Battlestar Galactica: Season 4 | 
| Director: Michael Rymer
Actors: Edward James Olmos, Mary Mcdonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis
Studio: Universal Pictures Video
Category: DVD
List Price: £34.99
Buy New: £24.48
You Save: £10.51 (30%)
New (7) Used (2) from £23.34
Rating:  69 reviews
Sales Rank: 167
Format: Box Set, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region: 2
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 519 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 1.1
EAN: 5050582565522
ASIN: B001CD9K9G
Release Date: October 6, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Add to Wishlist
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 64 more reviews...
 battlestar galactica season four and a half December 3, 2008
Paul Tapner (poole dorset england)
this is a dvd containing the latest season of the tv show battlestar galactica. this is an entirely new version of the science fiction series from the 1970's. and if you haven't seen the mini series that started the show and then the first three seasons that followed then don't read further. go and buy them, because you haven't really got much chance of picking up the story from this season if you haven't.
as mentioned in other reviews this was originally going to be the fourth and final season, and would have run for twenty episodes. the american writers strike of 2007 meant that production had to be halted halfway through, so a ten episode season four was the result. the final ten episodes of the show will follow in due course, and will be season five. [which is quite an appropriate title really, given that it will be about the hunt for a character called number five, but I digress..]
since the tenth episode here finishes on a very big cliffhanger, it does form a season, albeit shorter than usual, in it's own right.
this dvd contains all ten episodes of season four, spread over four discs. as you will see from other reviews they have increased the size of the box set by including the tv movie battlestar galactica razor on the first disc. this was originally released separately so you will be buying you've already got if you have that and then buy this. disc one does contain all the special features that were on the original razor dvd.
discs two and three contain four episodes each, and disc four has two. there is no direct scene access, and the only language track and subtitles are in english, no other languages.
the ten episodes of this season do jettison the story of the week format of earlier years, and concentrate on moving the main story along instead. it does take a while to build in pace, and it does seem that in a couple of earlier ones things arent advanced too far. but in the second half of the season things really do pick up pace and there are major events that really move the whole story along. characters change, alliances are formed, shocking things happen, and then the show pulls the rug out from under your feet with episode ten...
but I've said too much about that already.
as anyone who has kept up with the show will know this is not just great science fiction, it's quality drama. and this season is certainly that. and it makes starbuck and apollo, who became very self absorbed and annoying in season three, more likeable characters once again. which is no small feat!
the fourth disc has some special features in addition to the ninth and tenth episodes: a very short trailer for the forthcoming season five. and the welcome sight of some deleted scenes from each episode. there were none on season three so this is a nice bonus. the amount from each episode can vary - some run for sixteen minutes, most six, one just one, and they are slightly unfinished production wise, some lacking special effects, but they're all worth a look. particularly a very strong character scene from episode four, and episode five and nine's deleted scenes actually show us the fates of characters that we didn't get to see on screen, so you will want a look at them.
despite the obvious quibbles about the price and the inclusion of razor, which I already had, I still rate this a 5/5, because the quality of the episodes is worth it. I have no idea whether these will be re released in due course in a season four/five set, or one set for the whole show. so think carefully before you buy. but you will be getting some great tv drama if you do
 This is not a double dip November 30, 2008
Dimitrios Kiminas
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Some people complain that "this is only half of season 4" and then rather naively say that they will wait to buy the whole season 4.
Let's make this clear now: there will not be a 'complete season 4' boxset. The first half of the american season 4 is released in DVD as "season 4.0" in the US and "season 4" in the UK. Then, the last 10 episodes will be released as "Season 4.5" in the US and "Season 5" in the UK.
So buy this set without fear, you'll need to buy both sets "season 4" and "season 5" anyways.
After "season 5" is released, the only combination offered will be the whole "seasons 1 to 5" box set that will cost a lot more money.
Excellent season marred by some issues. November 28, 2008
J. D. Ludlow (Reading, UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
So... Battlestar Galactica Season 4, or Season 4 Part 1. The last season, or the last but one.
Naming conventions aside, this is an excellent build up to the climax that should be airing early next year. There are four discs in this box set, with the first containing the Razor movie. Razor isn't the main attraction here, and you could skip it if you wanted to, but you'd be missing out. It's a good movie and a look into life aboard the Battlestar Pegasus, including certain events alluded to in the main series.
The actual season episodes cover the remaining three discs, and they live up to the standard set in the previous seasons. There's no shortage of action and drama - we see the fallout of Starbuck's unusual reappearance, we see the Cylons have a little falling out, and we see more political wrangling than you can shake a proverbial stick at. And maybe, just maybe, the discovery of Earth...?
The battles do take a bit of a back seat in this season as various parties wind up for the big finish, but they are there and when they happen, they really have an impact.
So, all good then, so why only four stars? Well there are some issues. The whole half season thing just annoys me, but I'll live with it because BSG is a great show, and the price point isn't too unreasonable, especially if you don't already have Razor on DVD. The other (more important) reason is that, while the first three discs worked fine, the final disc refused to read on my DVD player (a cheap Alba), but it worked on my PC. I'm not sure why, but it smells a little like someone experimenting with DVD copyright systems and not getting it quite right.
The set is still worth buying though, and if you have a decent player it will probably work fine. However, I'm firmly of the opinion that if you're selling something as a DVD, then it should work on all DVD player models - even cheap Alba ones. And that's why it drops a star.
Update: to clarify the season number issue, for whatever reason the rest of the episodes will be aired as Season 5 in the UK, and Season 4 Part 2 in the US.
Who cares if it's only half a season November 25, 2008
Ma A. R. Sutton (London, England)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is great.
Yes it's only half a season... But who really cares, the quality of the show hasn't got worse because some people feel ripped off.
It's only TV, get over it.
I digress...
This is a fantastic series and it has a great end to it!
Cant wait until the final bit in 2009.
 Half Empty November 24, 2008
Jimmy the hand
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Let's get the facts straight from the start. I am a real fan of BSG and have been since I watched the teaser on sky 1 in....2004. It's been a journey to the point that every winter I'm getting ready for the series launch post january blues....and series 4 was no different. Yes I'm cheesed off that I bought Eraser when it came part of series 4. Yes I'm cheesed off that it is partial. I finished the final episode thinking well it's great there is still the finale to come but I have to say I felt it a little half empty for a chap that in general isn't. That's not good.
|
|
|
|
