The film received generally positive reviews from critics and fans, who praised its dark tone, action sequences and performances. The film also won several awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special. The film is considered a prequel to the fourth season of the series, and sets up some of the plot elements that would be explored later.
Plot Summary (Extended Version)
The film begins with a flashback to the final day of the first Cylon war, where a young William Adama, a Viper pilot, is sent on a covert mission to infiltrate a Cylon base star and destroy it. He discovers that the Cylons have been experimenting on human prisoners, creating hybrids and organic resurrection technology. He also encounters the first hybrid, a female being who is connected to the base star's systems. She tells him that he will play a role in "God's plan", and that he will be responsible for the end of humanity. Adama manages to escape and destroy the base star, but is haunted by what he saw.
The film then jumps to the present day, where Lee Adama has taken command of the Battlestar Pegasus after the death of Admiral Cain. He appoints Kendra Shaw as his executive officer, despite her controversial reputation among the crew. Shaw was one of Cain's protégés, and followed her orders without question during the aftermath of the Cylon attack on the Twelve Colonies. Shaw witnessed Cain's ruthless actions, such as executing her own XO for refusing to fire on civilian ships, ordering the rape and torture of a captured Cylon prisoner (Number Six), and leading a suicidal attack on a Cylon fleet. Shaw also participated in some of these actions, such as killing an innocent civilian who tried to escape from Pegasus.
Lee tries to restore order and morale on Pegasus, while dealing with his own doubts about his leadership abilities. He also tries to reconcile with Kara Thrace (Starbuck), who blames him for abandoning her on New Caprica. Meanwhile, Shaw struggles with her guilt and trauma over what she did under Cain's command. She also has visions of the hybrid from Adama's flashback, who tells her that she has a destiny to fulfill.
The film then follows Pegasus' mission to investigate a mysterious signal that may be related to Earth, the lost thirteenth colony of humanity. The signal leads them to a nebula, where they encounter a Cylon basestar that has been infected by a virus that causes the Cylons to act erratically and violently. The virus is revealed to be a weapon created by an ancient faction of Cylons known as "the Guardians", who have been guarding the first hybrid for decades. The Guardians are loyal to the original Cylon models from the first war, and are opposed to the new models who rebelled against them.
Pegasus launches a raid on the basestar, hoping to capture the hybrid and learn more about Earth. Shaw leads a team of marines and pilots, including Starbuck, into the basestar. They encounter fierce resistance from both the infected Cylons and the Guardians. Shaw manages to reach the hybrid's chamber, where she is confronted by Cain's ghost, who urges her to kill the hybrid. Shaw hesitates, and instead decides to free the hybrid from her restraints. The hybrid thanks Shaw for her mercy, and tells her that she is the "harbinger of death" who will lead humanity to its end. The hybrid then activates a self-destruct sequence, destroying the basestar and killing everyone on board, except for Shaw, who escapes in a Raptor.
Shaw contacts Pegasus and tells them what she learned from the hybrid. She also reveals that she has a nuclear warhead on board, which she intends to use to destroy the Guardian's base ship, which is hidden in the nebula. She asks Lee for permission to proceed with her plan, knowing that it will cost her life. Lee reluctantly agrees, and thanks Shaw for her service. Shaw then flies into the nebula, and detonates the warhead, destroying the base ship and sacrificing herself.
The film ends with a montage of scenes from the series, showing the fate of some of the characters and events that were influenced by Shaw's actions. The final scene shows Starbuck receiving Shaw's dog tags and pocket knife, which Cain had given to Shaw as a symbol of becoming a "razor", a person who is willing to do anything to survive in war. Starbuck looks at the knife, and wonders what it means for her future.
References
Battlestar Galactica: Razor - Wikipedia
Review: Razor (extended version) : r/BSG - Reddit
Buy Battlestar Galactica: Razor, Season 1 - Microsoft Store
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