Ageing of B5

[VALEN]

After watching BSG Exodus II, the following thoughts came to me.

If B5 was released now, with the same story & visual effects, would I have enjoyed it as much?

Now I believe the story will never age. It was created & written as a labour of love.

But the visual effects on the other hand are really starting to show their age. Which at the time of creation I thought would never happen. Thus me thinking my viewing pleasure would be effected.

Just hope the new material (Lost Tales) can uterlize new equipment available to the max.

[Winters_Sorrow]

Happens with every tv show. You either forgive it's flaws and still enjoy the stories or you re-watch it with horror and wonder why you ever liked it

[Whitestar]

Originally Posted by VALEN

After watching BSG Exodus II, the following thoughts came to me.

If B5 was released now, with the same story & visual effects, would I have enjoyed it as much?

Now I believe the story will never age. It was created & written as a labour of love.

But the visual effects on the other hand are really starting to show their age. Which at the time of creation I thought would never happen. Thus me thinking my viewing pleasure would be effected.

Just hope the new material (Lost Tales) can uterlize new equipment available to the max.

Actually, Straczynski is planning to do just that. Check out the following quote:

"Part of what we're doing is to re-think the look of B5 to some degree. The show was created using 1993 technology, video toasters and amigas, and was to some extent limited by the paradigms and production methods we used in that. But it's now 13 years later, and while I will keep the feel of the show the same, and the silhouettes and designs, there's no reason to limit the look of the feel to what we could do six years ago (from when we stopped). So we're going to invest a lot of time, effort and money into really re-imagining some of the visuals at the present level -- looking at shows like Battlestar and the like -- and bringing those tools into B5 while still maintaining the feel of the show."

And here is the link:

J. Michael Straczynski - B5:TLT Pre-Production - Babylon5scripts.com

Personally, I wouldn't mind if Straczynski decides to give B5 a special effects facelift with new technology, but I will always treasure my B5 DVD collections as it was originally released, afterall, its not what made B5 so great, it was the sharp, developed characters, engaging storylines, and subtle mysteries.

[andrew.v.spencer]

I loved the speed and violence of the space battles in B5. None of this shield rubbish, just hurtling energy.

Fav's were the first battle with the Shadows, and the attack on B5 by Earth Destroyers.

If they keep that feel and update, I'd love it.

[palooka]

Having watched, and loved it, when it first came out I introduced the family to it a couple of years ago. Yes, in places, the limitations of the technology can be seen but on the whole I think it holds up quite well. We're not talking Blake's 7 here!

Oh yes, and they loved it as well so it certainly holds up well enough for a new generation to appreciate it. With these particular members of the new generation quite keen to point out when things look computer animated as well.

[j. d. worthington]

Don't often dive into the tv forum, but I had to step in on this one, as it's a particular beef of mine: The technology, the special effects, etc. are, as WS mentions, inevitably going to be dated. That's why I detest the entire idea of "Wow, look what we can do with this new technology... Story? Who cares about story? Let's do the 'whizz-bang' stuff first...." Which seems to be more and more the way it's been going for the past 30 years or so.

Don't get me wrong: I've nothing against having good special effects; they're fine. But they are a tool to aid the storytelling, nothing more. And as long as you have stories that hold up as stories (and, of course, good performances), then the rest can be forgiven. To me, B5, whatever its faults, was damned fine storytelling; thought-provoking, exciting, and with some wonderful performances. I do think the first sight of the Shadow ships will continue to raise the hair on the back of the neck; but I think that may be a lot of other things than just the technology there.... But it's the stories that will continue to keep this one viable, just as it is for all the older films and television series that paid due attention to that aspect of things.

The new Star Wars films, for instance... great special effects. Lucas should be taken out and shot. I, Robot, the same. (And I'm afraid the same will be the case with the new version of I Am Legend as well....) I'd rather see the older special effects for this new B5 stuff, but have great scripts and acting, than the other way 'round. If he manages both, great. But in a few years, those special effects will be passe, and it'll be the stories, not the special effects, that matter....

[VALEN]

Originally Posted by j. d. worthington

"Wow, look what we can do with this new technology... Story? Who cares about story? Let's do the 'whizz-bang' stuff first...." Which seems to be more and more the way it's been going for the past 30 years or so.

Don't get me wrong: I've nothing against having good special effects; they're fine. But they are a tool to aid the storytelling, nothing more. And as long as you have stories that hold up as stories (and, of course, good performances), then the rest can be forgiven

Like you say, effects before story comes first these days.

You can tell that with the huge list of films with great effects & brill story
...
...
...

Errr, can't think of any.

[greenman]

I'v actually heard the odd rumour that they may go back and re do the FX if the series is released on HD DVD/Blu Ray as Warners have lost the data needed to refilm them in HD.

Personally though I think that other than some of season 1 the FX stand up very well. Even back then I don't think they were trying to create things as realistically as possible but rather go for dramatic compositions and bold colours which still stand out now IMHO even if they are not technically cutting edge.

I'd say its not just that directors are putting FX before the story these days but that there forgetting how to use FX effectively. The classic example for me would be the battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi and the space battle at the start of Revenge Of The Sith. The former is more than 20 years older yet to my eyes actually looks better with some increable shots were as the latter while technically superior was just a load of random explosions the MTV style virtual camara wizzed past.

[andrew.v.spencer]

A lot of CGI looks like what it is, a cartoon. This was certainly true of Star Wars (The new batch).

[I, Brian]

I've been watching B5 a lot recently, and to be honest, I've rarely had a problem with the special effects.

The most important point to me is suspension of disbelief - if a story can entice you to do that, it doesn't matter what the effects look like.

And as noted with Star Wars, spend too much time on ramping special effects and you can lose the story.

IMO JMS would do better to invest in new productions rather than revist older ones for what may have little impact other than as a novelty.

2c.

[manephelien]

I'm looking forward to the new DVDs, particularly the new stories. Oh, I won't complain about the new effects either, but they're not what makes the show so incredibly compelling.

If I had to choose between having JMS tell new stories or revamping the old, I'd choose the new.

[Whitestar]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

I've been watching B5 a lot recently, and to be honest, I've rarely had a problem with the special effects.

The most important point to me is suspension of disbelief - if a story can entice you to do that, it doesn't matter what the effects look like.

And as noted with Star Wars, spend too much time on ramping special effects and you can lose the story.

IMO JMS would do better to invest in new productions rather than revist older ones for what may have little impact other than as a novelty.

2c.

Agreed. The characters and stories are the most important part of any show. And I also agree that the special effects are still quite good compared to sci-fi shows before it.

[Lith]

*Lith dives down to the depths of Za'ha'Dum and resurrects the thread...*

We rewatched all five seasons (well, I only hit about a third of them personally) last month, and I think the effects hold up remarkably well. Especially considering that I wasn't too impressed with them when they initially aired. (They must've grown on me!)

It's particularly impressive when you consider the computers they were using then were outmoded.

[marv335]

I'm currently working my way through series one (I picked up the complete collection set for £75 recently).
I think the effects stand up quite well to scrutiny.

[pyan]

Special effects? You mean....it wasn't filmed live??

I'd go with what seems to the majority, and agree that they don't seem that outmoded...in fact, as others have also said, the suspension of belief in the series is such that the SFX aren't actually noticed as such...which, surely, is just as it should be.