Star Trek: The Motion Picture- The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture- The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)
by Robert Wise

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Movie Reviews of Star Trek: The Motion Picture- The Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition)

Movie Review: Dazzling redo of a vastly underrated movie
Summary: 5 Stars

Now, along comes this new Director's edition, which is now the definitive version of the film. It must be noted that many of the film's weaknesses can be attributed to its rush-release, which meant that not only was it not screened in front of a preview audience, but that edits were done on a fly-by-night basis literally days before the film premiered. Wise has stated over the years that it was the only film he ever did which was incomplete, and now over twenty years later he has a chance to complete it. Thus, the upgraded SFX (including sequences which were storyboarded but not included due to time and/or budget restraints), new edits which include many of the added character-driven scenes from the VHS version, and tighter action in other areas. The sound has been reprocessed and the picture (in spite of a few unfortunate blotches here and there, which I suppose could not be corrected) is as crystal clear as it will ever be. The upgraded SFX are *perfectly* matched with the film's original look, and for the first time we get to see what V'Ger looks like without its protective cloud covering.

The colors in the DVD are better saturated, making it seem less all-white monochrome; blues, reds, oranges and greens now pop out at the viewer (and I never had a problem with the costumes, which I thought looked rather comfortable!). The film's plot may be derived from TOS' "The Changeling", but its themes are far more complex and epic; the parallel between Spock's journey and V'Ger's comes to a climax and the change seen here in Spock is THE pivotal moment for his character. Shatner's acting skills as the troubled, obsessive Kirk, are among his most subtle and serious, and his gradual maturation is also a pleasure to behold. Ilia is a graceful and exotic new character who would have made an interesting addition to the Star Trek Phase II series which had been proposed before it turned into this film.

I still have several quibbles with the director's edition of the film; a couple of important scenes from the VHS version are still left out (although they are included in the second disc as deleted scenes) and the two main SFX sequences--Kirk's shuttle journey to the Enterprise and the Enterprise's journey into V'Ger--remain overlong (Wise attempts to defend his decision not to cut these in his commentary, which is interesting although not *entirely* convincing). However, I do not see how some reviewers below can say that this edition is a waste of time--with all the care that went into the improved picture, sound, SFX, and in creating an edit which would make the movie flow quicker, it is clear that this is now a highly underrated film that must be looked at a second time. The other features are all first-rate, including a look at the abandoned Phase II series that was going to be Star Trek's return to television (one may also read the fascinating book on the same subject, put out by Paramount).

In comparison to the original theatrical release, this Director's Edition flattens it, hands down. Compared to the long VHS version, it contains nearly all the essential added scenes, and also includes improved SFX, sound and edits, which also makes it superior. If only five minutes more or so had been cut from the two main effects sequences, I think this new edition of the movie would no longer be considered boring at all by the fans, and it's strengths--the awesome score, incredible visuals, complex themes and character development--would be appreciated to their fullest. Apparently, Shatner considered the V'Ger plotline interesting enough to make it a major element of his best-selling Star Trek novel "The Return", in which we learn that V'Ger's home planet is also the home planet of the Borg. "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" remains one of my very favorite Star Trek films--now at last being given a chance to be seen as it was intended, with most of its potential now fulfilled--a movie that cannot be viewed with a short attention span but if given enough patience, will reveal itself as an epic sci-fi masterpiece. Kirk seen through the glass of his cabin door; Ilia healing Chekov's wound; the agitated, psychedelic color streaks of the wormhole effect; Spock racing down the V'Ger corrider and revealing its secrets; Spock in tears; Ilia and Decker joining as one in an explosion of light and sound; these compelling images remain with you long after the film has ended, and for me along with "The Search For Spock" it breaks the "odds/evens" rule of Star Trek films.