In the overall Babylon 5 (B5) saga, this movie is optional. Does not add nor detract from the B5 series. Having a minimal background knowledge of the B5 series helps some, but not necessary. I do believe this was supposed to be the pilot movie for another spin-off series from B5, but that didn’t work out. I bought this DVD as I wanted to see the entire set of B5 movies. After being punished for retreating from combat, Ranger Dylan Neal (David Martell) is given command of the Liandra, a haunted 20-year old Minbari fighting ship. He's escorting ambassadors to a secret archaeological site, the oldest city on record and a clue to a dangerous ancient race. Takes place sometime after the year 2280 when the wars are over and a new age of space exploration has begun. The Interstellar Alliance has been organized to establish and maintain peace among its member worlds, including Earth. The Rangers are an elite military force made up of hand-picked young, smart, dedicated human and alien members who combine the high-tech elements of space travel with the idealism and honor of the knights of old. While escorting Ambassador G’Kar and other dignitaries to a conference, they encounter a previously unknown alien race whose lethal power is far greater than any force previously known to Earth or any other world in the Interstellar Alliance. This is the ultimate against-all-odds movie. The two ships are escorting some dignitaries to a conference. One ship is top-of-the-line, hot off the press. The Liandra is so decrepit, it is barely hanging together. They are attacked by an unknown enemy who is massively superior. The top-of-the-line ship is destroyed by the enemy. The Liandra not only survives the attack, but due to cunning strategy and refuse-to-give-up attitude, the rag-tag crew and ship end up winning the battle. The classic good-always-triumphs-over-evil story. The story is a bit slow at times, but overall, it is a good movie and worth seeing.Read full review
We live for the one, we die for the one. And so this needless attempt at another Babylon 5 spin off series begins, with Ranger David Martel (Dylan Neal) breaking the Anla'shok code of honor and fleeing from battle rather than needlessly dying. His superiors punish him with the command of an old starship that lost its previous crew in battle. This previous crew still haunts the ship. Martel gathers a small crew, and their first adventure involves a lot of dancing around, chewing scenery and saying "We live for the one, we die for the one" every few minutes. The Rangers are nothing like their previous portrayal in B5. We remember Marcus Cole as the perfect blueprint of a Ranger, and none of the characters here compare. There is so little spirituality or nobility. The Rangers here are wise-crackin' gung-ho heroes. It's just not right. Oh by the way: we live for the one, we die for the one. The weapons thing. Oh dear. The first time the weapons chick (Cantrell) jumped into her virtual reality chamber and started punching and kicking fireballs to control the space battle, I thought it was pretty unique. It's good to make weapon control more interesting than simply pushing buttons. But then there was ANOTHER of these scenes, then another, and another. The last one was full on CHEESE, with Cantrell having what can only be described as a laughable spaz-attack. And can I just add: we live for the one, we die for the one. The "haunted ship" concept is very interesting, but it didn't work well here. There just wasn't room in the plot to squeeze it in. If the pilot went into a series I'd have loved to see more stories about the ghosts. But at the end of the episode the characters basically say: "Well, it looks like we've satisfied those ghosts and we won't be seeing them anymore." Damn! All in all it was ok, If your a B5 fan then its worth it, it just sad that the rangers didn't have a better movie cause they are a great concept.Read full review
I purchased this item as I have always been a fan of Babylon 5 and I just recently purchased the complete series through eBay; I didn't want it to end. The DVD quality is excellent so there aren't any issues there at all. The film itself is interesting - it holds true to the ideas behind B5 regarding the various races, etc. - but lacks the really good character interaction that helped make B5 a great show. Andreas Katsulas revives his role as G'Kar and is great, as always. Some of the technological ideas that are 'new' to B5 seemed a bit too impractical - the ship's weapons officer's operation of the system seemed too impractical even though it could be viewed as an extension of the Shadow's use of telepaths as CPUs for their vessels. I don't regret purchasing the DVD and I am sure that I will watch it time and again. It is similar to B5, well-based in that 'universe' but doesn't quite get to the same level. I got the feeling that it was to be a pilot episode for a new series that just didn't make it.Read full review
This movie was, in my opinion, a tragic lost opportunity for possibly one of the best spin-off series I've ever encountered. At first I thought it was just another stand-alone story to add to the already fascinating "Babylon 5 Universe", but as you watch it, it seems to be more like a pilot. If it were a book I'd describe it as a book that you pick up, and as you read you discover it's well written, (in a humorous sense nicely placed next to something that keeps you asking questions) carried out by characters with dimension all set on a path that promises a great view, only to discover that you only have the first three chapters of the book and it's not going to be re-printed. The Legend of the Rangers is definately something that stands well next Straczynski's prior efforts, I guess I just can't help but feel a little sad that this one will not be followed through with.Read full review
Nice companion movie to the Babylon 5 TV series. Nice to see G'Kar again. Liked the cast. Seems like it might've been a pilot for another series, which sadly did not take place. Overall, it was entertaining and the missing piece to our B5 collection.
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