This was the start of what made this the best show on TV for four (long drawn out) seasons. However, as others have noted it is included on the Season 1 box set of the series. You will want that after watching this so save some money and just buy the box. Be alert, the world needs more lerts.

THE CONTENT
This miniseries is an epic and dramatic reimagining--and an utter, complete improvement--on an old science fiction show, Battlestar Galactica. It's our first taste of the reimagining of the show, which has been hailed by many fans as not only one of the best shows on television, but as the best science fiction show of all time. I've only seen the miniseries, so I can't really comment on the quality of the episodes that follow, but if it continues with the excellent writing, action, special effects, and directing, it just may live up to the hype. The first scenes go by in a blur, introducing so many characters and so much history that I began to feel a bit of trepidation that I'd bought into the wrong kind of show, but by the time I was fifteen minutes into it, I realized that not only was I enthralled in the story, but I already knew who all of the characters were. The writing is so subtle that it sucks you into the middle of events, and attentive viewers will hit the ground running, and enjoying every minute of it. It's exciting, it's sad, it's meaty (at over three hours), and at it's most base, it's a story about humanity. I'm definitely on for the ride.

THE PACKAGE
This section has no impact on the rating, and pretty much just serves as a warning to viewers. While the miniseries certainly stands on its own well enough... there is absolutely no reason to buy this. If you're interested in getting into BATTLESTAR, just buy the Season One set. The miniseries is included in that set, along with an entire season of greatness. So while the content of this DVD is exceptional, it would be best to pass on buying this separately and just go for the season set.

8/10

The reimagined battlestar galactica is without a doubt the best space-based SF ever put on the small screen, and easily rivals the best ever put on film. It thankfully departs from the hokey, cheesy 70s predescessor and gives us utterly realistic imagining of the future in space. As anyone who has watched NASA TV can attest, space travel is an untidy affair, and BSG delivers that look in spades.

The characters bring a realism and pathos that is unmatched in the genre. Olmos's war-weary Adama is award-caliber stuff, as is Mary McDonnel's increasingly cynical president Roslyn. The supporting cast delivers the goods, too, from start to finish. Richard Hatch, the lone representative from the old series, is kind of bland, but what do you expect?

All in great entertainment.

I have never seen the original. This new version is fairly enjoyable. There are a lot of good action sequences and an interesting plot. This miniseries is 90 percent sci fi action movie and 10 percent pathetic tear-jerker. There are a few scenes stuck in there just to elicit some emotion, but most were incredibly heavy-handed.

There are a lot of good characters with one big exception. Dr. Baltar is whiney and annoying. (His "imaginary" friend doesn't help.) I prefer a bad guy to enjoy being bad, not whimper about getting caught and worry about how bad might be too bad.

Most of the other characters are fun early on, when Galactica is about to be decommissioned and turned into a museum and strong later when circumstances change. It is interesting to see how they handle it all.

As a non-TV person, I am weirdly addicted. Now I have the tool to spread the addiction to unsuspecting friends. Great show.