Babylon 5: The Lost Tales

The two stories on this DVD are essentially radio plays with minimal effects thrown in. The stories are mostly two, or occasionally three, characters conversing. The content of those conversations consist of some religious mumbo-jumbo and some musings on the nature of free will versus destiny. Not horrible, but we expect more from JMS. The sets are spartan and the CGI is frankly a bit crude, and only three of the series regulars are featured—obviously, there was very little budget allocated to this production. The DVD extras are only for die-hard Babylon 5 fans (well, that could also be easily said for the movie itself). Let's hope that this sells well enough for Warner Bros. to green light more "Lost Tales" with bigger budgets. With the success of Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, and other SF television, it seems there should be a market for a quality return of Babylon 5.

While the exceptional original series has stopped for almost ten years, here the Babylon 5 universe comes finally back in direct-to-DVD.

Alas! Don't expect a sensational return, it's more a "test" to show that Babylon 5 is still viable on screen. Here, of all the original cast remains only Lochley and Sheridan. These two rather aged well, on the other hand the new CGI gave a heck of youthfulness to the ships and to our good old station which are both wonders to behold.

Because of his openly religious theme - I've always believed Straczynski was an atheist -, the first story hasn't quite convinced me. However, it's rather dramatically well-rounded, thanks in particular to the great dialogs written by Straczynski's fine and sensitive nib.

The transition between the two stories is magnificent, stamped with the melancholy of passing time and the infinity of space, both illustrated by beautiful pictures. We thus understand that the goal of The Lost Tales isn't to cause a stir, but rather to revive little by little the memories buried by time and bring them up to date. We can also notice the subtle tributes to Richard Biggs and Andreas Katsulas, deceased not long ago, who are "Out there somewhere, beyond the Rim".

Thus begins Sheridan's story, lightweight, during an interview marked with humor. But like usual, on him will fall a prophecy he must face alone, with difficult choices to make. The story takes its time, detached from Hollywood standards. In view of the amount of dialogs, we can feel that Straczynski kept control 'till the end. Questionings, qualms, and dreams filled with beautiful SFX follow one another in a dramatically efficient story, although far from the epic scale of the show. The conclusion too fall a little flat.

It doesn't matter, it wasn't Straczynski's goal to do something spectacular. His goal was to bring the franchise back to life and let the door open to future wonders, and as far as that is concerned, The Lost Tales is a success.

I've just seen it and have to say it's a little disappointment... :( As a Babylon 5 fan I expected more - maybe it was the mistake and that was the reason why I didn't enjoy it so much... The first storyline was interesting, however the empty corridors of the station didn't feel like the plot took place on the Babylon 5 station. There is no Babylon 5 atmosphere at all. :(

I didn't like the 2nd storyline... the creators wanted to make it interesting, like a new beginning, a possible 'new future threat' with the centauri Vintari. The plot took place on the new Valen class ship, but the scenes were empty. The scene with the big black room with only 2 chairs, Sheridan and the ISN reporter was so... I can't find the word... simple. I know Sheridan mentioned that the Minbari were minimalists well made.but... bah! I didn't like the whole scene.

On the plus side... the CGI was incredible, the few shots in space were very well made and the music was wonderful as well. The modified 'Sleeping in Light' theme at the beginning of the film was very good.

It was nice from the creators that in the story they say that Franklin and G'Kar are traveling together beyond the Rim. That was nice.

At the bottom line, it was not so bad, however B5 fans expect more for sure. I just hope that if another B5 DVD film is made, we will see more characters in it, like Delenn, Mollari or Garibaldi. Faith manages...

***The Short Verdict***

It's definitely made on a tight budget, but if you're a fan of Babylon 5 -- whether hardcore, or simply someone who enjoyed the series-long story arc while it was on -- I think you'll enjoy this if you pick it up.

***To Elaborate***

I loved B5 for its series-long story arc, and for the breadth and depth of its storytelling (the new Battlestar Galactica wasn't first in that regard), but I don't own the DVDs and I haven't watched an episode in years. It didn't matter. This disc gives you enough right off the top to remind you of what you should know, and to get you back in the groove.

