Star Trek- the Motion Picture 1979

[kennermike]

Im surprised their has not been a thread on this film.I know theirs alot of haters but I like it alot .any thoughts

[mego73]

I liked it a lot too.

[EMCE Hammer]

There have been threads. I think we all agreed it's second only to Superman III as the best movie ever.

Seriously, I liked it. I watch it every few years once the details get foggy. It's probably number 4 for me out of all the Trek movies.

[Jason73]

Star Trek The Motion Picture is by far my favorite Star Trek movie.

[toys2cool]

I like it

[UnderdogDJLSW]

I appreciate it for the story it tries to tell. That being said, I really enjoy the director's cut that came out quite a few years ago.

[david_b]

I'd agree, if you compared the threads on any of the original cast movies, TMP would probably be one of the most-talked about Trek movies here. It's my personal favorite as well, for a lot of reasons.

Quite simply, it's the only one that actually 'went somewhere' and tried to strive to be a 'event'. It has aged quite well and still holds a lot of interest, even after repeat viewings, being more 'space phenomena'-centered that the other original cast movies.

I guess when I say it 'aged-well', that would be still very subjective. Part of my fondness for it, as with most of us older folk, was all the excitement which was generated throughout the mid/late 70s about 'cast reunions'. After all the years of write-ups in Starlog, 'will Nimoy and Shatner ever work together', etc, etc.., seeing the movie finally done brought a lot of smiles to fans faces. For the younger audiences, more familiar with the later movies, ST-TMP probably is considered more of an 'obsure' or 'artistic entry' than anything else.

I love the more subtle acting, loved most of the uniforms and sets, and yes, the Directors Cut really brought a lot of it together quite well.

david_b

[Mikey]

One good thing about TMP is you can get up make yourself a sandwich, hit the bathroom, come back - and discover you didn't miss anything while you were gone

[johnmiic]

I don't hate it but...it is not really honest Star Trek. It is like a re-telling of 2001 adapted for a Trek film. The fact it got made at all is a miracle. The absence of the other producer, Gene Coon, as well as script-writer, Dorothy Fontana is really felt in this production. The bonus materials on the DVD are very soft on Rodenberry. Harold Livingston has had some stronger words for GR in the printed press. If you compare this to Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home, you might notice TVH is a retelling of this tale with some details altered. Even ST-TNG Best of Both Worlds is similar and in it's differences, a little better.

Robert Wise is a great director and much was added back to the film in the Director's cut but after the first hour of re-uniting everyone and getting the warp drive to work the plot is lack-luster. In making this film the writers and director failed to realize you need a story that allows you to travel; go places and see things. I don't mean you need a space battle like WOK or Star Wars throughout the picture. You just can't stay in the same place for an hour, (inside V'ger). I know there was a better space-walk scene planned that was changed but it needed more than that. I can't totally pan the film. It did bring ST to feature film status. Mark Lenard cameo'd as the Klingon Commander; setting the standard for many guest stars to see if the could play the top 3 aliens in ST, ( Romulan, Vulcan & Klingon). Some have come close. It made a big profit despite budget overruns. I just wish it had been better.

[Bruce Banner]

I remember seeing ST:TMP at the theatre way back when it first came out, but was too young to really appreciate the movie's finer points and its very considered pace and sombre tone.

Now, I regard it as one of the top three best ST movies. I really like its epic scope and grand vision.

Robert Wise's director's edition on DVD is great, IMHO.
Some cool fixed up FX shots and tighter editing.

Although I certainly would have liked all three versions of the movie as part of the package: Theatrical Cut, Extended Broadcast TV Cut, and Director's Cut.
Maybe we'll get that some day in a future special edition Blu Ray package or something.

[Luke Landwalker]

TMP i think is the best star trek film. It was fun to see in 79 as a kid and fun now.

[The Bat]

I love it. And I really like the Director's Cut. I don't how Wise did it, but the edit totally speeds up the pace of the Movie. Unfortunately, he did cut an important Character moment on the Bridge...where Uhura explains to an ensign, that with Kirk taking command...their chances of survival may have just doubled.

[Bruce Banner]

Unfortunately, he did cut an important Character moment on the Bridge...where Uhura explains to an ensign, that with Kirk taking command...their chances of survival may have just doubled.

That line is definitely in the Director's Edition DVD.
(But I think it was absent from the theatrical cut.)

[fallensaviour]

That line is definitely in the Director's Edition DVD.
(But I think it was absent from the theatrical cut.)

Yes it's there.
This film is great I saw it as a kid at the theatre and loved it but could not appreciate it for what it was.
The directors cut is by far the best.
The most brilliant part about the whole film is that even today voyager (V'ger) is still sending us photos.Kinda makes you think the film could become a reality one day.

Well you never know...
I'm just saying is all...

[Nostalgiabuff]

I like this movie and rewatch it every now and then as well. the directors cut reall cleaned it up and the enhanced effects did a lot for it as well. I think it was true to the sporit of the original series with the spirit of exploration etc...