All episodes of Criminally Underrated Movies ... Ep 1 - Star Trek: The Motion Picture th-cam.com/video/yO-QdAFBaZ0/w-d-xo.html Ep 2 - Psycho 2 th-cam.com/video/kydlEbyV3vE/w-d-xo.html Ep 3 - Heaven Help Us / The Catholic Boys th-cam.com/video/C2-O2RdQz94/w-d-xo.html Ep 4 - Red Dawn th-cam.com/video/5IjwZGT4V9U/w-d-xo.html Ep 5 - The Black Hole th-cam.com/video/LdhcX9YonMI/w-d-xo.html Ep 6 - A.I. Artificial Intelligence th-cam.com/video/hD66njCw_bE/w-d-xo.html
Rob: I sent this link of your review to my friend Douglas Trumbull a year or so ago and he was absolutely delighted by your observations on the film. I know he was very excited by David Fien’s 4K Director’s edition, which we will be showing theatrically in my theatres (I own 50 theatre screens) in May. Thank you for helping to keep this masterpiece alive.
Wow, so cool. Can you tell me as a friend of Douglas' (RIP) if there's a way to get a copy of the documentary about his career? I can't find it anywhere. Thank you and I am sorry for your loss. No doubt, Douglas is with all who've come before in the stars...
I always saw ST:TMP as a love letter to the original show. I saw it as a story where everyone is at the stage in life where they ask, is there nothing more? Is this all that I am? Kirk is using the emergency to get Enterprise back. Spock is using the emergency to finally reach Kolinar. V-GER creating the emergency looking for its creator and purpose.
Just so refreshing to see a film that isn’t moving at 100mph. You have time to absorb what you’re seeing. Ok, maybe a bit slow at times, but I like it.
Thank you all! I thought I was the only person to think this is not only the best Star Trek film of the franchise, but one of the best sci-fi films of all times!!
9:24 "Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?" When I ask this question of myself, I would say the silence is deafening but I have tinnitus. William Shatner has it too.
I think of this movie as a surreal sci-fi art symphony... I rewatch it whenever I’m really sick or down and it makes me feel relaxed and renewed... I feel this is the most Star Trek of all Star Trek movies. It shows the use of logic and imagination over violence as solutions to problems. The crew has weapons and the means of great destruction, but in this situation, they’re useless so they must rely on their intelligence and strategic thinking...
See the Star Trek episodes: Balance of Terror, The Doomsday Machine, A Private Little War, A Taste of Armageddon, Obsession, The Enterprise Incident, Elaan of Troyus.
I think this is the most TNG of all the Star Trek movies (and i love it, as TNG is the best Star Trek series for me, specially the early 2 seasons). But the most Star Trek (Original series) movie i would say is 5. Five has the McCoy, Spock and Kirk spotlight, it's an adventure and had some campy on it. Sure TOS had cerebral episodes (the best ones in fact). But over all, i think that 5 keep the whole TOS series spirit the most.
My copy has a full version of the theme played over the stars at warp before the credits. I ALWAYS watch it through, it’s just so achingly beautiful. At one point my partner asked if we had to watch the whole theme again...I may have told her “quvHa'ghach SeHmo' SoH tuqmaj!” In response.
@Simon Silicon I understand what you're saying but The Motion Picture was the first And only time Star Trek actually felt like actual Science Fiction story.
Seeing what they have done since 2009, it's devolved to the juvenile state. But even that's better than soulless, pessimistic and dead bodies of Discovery and ST:Picard.
I couldn't agree more. As a massive Star Trek film, the first one, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is the best of all the Star Trek film entries. Like you've said, "Bloody brilliant sci-fi movie." Well put!
"Booring"? .. . depends WHAT you consider EXCITING in the first place. Now personally I happen to find ohhhh guns, stunts, car chases, crashes, and explosions pretty dull myself, so I don't miss THAT shit one bit when watching THIS film.
Some actual acting, and making people use their imagination? That’s one aspect of this great movie. The concept of Voyager coming HOME so to speak, that’s just mind blowing. I guess some people need to see a car blowing up or a fireball every 5 minutes, you know, the intellectual type.
On release the costumes perhaps seemed like a bad hangover. The next decades' styles hadn't developed yet. We can say "disco wizard", now. Then? Not so sure!
Agreed. It's about as PURE Star Trek as you can get, with Gene pretty much fully in charge and determined to give the fans a cinematic 'love letter' for their support.
@@robzilla730 Roddenberry did not direct. Plus taking a bit of insperation from 2001 since 2001 had a bit of insperation from Trek. Plus this movie isnt boring. Also it stil feels like Trek.
@@robzilla730 The whole concept of Trek is exploring unknown space and going where no man has gone before. That type of stuff. TMP's whole plot about a massive machine from outside our galaxy travelling towards Earth is definitely going about the unknown. After Wrath of Khan every Trek movie except Voyage Home was basically an action movie where the crew faces off against a villain with an evil plan. I did find it amusing how in Insurrection Picard says to his crew when they are in the elevator "remember when we used to be explorers."
Spock " I'm passing threw a connecting tunnel, apparently a kind of plasma energy conduit, possibly a field coil for gigantic imaging system". The concepts for Plasma TV's !.. in 1979 !
A plasma beam guided by a field coil would be the principle behind a plain old CRT. Plasma TV's work by a pixel grid in a gas, like fluorescent tubing or neon lights.
I am an avid Trekkie and I too feel this movie is super-underrated. It's artsy, smart, and the visuals are astounding. It feels very much like 2001 : A Space Odyssey and I think that was the feel they were going for. Great video.
I too, find Star Trek: The Motion Picture as the best of all the Star Trek films. Most would probably pick The Wrath of Khan as their #1 but it's not even at my #2. That position would be taken by Star Trek: First Contact.
This thing isn't just science fiction: it's philosophy fiction as well. My favorite star trek film. So many moments, so many questions... Science fiction is about Man asking "am I alone, where did I come from, where am I going to, who/what am I?" To put this in the mind of a mechanism is just genius. The mere concept of mind for a mechanism is already mind blowing.
"Ilia's Theme", aka the love theme from this movie, is possibly the most moving piece of Star Trek music ever. And its use as a prologue in the film (before the opening credits), to me, always denoted the passage of time between the Original Series and this film.
