Paramount Pictures | 685 mins | Rated PG
The Motion Picture / The Wrath of Khan / The Search for Spock / The Voyage Home / The Final Frontier / The Undiscovered Country
Though Star Trek: The Original Series only ran for three seasons on network television, Gene Rodenberry’s creation managed to become enormously popular, spawning spawning eleven feature films, an animated spinoff show, four additional live action television programs spanning 25 seasons, countless novels and fan fiction works, seemingly limitless toys and legions of fans. Even Rodenberry couldn’t have imagined that the series he pitched as a “Wagon Train in Space,” would become its own multi-billion dollar industry.
The six films featuring the original Enterprise crew — Captain Kirk (William Shatner), Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Dr. “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Mr. Scott (James Doohan), Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Sulu (George Takei), and Chekov (Walter Koenig) — offer good stories and bad, action and adventure, past and future, good and evil, politics and drama, Earth and the farthest reaches of space, old enemies and new friends, and classic acting. All of this came together to create a world that was both smart and fascinating; one that came to mean a lot to a diverse group of people the world over. Further, Gene Rodenberry’s fictional world has always seemed real enough, that it’s one worth striving for.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Released in 1979 and directed by Academy winner Robert Wise (The Sound of Music, The Day the Earth Stood Still), Star Trek: The Motion Picture was the first film based on the television series. When the series was canceled in 1969, Gene Rodenberry had wanted to continue the story with a theatrical film but Paramount resisted. However, once the series found success in syndication the studio warmed to the idea and greenlit the project.
A large, mysterious cloud called V’ger on a direct course towards Earth destroys three Klingon Battle Cruisers and a Federation outpost. A redesigned Enterprise is the only ship within range to intercept the cloud before it reaches Earth. However, the refitted ship hasn’t been fully tested and is in no condition to pursue or engage a deadly force. Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner), former Captain of the Enterprise, successfully lobbies for his return to the Captain’s chair, supplanting Captain Decker (Stephen Collins) and reassigning him to the position of Executive Officer. Despite new and untested engines, a mostly inexperienced crew and no science officer, the Enterprise sets out to intercept the cloud, the famed vessel perhaps Earth’s last, best chance for survival.
The filmmakers set the stage with a musical overture reminiscent of “2001.” Then we get a brief action sequence involving the destruction of several Klingon warships in deep space by some sort of force that´s covered in clouds. With that, that, things are off and running.
The special effects, handled by veterans John Dykstra (Silent Running, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica) and Douglas Trumbull (2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Blade Runner), still look pretty impressive. The Enterprise, the wormhole encounter early on, the strange cloud surrounding the intruding vessel and the alien spacecraft all look amazingly realistic and Robert Wise adeptly uses his camera to capture interaction between the crew members and their surroundings. Despite the lack of story, Star Trek: The Movie still manages to create a sense of awe on Blu-ray.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was inspired by an episode of the original Star Trek series, titled, “Space Seed.” At the end of that episode (which aired during the first season), Captain Kirk (William Shatner) sent Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) into exile on Ceti Alpha V. In the film, directed by Nicholas Meyer, the genetically engineered, genius Khan has escaped from Ceti Alpha V and he commandeers the starship Reliant to carry out his plan to destroy Kirk. Along the way, Khan also manages to steal the Genesis device, developed by Kirk´s former flame Dr. Carol Marcus and their son, Dr. David Marcus. Genesis, originally designed to create life out of nothing, can also be used as a weapon since it destroys existing life in order to create its own “matrix.” Essentially, Star Trek II boils down to Kirk and Khan chasing each other around the galaxy; Kirk using his vast experience with Starfleet ships and Khan using his superior intellect to try and outwit each other.
Shatner and Montalban both do their fair share of chewing up scenery and its fun to watch the two men try to out-overact one another. The two actors never actually stand face-to-face, which at times seems like the only thing keeping the confrontation from becoming a physical fight. Though Kirk dominates the movie, the rest of the crew is along for the ride, including Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and “Bones” (a wonderfully grumpy DeForest Kelley). Look for a young Kirstie Alley as Saavik, a Vulcan Starfleet cadet who learns a few things from Kirk and Spock about being “human”.
