Rent Star Trek 1: The Motion Picture (1979)

Underrated Sci Fi - Magnificent & One of the Best In The Series - Star Trek 1: The Motion Picture review by GI

With the unprecedented success of the first Star Wars films there was a rush to make science fiction films in the late 70s. Paramount Studios owned Star Trek, a TV series that had been discontinued ten years earlier but had since gained a cult following due to regular re-runs. The result was this film was not well received upon release it being considered slow and clumsily plotted. However it has since been re-evaluated and despite being unfairly compared to the later Star Trek films it is a very sophisticated and clever science fiction film that is more aligned with serious films in the genre than space action/adventure films like Star Wars: A New Hope (1977). The story begins in the 23rd century four years after the events of the final TV episode and James Kirk (William Shatner) has been promoted to Admiral but yearns for the exciting days of commanding a starship. When an enormous energy cloud is detected heading for Earth a new refitted USS Enterprise is despatched to investigate and finds something extraordinary at the heart of the cloud. Kirk manages to get command of the ship pushing aside the existing captain and brings aboard all his trusted crew mates. In the hands of veteran director Robert Wise we get an existential story that goes deep into what it means to be human, a theme that good sci-fi has often explored. Firstly Wise introduces the USS Enterprise almost as a character itself and this links superbly with the 'alien' that is later discovered within the cloud. The exploration of the implications of Artificial Intelligence being another common sci-fi theme explored here. Also the depiction of the iconic character Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is brought to the heart of the themes at play here using Spock's mixed race background and his inner conflict as part of the overall narrative. It really is a science fiction film to be applauded. The special effects are first rate (especially in the enhanced Director's Edition) and even if you are not a fan of Star Trek from television this is a film well worth you having a fresh look. The TV series lost its way and became somewhat camp at times but this film cannot be accused of falling into that trap. It is indeed a surprise that further Star Trek films soon followed and the franchise went onto become highly successful after the disastrous critical responses of this, the first but now this film can be viewed for the rather wonderful, exciting film it is. Give it a try, you'll not be disappointed.

A bit thin now but after almost 40 years it is allowed to be - Star Trek 1: The Motion Picture review by AB

Hard to believe that this was made in 1979 -I remember going to see it at the cinema.

Storyline is now well-known but was very good at the time and it still raises some hairs on the back of my neck in the final scenes down in VGER's centre.

As a franchise ST was way ahead of its time and so was the film - it and Star Wars really made science fiction a genre to be recognised, with the advances then in early CGI etc.

The Director's cut that I saw from here was not as good as the version I saw in the cinema as this version reduced the early encounters by the Klingons with VGER to the detriment of the excitement.

Still - I enjoyed reminiscing back to my youth.