Absolutely agree. An amazing visual symphony and a truly intelligent, deep, emotional and advanced storyline. So finely tuned that it is in fact a poem.
Absolutely agree 100% with everything you said. I love this film. Vger is an absolute force, seriously one of, if not the best, nemesis ever faced. Great video, mate👍
We have the same story! It seems the most cerebral especially considering what followed. I would love to see what they rejected from the other giants who submitted their ideas.
I think it will age well, mostly because more people are ready for it. When the movie came out _Star Wars_ had created an expectation of grand ship battles and blaster fights, and a more direct story. But we've kinda reached a saturation point with that. The Motion Picture does something different and does it pretty well. And, I think the director's cut fixed some of the pacing issues with the original version, humanized it a bit more. I can see how there might be a resurgence of respect for the film.
@@1monki the one thing I really hated in the DC version was showing the V'ger ship as a whole. I always loved the idea of the ship not having a specific shape.
I've always thought it had one of the few, and possibly best, actual science fiction stories. Later movies just tended to be about revenge. And I love the way it showed off the majesty of these ships. These things are beautiful to behold and most of the time we barely see them.
Important trivia: Decker was originally conceived as the son of the deranged Commodore from the TOS episode The Doomsday Machine. If so it adds another layer between him and the core crew who would remember the father's attempts to combat a similar threat before.
Yes. The theatrical cut was still good, but it was literally unfinished. Not being able to really see V'ger hurt the final act, but finally seeing it finished was amazing. My davorite ST movie.
@@timelordofgallifrey Strange it's not available on blu ray. Maybe the new effects wouldn't stand up to the heightened resolution and Paramount (or whoever own it now) don't want to throw money at it.
@@petergare4766 The new effects were deliberately made for standard DVD resolution (480p), and for a period of time, it was thought that those files for the Director's Edition were lost following some kind of transition between Paramount and the company who made the effects, but recently it was discovered that those digital effect files are still intact on the computer of someone who worked for that company, so we might get to see something redone in 1080p resolution or higher in the future... hopefully.
This is by far the best Star Trek film. It is a intellectual film like 2001 and appeals to the people that enjoy a cognitive challenge. It has a slow pace but working out what this "Vger" thing is reminded me of trying to figure out what the creature in Alien looked like. In both cases you didn't really see until the very end and this added a great mystery and suspense to both films. Your mind had to work on overdrive all the way through to figure it out. Almost like a old fashioned murder mystery.
The best Sci-Fi-Film of the entire Franchise as well as its most ambitious entry by far. As an genre-entry, I'd put this on the same level as "2001" or "Close Encounters". A true classic.
I’m overjoyed to see your analysis! STTMP has become my favorite ST film. It is my conviction that STTMP will be the only ST film regarded in the future as a genuine cinematic work of art.
i always felt the introduction of the new Enterprise lent a sense of royalty, almost deification of the Enterprise itself, exalting this pinnacle of the technology and skill of our future selves, which ties directly into what you're saying about reducing it to almost microscopic alongside the V'ger cloud - that this huge, magnificently beautiful thing we've created to carry us to new frontiers, is the most perfect thing we've done, only to stand impotent next to something that comes to us.
Just watched this film a day or so ago and was absolutely amazed. Haven't seen it in about 20 years. I didn't understand it the last time I saw it, but now I'm utterly astonished by its depth and sense of wonder. I guess maturity does indeed have a great deal to do with appreciation of great art.
In a way, it has set that precedent. First in Wrath of Khan's reuse of the same footage (though not as much of it), then mirrored in other Star Trek pilot episodes (including fan-made films). The Protector from Galaxy Quest was showcased similarly. The Orville. It only makes sense to give your ship some loving screentime since it is a character in its own right.
The part where Spock is laying on the hospital bed and gives his "is that all I am?" dialogue is possibly the best scene in the entirety of Star Trek and I think it packs a more emotional punch than his death scene in Wrath of Khan. It is fortunate we got such a bold Star Trek movie I just wish there was ONE MORE like it you know?
Regarding the long shot of the Enterprise at the beginning of the movie, fans hadn't seen the Enterprise in 10 years, so that scene was a real treat to those who had waited that long 10 years to see that ship back up on the screen...and the BIG screen to mention. It was awesome! A wonderful review of Star Trek the Motion Picture. My fav ST movie. Love the story, the visuals, the music, the ideas. Makes one think, absorb and rumanate. Love it. Thanks! To add...I remember when this came out. It had very high expectations, and many fans were dissappointed because it remeinded them of the charatcer "Nomad." I agree that the story concept was along those lines but it was a totally different story.
Kelly: I would disagree with you in on small aspect: That long shot of the ENTERPRISE; I wish they had spent more time on the ENTERPRISE and less time on Kirk and Scott, in other words, I wanted MORE, much more of the ENTERPRISE exterior.
I had always attributed the long shot as a left over remnant of the 1950s sci-fi movies where the “ prop “ was a feat of special effect . Back then you were showing off the craftsmanship of an artist as well as transporting the viewer into the movie..
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I recall watching the film with my mom at the theater when it first came out! Lot of good memories, didn’t understand it back then but loved the effects at the time. For me it gets better with age, as my knowledge increased the film takes on new meanings. 🖖
This is still the only film I actually fell asleep while watching in the theater. The young me was expecting another Star Wars. The older me appreciates this film much more now
I understand why this film doesn't fit the usual formula for likability, but it's always been one of my favourite pieces of cinema. So many films take a quasi-interesting concept, stretch it out and use it as a platform for the more crowd pleasing components. This film just dives into the deep end of the concept, which I always thought was the distilled essence of the Star Trek franchise. The scene where Spock travels into V'Ger in nothing but a space suit is the visual epitome of the confrontation with the unknown.
So glad there are other people who appreciate this film as much as I do. I saw it at the cinema when it was first released and have always thought the story has never been bettered. I also think the writers of 'The Voyage Home' were heavily influenced by this story.
Great review! As I get older this film climbs up my list for best Star Trek film. Between Syd Mead's designs and Goldsmith's score, this film is easily the most artistically satisfying of the franchise. Ilia's Theme is just beautiful - it truly sets the tone for the wonder and beauty of space travel for the film. To me, this is the closest to Roddenberry's concept for Star Trek put on screen.
