It has been 31 years since Roland Emmerich’s Stargate first sent Kurt Russell and James Spader through an ancient portal to a desert planet ruled by a false god – and the Too Old or Movie Gold crew just stepped back through to find out if it still holds up. Host Olen Vanderleeden of the Comox Valley is joined by Gen X co-host Matthew Stockton, millennial wormhole expert Shawn, and Gen Z’s Nicole for one of the show’s most lively debates yet.
The gang digs into the best parts – the iconic Stargate opening effect that still delivers after all these years, O’Neill and Skaara’s bonding scenes, and the film’s surprisingly thoughtful faith in intellect over brute force. They also get into the worst parts: a rushed ending, Ra’s two-glider air force, and the classic freeze-and-enhance trope. There’s fascinating behind-the-scenes trivia too – including how early test screenings nearly killed the film before the Ra character was transformed with an alien voice, and how Kurt Russell talked a reluctant James Spader off the ledge with one perfectly blunt pep talk.
The box office numbers surprised the crew – Stargate earned enough internationally to rank third in 1994, ahead of True Lies, Speed, and Pulp Fiction. Critics Siskel and Ebert both gave it thumbs down, but audiences disagreed, and 400 hours of spinoff content proved who was right in the long run. The episode closes with a unanimous Pure Gold verdict – not because it’s a perfect film, but because the concept is stellar and the legacy is undeniable. Oh, and the dream remake cast? Jon Hamm, Rami Malek, and Lady Gaga as Ra. Hollywood, take note.
“When that gate spins and the water ripples, I still feel the same excitement that something big’s gonna happen.” – Matthew, co-host
“I liked it. It was fun. It killed two hours. I enjoyed it. I thought it was cute.”– Nicole, Gen Z co-host
Too Old or Movie Gold is a Vancouver Island movie podcast hosted by Olen Vanderleeden, where classic films meet modern audiences through conversations about timeless movies, memorable performances and the stories behind some of cinema’s greatest productions. Too Old or Movie Gold is part of The PULSE Podcast Community.
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Sponsor for this episode is Fireside Books.
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