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The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS for "The Ark Of Truth," the first DVD movie for "Stargate SG-1."

Although this is a straight-to-DVD movie, "The Ark Of Truth" watches as a big-screen idea produced for the small screen: the non-CGI gun action is carefully concealed off-screen, the overall story runs straight off the back of the ending of the tenth season, making it impossible for new viewers to understand what is going on. It doesn?t quite carry the same momentum you?d expect to see in a big-screen outing.

Impressively though, the movie makes up for any small-screen limitations via its sheer ambition and desire to succeed. The special effects look just that little bit slicker than the norm for the series, it opens on a scale that far surpasses the show with far reaching visuals of stunning landscapes that wouldn?t be out of place in ?Lord of the Rings,? and the exciting actions sequences are extended in a thrilling and mind blowing way.

When we first meet the team, they are busy excavating an artifact from the ruins of Dakara that could hold the key to saving the galaxy from the hordes of Ori followers. Once discovered, Daniel (Michael Shanks), Carter (Amanda Tapping), Teal?c (Christopher Judge), Mitchell (Ben Browder) and Vala (Claudia Black) soon find themselves heading through the supergate and into the Ori galaxy with a very clear cut mission: find the Ark of Truth and eliminate the Ori threat.

And best of all, the movie has all the characterisms and in-jokes that made the series so fun to watch in the first place.

This is ?Serenity? for Stargate fans.

What Worked

While the driving force behind the story is quite clearly Daniel and Vala (mostly due to their connection to the Ori), the film includes several sub-plots that revolve around the rest of SG-1: Teal?c?s trek across the mountains was just an ?Eye of the Tiger? short of a Rocky montage, Carter gets back to business with her technical mumbo-jumbo to explain why they are loosing an uphill battle, and Mitchell goes head to head with a Replicator puppet. No one is left behind and everyone has a chance to shine.

Teal?c?s discussion with Tomin onboard the Odyssey was incredibly intimate and was a fantastic epilogue to everything the character has experienced. His feelings on the wrongs he has committed and his own inner quest to right them was very touching ... especially considering the boldness and machoness the character normally sports. There is also some great gags from Vala and Daniel as she completely ignores the rules of archaeology in the hopes of finding buried treasure.

It is actually moments like these that make the chemistry of SG-1 impossible to let go and is exactly why this film is so enjoyable to watch.

Despite the under-enthusiastic reaction from many of the shows fans, the Ori storyline moves in new and exciting directions throughout ?The Ark Of Truth? and is made ever more exciting thanks to the ascended Adria (Morena Baccarin) and the promise of more ships and soldiers.

Adria herself is completely surrounded by some flashy and stylish fire effects that will make you swoon with delight as she stalks the chambers of the Ori. The final fight sequence in her chambers was filled with brilliantly executed stunts, a lot of intensity and the actual battle between Morgan and Adria was so very Vorlon ... and best of all it wraps up the entire Ori story in an epic way.

What Didn?t Work

All the talks of Ark?s, religious wars and artifacts from ancient cities are almost Indiana Jones in space, carrying with it the same quaint charm as the Jones franchise. Unfortunately it is spoiled slightly by the intervention of the IOA and the return of the Lego-style Replicators (although the idea of using them as a weapon against Ori forces made up for it a little) and soon the Ori and the Ark of Truth take a backseat to the plight of the revved up Odyssey. The only saving grace of re-introducing the Replicators is their nifty new ability to puppeteer humans and then assemble Terminator style bodies for combat.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

"Stargate SG-1" stars Ben Browder, Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge, Claudia Black with Beau Bridges and Michael Shanks. It is now available on DVD in the United States and will be released in the United Kingdom on Apr. 29. "The Ark Of Truth? was written and directed by Robert C. Cooper.

Alan Stanley Blair is the assistant news editor for Airlock Alpha and its sister site Rabid Doll. Contributing from his home country of Scotland, he is currently studying for a diploma in freelance journalism and can be reached at anytime at ablair@airlockalpha.com.