Stargate (1994)

 

Ah, Roland Emmerich... Say what you will of the man's work, but he has managed to make some of the most fun science fiction adventures in a long time. Sure, he has made quite the few bombs as well, but the man is always enthusiastic about his endeavours in the wondrous realms of the imagination, so there's that. 

Which coincidentally is also the case with 'Stargate': it might not be the best film out there, but it sure is fun and massed enough of a following that series and spin-offs followed suit. 

The film's opening scenes immediately set the tone: in ancient Egypt, a spaceship comes down, taking a young boy with it. Then we cut to Gizeh in 1928, when archeologists discover a massive stone tablet with strange markings on it. And then we're off to the presdent day (well, 1994 or thereabouts, anyway). 

Professor, linguist and Egyptologist Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is having a difficult time. His theories about the pyramids and other buildings of ancient Egypt are being laughed at. Basically, Jackson is thinking they were the work of aliens.

Because of course. 

An elderly lady contacts him and sort of strongarms him into work on a translation of the mysterious tablet they found in Gizeh. Meanwhile, a colonel (Kurt Russell) is brought back to oversee the project. He has recently lost his young son, who shot himself with his service revolver. Jackson manages to decipher the message in about two weeks, whereas the rest of the team has been trying for two years. 

Because of course.

It turns out that the markings are sigils on a circular device that is the eponymous stargate. Jackson, together with Russell's colonel O'Neill and a couple of troopers go through, ending up on a desert planet, where they also find a pyramid. But Jackson can't get them back right away, as he doesn't know the correct symbols to activate the portal from this side. They find a human population who live in fear of Ra, the Egyptian god. According to writings Jackson discovers, Ra was an alien who found humanity, took the body of the boy as it was easier to remain alive indefinitely this way, and kickstarted human civilization. He took thousands of workers with him to this faraway planet to rule. 

Of course Ra returns with his soldiers (who are all modelled after Egyptian gods as Anubis and Horus) and is not pleased with these newcomers, who have also brought a nuclear bomb. 

Because of course.

So now the heat is on to try and defeat Ra and also return home safely. And in the process save the people of this unnamed planet on the far side of the galaxy. 

See, writing it down like this makes it feel as though this film is nothing but a line of clichés stringed together. Which it is, no doubt about that. Even the characters are bland and stock, but despite all this, 'Stargate' is still a film that is heaps of fun. That is not only due to the nice pace and decent editing (except for some scenes where the alien fighters attack), but mostly thanks to the acting. James Spader is having fun playing the slightly goofy professor who is the actual hero of the story, Kurt Russell doesn't have a lot to do, but he is always a win, and the secondary characters either ham it up or are enjoyable to watch. The performance of Jaye Davidson as Ra also feels on point, as a disinterested 'god' who feels everyone is beneath him. 

This isn't that strange, as apparently Davidson was a total prick during production and couldn't give two shits about the film anyway. He supposedly flat out refused to learn his lines and just read them from cue cards. But bizarrely enough, it's this arrogant and uncaring attitude that gives his Ra a memorable touch. Go figure. 

The action scenes are fine, but nothing special. It's Emmerich, so lots of things go boom. But what truly is memorable, is the set design. See, it's already a lot of fun with all the Egyptian furnishings, but they did try and make it look as good as they could. The inside of Ra's ship is gorgeous and reminds you of those classic epics and if there is more memorable armour than the Anubis and Horus-troopers' helmets and staff, I'd like to know. It might not be practical in reality, but boy, does it look good. 

See, this is what Emmerich does best: mindless entertainment that is just a lot of fun, especially if you leave your brain at the door. Just enjoy it for what it is and you will have a great time.