@@PaulSharpequalrights Well, yes that's true because it flopped and that's the whole reason Paramount went the other way ... Star Wars space battles etc ... but I do wish they had one or two more 'cerebral' Space Odyssey type adventures atleast.
I love everything about this movie. The characters and their interaction, the slow-drawn start of the movie which is just so in incredibly cozy, the mystery of VGER with its slow build up, the philosophical undertones, the music, the visuals. I am so happy to see that there are people who see and appreciate the quality fo this film. It has to be one of the most underappreciated movies of all time.
I always found that there was a visual cinematic “richness” to these early Star Trek films, lacking in most other major motion pictures, sci-fi or otherwise. They always appeared to have a very high production quality to them.
This film is my favourite Trek film too. I think its director, Robert Wise, is the main reason it is so different. His other SF films, The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Andromeda Strain were also mood, atmosphere and ideas rather than just pew pew every two minutes. He also directed West Side Story, and The Haunting, so we kinda lucked out there.
I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on the big screen when I was a kid and watched every chance when it went to cable. I have ADD and this movie kept me transfixed to the TV. It's hard to believe that this movie was created from a reworked television script for a purposed Star Trek Phase 2 series. Hearing you describe V'Ger has totally got me on board with it being the most imposing being in movie history.
Fully agree J. Allen Hammer. My two sisters criticized the movie, yet even now in 2019, I still keep putting this movie on over and over again. I love the movie and still do! Please add my name as well to your list. ☺
Sadly of course she was involved in a serious car accident not long after which left a huge scar on her head. She died at just 49 in 1998 of a heart attack.
@@patientsecretary9217 Persis Khambata (correct spelling??) wasn't in many movies. After seeing ST1 I started looking around for more of her work, and the only thing I remember is "Nighthawks" with Sly Stallone and What was that dudes name? Running. Scared was his big hit in the 80s. Gregory Hines. Where'd he disappear to? Anyway, not a particularly stand out performance in Nighthawks as Female Terrorist #1. Pretty forgettable film, but she did have Star Trek : The Motion Picture. Thinking about it, she played, possibly, the most important role in the film. Aside from her initial human character, when her body and mind were commandeered by V-ger she played one of those Star Trek parts that have always been my favorite "people" on the shows. Spock, Data, Odo, the Doctor, (that's it, right? Enterprise didn't have a really interesting character).
Cause it was a great movie and concept. Thought provoking, sciency, the prospect of being more than. It wasn't about explosions and phasers and star wars stuff. Solid!
"Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?" We all must ask that. And for those that have never considered it, it was eye-opening. I was 12 when I first saw TMP. Now, at 48, I appreciate it more. And the soundtrack remains incredibly inventive and absolutely beautiful in places. 'Ilia's Theme' is one of the most beautiful compositions of the twentieth century.
Love this movie, rewatch it frequently. Excellent review and breakdown of some of the concepts. Thanks to the hard work of gentlemen like yourself, I'm always finding new ways to appreciate this often forgotten classic.
I watched this a lot on VHS when I was a kid, especially when I stayed at home from feeling sick. Somehow the movie captivated my whole imagination. It was a disappointment to discover how people thought it was one of the weakest movie entries, but many years later as it turns out, good movies do get the appreciation.
Awesome video. I had the exact same experience. Saw it as a kid and didn’t get it. Saw it again at about 13 or 14 and was completely mind blown. I absolutely love this film
Even though I'm more of a Star Wars Fan, I love Star Trek. I love Star Trek the Motion Picture and all the other original Star Trek movies and I think you did a wonderful job on this video. Thank you.
The pace of the movie is what puts people off, I think. It's the pace of a real scifi film, like Wise's Andromeda Strain, or The Day the Earth Stood Still.
How about Dune? It's pacing lagged until halfway through. It made up for that. Loved that movie too! Forty years later and people are finally seeing how great ST:TMP truly is!
I'm not a Star Trek fan, but I've always liked TMP. It's very much the spiritual sequel to 2001. I hope they release a 40th anniversary edition this year.
The wife and I watched this movie earlier this year because you had recommended it, and we really enjoyed it. This film certainly deserves more praise/attention than it gets. Thanks for sharing!
Star Trek TMP was my first REAL memory of Star Trek. My mother told me she used to watch the reruns of the Original Series but I was too young to remember, but the first TV broadcast of TMP I remember vividly and I loved it! I didn't completely understand it then but it stuck with me and I never completely understood peoples negativity towards it.
The transporter malfunction scene for me is still one of the scariest scenes I've seen. Not seeing the final corpses of the transportees -- just hearing the remark over the communicator -- makes it even more horrifying.
You and I have a remarkably similar history with this film. I was also seven years old when I first saw it, didn't get it then, and then rediscovered it again at age fourteen, and it has been my favorite Star Trek film ever since.
I remember really liking his film as a child. Not that I understood much of it, just the brooding mood throughout, the mystery, and the incredible visuals drew me in. I used to play imaginary Star Trek games with my friends. I remember one day I wanted to play a version of this movie with my friends, which involved us standing in my room for minutes pretending we were staring at the view screen seeing all the trippy cloud visuals haha. My friends got bored but I was so visualizing all of it!
I still remember standing in line for tickets for the first night, the audience cheering, the excitement of seeing the crew again after so many years of just watching reruns on tv. I loved the series when it began, the colors, the sci-fi in a time where there wasn't much to watch and this movie was a revelation and a miracle for people like me who never got over the series being cancelled twice and who never thought we would see Star Trek again. By today's standards it will be too long, too slow and missing action but to me it's a classic.
As you said, the visuals, imagination, and fantastic score make this movie a feast for the mind. Great video. I hope you will keep making excellent content.
I saw it in a theater in San Diego after I got out of US Navy boot camp. I cried at the end because I am such a Trek fan and it was Star Trek, fully realized. I’m so glad you touched on the link between Spock’s story arc and V’Ger’s. This is so subtle that when you point it out to a hater, they’ll go and re-evaluate the film and maybe come away with more respect for it. Subbed. I’d like to see more.
When I first saw it the year it came out, I was too young to appreciate it And I also had my own preconceived expectations. I saw it again about a year ago and loved it. And the ending was one of the best reveals ever. Even Captain marvel copied it with that half the name hidden Vers thing.
