Redwarmin
This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place
Dorathen
Better Late Then Never
Zandra
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
XweAponX
Both of, what someone else called these two interesting B5 based quips "Radio Plays" - Are actually much more than "Religious Mumbo-Jumbo" or Galen playing his regular ridiculous techno-games.Both of the "Radio Plays" deal with choices. The first choice has Alan Scarfe (One of my favourite character actors) playing a Catholic Priest who wonders what his place in the universe is. The discussions of this chapter are Theologically, and scientifically, sound: And I heard more than one "Tiplerism" in the discussion (refer to the works of Frank Tipler).As such, I highly enjoyed the solution Lockley comes up with, even though she is getting on there in years like Bruce Boxleitner- It had the very interesting value of being carefully thought out, theologically AND scientifically. Anyone thinking "What was JMS thinking about when he wrote this" forgets that the entire B-5 Series is Lord of the Rings in space, and Lord of the Rings is at it's core a reflection of the religious beliefs of JRR Tolkien.But JMS makes valid statements about what Faith Is in this little episode, and I appreciated that.On the other hand, Boxleitner's dilemma, was almost too easy to guess the solution (I had guessed it about 3/4 of the way through it).I really liked the quaintness of these two "Lost Tales" - Another Tolkeinism.So now, we have, The Fellowship of Babylon 5, The Two Towers of Babylon 5, Return of the Boxleitner of Babylon 5... And now, these two quaint tales which could be "On Fairie Stories" (An essay by Tolkien regarding the place of Fairy tales versus Faith) and your regular Bilbo mentoring Frodo story (ie, Boxleitner taking the Centauri Prince under his "Star Fury") Even with the stripped Sets and Cast, it is still B-5, and the visuals from Optic Nerve... Well I had forgotten how good they were, and are.
Clemontine
I think this should have been advertised as two episodes on a disc, not a movie, so it wouldn't have been as disappointing.As far as episodes go, I found them very average, but I preferred the first one. At first I really didn't like it, I thought it didn't have a place in sci-fi (being a supernatural/religious story). But in the end I found it intriguing, trying to figure out what was going on and why. Somewhat of a mind game episode, reminded me of 'Comes The Inquisitor'.The second storyline I found rather boring, and a very poor use of Galen's character, although his accent was still the best part of the second half. Nothing happened at all. A lot of talking between Sheridan and Galen, a little bit of flying around (and not even action, just joy riding), then the final decision to do nothing.I guess still a a must-see if you are a hard-core Babylon 5.
tom-1382
Babylon 5 was an excellent series from start to finish. The Lost Tales continues that trend with morally and intellectually baffling story lines, even better special effects and exceptional acting. Woodward's performance of Galen is just as brilliantly mysterious and powerful as ever.The first episode, which is very much a stand-alone story as it does have nothing to do with the rest of the series from what I can tell, is a brilliant religion-themed story with some very good writing that gets underway very quickly and keeps the viewer gripped all the way through.The second story is, in my opinion, quite a bit better than the first, even considering how good that was. It gives us a little more insight into the character of Galen, as well as a nice mention of G'Kar and Franklin, in memory of the two late actors who played them (Katsulas and Biggs).The only shortcoming of these two stories is their lack of length; they did seem a bit crammed into 35 minutes and would have benefited from more time. I can't wait to see more additions to the series!
philjohn.com
yes, I am a fan. but maybe I should have stopped since the abysmal "Legends of the Rangers". But no, everybody is allowed a bad day, especially jms.with this release, I do not mind the few actors. I do not mind the few effects and the action. I can be happy with two actors talking. many a beautiful thing can happen with Galen and Sheridan and Lockley. to be fair, there are some interesting moments. the beginning of the conversation between Lockley and the priest contain nice elements of serious theology and criticism of religion. then all goes to hell. religious fundamentalism in the b5 universe: demons are real, and it is a very serious business. yawn. this story should have been exorcized completely.with the second story, not so much qualms. but it was indeed a tad tedious, and it could not really perform with the intellectual black hole that was the first part. also, everything was too ominous, too primitively put.has jms lost his touch? well, he had more control with this then ever. I now wonder about who actually did screw up Crusade. I am actually interested in the perspectives of the Studio...thanks for 5 seasons, In the Beginning, A Call to Arms and Crusade (and especially, Evan Chen's music therein). but this, as much as Legends of the Rangers, can only be called a personal insult to the fanbase. yuck.
