The original 'Battlestar Galactica' series from the 70s was, and still is, a lot of fun to watch and has a lot of great things, such as most of the production values, the music and the cast (especially loved Adama and Starbuck). Flaws and all, there is still a soft spot for the show.At the same time, it was a long way from a flawless show, with the problems more noticeable to an adult audience, such as annoying child actors, the character of Muffit II, the tone not always being focused and too many homages that distracted from the main plot-line. When 'Battlestar Galactica' was good, it was great, as seen with "War of the Gods" which took a darker and bolder approach and ended up epitomising what the show is all about. When the show was not good, like with "The Young Lords", it was cringe-worthy.There was the worry that this mini-series, or pilot to the 2004 re-boot, would be another 'Galactica 1980', which had one great episode in the final episode "The Return of Starbuck" and one great scene in the attack of the Cylons on Los Angeles but is down there as one of the most pointless and unnecessary shows ever made, not only making the mistakes as the original 'Battlestar Galactica' did but amplifying them and making more on the way.No fear of that. For a pilot mini-series, 'Battlestar Galactica' (2003) was pretty darn good, honestly was not expecting it to be this good. Whereas pilots tend to have a shaky finding-its-feet vibe, while still with things that could have been done better, 'Battlestar Galactica' (2003) is enough to make one feel excited, rather than apprehensive, for what was to follow. Am going to go on a limb here, for me this was an improvement on the original 'Battlestar Galactica' and while clearly for an older and perhaps more adult audience perhaps a little more accessible.In 'Battlestar Galactica' (2003) the tone is much more consistent. It's dark, bold, moody and sombre compared to the more light-hearted and admittedly sometimes cheesy tone of the original, and while it was different it was interesting and avoided generally being clinical and cold (though it was occasionally in the early scenes). It clearly knows what tone it's trying to take, without trying to be too many things all at once which would fall into the traps of being bloated and under-explored, and what target audience it's aiming to appease to, without trying too hard to appeal to them. The characters have much more depth, with complex and nuanced personalities (the heroes have flaws as well as strengths, while the more villainous characters are more than standard villains with a sympathetic and humane edge while also being a threat). Only Tigh is a little flat.The Cylons are more consistently characterised, being more of a threat rather than being indecisively written, and there are no annoying child actors or any character down there with the likes of Muffit II or Doctor Zee from 'Galactica 1980'.Apart from some camera work that comes over as gimmicky and excessive, the production values are top notch, so much so that it felt out of place when it was aired on the Sci-Fi Channel with most of its output (more its movies than the long-running shows that aired) looking like direct to video fodder, and that's being kind. Mostly it's stylishly and atmospherically shot, the settings are more expansive and leaves one in awe and the special effects are not cheap and not repetitive or recycled. The music is haunting and moody with also with melancholy and nuanced pathos without being overly-bombastic or sappy, approaches that would have sounded wrong within the show.Writing is as layered and complex as the characters, as well as being more focused tonally and the story-lines more consistent. It's very insightful and thought-provoking, and resists going into overload of cheese or mawkish sentimentality. While taking its time to develop, the story is still incredibly compelling with a lot going on while still being very much cohesive. There is no padding and the concept is always obvious with little getting in the way. The acting is very good, especially from dignified and authoritative Edward James Olmos and a heartfelt Mary McDonnell. A female and more abrasive Starbuck did take getting used to at first and did need toning down at first, but generally the sass and toughness of the character was entertaining and Katee Sackoff did very well bringing that out.Overall, fans of the original show will be, and have been, put off by the wildly different feel of the show. But for other people who either liked the original while also acknowledging its flaws (like me) or didn't care for it, the different feel was, or will be, a welcome change due to having more depth and a more focused tone.9/10 Bethany Cox

This three hour miniseries is absolutely stunning in so many ways I don't even know where to begin. It puts us in the middle of a world with a complex history. It, unapologetically, launches the story straight away. I like the fact it assumes we know this fictitious world. It forces you to keep paying attention, as there is a lot going on. History, plot, characters, twists and turns are all crammed into 180 minutes, but it doesn't feel bloated or rushed. If anything, it has perfect pacing. To feel this connected and this involved with a large group of characters after just three hours is quite amazing. The large group of characters contains familiar but reliable archetypes, and more complex characters. My favorite would have to be James Callis. He portrays a selfish but conflicted man, somewhat responsible for the end of humanity. He is joined by a Jiminy Cricketesque subconscious, that takes the form of a very sexy Cyclon. Lots of terminology, politics, religious and technological debates abound. If you like your TV (or even movies) dense, well rounded, beautifully scripted, and utterly engaging, please check this out. Now if you'll excuse me, I have 4 seasons to be getting on with.