I love this movie - I agree V'Ger is scary AF. The film is psychedelic brilliant science fiction. It makes me think about space and philosophy. It pulls the mind.
Get’s better every time...just finished work and watched it with some beers perfect...especially knowing it’s Monday afternoon and most people are still at work.
I remember seeing this movie as a kid and loving it even though I wasn't a huge ST fan. I thought a massive machine that was pondering the purpose for its own existence or even existence itself, was fascinating. The age-old question of knowledge vs wisdom was intriguing to me. And how Spock answered such a profound question with the simple gesture of holding Kirk's hand, was emotionally revelatory. Even at my young age, I was completely moved by that scene because it just brought everything home. How that bond of shared humanity is the reason why we're here. To have a place in each other's lives. And to love. How can that not move you? The movie asks and answers the question so many of us ask ourselves. Why do I exist? I was shocked to learn years later that it was widely regarded as a boring, unsuccessful movie. So I have to say that I feel a bit proud for liking a more philosophical introspective theme as a kid when it went over the heads of most others, including adults, who were just bored with the concept despite its profundity.
Thank you! A terrific review of this film. I've always loved TMP far above all of the other Trek films. I was 19 when I saw it in the theater and I've never forgotten that day. TMP is one of those films where I can watch it again and again. I never tire of it. What I enjoyed most about you review was the depth and detail of it. You revealed things to me that I either never realized, or were able to put into words.
Star Trek II is still my favorite ST film, but TMP is really the only one that truly tried to envision the "Strange new worlds . . ." concept of the original series for the big screen.
@@JoeShmoism I've heard the argument before, and II is missing the exploratory element. However, Trek was never limited solely to those sort of stories. The naval battle element recalls the TOS story "Balance of Terror" and of course the film itself is a follow-up to the pulpy battle-of-wills episode "Space Seed". Plus, II is a story of camaraderie, friendship and self-sacrifice, which I consider VERY Trek.
"Nooooo beee - laaaaay thaaast faseeer oooorrrrder!" THE FILM GETS BETTER WITH AGE. 2001, ALIEN, THE MATRIX AND THIS FILM, FILL YOU WITH AW AND WONDER. GREAT VIDEO.🖖🖖🖖🖖
All episodes of Criminally Underrated Movies ...
Ep 1 - Star Trek: The Motion Picture th-cam.com/video/yO-QdAFBaZ0/w-d-xo.html
Ep 2 - Psycho 2 th-cam.com/video/kydlEbyV3vE/w-d-xo.html
Ep 3 - Heaven Help Us / The Catholic Boys th-cam.com/video/C2-O2RdQz94/w-d-xo.html
Ep 4 - Red Dawn th-cam.com/video/5IjwZGT4V9U/w-d-xo.html
Ep 5 - The Black Hole th-cam.com/video/LdhcX9YonMI/w-d-xo.html
Ep 6 - A.I. Artificial Intelligence th-cam.com/video/hD66njCw_bE/w-d-xo.html
Rob: I sent this link of your review to my friend Douglas Trumbull a year or so ago and he was absolutely delighted by your observations on the film. I know he was very excited by David Fien’s 4K Director’s edition, which we will be showing theatrically in my theatres (I own 50 theatre screens) in May. Thank you for helping to keep this masterpiece alive.
Ah, that's brilliant, thanks. Nothing pleases me more than when those involved in the production enjoy my praise of their work :)
I just got back from watching in theaters. Thank you for showing it. It was a lot of fun.
It set the standard for all future Star Trek content.
Wow, so cool. Can you tell me as a friend of Douglas' (RIP) if there's a way to get a copy of the documentary about his career? I can't find it anywhere. Thank you and I am sorry for your loss. No doubt, Douglas is with all who've come before in the stars...
I always saw ST:TMP as a love letter to the original show. I saw it as a story where everyone is at the stage in life where they ask, is there nothing more? Is this all that I am? Kirk is using the emergency to get Enterprise back. Spock is using the emergency to finally reach Kolinar. V-GER creating the emergency looking for its creator and purpose.
The Vger Concept blew my mind as a kid. One of the best scifi stories ever.
You'd love TOS The Changeling then.
@@thomaskirkness-little5809 www.dailymotion.com/video/x3it7za
its hd
Space 1999 had a voyager episode.
You're right! I loved that show. I think it came later than TOS though.
@@samdog8087 cheers for the info mate
Just so refreshing to see a film that isn’t moving at 100mph. You have time to absorb what you’re seeing.
Ok, maybe a bit slow at times, but I like it.
LOL.
I agree. Most movies move too quickly or have too much plot
Agreed.
This film might've been made because of Star Wars. But Star Wars it most definitely wasn't.
Thank you all! I thought I was the only person to think this is not only the best Star Trek film of the franchise, but one of the best sci-fi films of all times!!
Director robert wise also made the day the earth stood still amongst other timeless classics.
Totally agree 👍
No, you are not the only person.🙂
Finally somebody mentioned the movies score. It's a underated epic score.
Me too!!
@@paulcavigliano6388 YES!!
"Is this all that I am?" is such a beautiful question. Always gets my mind racing.
It's bc V'ger is actually just the Butterbot from Rick & Morty, consoled by more decent people... th-cam.com/video/X7HmltUWXgs/w-d-xo.html XD
To answer your question - yes
@@MaynardFreek Yeah, I know.
"What is my purpose?"
"You pass butter."
9:24 "Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?"
When I ask this question of myself, I would say the silence is deafening but I have tinnitus. William Shatner has it too.
I think of this movie as a surreal sci-fi art symphony... I rewatch it whenever I’m really sick or down and it makes me feel relaxed and renewed...
I feel this is the most Star Trek of all Star Trek movies. It shows the use of logic and imagination over violence as solutions to problems. The crew has weapons and the means of great destruction, but in this situation, they’re useless so they must rely on their intelligence and strategic thinking...
See the Star Trek episodes: Balance of Terror, The Doomsday Machine, A Private Little War, A Taste of Armageddon, Obsession, The Enterprise Incident, Elaan of Troyus.
@@Idazmi7 Thanks for the episode recommendations! I know I've seen them, but not recently.
Will go back and check them out!
@@StillLateToTheParty
You're welcome.
