Despite voluminous protest and nitpicking criticism from loyal fans of the original 1978-80 TV series, the 2003 version of Battlestar Galactica turned out surprisingly well for viewers with a tolerance for change. Originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2003 and conceived by Star Trek: The Next Generation alumnus Ronald D. Moore as the pilot episode for a "reimagined" TV series, this four-hour "miniseries" reprises the basic premise of the original show while giving a major overhaul (including some changes in gender) to several characters and plot elements. Gone are the flowing robes, disco-era hairstyles, and mock-Egyptian fighter helmets, and thankfully there's not a fluffy "daggit" in sight... at least, not yet. Also missing are the "chrome toaster" Cylons, replaced by new, more formidable varieties of the invading Cylon enemy, including "Number Six" in hot red skirts and ample cleavage, who tricks the human genius Baltar into a scenario that nearly annihilates the human inhabitants of 12 colonial worlds.

couldn't stop watching

I didn't know how a double-sided dvd worked, so I put Galactica on and figured I'd stop when I had to turn the dvd over (yes, I do remember records. how did you know?). Anyway, 3.5 hours later and well into the night I realized I was getting close to the end. Once I started watching I was hooked -- didn't move or leave the room! The setting is of course sci-fi, but this is about as far removed from Star Trek as you can get in a space ship. Great on its own as a movie with fantastic directing and cinemography. Once you see it though, you'll want to watch the series. Riveting!

A strong improvement on the original, but slow-paced

Somehow, I expected genocide to be a little more exciting.

Overall, the update to Battlestar Galactica (which I loved as an elementary schooler, even as I knew it wasn't as good as Star Wars, back before anyone insisted it was actually called A New Hope) works, and works very well. For all the crying about how Dirk Benedict's Starbuck character has been turned into a woman, it really ends up being a pretty smooth transition, at least in the miniseries. And that's the way the remake goes overall: Competent, clever, with a few new twists along the way, but not necessarily selling the total package.

There are a few gaps in the storytelling -- who dropped a note in the commander's quarters without anyone spotting them, and how did they know what they knew? -- but not any worse than most television series.

The only real knock against the BSG miniseries is how slow-paced it is. For a story telling of mankind being pushed to the edge of extinction in a matter of hours, it sure is casual about it. Other than one small mob (who were presumably waiting around in a field for a spaceship to land nearby) and some radio chatter, there's nothing to suggest panic or urgency. In a post-9/11 world, we know what people look like when shook up by a major trauma and fear of what comes next, and little of it shows up on the screen.

Still, this is a strong basis for the new television series.

Recommended for curious fans of the original or those looking for an antidote to the strong-jawed optimism of the Star Trek universe.

Fantastic!

The creators of the new Battlestar Galactica have done an awesome job of bringing this series into the 21st Century. The characterization is rich with subtilty, the actors are fantastic, the mysteries and twists kept the plot fresh... I just can't say enough good about this series. As I was not a fan of the original BSG, I had my doubts starting the new series. Now, I'm a solid fan.