I watched this today for the first time in YEARS. Probably over a decade since I'd seen it, despite having "The Director's Edition" for several years. I was just turning 5 when this came out, so I wasn't a Trekker yet. I didn't see this until after I'd seen III in the theater (my first Trek film) and then II on television. As a kid, I thought it was boring. Way too many drawn out reaction shots, laborous effect shots, and little of the character that makes me love Trek.
Over the years that opinion didn't change much. It has always been my least favorite classic crew film, yes, even under V, which despite bargain basement special effects and a rambling plot, does have some great character moments with Kirk, Spock and Bones.
So I watched the Director's Edition today, and you know what...my opinion really hasn't changed. I enjoyed watching it, but almost as more of a curiosity than a Trek film. I've been re-reading Shatner's Star Trek Memories books, and the account of this movie presented through his POV and others (including director Robert Wise) is fascinating (pardon the pun). Despite being in gestation in one form or another as a TV film, low-budget theatrical film, TV series pilot, and finally major motion picture, you would think they'd have thought this one out better.
It's certainly a handsome film. It's Robert Wise, so of course it's beautiful. The scale and scope of the Enterprise never felt larger and more majestic, but I'd have traded that for some true emoting on Shatner. Kirk seems to be sedated through this film. Bones has some good lines, and brings some much needed levity and just plain ol' humanity, since Kirk is not his usual overly-passionate self. Spock's arc is interesting, and Nimoy does a good job of subtly portraying Spock as a near-robot at the movie's beginning, slowly turning back into the Spock we know as the story unfolds.
But it's just missing that spark that TOS had, and that Have Bennet and Nick Meyer re-injected into the franchise in Wrath of Khan. This is definitely Roddenberry's NEW vision, or perhaps his original Cage-like vision before NBC insisted on more action and less pondering. You can definitely follow this feeling into Next Gen. Of course they do share the same theme, and the music is another thing that makes this movie that much more enjoyable. Without Goldsmith's excellent score, those long drawn-out shots could have been nigh unbearable.
Again, despite all this, I enjoyed it. It has some great moments, but you have to wade through a lot of dullness to get there. I still put this behind V. Technically better, but viscerally lacking.
Chris
Over the years that opinion didn't change much. It has always been my least favorite classic crew film, yes, even under V, which despite bargain basement special effects and a rambling plot, does have some great character moments with Kirk, Spock and Bones.
So I watched the Director's Edition today, and you know what...my opinion really hasn't changed. I enjoyed watching it, but almost as more of a curiosity than a Trek film. I've been re-reading Shatner's Star Trek Memories books, and the account of this movie presented through his POV and others (including director Robert Wise) is fascinating (pardon the pun). Despite being in gestation in one form or another as a TV film, low-budget theatrical film, TV series pilot, and finally major motion picture, you would think they'd have thought this one out better.
It's certainly a handsome film. It's Robert Wise, so of course it's beautiful. The scale and scope of the Enterprise never felt larger and more majestic, but I'd have traded that for some true emoting on Shatner. Kirk seems to be sedated through this film. Bones has some good lines, and brings some much needed levity and just plain ol' humanity, since Kirk is not his usual overly-passionate self. Spock's arc is interesting, and Nimoy does a good job of subtly portraying Spock as a near-robot at the movie's beginning, slowly turning back into the Spock we know as the story unfolds.
But it's just missing that spark that TOS had, and that Have Bennet and Nick Meyer re-injected into the franchise in Wrath of Khan. This is definitely Roddenberry's NEW vision, or perhaps his original Cage-like vision before NBC insisted on more action and less pondering. You can definitely follow this feeling into Next Gen. Of course they do share the same theme, and the music is another thing that makes this movie that much more enjoyable. Without Goldsmith's excellent score, those long drawn-out shots could have been nigh unbearable.
Again, despite all this, I enjoyed it. It has some great moments, but you have to wade through a lot of dullness to get there. I still put this behind V. Technically better, but viscerally lacking.
Chris
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