I think this is the most TNG of all the Star Trek movies (and i love it, as TNG is the best Star Trek series for me, specially the early 2 seasons). But the most Star Trek (Original series) movie i would say is 5. Five has the McCoy, Spock and Kirk spotlight, it's an adventure and had some campy on it. Sure TOS had cerebral episodes (the best ones in fact). But over all, i think that 5 keep the whole TOS series spirit the most.
@@Vanessinha91Pucca
Star Trek 5 is by far the worst edited, worst plotted Star Trek movie that exists.
Superb score by Goldsmith, easily one of his best.
My copy has a full version of the theme played over the stars at warp before the credits. I ALWAYS watch it through, it’s just so achingly beautiful. At one point my partner asked if we had to watch the whole theme again...I may have told her “quvHa'ghach SeHmo' SoH tuqmaj!” In response.
I wore out my LP of the soundtrack, which was labelled as "PROMO ONLY".
He was The GOAT film scorer.
Star Trek the Motion Picture was the only time Star Trek felt like science fiction and not just Star Trek.
You mean of the movies, right? There are plenty of good science fiction episodes.
Very well said buddy.
@Simon Silicon I understand what you're saying but The Motion Picture was the first And only time Star Trek actually felt like actual Science Fiction story.
@Simon Silicon Exactly! 👍
Bloody brilliant sci-fi movie. I wish they would do more cerebral Star Trek movies
they don't because they don't want another TMP on their hands which is truly sad.
Seeing what they have done since 2009, it's devolved to the juvenile state. But even that's better than soulless, pessimistic and dead bodies of Discovery and ST:Picard.
I couldn't agree more. As a massive Star Trek film, the first one, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is the best of all the Star Trek film entries. Like you've said, "Bloody brilliant sci-fi movie." Well put!
"Booring"? .. . depends WHAT you consider EXCITING in the first place. Now personally I happen to find ohhhh guns, stunts, car chases, crashes, and explosions pretty dull myself, so I don't miss THAT shit one bit when watching THIS film.
Some actual acting, and making people use their imagination? That’s one aspect of this great movie. The concept of Voyager coming HOME so to speak, that’s just mind blowing. I guess some people need to see a car blowing up or a fireball every 5 minutes, you know, the intellectual type.
Definitely one of the finest musical scores ever!
"Bland costumes?" Bones looks like a sweet disco wizard!
Even the jumpsuits are such a classic bit of formicapunk futurist design, and how could you not like those fancy Vulcan ceremonial robes?
On release the costumes perhaps seemed like a bad hangover. The next decades' styles hadn't developed yet. We can say "disco wizard", now. Then? Not so sure!
5:26 - not so "amazing", because they're STUPID!
I'm a big Star Trek fan and I love this film. Most of my favourite Trek is when they explore really original sci fi concepts
Totally agreed. To this day, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" is the truest Trek there ever was...
Agreed. It's about as PURE Star Trek as you can get, with Gene pretty much fully in charge and determined to give the fans a cinematic 'love letter' for their support.
This movie was BORING as shit! Roddenberry thinking he's Stanley Kubrick.
@@robzilla730 Roddenberry did not direct. Plus taking a bit of insperation from 2001 since 2001 had a bit of insperation from Trek. Plus this movie isnt boring. Also it stil feels like Trek.
@@robzilla730 The whole concept of Trek is exploring unknown space and going where no man has gone before. That type of stuff. TMP's whole plot about a massive machine from outside our galaxy travelling towards Earth is definitely going about the unknown. After Wrath of Khan every Trek movie except Voyage Home was basically an action movie where the crew faces off against a villain with an evil plan. I did find it amusing how in Insurrection Picard says to his crew when they are in the elevator "remember when we used to be explorers."
5:26 - not so "amazing", because they're STUPID!
Spock " I'm passing threw a connecting tunnel, apparently a kind of plasma energy conduit, possibly a field coil for gigantic imaging system". The concepts for Plasma TV's !.. in 1979 !
A plasma beam guided by a field coil would be the principle behind a plain old CRT. Plasma TV's work by a pixel grid in a gas, like fluorescent tubing or neon lights.
I am an avid Trekkie and I too feel this movie is super-underrated. It's artsy, smart, and the visuals are astounding. It feels very much like 2001 : A Space Odyssey and I think that was the feel they were going for. Great video.
I too, find Star Trek: The Motion Picture as the best of all the Star Trek films. Most would probably pick The Wrath of Khan as their #1 but it's not even at my #2. That position would be taken by Star Trek: First Contact.
This thing isn't just science fiction: it's philosophy fiction as well. My favorite star trek film. So many moments, so many questions... Science fiction is about Man asking "am I alone, where did I come from, where am I going to, who/what am I?" To put this in the mind of a mechanism is just genius. The mere concept of mind for a mechanism is already mind blowing.
the disney fans wouldnt understand it
"Ilia's Theme", aka the love theme from this movie, is possibly the most moving piece of Star Trek music ever. And its use as a prologue in the film (before the opening credits), to me, always denoted the passage of time between the Original Series and this film.
Completely agree, the score is a masterpiece. I've only just started to appreciate ilyas theme
Wait. You dont think future critics will appreciate that "KHAN! ...KHAN!" cut??
It's a dreamy musical theme, especially the bridge.
Absolutely agree. An amazing visual symphony and a truly intelligent, deep, emotional and advanced storyline. So finely tuned that it is in fact a poem.
Absolutely agree 100% with everything you said.
I love this film.
Vger is an absolute force, seriously one of, if not the best, nemesis ever faced.
Great video, mate👍
Yeah, saw it in the cinema when I was a kid, HATED IT. Decided to watch it not long ago and LOVED IT! so great. Looks amazing too. 10/10
We have the same story! It seems the most cerebral especially considering what followed. I would love to see what they rejected from the other giants who submitted their ideas.
I think it will age well, mostly because more people are ready for it. When the movie came out _Star Wars_ had created an expectation of grand ship battles and blaster fights, and a more direct story. But we've kinda reached a saturation point with that. The Motion Picture does something different and does it pretty well. And, I think the director's cut fixed some of the pacing issues with the original version, humanized it a bit more. I can see how there might be a resurgence of respect for the film.
Watch it on Blu-ray with a 64 inch flat screen TV. It'll be like in a movie screen.
@@1monki the one thing I really hated in the DC version was showing the V'ger ship as a whole. I always loved the idea of the ship not having a specific shape.
