MovieChat Forums > Battlestar Galactica (2003) Discussion > For the ones who saw the original series...

For the ones who saw the original series in the 70`s

posted 14 years ago by beto_sp0004
13 replies | jump to latest

For the ones who saw the original series (like myself) back in the 70`s, is the new one really good?
I love the original one when I was a kid, during the 70`s/80`s, and, due to that, I never had any desire to watch the new one, since it was like they were "preying on my childhood". And it would be ever worse if it happened to be some horrible thing (IMHO) such as the new Bionic Woman.

However, today I read the full series description on wikipedia and I had the impression this series to be really good. And, let`s face, the original series was way beyond being cheesy, I cannot deny it. In fact, I saw the pilot some years ago, and it was really painful to watch. Just like many other series from that time (Buck Rogers, Isis, The 6 million dollars man, for instance), it was really bad. Unfortunately, I must realize the only reason I could like then now would be my for my childhood`s memories. But even this could not make watch it again and really enjoy it.

By the way, I am definitely not saying older series were all bad. The 50/70`s periods produces many wonderful ones that (again, IMHO) stands solid up to now (I love Lucy, Bewitched, The Waltons, Happy Days, just to name a few of them). However, I was not true to those older science fiction...boy they all sucked...

So my point is. Is it good for someone who have "feelings" for the original series to saw it? Would I like it? Did you do?

Thanks in advance.

Regards

[–] President_Ackbar_Impeached 14 years ago

Please watch it!

It's like someone took something fun ( but kinda dumb and silly ) from your childhood, and then turned into an Oscar winning Best Picture, for you to watch as an adult.

The only similar example I can think of, off the top of my head, is BATMAN (1960s TV) being turned into THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

[–] beto_sp0004 14 years ago

Thanks for your reply. I think i will give it a try.

[–] President_Ackbar_Impeached 14 years ago

You should, you'll love it.

[–] virgon035 14 years ago

It's different. It's much darker and a lot more real. They don't find a planet full of people and then help them every week. The characters are much more flawed and make some bad decisions. The Cylons are a lot scarier.

But you'll enjoy it.

[–] Lucifer1974 14 years ago

When I was a kid I too have fond memories of this show thinking that it was the greatest thing ever… upon hearing of the remake I was instantly turned away from it thinking how dare they remake such an amazing show. Even catching a few glimpses of the new series I was disgusted at the idea (Probably since I had no idea what was going on.)

It wasn’t until the end of the Second Season that I finally broke down and decided to rent the miniseries. Even though most people consider this show to be a Scifi Soap Opera, I instantly fell in love with the show. Being in the military I saw minor details that I could relate too, actions and reactions that were realistically close to how the military really reacts to situations.

I do feel obligated to warn you though; most people were displeased on how the series ended they felt that it was rushed, and that there was really no closure… I on the other hand loved the show from start to finish but that is completely my opinion.

PS, I did go back and try to rewatch the OS and boy what was I thinking the OS was god awful. To be young again I guess

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result

[–] cafesmitty 14 years ago

Once you watch the new series, you will never, ever, ever want to watch the original series from the 70s. As much fun that was when i was a kid, the original comes off a bit cheesy now. For me, I think this new BSG will stand up for quite a number of years. The difference between now and then is the old one, you didn't have to watch every episode, with this one, its a must. There aren't any stand-alone episodes and not even Razor is stand-alone.

At first I was against how they changed the sex and race of the characters, but it so so so works here. Every single member of the cast is outstanding and I do mean everyone.

Battle Star Galactica and Band of Brothers are the only two multi-episodes DVD that I can watch and not get bored with on second viewing.

[–] Maximus-8 13 years ago

Man, a "bit" cheesy is the understatement of the century. That robot monkey dog thing still bugs me.

[–] Leto II 13 years ago

The new BSG is bleak? ...NO. Why should it be?

Hey, billions upon billions of our race died in the blink of an eye. Now the few thousands of us left are stuck living in tin cans, overcrowded, low on supplies, with a broken government system perpetually on the brink of collapse. What are we going to do?

Let's turn that frown upside down, and go on space adventures. With space casinos, space hookers, and robot puppies.

[–] Shifty_LaRue 13 years ago

I thought the exact same thing and did everything in my power to not watch the new one. Then one day I just sat and watched it and OMG, I think it is so much better than the original. I can't believe I actually thought that I didn't want to watch this one because it wouldn't be like the old one. I love that there is actually a story to this. I would suggest that you definitely watch it!

[–] kmorrison1 13 years ago

I worshipped BG in 1978 when it came out. I have seen every episode at least 20 times.

This show is amazing. It is so much better than the original. Trust me. If you are about to embark on all 72 episodes of this, hold on. You are in for a wild ride.

[–] Lunchbox-3 10 years ago

I grew up on repeats of the original in the '80s. When the remake was announced of course I was turned off by the idea. My opinion is that basically all remakes are going to be disappointing, at least to anyone who has seen the original. Because if the original was good enough to be worthy of a remake then it must have been excellent, at least in some aspect. So even if the remake is excellent it is only as good as the original and not as original. They either tend to remake the original exactly which just feels like a phony copy. Or they try to do the exact opposite just for surprise value even when it doesn't make sense, like Star Trek Into Darkness having Spock blubber and weep while Kirk sacrifices himself, out of character for both.

But I watched the new BSG miniseries hoping to be proven wrong and I hated it. I hated the ongoing show even more and couldn't make it past the middle of season 1. Now it's been a few years. I just went through and watched 1978 BSG, probably in order for the first time ever. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it but it sure doesn't make a lot of sense so I shouldn't hold it in such high esteem probably. So now I am trying 2004 BSG again. I just watched the miniseries and it isn't as bad as I remembered but it still has a lot of holes in it. And I can't stand the fake documentary style. It really takes me out of the moment. It reminds me I'm not really there in the room with them, I'm watching it on TV, because if I was really there I wouldn't be seeing lens flare or shaky cam. And who exactly is shooting this documentary footage?

Anyway I will try season 1 again and see if it goes any better. From seeing ads for all 4 seasons back when they were on I know they maintain high production value. I just don't know how well I can overlook plot holes and poor writing that I heard even the true fans complain about a lot.

[–] grendelkhan 10 years ago

I loved the original series, though I recognized that the quality of the episodes dropped pretty quickly, and most ended up as an homage to something else. Some of those are still favorites, though, and I loved the cast.

I poo-pooed this originally and didn't try it out until after it was done; but, I found that it was its own animal and it was really good. It captures the best elements of the original, while carving its own path. It's also very thoughtful.

"Fortunately, Ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency!"

[–] cylelle 8 years ago

Unlike most of you here it seems, as a fan of the original, I was more than willing to give the new version a shot when it was announced. Unfortunately, I hated it.

What annoys me the most is the complete and obvious disdain Ronald Moore shows for the original, a series he quite clearly detested. If they were going to do this, at least give it to someone who enjoyed the original so they could build upon its themes and ideals and elevate it rather than someone who apparently took every opportunity he could to tear down the progenitor that gave him his show in the first place.

I thought the fact that the new series clearly favoured the Cylons said it all. Gone was the idea of trying to show humanity was 'a race worth saving'.

Awful, awful show.