V: The Final Battle

In 1983, one of the best-rated miniseries broadcast on television in the English-speaking world was V, a quaint little story about aliens landing on Earth and using Hitleresque tactics to take it over. The scenario is only unbelievable because of where the invaders come from. Their motives, and the means that these motives drive them to, make the scenario so real that it's almost scary.

The Final Battle picks up at an unspecified time after the original V. The resistance has been struggling to put dents in the Vistors' ability to carry out their sinister plans, but things aren't going so well. A new and improved form of armour ensures that the kind of weapons normally available to the resistance are effectively useless. The fact that most of humanity is being kept in the dark about what is really going on doesn't help matters any.

In order to deal with the latter problem, the resistance conceives a plan to unmask the Vistors' leader on television. They figure that since television can be used for propaganda by the vistors, they can manipulate it to the same end. At first, they seem to succeed, even at tremendous cost. But the media's unrivalled ability to tell the people what to think or believe backfires on them. Enter the professional mercenaries who begrudgingly help them with a new armour-piercing ammunition and various other kinds of tools that allow them to put up a more effective fight.

It sounds like a great follow-up, but looking back on it twenty years later, it really isn't. For one thing, this sequel seems so determined to wrap up every loose end that there is precious little time for character development. The old characters escape this mainly because they were given a lot of it in the original series. However, they don't progress much further from that point. Donovan is still an adventurer who would take on the entire Visitor army by himself if he could. Julie is still a confused, grumpy young woman who wonders why she, of all people, would be chosen to lead this outfit. Robert Maxwell is still the affable scientist who is torn by his need to protect his daughters, no matter what the cost is. Daniel and Eleanor are still the weak, insubstantial forms who don't realise that when all opposition is eliminated, they'll be the first ones up against the wall. If it hadn't been for the original miniseries, you'd know very little about these characters at the beginning of The Final Battle, and even less at the end.

Not that it is all bad. Some of the loose ends are tied up so well that they become classic moments in television history. The fate of Brian is one of the most haunting moments in the story, reflecting a situation that has happened in many wars before now, and will happen in many wars to come. The use of germ warfare against the Visitors is an old story, harkening back to the classic War Of The Worlds scenario. Little was known about the nature of bacteria or virii in Wells' day, so it is even more satisfying that this time around they are able to give it some setup, making the payoff seem less like Deus Ex Machina. The little saga between Caleb and Elias Taylor is also given a payoff that will go down in television history as a classic moment. That Michael Wright and Jason Bernard didn't get more work than they did after this stellar performance is one of the many injustices of the Hollywood system.

A special mention, of course, must go to Michael Ironside and Mickey Jones. When we are first introduced to their characters, we're almost bracing ourselves for yet another Rambo type. While we know little more about Chris Faber in the end than we did when we first see him, there's just enough in this series to make Ham Tyler seem vaguely three-dimensional. This, in turn, is a lot more than what can be said for most of the other characters unique to The Final Battle.

Interestingly, a new miniseries has been announced with the original series creator Kenneth Johnson at the helm, and with key members of the original cast having already signed on. Whether Johnson intends to ignore or downplay this series remains unknown, but unfortunately, most of The Final Battle could simply be ignored without consequence. Most of the story seems more like a predefined statement of mission goals rather than any dramatic conflict as was shown in the original series, so in this instance, I'd just savour the classic moments and forget the rest. In all, a six out of ten seems about right.

V:The Final Battle is an exciting conclusion to the battle between the visitors and the resistance which started in the mini-series.

Things get really tense during this series as the war steps up a notch. The visitors are prepared to destroy the earth to further their aims whilst the resistance are preparing plans to rid the Earth of the aliens forever.

This series has everything-shocks, surprises, betrayals and plenty of action. As for the ending, wow!

If you liked the Mini-Series, you will love it's conclusion. Back in the late 80's I watched the entire Mini-Series and The Final Battle in one go with some friends-that's how great it was.

i think i loved this one just as much if not more than the first V movie, in this one you get to finally see Michael Ironside in action,, i love how he calls Mike,, "do gooder",, or gooder,, it's hilarious, he stole the show for me and he was only in last 2 episodes of the total 3 for the final battle.. yeah i like star wars and buck rogers,, but for a short series and a couple of movies,, V just rocked on all 8 cylinders for me,, Jane Badler , kicked butt as the alien commander,, Julie Parrish is gorgeous, especially in the conversion chamber in the spandex outfit,, Mike Donavan is so likable is our "hero" Willie, is a V,, but very cool and part of the 5th column, a group of V traitors helping the resistance,, scenes are set mostly all in Los Angeles. the battle scenes are fantastic, and this still rated in my opinion as one of the best TV movies ever made along with the first V.

This was the perfect sequel to the original miniseries about the aliens who arrive on earth and establish a fascist government there, only to be met with a successful resistance movement. The cast was first-rate, as Michael Ironside was a perfect addition to Marc Singer, Robert Englund, Faye Grant, and co. The suspense and overall storyline were first-rate as well.

I loved the series when I was a kid, but like it even better now that I know more about the undertones and historical allusions. (Nazi takeover of Europe, McCarthyism, etc.) This is a must for sci-fi fans.

*** 1/2 out of ****

While other folks were knee-deep in Star Wars and Star Trek, this was the movie that mesmerized me. The world taken over by Alien Nazis, pretty inventive. Looking back, it is obvious that this is a very high quality production not the ordinary made for TV drivel. With a great concept and terrific acting by Marc Singer, Faye Grant, and Michael Ironside, interest is held throughout the full 10 hours. Except for the phony ending, the entire saga is great. Special effects were also state of the art then. When I compare the laser blasts in Star Wars with V FB, no contest. V rules. PLEASE PUT THIS ON DVD.