The Score and Sound Design and the Sfx are awesome.
IMO I think Jerry Goldsmith's ST:TMP musical score is by far the best of all of the ST films musical scores.
Music was so good they used it for TNG!!!
Sean Howell TNG test theme SUCKED
@@mem1701movies I was unaware of this Test Theme so I googled it. Holy crap that was horrible.
Douglas Trumbull FX: He the master, mindblowing.
I used to play the soundtrack of this a lot. The V'Ger sequences are eerie, haunting, and... fascinating ;)
I've always thought it had one of the few, and possibly best, actual science fiction stories. Later movies just tended to be about revenge. And I love the way it showed off the majesty of these ships. These things are beautiful to behold and most of the time we barely see them.
Important trivia: Decker was originally conceived as the son of the deranged Commodore from the TOS episode The Doomsday Machine. If so it adds another layer between him and the core crew who would remember the father's attempts to combat a similar threat before.
Dom King One of my favorite episodes
He is. Read Roddenberry's novelization of the film.
Will Decker IS Matt Decker's son. The story line for Decker and Ilia in Phase 2 became Riker and Troi
I like the film and consider it the purest form of Gene Roddenberry's original vision for Star Trek.
Too bad Livingston screwed it up. He and Eisner just didn't get what Trek was all about. :(
The Director’s edition of TMP elevates it to a genuinely great film.
Yes. The theatrical cut was still good, but it was literally unfinished. Not being able to really see V'ger hurt the final act, but finally seeing it finished was amazing. My davorite ST movie.
@@wk3820 Not seeing Vger helped. Showing it ruined the mystique of what it entire vessel looked like. The theatrical version is still great.
It's a shame the director cut isnt more widely available
@@timelordofgallifrey Strange it's not available on blu ray. Maybe the new effects wouldn't stand up to the heightened resolution and Paramount (or whoever own it now) don't want to throw money at it.
@@petergare4766 The new effects were deliberately made for standard DVD resolution (480p), and for a period of time, it was thought that those files for the Director's Edition were lost following some kind of transition between Paramount and the company who made the effects, but recently it was discovered that those digital effect files are still intact on the computer of someone who worked for that company, so we might get to see something redone in 1080p resolution or higher in the future... hopefully.
It was Star Trek in its purest form. I appreciate this youtube video.
Exactly. Not too many lense flares and no F-bombs.
This is by far the best Star Trek film.
It is a intellectual film like 2001 and appeals to the people that enjoy a cognitive challenge.
It has a slow pace but working out what this "Vger" thing is reminded me of trying to figure out what the creature in Alien looked like. In both cases you didn't really see until the very end and this added a great mystery and suspense to both films. Your mind had to work on overdrive all the way through to figure it out. Almost like a old fashioned murder mystery.
The best Sci-Fi-Film of the entire Franchise as well as its most ambitious entry by far. As an genre-entry, I'd put this on the same level as "2001" or "Close Encounters". A true classic.
I’m overjoyed to see your analysis! STTMP has become my favorite ST film. It is my conviction that STTMP will be the only ST film regarded in the future as a genuine cinematic work of art.
i always felt the introduction of the new Enterprise lent a sense of royalty, almost deification of the Enterprise itself, exalting this pinnacle of the technology and skill of our future selves, which ties directly into what you're saying about reducing it to almost microscopic alongside the V'ger cloud - that this huge, magnificently beautiful thing we've created to carry us to new frontiers, is the most perfect thing we've done, only to stand impotent next to something that comes to us.
yep
Well, good sir, STTMP is my personal favorite movie. ever. I love it.
Just watched this film a day or so ago and was absolutely amazed. Haven't seen it in about 20 years. I didn't understand it the last time I saw it, but now I'm utterly astonished by its depth and sense of wonder. I guess maturity does indeed have a great deal to do with appreciation of great art.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture is my favorite of the films. It’s fantastic!
my favourite too. i actually didn't like the wrath of khan that much. i like the undiscovered country too.
The way they introduced the Enterprise Refit should be the Law on how you show off a starship.
In a way, it has set that precedent. First in Wrath of Khan's reuse of the same footage (though not as much of it), then mirrored in other Star Trek pilot episodes (including fan-made films). The Protector from Galaxy Quest was showcased similarly. The Orville.
It only makes sense to give your ship some loving screentime since it is a character in its own right.
The part where Spock is laying on the hospital bed and gives his "is that all I am?" dialogue is possibly the best scene in the entirety of Star Trek and I think it packs a more emotional punch than his death scene in Wrath of Khan. It is fortunate we got such a bold Star Trek movie I just wish there was ONE MORE like it you know?
The one ☝️ and only Star Trek that is NOT a Cowboys and Indians in outer space.
Ah, don't forget Star Trek IV, which had no space battles at all, involved whales talking to space probes, and Kirk eating Italian food.
Yes!! Star Trek the Motion Picture is awesome!
Regarding the long shot of the Enterprise at the beginning of the movie, fans hadn't seen the Enterprise in 10 years, so that scene was a real treat to those who had waited that long 10 years to see that ship back up on the screen...and the BIG screen to mention. It was awesome!
A wonderful review of Star Trek the Motion Picture. My fav ST movie. Love the story, the visuals, the music, the ideas. Makes one think, absorb and rumanate. Love it. Thanks! To add...I remember when this came out. It had very high expectations, and many fans were dissappointed because it remeinded them of the charatcer "Nomad." I agree that the story concept was along those lines but it was a totally different story.
Kelly: I would disagree with you in on small aspect: That long shot of the ENTERPRISE; I wish they had spent more time on the ENTERPRISE and less time on Kirk and Scott, in other words, I wanted MORE, much more of the ENTERPRISE exterior.
I had always attributed the long shot as a left over remnant of the 1950s sci-fi movies where the “ prop “ was a feat of special effect . Back then you were showing off the craftsmanship of an artist as well as transporting the viewer into the movie..
I'm a huge Star Trek fan and this is my favorite of the films. Also, in case nobody has seen it, check out Star Trek Continues, you will love it.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture, I recall watching the film with my mom at the theater when it first came out! Lot of good memories, didn’t understand it back then but loved the effects at the time. For me it gets better with age, as my knowledge increased the film takes on new meanings. 🖖
This is still the only film I actually fell asleep while watching in the theater. The young me was expecting another Star Wars. The older me appreciates this film much more now
"THIS is how I define unwarranted."
thank you, I've always loved this movie.