If you're completely unfamiliar with B5, you should consider buying the boxed DVD sets, and then pick this up. :-)

***The Good***

It's essentially two stories in seventy-two minutes and it shows as a labor of creative love.

Babylon 5 Creator/Writer/Director Straczynski's trademark sharp writing (and humor) are in full evidence. The acting is solid, even from lesser players. Boxleitner (Sheridan) has improved as an actor with age, in my opinion. He's subtler in many ways; less "showy".

The visual effects are beyond what I expected for this sort of Direct-To-DVD project. Very nice, and well-used. Since there are no commercial breaks (hooray!), shifts in the story are most often signalled by a quick cut to an exterior shot.

The visual effects detail is markedly better than on the original show. When I heard that this (projected) series would be using CGI green-screen for certain backdrops, I sort of cringed inwardly -- we've all seen how wrong that can go -- but, to my surprise, it was well done, particularly in the crucial aspect of "light-matching". In one setting, you can sort of notice that the background and foreground lighting don't precisely match, but for the most part, I was surprised and impressed by how well the CGI backgrounds were implemented.

For the B5 fan faithful, there are extras on this disc: "making of" segments; interviews; and even memorial spots where creator and cast reminisce about the two actors in the ensemble cast who have passed on since the series ended.

***The Not-So-Good***

Creator Straczynski has said up-front that this whole direct-to-DVD distribution model for an SF series is a big experiment/gamble. He's also said that their budget (at least, if and until this proves to be a successful distribution format) is significantly less than what a regular, network-produced SF show would get.

To their credit, you don't see any "cheapness" here. I've seen cheaper-looking shows done by the Sci-Fi network in the US, for example. As above, the CGI visual effects are first-rate -- more than I ever expected.

The major way the lesser budget shows through is in the lack of physical sets. A lot of scenes take place in corridors, or smaller rooms. The C&C (Command and Control -- i.e. the "bridge") of the Babylon 5 station is mentioned, but we never actually go there.

Given the fact that this release is a "pilot project", I can understand the creators wanting to put their finite budget where it would have maximum effect, rather than spending money on building a bunch of standing sets which might potentially never be used again, should this distribution model fail, and we see no more episodes.

If this distribution model does prove a success -- and I hope it does -- I would expect to see at least a few standing sets built. I mean, how many times can station commander Colonel Lochley have meetings in her quarters, before it all starts to seem a bit odd? Still, what the episode lacks in physical substance, they cover with good lighting, inventive camera work, and solid editing. The score is orchestral and professional.

The only other place in which the lack of budget shows through is that both stories in the episode are very character- and dialogue-centred.

If you're looking for ferocious fights, with exploding scenery, and stunt people flying everywhere, it's not in this installment. We get some brief space-based CGI "blowin' stuff up real good", but nothing with live actors in fake peril.

The two stories here are all about character, and Straczynski's sharp dialogue. In fact, the first story in the pair is positively philosophical in tone -- bringing in topics like God, the devil, heaven and hell into the mix.

The actors are universally solid, so I found both stories interesting -- but if you're the kind of viewer who loses interest unless somebody's getting punched in the face, or something's on fire, this episode probably isn't for you.

***In Conclusion***

I hope this DVD sells well enough to deem its distribution model a success -- not only so we can see more Babylon 5, with (hopefully) bigger budgets thanks to profits -- but so that it opens the door for other quality direct-to-DVD series of this type. I can't be the only one who'd like to see a little more Firefly, for example.

For that reason, I'd say buy this if you're interested. Send a tangible message that you like the distribution model, as well as the specific content, in a way that renting or pirating the DVD won't do.

Will we see more Babylon 5 this way? Time will tell -- but I certainly hope so.

The Lost Tales could never have really lived up to fan expectation. Two major actors have since passed on and no network or studio would be intelligent enough to fund such a scifi fan favorite.

Understandably, the effects and budget were minimal. However, the writing was also minimalist. Not a good thing. It felt as if the whole idea could have been better produced, directed and written by the fans. It's a shame that JMS and company couldn't have showcased their obvious talent better.

I was a huge fan of B5 and now am NOT of Lost Tales. There was just so much that could have been done better. I can't recommend this one to any fan of the franchise.