Babylon 5: The Road Home is a 2023 American animated film directed by Matt Peters, with a screenplay by original Babylon 5 franchise creator, J. Michael Straczynski. The premise involves John Sheridan becoming unstuck in time and space, similar to the B5 episode, “War Without End”. The film reunites the surviving members of the original cast as voice talents.
S P O I L E R S
Babylon 5: The Road Home features a previously utilised time travel trope to provide B5 fans with one more nostalgic ride with these beloved characters and popular scenarios, albeit with modern-day animation, which at times can be rather confusing, especially when there is misalignment between animated and live action characters. Truth be told, the entire film seemed pointless overall, adding nothing to the B5 canon whatsoever.
The tension is built up in the idea that because Sheridan is unstuck in time, the multiverse is collapsing and eventually, unless Sheridan’s recovers his equilibrium in time, everything will be destroyed. Yes indeed, the highest stakes whatsoever, which all seems rather ludicrous. It’s difficult for the viewer to buy into this silly premise and there isn’t much engagement for Sheridan or any other featured character.
As mentioned above, at times, it was hard to tell who certain animated characters were supposed to be – in particular Lochley and Lyta Alexander were almost indistinguishable and this only added to a certain level of confusion that accompanied much of this film. In addition, the exposition between Sheridan and G’kar at the edge of the universe was hugely unconvincing. The worst part of it was that even though Sheridan was the main character, ultimately nothing he did really achieved what he was trying to do all along, returning home and thus saving the universe.
Of course, in the end, it was Delenn that rescued Sheridan (and the universe) in a deus ex machina moment that beggars belief. Straczynski would have us believe that through his time jumps, Delenn was following Sheridan – not explained how this was possible – and worst still, saved him because of love. Not science, but love! How trite can you get? In the final analysis, Babylon 5: The Road Home is a fun nostalgic exercise but do not expect any quality story-wise. Hmmm.
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