A Review Of My Favorite Star Trek Movie! (and, it's not the latest one)

After viewing the latest release in the "Star Trek" movie franchise last week (see my review below this one), I was inspired to go back and watch my favorite of these movies--"Star Trek: The Motion Picture." As much as I enjoyed it 30 years ago, I didn't realize that it was re-released on DVD back in 2001 with significant improvements. While the film did well at the box office, it was not what the movie's Director, Robert Wise, had envisioned.

Originally, he was rushed in post-production--many visual and sound effects were abandoned, and several helpful scenes were cut for time. With this new 2001 edition, however, Wise went back and slowly restored the film, adding in the deleted scenes, new digital and sound effects, and remixing the musical score. The result is fantastic. It must be seen on your biggest widescreen with great surround sound!

While It's hard for me to admit, the movie isn't for everyone, especially the ADD generation of today that needs constant movement and dialogue. You might think of it as a slow savor over a gourmet meal, where you take your time enjoying a food's texture, juices, and spices. There are several extended scenes with just gorgeous visuals and music, but no talking.In the spirit of "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Lawrence of Arabia" this is as much a film about atmosphere and the audience's sensory experience as it is about the advancement of plot and story.

It does have impressive elements of character and conflict throughout, but it reaches beyond the typical plot to ask questions about philosophy and science, love and spirituality. Some might find it stuck in exposition as it grapples with these deepest of ideas. I think its strength is that, with its grand scope, brilliant color, and sound, it makes such ideas cinematic.

The movie brought together several creators with resumes for epic filmmaking. Robert Wise directed such sweeping films as "The Sound of Music," "West Side Story," and the classic sci-fi original, "The Day The Earth Stood Still." The musical Composer, Jerry Goldsmith (also scored "Planet Of The Apes," "Patton," "Chinatown," "Poltergeist," "Hoosiers," & "Rudy"), here crafted one of the best pieces of music, moviemaking has ever produced. The music is as much a character in the film as are Kirk and Spock. The same score, of course, was used in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" series, and I believe in others as well.

The Special Effects Director, Douglas Trumbull, also created the iconic visual masterpieces, "2001: A Space Odyssey," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," and "Blade Runner." The special effects, along with the recent improvements still stand on their own and, in my opinion, are superior to much of what's done on computers today. Back then, effects were created organically, with humans molding real materials. Models, brass, glass, light, creative photography. Also, much of what you see in this film was the result of hand-crafted artistic paintings. I realize these elements are still used today, but they are not the foundation of most effects-heavy films anymore, and I think, suffer for it. The creative, organic humanity is largely removed in place of what can be done with digital technology.

This was long the fear of Star Trek's creator, writer, and producer, Gene Roddenberry, who, of course, produced and wrote much of this film. Roddenberry was a true Modernist. He believed in humanity, in science, in the optimistic future of human progress. This was his ideal vision. What he feared was that, in reality, technology and knowledge would move so far forward that it would leave what is good and unique about being human, behind.

The tension between humanity and technology/science was the main thread throughout the original TV series and it is moved to the forefront as the main idea with this film. As much as modernism, technological progress, science and logic can advance and improve our lives, they can't meet our need for what is most important. That can only come from the human characteristics of love and faith to reach out beyond ourselves into the unknown. Seeking meaning and purpose. Connecting with our Creator. The beauty of this film is that it celebrates all these ideas seamlessly.

In my opinion, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was probably the climax of the Roddenberry franchise (perhaps coupled with its soon-to-follow companion, "The Wrath of Khan"). The original TV series was far superior to its sequels when it came to wrestling with the ideas mentioned above. But, it was far inferior to them when it came to special effects, atmosphere, sound, etc. This film still retained the Roddenberry opus of high ideals, but also had the budget (especially now with the improvements) to give you a true sense of awe with sight and sound.

New versions of "Star Trek" will probably continue to roll out onto our movie screens and TV sets, mostly because the franchise is a proven money-maker. But with Roddenberry, its creator, gone, and with the empty advancements of digital technology and commercialism, I doubt that the triumph of this 30 year-old motion picture and its transcendent, human heart for storytelling will ever be seen again.

(P.S. If you're a uber-geek like me, listen to the Commentaries afterwards. The Director, Composer, and Effects guy all chime in with tons of tasty morsels!)