Stargate Details

Aliens colonised ancient Egypt through a space-time portal, according to this derivative yet hugely enjoyable cosmic adventure. A shameless marriage between Indiana Jones and the ideas of Erich Von Daniken, its clunkier plot details are neatly disguised by director Roland Emmerich's flair for epic action (he did make Independence Day, after all). James Spader is terrific as the code-cracking archaeologist who accompanies soldier Kurt Russell across the universe to fight galactic tyrant Jaye Davidson, who's clearly wearing the frocks The Crying Game couldn't afford. Stargate is simple in execution, yet classic in the nostalgic way it evokes the feel of vintage 1940s serials, with Emmerich doing an outstanding job, combining plot strands from literature and other films of the genre — even the title is borrowed, from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: a Space Odyssey — with some imaginative special effects and impressive visuals. One of the film's best achievements in this area is its depiction of what it might actually feel and look like being hurtled across the universe at the speed of light. Emmerich's film may not be a lot of things, but as an action-packed, science-fiction rollercoaster ride, it's fabulous fun.

"...For kids, there are relentless special effects....For adults, there is a smartly designed parallel universe....Plenty of enticing moments..."