I understand why this film doesn't fit the usual formula for likability, but it's always been one of my favourite pieces of cinema. So many films take a quasi-interesting concept, stretch it out and use it as a platform for the more crowd pleasing components. This film just dives into the deep end of the concept, which I always thought was the distilled essence of the Star Trek franchise. The scene where Spock travels into V'Ger in nothing but a space suit is the visual epitome of the confrontation with the unknown.
So glad there are other people who appreciate this film as much as I do. I saw it at the cinema when it was first released and have always thought the story has never been bettered. I also think the writers of 'The Voyage Home' were heavily influenced by this story.
Great review! As I get older this film climbs up my list for best Star Trek film. Between Syd Mead's designs and Goldsmith's score, this film is easily the most artistically satisfying of the franchise. Ilia's Theme is just beautiful - it truly sets the tone for the wonder and beauty of space travel for the film. To me, this is the closest to Roddenberry's concept for Star Trek put on screen.
put me on the "thinks it's best star trek" category
I wouldn't go that far , but I do feel it gets crapped on way too much.
It actually had 'brains' behind a 'story' - unlike 'others'.
@@EditorDudesPlayList The others had brains , too. This one was simply Paramount's answer to 2001 A Space Odyssey.
@@PaulSharpequalrights Well, yes that's true because it flopped and that's the whole reason Paramount went the other way ... Star Wars space battles etc ... but I do wish they had one or two more 'cerebral' Space Odyssey type adventures atleast.
@@EditorDudesPlayListYep , If the cast would be reasonable and do it for a lower budget . they just may work.
Robert Wise is a great director. He also directed the Andromeda Strain and The Day the Earth Stood Still.
And The Sound of Music! (chuckle)
I love everything about this movie. The characters and their interaction, the slow-drawn start of the movie which is just so in incredibly cozy, the mystery of VGER with its slow build up, the philosophical undertones, the music, the visuals. I am so happy to see that there are people who see and appreciate the quality fo this film. It has to be one of the most underappreciated movies of all time.
I always found that there was a visual cinematic “richness” to these early Star Trek films, lacking in most other major motion pictures, sci-fi or otherwise. They always appeared to have a very high production quality to them.
It was an utterly brilliant film. This is a great video.
This film is my favourite Trek film too. I think its director, Robert Wise, is the main reason it is so different. His other SF films, The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Andromeda Strain were also mood, atmosphere and ideas rather than just pew pew every two minutes. He also directed West Side Story, and The Haunting, so we kinda lucked out there.
I fell in love with it the moment I saw it on the big screen when I was a kid and watched every chance when it went to cable. I have ADD and this movie kept me transfixed to the TV. It's hard to believe that this movie was created from a reworked television script for a purposed Star Trek Phase 2 series. Hearing you describe V'Ger has totally got me on board with it being the most imposing being in movie history.
Totally agree with pretty much everything you've said. Put me in the "I love this film" column too.
Fully agree J. Allen Hammer. My two sisters criticized the movie, yet even now in 2019, I still keep putting this movie on over and over again. I love the movie and still do! Please add my name as well to your list. ☺
herehere maty ,,,undiluted scifi which didnt compromise ,,,bless persis kambatta ,,r ip
I've always loved this one, ever since I was a kid, I used to love trying to figure it all out.
Great video, couldn’t agree more. Thank you for creating this video.
"hottest bald woman in the universe"
Absofuckinglutely.
Sadly of course she was involved in a serious car accident not long after which left a huge scar on her head. She died at just 49 in 1998 of a heart attack.
@@patientsecretary9217 Persis Khambata (correct spelling??) wasn't in many movies. After seeing ST1 I started looking around for more of her work, and the only thing I remember is "Nighthawks" with Sly Stallone and What was that dudes name? Running. Scared was his big hit in the 80s.
Gregory Hines. Where'd he disappear to?
Anyway, not a particularly stand out performance in Nighthawks as Female Terrorist #1.
Pretty forgettable film, but she did have Star Trek : The Motion Picture.
Thinking about it, she played, possibly, the most important role in the film.
Aside from her initial human character, when her body and mind were commandeered by V-ger she played one of those Star Trek parts that have always been my favorite "people" on the shows.
Spock, Data, Odo, the Doctor, (that's it, right? Enterprise didn't have a really interesting character).
This is not an easy movie but it's brilliant. Great story, great thoughts and impressive special FXs.
The Enterprise never looked better.
Cause it was a great movie and concept. Thought provoking, sciency, the prospect of being more than. It wasn't about explosions and phasers and star wars stuff. Solid!
I'd like to see V-Ger vs. the Probe from the fourth movie!
It's not only my favorite Star Trek movie; it's my favorite movie ever made.
"Is this all that I am? Is there nothing more?"
We all must ask that. And for those that have never considered it, it was eye-opening. I was 12 when I first saw TMP. Now, at 48, I appreciate it more.
And the soundtrack remains incredibly inventive and absolutely beautiful in places. 'Ilia's Theme' is one of the most beautiful compositions of the twentieth century.
Love this movie, rewatch it frequently. Excellent review and breakdown of some of the concepts. Thanks to the hard work of gentlemen like yourself, I'm always finding new ways to appreciate this often forgotten classic.
Def is up there for me, is a very underrated film IMO.
I watched this a lot on VHS when I was a kid, especially when I stayed at home from feeling sick. Somehow the movie captivated my whole imagination. It was a disappointment to discover how people thought it was one of the weakest movie entries, but many years later as it turns out, good movies do get the appreciation.
Awesome video. I had the exact same experience. Saw it as a kid and didn’t get it. Saw it again at about 13 or 14 and was completely mind blown. I absolutely love this film
Even though I'm more of a Star Wars Fan, I love Star Trek. I love Star Trek the Motion Picture and all the other original Star Trek movies and I think you did a wonderful job on this video. Thank you.
The pace of the movie is what puts people off, I think. It's the pace of a real scifi film, like Wise's Andromeda Strain, or The Day the Earth Stood Still.
How about Dune? It's pacing lagged until halfway through. It made up for that. Loved that movie too! Forty years later and people are finally seeing how great ST:TMP truly is!
