The original crew of the Enterprise never looked better with the release of Star Trek: The Original Motion Picture Collection on Blu-ray. Although the effects might be a bit dated, the movies really shine in the high-def format, and are still a blast to watch (well, most of them are).
The set collects the first six Star Trek films which featured the original cast – William Shatner as Kirk; Leonard Nimoy as Spock; DeForest Kelley as Dr. McCoy; James Doohan as Scotty; Walter Koenig as Mr. Chekov; George Takei as Mr. Sulu; and Nichelle Nichols as Uhura.
The films have been digitally re-mastered in 1080p high definition and now feature 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio.
There is also a bonus disc, Star Trek: The Captains’ Summit, with a 70-minute exclusive round table discussion hosted by Whoopi Goldberg with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes. If you are a Trek fan, this is a fun watch with some dirt being shared about working on the series and films.
The set kicks off with Star Trek: The Motion Picture (the theatrical cut of the film) which sees the James T. Kirk (William Shatner) taking the helm of an updated U.S.S. Enterprise with some old friends to investigate an alien presence headed to Earth and destroying anything in its path.
The film was the first big screen outing for the crew of the Enterprise and manages to match the vibe of the original television series. The crew is older than when they were on television, but still have the ability to keep you interested in what is happening on the screen.
Although it is an entertaining movie, I have always felt the film drags a bit too much, and it is not one of my favorite screen adventures for the Star Trek cast.
The Blu-ray includes a new commentary by Michael & Denise Okuda, Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Daren Dochterman; The Longest Trek: Writing the Motion Picture; Special Star Trek Reunion; and Starfleet Academy: Mystery Behind V’ger. There are also deleted scenes; storyboards; and trailers. The Blu-ray also includes a library computer and the BD Live function Star Trek I.Q.
In my opinion, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is the best of the original cast’s big screen outings. This film improves on what was lacking in the first adventure and puts a lot more action into the story. Fans also get to enjoy some line-chewing scenes between Shatner’s Kirk and Ricardo Montalban’s Khan.
The second Star Trek film finds Kirk and Enterprise having to tangle with the crazed Khan – who is bent on getting revenge on Kirk for abandoning him on a desert planet. This film features a fast pace; kicks off a “trilogy” storyline; and shows that Star Trek can be an action packed franchise.
The Blu-ray features commentary by director Nicholas Meyer, and Manny Coto. There are also several featurettes including James Horner: Composing Genesis; A Tribute to Ricardo Montalban; Collecting Star Trek’s Movie Relics; Starfleet Academy: Mystery Behind Ceti Alpha VI; Captain’s Log; Designing Khan; Original interviews with DeForest Kelley, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Ricardo Montalban; Where No Man Has Gone Before: The Visual Effects of Star Trek I: The Wrath of Khan; and The Star Trek Universe: A Novel Approach.
There is also a look at the film’s storyboards; trailer; and the Library Computer/BD Live: Star Trek I.Q.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock follows the events of The Wrath of Khan and finds Kirk and company hijacking a ship to head off to the Genesis planet in hopes of saving Spock and McCoy. Along the way they have to deal with some pesky Klingons.
While the third outing is entertaining, there is several times where it drags and you have to wonder if this is the best the writers could come up with. Nimoy handles directing chores and clearly knows what he is doing. The movie looks great, has some good battle sequences, but lacks when compared to The Wrath of Khan.
Blu-ray special features include commentary by director Leonard Nimoy, writer/producer Harve Bennett, director of photography Charles Correll and Robin Curtis, Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor.
Once again directed by Nimoy, this film is fun, but feels more than a little silly. It also lacks the big action sequences and space battles you expect from Star Trek.
The Blu-ray is packed with features including commentary by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.
There are also the features Pavel Chekov’s Screen Moments; The Three-Picture Saga; Star Trek for a Cause; Starfleet Academy: The Whale Probe; Future’s Past: A Look Back; On Location; Dailies Deconstruction; Below-the-Line: Sound Design; Time Travel: The Art of the Possible; The Language of Whales; A Vulcan Primer; Kirk’s Women; From Outer Space to the Ocean; The Bird of Prey; Original interviews with Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner and DeForest Kelley; Roddenberry Scrapbook; and Featured Artist: Mark Lenard.
You also get a look at the production gallery; storyboards; and theatrical trailer. It also has the Blu-ray features Library Computer and BD Live: Star Trek I.Q.
In my opinion, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier is the worst of the six Star Trek films. Shatner directs easily enough and the film does feel like a Star Trek movie. However, the plot is just stupid with the crew of the Enterprise (along with Spock’s brother) heading to the center of the universe to find God - or at least an alien being who thinks it is God.
The film has a few good moments, but it also feels like there isn’t much gas left in Enterprise’s tank, and the actors are just on autopilot for most of the movie.
Once again, the Blu-ray is crammed packed with special features including commentary by William Shatner, Liz Shatner, Michael & Denise Okuda, Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Daren Dochterman.
There are also the features Star Trek Honors NASA; Hollywood Walk of Fame: James Doohan; Starfleet Academy: Nimbus III; Harve Bennett’s Pitch to the Sales Team; The Journey: A Behind-the-Scenes Documentary; Makeup Tests; Pre-Visualization Models; Rockman in the Raw; Star Trek V press conference; Herman Zimmerman: A Tribute; Original Interview: William Shatner; Cosmic Thoughts; That Klingon Couple; and A Green Future.
There are also deleted scenes; a production gallery; storyboards; theatrical trailers; and TV Spots. The Blu-ray also includes the Library Computer and BD Live: Star Trek I.Q.
I enjoyed watching Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country on Blu-ray more than I have in the past. The film once again feels like Shatner and company are just on autopilot, but Christopher Plummer’s Klingon makes the movie a blast to watch.
Since it is the last time we would see the whole crew on an adventure, the film is worth watching – although several of the actors are showing their age on Blu-ray’s crystal clear picture.
The plot sees the Kingons suffering a disaster which opens up the chance for lasting peace with the Federation. Kirk and the Enterprise are sent to help escort the Klingon chancellor, but get caught up in a conspiracy that could end all chances of peace.
Once again we get a ton of features including commentary by director Nicholas Meyer, screenwriter Denny Martin Flinn, Larry Nemecek and Ira Steven Behr.
There are also the features Tom Morga: Alien Stuntman; To Be Or Not To Be: Klingons and Shakespeare; Starfleet Academy: Praxis; The Perils of Peacemaking; Stories from Star Trek VI; Conversations with Nicholas Meyer; Klingons: Conjuring the Legend; Federation Operatives; Penny’s Toy Box; Together Again; DeForest Kelley: A Tribute; and Original cast interviews.
There are also looks at a production gallery; storyboards; the 1991 convention presentation by Nicholas Meyer; and trailers. It also includes the Library Computer and BD Live: Star Trek I.Q.
If you are a Star Trek fan, I highly recommend this set. The films look great on the Blu-ray format, and are all worth watching again. Some hold up better than others, but all of the films feature the elements that have made Star Trek such a great sci-fi franchise.
Star Trek: The Original Motion Picture Collection [Blu-ray] is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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