Watch Battlestar Galactica: Razor

"Battlestar Galactica: Razor" is a science fiction television movie released in 2007, which serves as a prequel to the fourth and final season of the popular TV series "Battlestar Galactica." It was directed by Félix Enríquez Alcalá and written by Michael Taylor. The story follows the crew of the battlestar Pegasus, a battleship known for its fierce reputation in the Cylon War. The movie takes place during the first Cylon war and centers around Lee Adama (Jamie Bamber), who is now the commander of the Pegasus, and Kendra Shaw (Stephanie Jacobsen), an officer who becomes his protege.

As the film opens, viewers are introduced to Kendra as a young Ensign on board the Pegasus. She experienced firsthand the announcement that the Cylons had attacked and destroyed the human colonies, and she witnessed the chaos that followed. Kendra is determined to fight back against the Cylons and joins the crew of the Pegasus, led by Admiral Cain (Michelle Forbes). Cain is determined to destroy the Cylons at any cost, and her ruthlessness is both respected and feared by her crew.

Throughout the movie, we see multiple flashbacks to Kendra's time on Pegasus and how the ship became the hardened, brutal vessel it is when it is encountered in the TV series. The flashbacks showcase Kendra's progression through the ranks to an officer of the deck and also showcase the tensions between the crew members and Admiral Cain as they make questionable decisions and commit atrocities in their fight against the Cylons.

The storyline of the present day follows Adama as he discovers the existence of a new type of Cylon ship, which threatens the fleet's existence. Adama leads a team to investigate the situation, and they end up coming across a ship that had been in contact with a group of people known as the "Scorpian Fleet." As the crew investigates the ship, they discover interrogation tapes of Kendra Shaw, and the movie shifts its focus back to the Pegasus's past.

One of the most significant plot points of the movie involves the character of Admiral Cain, herself. It is revealed that her brutality towards the Cylons was the result of a traumatic event during the first Cylon war, which turned Cain from idealistic to ruthless. This event, which is shown in a haunting flashback, also has a significant impact on Kendra, who witnessed the tragedy unfold.

As both Adama's and Kendra's stories converge in the present, it becomes clear that Kendra's past experiences on the Pegasus will have a significant impact on their mission in the present. Throughout the movie, "Battlestar Galactica: Razor" explores themes of trauma, leadership, survival, and the human cost of war.

The acting in "Battlestar Galactica: Razor" is exceptional, with particularly strong performances from Stephanie Jacobsen as Kendra Shaw and Michelle Forbes as Admiral Cain. Forbes manages to portray Admiral Cain as both unrelenting and vulnerable, while Jacobsen expertly portrays the psychological impact of war on a young soldier's mind.

This movie can be enjoyed both by fans of the show who want to learn more about the Pegasus' backstory and people unfamiliar with the series, as it provides an intriguing and exciting standalone story. The film is expertly directed, with high-quality production values and special effects that stay true to the incredible universe of the "Battlestar Galactica" series.

Overall, "Battlestar Galactica: Razor" is an excellent addition to the "Battlestar Galactica" franchise, providing an intimate and absorbing look into the history of a pivotal ship in the show's mythology. It's a must-watch for fans of science fiction and anyone interested in exploring complex themes of leadership, morality, and the nature of humanity.

Battlestar Galactica: Razor is a 2007 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.