The Battlestar Galactica mini-series is a two hour and a half extravaganza that sets itself up as an introduction to the forth coming full series, detailing the Cylon's attack on the twelve human colonies, that leaves the 'Galactica' and her rag tag fleet of civilian vehicles as the only thing between their robotic nemeses and total eradication of the human race. It pays homage to the original series and indeed as well as re-imagining its predecessor, attempts in its own way to gift them both existence in the same plane. More importantly, however, the mini- series sets out to stamp its own authority on the highly lacking sci-fi series universe using its brand of sublime special effects, intense action, gripping storyline and absorbing characters (even if one in particular is, thankfully, never seen again) to hook you from the get go so that you go further and search for its subsequent seasons. However, and unfortunately there is a however, the very first episode of the first season is an incredibly difficult place to start for those that have not watched the mini-series. Personally half way through the lengthy introduction I went out to purchase both seasons 1 and 2 on DVD as I was hooked, but the seasons do not lend themselves to watching without the introduction. So much happens and takes place and is set up in the preceding film that any one who you have recommended the new look "Battlestar" to simply must view this first, otherwise subtle nuances and plot points will be lost. Why is this such an issue? Simply because the "Mini-Series", while an enjoyable entertaining affair, does not prepare you for how good episode one is, and how you are then catapulted into a world which will eat away hours of your life. This first instalment is unrefined: certain quotations and characters are unnecessarily placed within it to cater to the original fan base (I'm also aware the director and producer are seeing what works within their construct) one of which is so far removed from needed that it almost spoils the experience. The dialogue is also in a rough stage of development, whereby the outlines of characters must be forged so the conversations and interactions don't flow as smoothly as they should, and can provide for a partially cringe worthy affair.However, I will maintain (as I have to many friends I have recommended it to) that perseverance is the key. You will not appreciate the greatness of the subsequent seasons without ploughing through the mini-series. Not that the mini-series isn't an enjoyable watch, but for those who are still undecided about the concept or not immensely avid science fiction fans, it can come across as turgid and clichéd, which is why I would suggest watching the first episode of the series immediately thereafter. If that doesn't capture your imagination then Battlestar Galactica is not for you. It is a great deal of time to invest in what is nothing more, for the cynics, than a dirge-fest of a 70s show transported into the noughties equipped with blonde bombshells and everything that any prepubescent needs in its sci-fi, but BSG is so much more than that, and to be frank, the quality of the show means that there are not many cynics about. Countless times, before I began watching, I read and read in various television supplements that this was and is the best thing on television, and to be frank they are right, for once you are involved it's a sterling whirlwind, but this two and a half hour affair is a must if you are to fully appreciate the series. If you enjoy or have enjoyed this instalment you will adore the series, for those still undecided I would recommend watching the first episode and judge from there whether you wish to continue, and for those that found this tedious and science fiction twaddle...well...you can just frak off!

I saw the original back when it was released in Australia at out local cinema (Bundaberg) in 79 or 1980(?) and loved that and the TV series even if the centurions heads wobble when they talk. Funny stuff! But the re-imagined series just blows my socks off. I like it so much I have bought the DVD's so I can watch them whenever. The casting is superb, the acting is sublime, the writing is sensational, the directors do brilliant work and as far as I am concerned the story line/plot remains basically true to the basic original concept with the obvious perfectly acceptable exceptions here and there. There is not one thing about the new series I can fault. IT ROCKS!! I also completely love the fact that they have changed some of the original male characters to be female. IT'S PER-R-R-R-FECTION with a capital P. I hope there will be many spin off stories. Keep it coming BSG creators!