Star Trek - The Motion Picture: The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
Back when the first Star Trek feature was released in December 1979, the Trek franchise was still relatively modest, consisting of the original TV series, an animated cartoon series from 1973-74, and a burgeoning fan network around the world. Series creator Gene Roddenberry had conceived a second TV series, but after the success of Star Wars the project was upgraded into this lavish feature film, which reunited the original series cast aboard a beautifully redesigned starship U.S.S. Enterprise. Under the direction of Robert Wise (best known for West Side Story), the film proved to be a mixed blessing for Trek fans, who heatedly debated its merits; but it was, of course, a phenomenal hit. Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) leads his crew into the vast structures surrounding V'Ger, an all-powerful being that is cutting a destructive course through Starfleet space. With his new First Officer (Stephen Collins), the bald and beautiful Lieutenant Ilia (played by the late Persis Khambatta) and his returning veteran crew, Kirk must decipher the secret of V'Ger's true purpose and restore the safety of the galaxy. The story is rather overblown and derivative of plots from the original series, and avid Trekkies greeted the film's bland costumes with derisive laughter. But as a feast for the eyes, this is an adventure worthy of big-screen trekkin'. Douglas Trumbull's visual effects are astonishing, and Jerry Goldmith's score is regarded as one of the prolific composer's very best (with its main theme later used for Star Trek: The Next Generation). And, fortunately for Star Trek fans, the expanded 143-minute version (originally shown for the film's network TV premiere) is generally considered an improvement over the original theatrical release. --Jeff Shannon
User Reviews about Star Trek - The Motion Picture: The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
I love the Star Trek movies of the old Trek stars, Spock being my favorite. It is a strange one of the Trek series but I love it. It came in great condition and in 3 days. -- Great Trek Movie
It has been nine years since TMP was revised and re-released by director Robert Wise as The Director's Cut. I recently rented a free copy of this from a local library and was amazed with sincere admiration of how much this version fared better than the theatrical and extended TV editions. I managed to purchase a 'brand new' copy this past July 4th weekend on eBay for a really good bargain price than the other eBay buyers/sellers and Amazon Marketplace sellers have. Coming off the fun and excitement of "Star Trek (2009)," it's really nice to watch the original cast reunion that took place several years after the 'five year mission' from TOS and TAS.
Off the heels of George Lucas revising Star Wars with extras and new CGI scenes, a CGI company helped revise TMP with new CGI scenes that are explained in 'Bonus Features' disc with Robert re-editing some scenes that made TMP look like a dragged out space flight beforehand which worked after what went on during TMP's production over time and budget constraints before it's 1979 release. Some of those new scenes were; Spock heading to the Vulcan temple that included several statues in place for the Kolinnair ritual, the train station at Starfleet Headquarters SF, the V'Ger spacecraft hovering above Earth, and plasma fireballs forming a bridge platform between the Enterprise and V'Ger. Other featurettes included cast & crew interviews, text commentary by Michael Okuda, group commentary by Robert Wise, production crew, and Stephen Collins, and Star Trek: Phase II documentary.
For many Trek fans who badgered over the colorless/bland uniforms, here's two things I found; First the bland uniforms are modified versions of the originals worn by Capt. Pike and his crew from the original pilot/The Menagerie episode. The brown field jackets are re-used from "The Menagerie." (Notice the last scene on the bridge with Spock and McCoy, Lenard and DeForest switched jackets for some unknown reason.) Second, it was Robert Wise's idea to have the actors wear the bland uniforms instead of the iconic yellow, blue, and red shirts because he wanted the audience to focus on the actors' faces. However, the change in the Klingons' appearance remains a big mystery in the Star Trek Universe.
For Star Trek: TMP, the movie is a centerpiece connecting with TOS, the Trek sequels, TNG, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise series. For the first time, Kirk has a new first officer or "Number 1" Capt. Decker (Stephen Collins), who Adm. Kirk recommended to command then removed in lieu of the V'Ger cloud approaching Earth. Dr. McCoy is still his passionate jaded self fearful of going in a transporter beam. Spock's surprising entrance on the Enterprise astonishes his crew members returns as Sci. Officer. A new navigator, Lt. Illia (Persis Khambatta), a Deltan who had a relationship with Decker served as a model story for TNG's Commander Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi. Chekov, Sulu, Uhura, Scotty, Chapel, and Rand also return in their supportive roles after TOS to their promoted positions. The crew intercepts the V'Ger cloud in similarity to a previous alien cloud from TAS. They cautiously make contact with V'Ger until they gradually realize V'Ger was seeking companionship with its creator. Spock makes a fulfillment change in himself after mind melding with Illia's sensor probe. Kirk makes a gamble using the Corbonite Maneuver again to meet V'Ger in person. And a portion of the credit goes to Issac Asimov as a Special Consultant to the film, helped TMP be successful over the years. -- "Spock, you haven't changed a bit. You're just as warm and sociable as ever."
I enjoyed this special director's cut of Star Trek The Motion Picture very much. I enjoyed this movie when it first came out in theatres. The difference is in the extended footage and the updated and modified special effects. This movie helped Star Trek transition from TV to motion picture. I really appreciate the depth that the cast and crew went to to make the transition from TV to motion picture as well as bridging the time of the TV series and the future of Kirk/Starfleet. This motion picture moves slowly but is filled with great detail and artistry. The speed at which the plot unfolds can be understood from the viewpoint of action-junkies or it can be understood from the viewpoint of the characters and film environment and Trekkers. From the viewpoint of action-junkies the film could be seen as ponderously slow and boring in its details and deep philosophical allegory. From the viewpoint of an artist, craftsperson, or hardcore Trekker this movie could be seen as a masterpiece of artistry and detail in letting us experience the many transitions of the characters and technologies and organizations from their past to the present of the motion picture. One area of the movie that seems to just slowly crawl by with no real point is the USS Enterprise exploring the exterior of V'Ger. However, I believe that the length of time spent in this section of the movie helps us to realize just how massive V'Ger actually is. The time spent on character development (Kirk and Spock, mainly, McCoy as well) is also necessary to lay the foundation for how they will work together throughout the length of the movie. The movie would not have worked if we had just jumped back into the same-old, same-old character routines of the Star Trek TV series without acknowledging that people and organizations and technologies change. If you are an action-junkie, you might think twice about purchasing this movie. However, if you are interested in Star Trek and its development, this movie (the Director's Cut with updated special effects) is a must-buy. This version of the film is an excellent choice to purchase as it lays the groundwork for future films, franchise development, and the many-faceted transitions for character and universe of Star Trek. I highly recommend this version of this movie. -- Star Trek Transitions
I liked tis version done over in 2000 with added scenes and remastered images, i.e. Vejur External scenery. Allso sound and audio remastered as well. I am very pleased with this DVD and I owned this movie on VHS, I can see and hear the enhancements. -- Good Picture
I have the 143 minute version of this movie on a rickety old VHS tape, plus the original 132 minute theatrical release on DVD with the original motion picture collection. This Director's Cut was what I expected. It's what the late Robert Wise had wanted to do in 1979. It's a good thing he got his chance to complete what couldn't be done back in the 70s. It was logical for me to purchase this directors cut. It is indeed better than the theatrical release. -- Better than the theatrical release
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