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Babylon 5 Project IV: The Coming of Shadows
Updated
Faneditor Name:
Original Movie Title:
Genre:
Franchise:
Fanedit Type:
Original Release Date:
1994
Original Running Time:
172
Fanedit Release Date:
Fanedit Running Time:
144
Time Cut:
28
Additional Links:
Brief Synopsis:
The Babylon 5 Project aims to focus on the arc stories of the TV show by creating a series of films. This creates a more streamlined rewatch of Babylon 5 for those who want to maximize the arc without having to watch the mostly stand-alone episodes with arc storylines in them.
Intention:
Babylon 5 has such a riveting arc based story that I've returned to watch time and time again but I'm not a big fan of the standalone episodes. However, many standalones do have some arc based storylines which are paid off later. I wanted to craft a new way to watch the series which creates an "all killer, no filler" B5 experience. Some films would just be three or so episodes strung together because of how heavily arc concentrated they are. Other films need to be built from the ground up from the pieces of many episodes which creates new viewing experiences and slightly changed narratives. The Babylon 5 Project also looks to exorcise some loose plot threads that don't pay off down the line.
Release Information:
Digital
Editing Details:
The major changes in this edit is the order in which some things happen and Talia's story. We start off with season 2 episode 8: A Race Through Dark Places which has the most changes. Dr. Franklin is no longer in charge of the underground railroad and there's very little involvement from the command staff outside of Garibaldi. This is also Bester's first appearance in the film series since Mind War and Talia's "gift" has been completely cut out of previous edits so any mention of him being there previously has been taken out. Talia is also now shown as being the agent with quick mental flashes from Deathwalker and brutally kills the other telepaths with Bester.
During this part of the film, the kidnapping of Sheridan takes place along with the Grey Council plotline from episode 11: All Alone in the Night. I used a bit from episode 4: A Distant Star to set up Delenn's recall back to Minbar.
Finally, we circle back to episode 9: The Coming of Shadows. I wanted this to come last as it's a more climactic ending rather than going in strict episodic order. Very little was cut out because it's a damn fine episode and kicks off the Narn-Centauri War
During this part of the film, the kidnapping of Sheridan takes place along with the Grey Council plotline from episode 11: All Alone in the Night. I used a bit from episode 4: A Distant Star to set up Delenn's recall back to Minbar.
Finally, we circle back to episode 9: The Coming of Shadows. I wanted this to come last as it's a more climactic ending rather than going in strict episodic order. Very little was cut out because it's a damn fine episode and kicks off the Narn-Centauri War
User reviews
3 reviews
Overall rating
9.5
Audio/Video Quality
10.0(3)
Audio Editing
9.7(3)
Visual Editing
10.0(3)
Narrative
8.7(3)
Enjoyment
9.0(3)
Overall rating
9.2
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
9.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
8.0
Enjoyment
9.0
No. 4, and I'm on the fence here.
No question that the edit is solid and the visual improvements remain, but I am at odds on the Talia thread as previously described, so have held back and will revisit this review once I get deeper into the swamp (so to speak).
I have to say to have got to this point in the arc in just 8 hours though is a blessing, and I wish that my brother would stop bitching about season one and just watch these...alas, he has been burnt and short of strapping him to a chair and holding his eyes open, I see no way of persuading him....TRAGIC.
However, this continues to shine as a concept...
Stop bithcing about the state of TV & STREAMING AND WATCH THESE...
NOW
No question that the edit is solid and the visual improvements remain, but I am at odds on the Talia thread as previously described, so have held back and will revisit this review once I get deeper into the swamp (so to speak).
I have to say to have got to this point in the arc in just 8 hours though is a blessing, and I wish that my brother would stop bitching about season one and just watch these...alas, he has been burnt and short of strapping him to a chair and holding his eyes open, I see no way of persuading him....TRAGIC.
However, this continues to shine as a concept...
Stop bithcing about the state of TV & STREAMING AND WATCH THESE...
NOW
W
(Updated: April 01, 2022)
Overall rating
9.2
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
8.0
Enjoyment
8.0
This is the first one of these that I actually found to be somewhat disappointing. Leaving out the actual end of the Psi-Corps story amounts to character assassination of Talia. I mean, seriously, why even bother with that storyline at that point, since you effectively ruined it? Everything else went well, I suppose, but I cannot recommend this to someone who is unfamiliar with the story because, at this point, you've changed it. The actual editing is, of course, top notch. No complaints there, and the blending of the stories seems a bit less forced here, although the Sheridan kidnap plot seems a bit odd within the context otherwise. I understand its needed to plant the "seeking Kosh" subplot that was so important to this season over all, it just felt weird.
EDIT: After thinking further on this edit all last night and throughout the day today, I felt the need to come back and edit my review. I think I understand the Talia edit (and the reduction of the Ivannova/Psi-Corps subplot). To avoid spoilers, it changes how things play out in future events, and will reduce/eliminate one of the many dangling plot threads that occurs due to the constant shuffling of characters that the show was plagued with. I still find it sad, but I have missed a lot of the excised plot threads (this has reinforced for me that there are no extraneous episodes, something important happens in each of them, even if its just a moment of characterization. Thanks again for making this!
EDIT: After thinking further on this edit all last night and throughout the day today, I felt the need to come back and edit my review. I think I understand the Talia edit (and the reduction of the Ivannova/Psi-Corps subplot). To avoid spoilers, it changes how things play out in future events, and will reduce/eliminate one of the many dangling plot threads that occurs due to the constant shuffling of characters that the show was plagued with. I still find it sad, but I have missed a lot of the excised plot threads (this has reinforced for me that there are no extraneous episodes, something important happens in each of them, even if its just a moment of characterization. Thanks again for making this!
User Review
Do you recommend this edit?
Yes
Format Watched?
Digital
E
Overall rating
10.0
Audio/Video Quality
10.0
Audio Editing
10.0
Visual Editing
10.0
Narrative
10.0
Enjoyment
10.0
Subjectzero's diligent Babylon 5 viewing allows him to pick out the most essential moments and storylines to produce another fine entry in his series. The new changes do well to enhance the motivations and even agendas of characters. This is one of the more crucial entries in this series as a major turning point in the ongoing drama occurs, so when requesting these edits, be sure to watch them in order and you will be well rewarded. Be prepared to fight legends!
Z