In "V: The Miniseries" we see a band of unlikely brothers forge together to stop an indestructible group of aliens determined to rid the world of water and subsequently transform the human race into a combo meal at McDonald's. The aliens eat fuzzy creatures, they like to copulate with humans, and their voices cannot be trusted, yet this group of rebels continues forward. Half homage to past science fiction films, and half an allegory of the events surrounding WWII, "V: The Miniseries" wasn't perfect, but it provided hours of nostalgic entertainment. Now, with "V: The Final Battle", the gloves are thrown off, the symbolic references are destroyed, and the game is transformed into merely a battle between human and alien. It is about resistance, standing up for beliefs, and plenty of fictitious science all rolled into three hours. Our band of outsiders is down, but not finished. They deliver several swift blows to the alien objective and finally one "final battle" that leaves doors unopened and plot holes uncovered. "V: The Final Battle" was a swift ending, but where it built onto action, it lacked that panache that the original episodes did. "The Final Battle" assumed that characters were already developed, and instead of taking a humanistic direction, director Richard Heffron placed his bets on the special effects. This was a completely different ending to a decently sharp beginning.Heffron isn't Kenneth Johnson, and it is obvious that this is a second part to an idea, not a continuation. Not only have the overall themes changed, but the influx of special effects has lead us down the path of horrid dialogue, randomly placed action scenes (i.e. the fistfight over the powder), and the lack of developed story lines. Johnson may have taken longer to get to the point, but at least there was a point. Heffron went in a completely, some may say bold, direction – but it didn't work. Investing over five hours, one could easily demand a conclusion, but none could be found here. The introduction of Elizabeth (the child of an alien and human) was exciting, but nothing happened. The idea of quick growth was introduced, but then easily forgotten – same as Mike's son being changed as a spy. Again, another strong and vexing idea that was mentioned, and then forgotten. It was these smaller nuances that seemed to be clearer in "The Final Battle" than in the original.In addition to the lackluster plot, the acting seemed to be progressively getting worse. Our original characters were not the same as in this final set – the excitement seemed to have dissipated and with too many small story arch's never being fully developed, it was no wonder our characters seemed to be lacking that pioneering gumption. Marc Singer's Mike was more a meathead than a leader, the annoying child who gave birth to the spawn seemed more annoying than helpful – and Ham seemed to be unreasonably angrier. This wasn't the same set we stopped with on the miniseries. The resistance was going to win; it was inevitable, so why did it have to be so mismatched to get there.What was kept? What worked? It was somewhat like that feeling of seeing "Star Wars" for the first time. When the villains finally get it, one cannot help but feel that moment of excitement swell in the throat, but there needed to be more. The alien baby is worth the price of the DVD alone, a cross between originality and a "Ghoulie", it provided at least an hour of laughter. The fist fight between Ham and Mike seemed reminiscent of the film "They Live", so it received some points for that, but overall it just felt cheap. The sets were bigger, the acting was weaker, and the money was tighter. While you should watch this after "The Miniseries", don't expect the same quality.Grade: ** ½ out of *****

Since the first one deals with the invasion of the Alien Visitors, this one heads off where the battle continues on. Since the resistance have found turncoat visitors on their side, things seem to go their way. On National TV, Julie Parrish(Faye Grant) exposes them them. Since the majority of the "Visitors" all have single names, Brian(Peter Nelson) gets Robin(Blair Tefkin) pregnant produces a half-breed with awesome powers. The other is a full-blooded humanoid alien, it dies. They discover a a way to take out the "Visitors". Only one thing; they have to find the turncoats so that they don't get killed. They're given an antidote from the "Red Dust", they get Ham Tyler(Michael Ironside), the toughest of all resistance. Along with fellow visitor Willie(Robert Englund, the future "Freddy Krueger") to help fight against his own people. Since he was sent to the wrong country, he was a big help all the way. He avenged Harmony's killer, and was a big help with Elizabeth(The Star Child). Great mini-series, and the show was a blast! 4 out of 5 stars!

After seeing this crap I just could not hold myself from vomiting. My mind couldn't continue to accept and defy reason. A bunch of soccer moms, a crack head, a gardener, a tight jeans cameraman and a few nerdy scientists battle against the intergalactic equivalent of the US navy seals or the German waffen SS and win every time? Suddenly regular people know how to shoot rocket launchers and machine guns with hawk eye precision? And that blondie Sylvia Saint look alike ( she's very hot btw ) is the most unlikely leader I've ever seen. How the hell did Barbie got chosen to be the resistance leader? The resistance seems to pick their camps with gorgeous views behind, sometimes it gets so cheesy it seems you are watching an afternoon soap opera.C'on Now, on to the invaders. How can they be so stupid? They are far too technologically advanced and superior to us and apparently they haven't discovered recycling nor farming nor animal domestication to feed their starving people on their home planet? Oh and here's the SUPER secret formula for water invaders: H 20! Plus they are the wimpiest fascists since the Italians in WW 2, they can't seem to plan or execute anything right. Everything they plan goes wrong all the time. And let's not talk about security, one pass apparently opens every door in the mother ship.... or perhaps they don't even bother to lock the doors or update their security codes up there.V: the final battle gets more unbelievably stupid as it goes on. By the time this crap is about to end you'd expect the Ewoks or ALF to show up anytime soon. Diana continues to be super hot even with those terrible 80's hair styles and I guess there was no teeth whitening in the 80's. Many in that cast really needed one.Very disappointing. You can see why creator Kenneth Johnson wants to scrap the whole thing. Great television turned into sappy sentiment. The Visitors come across as imbeciles rather than ruthless villains. The resistance as a gang of klutzes, I really hated the part where they resorted to germ warfare. Nobody raised a moral objection to it. Really sad. And the Visitors can't cure the red dust, stupid. Really lame. Maybe next time they'll get V right.

"V:The Final Battle really does show that follow ups are really great.the cast of "V" return in this great follow up.The war with the Visitor has heated up,the resistance is getting beat some but really fight back with the help of the Fifth Column,led by Martin.Robin gives birth to a half human,half Visitor baby,which she names Elizabeth.Elizabeth is the hope for all.I like the fate of Daniel Bernstein got set up by the resistance.Daniel will be on a serving platter for what happened to Brian,that is Daniel's punishment by the Visitor,Steven,played by Andrew Prine(Amityville II:The Possession).The resistance set him up after he killed Ruby,a lady Daniel knew growing up.Michael Ironside(Spacehunter:The Adventures In The Forbidden Zone,SeaQuest 2032,and Total Recall)as Ham Tyler is a wonderful addition to the "V" franchise.Michael Ironside plays the roll of Ham Tyler really well.Mickey Jones(Savage Dawn,Total Recall,and National Lampoon's Vacation)is another,he plays Ham Tyler's associate,Chris Faber,Denise Galik-Furey as Maggie Blodgett,This follow up to "V" really did real well,I liked it when I saw it when it came out in 1984,and "V" The Series after.Kenneth Johnson did a great job creating this show and shows like "The Incredible Hulk" and "Alien Nation".I give "V:The Final Battle" 2 thumbs up and 10/10 stars.