I compare it to silent running
I'm not a Star Trek fan, but I've always liked TMP. It's very much the spiritual sequel to 2001. I hope they release a 40th anniversary edition this year.
Doug Trumbull did most of the SPFX for this film, so that's no surprise. :D
I want a DVD of the full 143 minute extended version for the anniversary.
@@ChristopherUSSmith It's on VHS as the extended version. It's not as bad as u might think; it's just longer scenes.
The wife and I watched this movie earlier this year because you had recommended it, and we really enjoyed it. This film certainly deserves more praise/attention than it gets. Thanks for sharing!
Gene Roddenberry and The Council of Nine. This is what modern Star Trek is missing, Genunine Esoterica!
Star Trek TMP was my first REAL memory of Star Trek. My mother told me she used to watch the reruns of the Original Series but I was too young to remember, but the first TV broadcast of TMP I remember vividly and I loved it! I didn't completely understand it then but it stuck with me and I never completely understood peoples negativity towards it.
I love how it starts. An ominous cloud with 3 Klingon ships attempting to intercept it. It's so mysterious, beyond anything in the tv series.
The transporter malfunction scene for me is still one of the scariest scenes I've seen. Not seeing the final corpses of the transportees -- just hearing the remark over the communicator -- makes it even more horrifying.
That was the most out of nowhere extreme horror nightmare fule I've seen in cinima and I was like 6 years old when I saw it.😳
Yes this was my favorite sci fi movie for a long time. The concept of v-ger is brilliant.
My favourite Star Trek movie, I agree with you, super High concept and has Voyager in it!
You and I have a remarkably similar history with this film. I was also seven years old when I first saw it, didn't get it then, and then rediscovered it again at age fourteen, and it has been my favorite Star Trek film ever since.
I remember really liking his film as a child. Not that I understood much of it, just the brooding mood throughout, the mystery, and the incredible visuals drew me in. I used to play imaginary Star Trek games with my friends. I remember one day I wanted to play a version of this movie with my friends, which involved us standing in my room for minutes pretending we were staring at the view screen seeing all the trippy cloud visuals haha. My friends got bored but I was so visualizing all of it!
Anyway, great review. I wonder what Lovecraft would have made of it? Lots of oceanic imagery.
This is so well written. And agree entirely on all points. Liked and subbed
Saw it 3 days ago. It's a great movie.
Watch it again, do it SAMi.
Yes, The Best Trek Movie!
I still remember standing in line for tickets for the first night, the audience cheering, the excitement of seeing the crew again after so many years of just watching reruns on tv. I loved the series when it began, the colors, the sci-fi in a time where there wasn't much to watch and this movie was a revelation and a miracle for people like me who never got over the series being cancelled twice and who never thought we would see Star Trek again. By today's standards it will be too long, too slow and missing action but to me it's a classic.
KIRK UNIT
As you said, the visuals, imagination, and fantastic score make this movie a feast for the mind. Great video. I hope you will keep making excellent content.
Saw it on cinema when I was a kid. I love it ever since. I still consider the V'jur idea pure genius!
I saw it in a theater in San Diego after I got out of US Navy boot camp. I cried at the end because I am such a Trek fan and it was Star Trek, fully realized. I’m so glad you touched on the link between Spock’s story arc and V’Ger’s. This is so subtle that when you point it out to a hater, they’ll go and re-evaluate the film and maybe come away with more respect for it. Subbed. I’d like to see more.
When I first saw it the year it came out, I was too young to appreciate it And I also had my own preconceived expectations. I saw it again about a year ago and loved it. And the ending was one of the best reveals ever. Even Captain marvel copied it with that half the name hidden Vers thing.
Oh yes, this.....absolutely brilliant film. Finally, someone who agrees with me.
Thank you for making this video! 100% agree!
I love this movie - I agree V'Ger is scary AF. The film is psychedelic brilliant science fiction. It makes me think about space and philosophy. It pulls the mind.
Agreed, as a kid I was always frightened by V'Ger cloud. That transporter scene is nightmarish too.
Get’s better every time...just finished work and watched it with some beers perfect...especially knowing it’s Monday afternoon and most people are still at work.
I remember seeing this movie as a kid and loving it even though I wasn't a huge ST fan. I thought a massive machine that was pondering the purpose for its own existence or even existence itself, was fascinating.
The age-old question of knowledge vs wisdom was intriguing to me. And how Spock answered such a profound question with the simple gesture of holding Kirk's hand, was emotionally revelatory.
Even at my young age, I was completely moved by that scene because it just brought everything home. How that bond of shared humanity is the reason why we're here. To have a place in each other's lives. And to love.
How can that not move you? The movie asks and answers the question so many of us ask ourselves. Why do I exist?
I was shocked to learn years later that it was widely regarded as a boring, unsuccessful movie.
So I have to say that I feel a bit proud for liking a more philosophical introspective theme as a kid when it went over the heads of most others, including adults, who were just bored with the concept despite its profundity.
The transporter malfunction scene where commander Sonak and others perish was truly terrifying . It really got me.
Thank you! A terrific review of this film. I've always loved TMP far above all of the other Trek films. I was 19 when I saw it in the theater and I've never forgotten that day. TMP is one of those films where I can watch it again and again. I never tire of it. What I enjoyed most about you review was the depth and detail of it. You revealed things to me that I either never realized, or were able to put into words.
Star Trek II is still my favorite ST film, but TMP is really the only one that truly tried to envision the "Strange new worlds . . ." concept of the original series for the big screen.
star trek II was a great movie, but I'm not sure it was good trek.
@@JoeShmoism I've heard the argument before, and II is missing the exploratory element. However, Trek was never limited solely to those sort of stories. The naval battle element recalls the TOS story "Balance of Terror" and of course the film itself is a follow-up to the pulpy battle-of-wills episode "Space Seed". Plus, II is a story of camaraderie, friendship and self-sacrifice, which I consider VERY Trek.
I love the isolation you feel for the crew within the cloud. The slow burn of the movie adds a sense of creepiness. It’s my favorite star trek movie.
"Nooooo beee - laaaaay thaaast faseeer oooorrrrder!" THE FILM GETS BETTER WITH AGE. 2001, ALIEN, THE MATRIX AND THIS FILM, FILL YOU WITH AW AND WONDER. GREAT VIDEO.🖖🖖🖖🖖