Star Trek 1: The Motion Picture [DVD]

There are very few sci-fi films that deserve recognition, but there are four of them that are classic pieces of cinema; 2001, Alien, Bladerunner and Star Trek-The Motion Picture. Contrary to most peoples view of the Star Trek movies (which simply cash in on the brand), Star Trek-The Motion Picture is a film that stands independently of the series and its film sequals. It is a master-work sci-fi that will appeal to any and all sci-fi fans. The acting, the direction, the musical score and the story-line are nothing short of breathtaking. True, there are a couple of moments at the beginning when the special effects looked dated, but this fault occurs only at the start. For the rest of the film the sets look and feel real. The character interaction is superb and draws you into the Star Trek world. The scene were Kirk arrives at the new, refitted 'Enterprise' by shuttle and takes in the immensity and glory of the ship is one of the most moving scenes in cinema history. The musical score is excellent, adding to the atmosphere of the storyline in an emotional and spectacular manner. The story itself revolves around questions of human interaction, authority, friendship,the role of the genders in a vast universe, the gaining of wisdom (on the part of both man and machine), the role of modern technology,and what exactly is 'out there'. This is not a Star Trek movie. It is a sci-fi film. And one of the best. The Director's cut restores the film and its score to its original cinematic glory.

A gigantic cosmic cloud headed towards Earth is destroying everything in its path, reflecting all attempts to scan it and refusing any attempts at communication. Admiral Kirk exercises his authority and seizes control over the newly refurbished Enterprise in order to warp over to the cloud and stop it before it destroys his home planet.

This isn't a film crammed full of action scenes and references to the TV series - for a start, it's very slow-paced. It takes nearly twenty minutes for Kirk to travel to the enterprise, and once the adventure starts there are prolonged scenes where we are left to marvel at the psychedelic cosmic cloud. The film has received much criticism for sloppy editing, but I personally believe that the 'extended' feel of the film adds to a more epic atmosphere. There's a sense that everything might not be alright, a fear that the crew may not fully succeed in their task.

This isn't a camp jolly around the universe with phaser guns and spandex jumpsuits. There are tense bridge politics as the overthrown Captain Decker feels cast aside at the whim of an Admiral who can't let go of the ship he once commanded. Once under Kirk's control the ship witnesses the death of two crew who try to beam onboard - it's a harrowing incident, not the light-hearted fun you're used to, there are no Tribbles falling out of overhead compartments here.

This is Star Trek but not as we know it - this is Star Trek with added peril. It is somehow more mature and when the crew finally get to the craft in the middle of the cloud you appreciate that this is great science fiction. Chances are you've already seen the film, but if not then the revelation behind the clouds origin is brilliant in both its massive scope and simplicity. The desire for the powerful entity to find it's creator hints at a deep philosophical view at what God is, and what it means to those who believe. An exploration summed up perfectly by Decker in a deleted scene when him and McCoy discuss religion and conclude that "We all create God in our own image".

This Blu-Ray release isn't the best title to showcase Hi-Def, the source material is often a bit fuzzy and there are plenty of soft focus shots (something the film has in common with the original TV series) - but having watched this a few times many years ago on VHS, this is probably the best the film has ever looked. The soundtrack is incredible and Jerry Goldsmith's score is full of energy, it often drowns out the speech but that just encourages you to crank up the volume and immerse yourself in the orchestral experience. Notable bonuses include the 'Library computer' - a fairly extensive pop-up glossary which can be accessed while you watch to film to view referenced information on everything from airlocks to wormholes as they appear in the movie. There's also a fascinating documentary called 'The longest trek' which documents the origins of the film and the politics which made the project so difficult. The film was essentially created on the back of the success of Star Wars and was a re-drafted version of a planned new Star Trek TV series. There are also some deleted scenes, and a documentary about the history of V'Ger which you ought not to watch if this is the first time you've seen the film as it contains a major plot spoiler.

In a nutshell: When you watch this you can see why some feel that it isn't true to the original TV series and a lot of people simply feel that the film drags on. If this wasn't a Star Trek film then this would be lauded as a Sci-Fi masterpiece of the same ilk as 2001 and Solaris. For all its weaknesses, the film has far greater strengths. It brings to the screen an ambitious, dark, and intelligent space adventure which manages also to have heart without being tacky.

I ordered this based on Amazon's recommendation, that it is the version re-mastered by Robert Wise with the additional special effects. On receiving it, I thought there had been a mistake, as there is no mention of this on the packaging: "Now on Blu-ray, see the original theatrical version of the film as it was originally released in theatres" which sounds like the original version. I checked the Vulcan scenes (as these are the most obvious difference from the original version) and the additional giant statues are present and correct so it does appear to be the director's re-cut version after all.

The film has been described enough in other reviews so all that remains to say about the Blu-ray transfer is that it varies in quality. The studio scenes, for example on the bridge of the Enterprise, are sharp and clear in high definition however the effects show their age. The spacecraft have the tell-tale black outline against the background - the scene where a shuttlecraft flies past the golden gate bridge and into a building is a good example of this.

The extras are limited compared to the Director's Cut double disc DVD set: there is a new commentary from Michael and Denise Okuda but also "15 minutes of previously released content" (?) and a Blu-ray exclusive Library Computer, which is a BD-LIVE function.

It's a good film but probably not worth buying over the equivalent DVD version. Unless you wait for the inevitable two disc Blu-ray edition.