Product: Star Blazers: The Quest for Iscandar - Series One, Part 1 (Episodes 1-5) (1974)
Rating: 4.0
Star Blazers -- The Quest for Iscandar -- Series 1, Part I
I was first introduced to Star Blazers as a 12-year-old in the fall of 1979. I only caught the second half of this series, but I loved it, and I love it as much today.Of course, having watched other sci-fi series like Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5 and others in later years, I try to look for little inconsistencies in a storyline such as Star Blazers. It's not that I want to tear the storyline apart, like "The Nit Pickers Guide to Star Trek," but I just want to see where are slight errors or abberations in that storyline.For instance, after the battle at Pluto, it only took Captain Avatar's ship a very short time to return to Earth. However, while making preparations for the jump to warp from the moon to Mars, Captain Avatar says it would normally take months to make such a journey at normal travel speeds. How, then, could Avatar's ship get back to Earth in such a short time if his ship did not have warp capability?But, as I said, I am not attempting to tear the storyline apart. This storyline, in the format of the old Republic Serials like "Commando Cody," compels you to come back for more. At the end of each episode, you find out how much time is left for Earth. And you want to know what lies in store for the Argo and its crew in upcoming episodes. It is such a beautifully crafted storyline that way!I guess some characters like IQ-9 are meant as comic relief for the storyline, but I would not have put IQ-9 in the storyline were I its creator. These kind of characters just detract and divert from the storyline. But, again, this is just a minor issue. IQ-9 does have some good moments later in the storyline, and I do note that in his favour.But I guess the best thing about this storyline is that Captain Avatar does not lead the Away Missions. Avatar stays on the bridge of the Argo, where he belongs. He does not put himself directly in danger, like Captain James T. Kirk or Captain John J. Sheridan. Avatar knows his place, and he leaves his subordinates to go into danger and do the dirty work. Besides, Avatar is so critical to the success of the mission, it would be suicidal to put him directly in harm's way.Well, that pretty well covers it for me. I think my review of this DVD would carry over to the other DVDs in this series. Not that my opinion counts for much, of course, but I think I have given this DVD a fair hearing.No, you can overlook the inconsistencies in this storyline and love Starblazers. I have since I was 12 years old, and I'll love it for many years to come.