron Mitchell. That's not to say the rest of cast doesn't, but Shanks and Browder really do stand out in this. The supporting cast does too from Beau Bridges to Sarah Strange, from Sarah Strange to the villainous Julian Sands and the absolutely evil Morena Baccarin. The real stand out of the supporting cast however is Currie Graham as Merrick, the double crossing IOA supervisor.

The rest of the production is also first rate for the film, in both writing and production values, is epic. There is a scope to the film that wasn't possible for the show on television. The story feels epic, taking us from Earth to the Ori galaxy and back again. The story has so much going on though that we don't get to see some of the things fans would like to have seen but we see enough to keep everyone happy. The effects and photography aren't just as good as they were on the show, they're better. They go from mountains in the opening credits, the ruins of Dakarra and the Altaran city, to the Ark itself: something that was hard (if not impossible) for the series to do with even a two-part two of the series. There's also one or two moments that evoke memories of the original movie from years ago and fans should get a smile out of it. There's one other thing to mention: the music. The music by Joel Goldsmith is just as epic as the film, evoking not just the original Stargate theme by David Arnold but the Germanic chants of the Ori themes and heroic themes for the team. But the real treat of the music is that while it may be familiar, you've never heard it played this. Fans of the series won't be disappointed. Everything that made us love the series is still here and thriving.

Not to say the film is perfect, which it isn't. Some parts of the film don't make a lot of sense such as the IOA's actions. They don't make much sense especially when they resurrect an old enemy from the series in the process. I won't spoil it because it makes for a great plot twist, but in retrospect it just feels like padding. There's also the odd flashbacks to the Altarans involving the Ark which, while they add some texture, really might not have been needed. But these are minor flaws, and its hard to find anything without any.

In short, The Ark Of Truth is a good film. It does exactly what it was supposed to do: be both an epic and fitting end to the Ori storyline. It succeeds for the most part, though it does have some flaws to it. While non-fans might want to watch the Prelude on the DVD to catch-up on all the plot lines going on in the film, fans should enjoy it. If this and Continuum, the yet to be released second film, are to be the final end of Stargate SG-1, they will be the fitting end of the series.