Having been one of the shows that was part of my childhood and growing up, the original 'Star Trek' still holds up as great and ground-breaking, even if not perfect.
The first 'Star Trek' endeavour, 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture', was and still is heavily criticised by critics and the opinions on fans is a mixed bag of passionate defence and extreme hate. Personally belong in neither extreme. 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' is not as bad as its reputation, but it is a deeply flawed (even for the first 'Star Trek' film and everything has to start somewhere) and paved the way for better 'Star Trek' films, apart from the critically derided 'The Final Frontier'.
Starting with 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture's' flaws, the pace definitely could have been tightened with the first half being particularly ponderous and aside from the visuals uneventful. This part could easily have been trimmed down and considerably shorter rather than being an effort to disguise that there was not enough story to justify the overlong length.
Casting is uneven, with subtlety once again eluding William Shatner and very little done with the Enterprise team. Stephen Collins seems out of his depth as Decker in a role that didn't seem that difficult, instead seeming underwritten. Persis Khambatta spends much of her screen time looking awestruck. Some of the script is too patchwork and talky.
However, 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' looks amazing, a big improvement over the production values of the show. Whereas the production values were one of the original series' few faults, the production values are where this film most excels. It is beautifully and atmospherically photographed, with a '2001: A Space Odyssey' (which is quite a compliment) influence and awe-inspiring special effects. The music by Jerry Goldsmith adds hugely, it's rousing stuff and the main theme is iconic. The sound effects have a suitable eeriness.
Much of the script is intelligent and thought-provoking, while the more plot oriented and character-driven second half has the delightful interaction, conflicts and development that made me a fan of 'Star Trek' in the first place, this element was always one of the original series' biggest strengths. There is a thrown in and underwritten subplot, but there is an astonishingly clever and shocking subplot and a suspenseful climax There is a '2001' grandeur to Robert Wise's directing.
While the Enterprise crew disappoint and Shatner refuses to reign in, the rest of the original 'Star Trek' crew are on top form and their interaction a delight. Can never get enough of Leonard Nimoy or Spock.
In summary, could have been better and the criticisms are valid but there are a lot of things to admire that makes the film much better than its reputation. 6/10 Bethany Cox
The first 'Star Trek' endeavour, 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture', was and still is heavily criticised by critics and the opinions on fans is a mixed bag of passionate defence and extreme hate. Personally belong in neither extreme. 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' is not as bad as its reputation, but it is a deeply flawed (even for the first 'Star Trek' film and everything has to start somewhere) and paved the way for better 'Star Trek' films, apart from the critically derided 'The Final Frontier'.
Starting with 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture's' flaws, the pace definitely could have been tightened with the first half being particularly ponderous and aside from the visuals uneventful. This part could easily have been trimmed down and considerably shorter rather than being an effort to disguise that there was not enough story to justify the overlong length.
Casting is uneven, with subtlety once again eluding William Shatner and very little done with the Enterprise team. Stephen Collins seems out of his depth as Decker in a role that didn't seem that difficult, instead seeming underwritten. Persis Khambatta spends much of her screen time looking awestruck. Some of the script is too patchwork and talky.
However, 'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' looks amazing, a big improvement over the production values of the show. Whereas the production values were one of the original series' few faults, the production values are where this film most excels. It is beautifully and atmospherically photographed, with a '2001: A Space Odyssey' (which is quite a compliment) influence and awe-inspiring special effects. The music by Jerry Goldsmith adds hugely, it's rousing stuff and the main theme is iconic. The sound effects have a suitable eeriness.
Much of the script is intelligent and thought-provoking, while the more plot oriented and character-driven second half has the delightful interaction, conflicts and development that made me a fan of 'Star Trek' in the first place, this element was always one of the original series' biggest strengths. There is a thrown in and underwritten subplot, but there is an astonishingly clever and shocking subplot and a suspenseful climax There is a '2001' grandeur to Robert Wise's directing.
While the Enterprise crew disappoint and Shatner refuses to reign in, the rest of the original 'Star Trek' crew are on top form and their interaction a delight. Can never get enough of Leonard Nimoy or Spock.
In summary, could have been better and the criticisms are valid but there are a lot of things to admire that makes the film much better than its reputation. 6/10 Bethany Cox