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Book Reviews of Battlestar Galactica: The Official CompanionBook Review: A great book on a BRILLIANT show! Summary: 4 StarsHaving searched high and low for this book, I finally got hold of it earlier this week, and have to say it was well worth the wait. Detailing the creative processes behind the "re-imagineering" of Battlestar Galactica (both the mini-series and thirteen episode Season 1), this books goes into great detail on what it took to bring each episode to TV. Interviews with ALL the actors (some more detailed than others), episode summaries, how the episodes were written, and what inspired them, chapters on the production design, special effects and music of the show, lots of production illustrations, and colour photo section (although this could have been better! Hence the 4 stars....) and a look ahead to the upcoming 20 episodes of Season 2 (Come on Sky - get it on TV NOW!), this is an insightful and entertaining look at the development of what has been called "one of the greatest TV shows of 2004!" (Newsday magazine, USA) and "....TV's most provocative fantasy adventure!" (TV Guide, USA). You'll also be surprised at how Sky TV stepped in at the last minute to help make the show a reality!!! A good read for fans of the show, and if you haven't watched it, or bought the DVDs, then you really, REALLY should! Well worth picking up.
Book Review: A frakking great read Summary: 5 StarsAfter reading all the magazine and newspaper articles and listening to all of the podcasts and the commentaries on the new DVD boxset, I honestly thought I knew everything there was to know about the start of the superb new Battlestar Galactica. But The Official Companion not only covers everything we already knew about the show's launch in far more detail than ever before, but its also loaded tighter than Tom Zarak's prison barge with surprising new revelations and information. From the producer's alternate casting choices (Susan Sarandon as President Roslin? Stargate SG-1's Ben Browder as Apollo? Richard Hatch as Elosha?) to storyline developments and Universal's unwillingness to launch the episodic series without the help of an international broadcaster (thank for the Lords of Kobol for Sky One!), everything you need to know about the miniseries and season one is here. David Bassom, the author, interviews all of the key players from Edward Olmos down, and covers everything in an in depth but always interesting manner. This is the definitive guide to the start of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. Every true BSG fan should have this book.
Book Review: Excellent companion to excellent series Summary: 5 StarsThe whole Battlestar Galactica retread might fill some of us, old enough to remember 'Face' from the A team playing Starbuck, Cylon-shooter and cigar-chomper, with nervous trepidation, but, as I hope people know, the updated show, with the stone faced Edward James Olmos, is wonderful. Gritty, character-driven, exciting, moving and scary.This is an excellent companion to the pilot episode and series one with extended notes on all episodes, not just telling you what happened, but explaining what the makers were trying to achieve with each show. Realise that you've seen Apollo before (as a 'Rupert' in 'Ultimate Force' with Ross Kemp); thrill at the plans of the battlestar; delight in the little anecdotes about the old series afficiandos being won over. Great stuff. One word of caution, watch the shows first, then read this, otherwise you'll know all the plots.
More Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion reviews: 1 2
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