Stargate Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Nerdy linguist and a sad soldier go through a mystical portal to blow up an alien pharaoh…again.

🍿 Stargate: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Discovery

In 1928, a mysterious device is unearthed in Egypt. Decades later, Dr. Daniel Jackson, a brilliant but discredited Egyptologist, is recruited to decipher ancient hieroglyphs connected to the device. These hieroglyphs lead him to a secret military facility where the device, now known as the Stargate, is being studied.

Journey Through the Gate

Jackson deciphers the symbols and activates the Stargate, revealing it to be a portal to another planet. A military team, led by Colonel Jonathan ‘Jack’ O’Neil, is assembled to journey through the Stargate and explore the other side. O’Neil, haunted by the death of his son, carries a secret mission: to destroy the Stargate if it poses a threat to Earth.

Encounter with Ra

The team arrives on a desert planet inhabited by humans who resemble ancient Egyptians and are enslaved by Ra, a powerful alien posing as a god. Jackson discovers that Ra uses the Stargate to transport humans from Earth to this planet to mine resources that power his advanced technology. The team befriends the local population and begins to question Ra’s authority.

Rebellion and the Fall of Ra

The team helps the enslaved humans to rebel against Ra. O’Neil’s team is able to inspire the people, teaching them that Ra is not a god, but a mortal being. Jackson’s ability to communicate with the natives, and connect with Sha’uri is integral to bringing them together to fight. Ultimately, the team leads a successful uprising, freeing the people from Ra’s tyranny.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Col. Jonathan ‘Jack’ O’Neil (Kurt Russell): A hardened military man, haunted by personal tragedy, who leads the mission through the Stargate.
• Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader): A brilliant but discredited Egyptologist who deciphers the Stargate and joins the expedition.
• Ra (Jaye Davidson): An alien posing as an Egyptian god who enslaves humans on a distant planet.
• Catherine Langford (Viveca Lindfors): A determined woman who dedicates her life to understanding and unlocking the secrets of the Stargate.
• Skaara (Alexis Cruz): A young native from the planet who befriends O’Neil and becomes a symbol of rebellion.
• Sha’uri (Mili Avital): A native woman who is given to Daniel Jackson and later becomes his love interest.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Daniel Jackson: “Give me something I don’t know.” – Said sarcastically to Catherine Langford after she states the obvious about his language skills.
• Colonel Jonathan ‘Jack’ O’Neil: “Give my regards to King Tut, asshole.” – O’Neil’s defiant final words to Ra before sending the enhanced bomb to Ra’s ship.
• Dr. Daniel Jackson: “They weren’t gods, they were aliens.” – Daniel’s realization about Ra and other alien beings posing as gods to ancient civilizations.
• Colonel Jonathan ‘Jack’ O’Neil: “What a rush!” – O’Neil nonchalantly remarks after the team goes through the stargate and arrives at the alien planet.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $55,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $71,567,262
• Worldwide Gross: $196,567,262

💥 Stargate Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Stargate’ for the first time as a kid and being absolutely blown away! The idea of traveling to another planet through a portal based on ancient Egyptian mythology was just so cool. Seeing the gate activate and the characters stepping into the unknown was epic. It wasn’t just the special effects, but also the sense of adventure and discovery that really hooked me. Even now, the blend of sci-fi and history still feels fresh. It’s definitely one of those movies that sparked my love for science fiction.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of science fiction and adventure films”
  • “Viewers interested in Egyptian mythology”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about exploration and overcoming tyranny”
  • “Fans of Kurt Russell and James Spader”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Some scenes of peril and enslavement”
  • “Brief thematic elements relating to suicide (Colonel O’Neil’s backstory)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A visually impressive sci-fi adventure that blends ancient mythology with futuristic technology, ‘Stargate’ offers an engaging if somewhat predictable storyline. Kurt Russell and James Spader make for a compelling duo as they explore a new world full of danger and wonder.
• The New York Times: “While the plot may seem a little derivative at times, the film’s unique take on Egyptian mythology sets it apart from other sci-fi adventures. ‘Stargate’ delivers on visual spectacle but falls short on character development. The film is enjoyable enough, but it’s not going to blow anyone’s mind.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘Stargate’ is an entertaining popcorn flick with a creative premise and exciting action sequences. The film’s blend of science fiction and ancient history is refreshing, even if the characters are a little flat. It’s fun, but not particularly deep or thought-provoking.

Audience Reactions

Visually stunning effects that were groundbreaking for their time.: The combination of science fiction and ancient Egyptian mythology is uniquely captivating.

Kurt Russell and James Spader make a great team, balancing action and humor.: The movie has a strong sense of adventure that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive sci-fi adventure that creatively blends ancient mythology with futuristic elements, although some find the characters underdeveloped.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jaye Davidson, who played Ra, was not a professional actor. He was a fashion designer who was discovered at a party and cast in ‘The Crying Game’. He was reluctant to take the role of Ra, but accepted after being offered $1 million.”
• “The original rough cut of ‘Stargate’ was three hours long. It was eventually released at two hours, with a director’s cut adding only about ten minutes back in.”
• “Roland Emmerich conceived the idea for Stargate during film school in 1979.”

🖥️ How to Watch Stargate?

Stargate is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for broadcast schedules. It’s not currently streaming on major subscription services like Netflix or Hulu, but this may change.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Stargate, you might like these similar films:

• Contact (1997): Explores the themes of scientific discovery and encountering alien civilizations with a focus on communication and understanding, similar to Stargate’s premise.
• Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): Features archeological discoveries with ancient mysteries, action and adventure elements, sharing Stargate’s sense of exploration and historical intrigue.
• Planet of the Apes (1968): Deals with space travel, culture shock, and the realization that an alien world reflects humanity’s own history and potential for both good and evil.
• Ancient Aliens (2010): Explores the idea that extraterrestrials visited Earth in ancient times and influenced human history, similar to Stargate’s plot, but documentary.

🛒 Stargate Related Products

• Stargate SG-1: The Complete Series: Relive the entire Stargate SG-1 saga with this digital series, continuing the adventures beyond the original movie. Explore new worlds, face powerful enemies, and uncover the secrets of the Ancients.
• Stargate – Limited Edition Blu-ray Steelbook: Own a piece of sci-fi history with this limited-edition Blu-ray steelbook. Featuring stunning visuals and remastered audio, this collector’s item is a must-have for any Stargate enthusiast.
• Stargate Movie Poster: Decorate your space with this iconic poster from the original ‘Stargate’ movie. A great way to show your love for the film and its groundbreaking blend of sci-fi and mythology. This vibrant poster captures the mystery of space travel.
• Stargate Command T-Shirt: Show your allegiance to Stargate Command with this high-quality t-shirt. Featuring the iconic emblem, this shirt is perfect for fans who want to represent their favorite sci-fi franchise in style. Wear it to conventions or movie nights!

🎧 Soundtrack

Stargate features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by David Arnold
• “Ra’s Arrival” – performed by David Arnold
• “Going Home” – performed by David Arnold

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Stargate (1994) Retrospective/Review – Stargate Retrospective, Part 1

Delve into the rich history of the Stargate movie with this comprehensive retrospective, offering a fresh perspective on its development, cast, and legacy.

The GOA’ULD (STARGATE Explained)

Unravel the mysteries of the sinister Goa’uld from Stargate, as this video dives deep into their parasitic nature and their quest for power.

Analyzing why Stargate is Better Written than Star Trek

Join the debate in this engaging video that explores the strengths of Stargate’s writing, contrasting it with Star Trek and offering a fresh perspective on the genre.

✨ Rate