The best-made of the original ten Star Trek films from a purely technical perspective, The Wrath of Khan’s structural superiority impresses, even when the emotional overtones devour the screen. One has to acknowledge the wonderful performance of Ricardo Montalban, some 15 years after “Space Seed” for recapturing not only the essence of the character but the small mannerisms the defined him in his initial television . Director Nicholas Meyer’s contributions to the film, aside from his sure-handed direction, are well-documented. However, I will say, his effort carried the film thematically but also through the very well-staged and engaging action pieces as well, that make the film a complete effort.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
The third Trek film takes place right after the events of Star Trek II. Spock has died while saving the Enterprise from destruction at the end of Khan. Upon their arrival at the star base, the crew learns that the Genesis planet is at the center of a galactic controversy and a refitted and repaired Enterprise won’t be returning to the new world where Spock has been laid to rest. Instead, Starfleet wants to decommission the Enterprise and ease her senior officers into desk jobs. At the same time, “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley) begins to act strangely, as if he were suffering from a split personality disorder. When Kirk learns that Spock’s katra or “living spirit” was transferred to Dr. McCoy just before his death, he, Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, and McCoy hijack the Enterprise from space dock in order to return to Genesis to retrieve Spock’s body in hopes of reviving him and transferring his katra back to its rightful body.
I won’t reveal any more details about the plot, because The Search for Spock is one of those films that loses a lot of its intrigue once you know all of the details. Directed by Leonard Nimoy, The Search for Spock is nowhere near the complete picture its predecessor is. The film never takes on a sense of urgency in either its action or its drama, and despite some good moments scattered throughout, it never quite gels and generally fizzles just as often as it succeeds. However, the movie’s sole purpose — the resurrection of Spock — is handled well enough and with just enough believability in the context of both the story and the accepted power of the Genesis device and the events on the Genesis planet.
The Search for Spock has an interesting premise but is ultimately handicapped by slow pacing, lack of action and by its dependence on other entries in the series. Of course, since Star Trek II, Star Trek III, and Star Trek IV (as a trilogy-within-a-series) are the core of the movie sagas, The Search for Spock is very much required viewing for anyone interested in the Star Trek universe.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
In The Voyage Home a space probe of unknown origin hurtles towards Earth and begins to change the planet´s weather. Admiral James Tiberius Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew take the Klingon bird-of-prey (that they stole in Star Trek III) and head for Earth to face the charges levied against them, stemming from their retrieval of Spock (Leonard Nimoy, who also directed the movie) from the Genesis planet (created at the end of Star Trek II). The probe´s assault on Earth has made it dangerous for anyone to approach the heart of the Federation and Kirk and Company realize that the probe won´t leave the planet alone until a whale song responds to it. The Enterprise crew goes back in time in order to take some whales (hunted to extinction) to the 23rd Century to answer the probe´s call.
After the uneven experience of The Search for Spock, The Voyage Home is a unique and highly entertaining experience. Though the time travel angle was nothing new, the nonstop barrage of humorous lines certainly was. Unlike most of its predecessors, the film offers little action and even some of the more intense sequences–a chase through a nuclear vessel or the smuggling of a patient out of a hospital–play with a sense of humor that adds levity to the moment. Blessed with a better script than its predecessor, The Voyage Home is still able to address some serious issues while maintaining the humorous tone. There’s no mistaking the films ecologically-friendly message and though the save the whale’s plea is delivered bluntly, it doesn’t overpower the film. Instead, the comedy often overshadows the plot, and it’s easy to forget the danger 23rd century Earth is facing, even as the crew goes about solving the problem in the 20th century.
The Voyage Home has long had a vocal group of detractors who claim the film is to “cutesy” or comedic to take seriously in the world of Star Trek. While it’s by no means the best film in the series, I’ve I always found The Voyage Home charming and fun.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
This is the worst film in the set. When he signed on to reprise the role of Captain Kirk in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home following a pay dispute, William Shatner was promised he could direct the next film. Shatner had directed plays and television episodes. Shatner also convinced Harve Bennett to produce the film, although he was exhausted by the previous three films and wanted to move on. Though David Loughery wrote the screenplay, Shatner is also credited with helping to develop the story. The Final Frontier is the only Star Trek film I’ve only seen twice; once in theater and recently as part of the Original Motion Picture Collection. The film is so bland, uneventful and drawn out it feels like a major waste of time.
In Star Trek V Spock´s half-brother, Sybock (Laurence Luckinbill), hijacks the Enterprise in order to reach a planet that is surrounded by an energy band known as The Great Barrier. Sybock–a Vulcan who rejected his culture´s embrace of logic–believes that “God” is to be found at Sha Ka Ree and he wants to meet “God” for the answers to life´s big questions. Complicating matters is the fact that a young Klingon captain wants to make his name by defeating Kirk in battle, so he gives chase to the Enterprise.
The action here is both routine and laughable; with a typical Klingon enemy in one corner and a band of poverty-stricken nobodies in the other, the latter led by a renegade Vulcan who both dodges the law and shuns his heritage. Even the series primary actors–The Enterprise crew–seem a bit disinterested. This is likely due in part to a very uneven script. While a few scenes do work pretty well, for the most part, the script has lots of expository dialogue that defies some of what we already know about Star Trek and its characters.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Released in 1991, The Undiscovered Country was the last film to feature the entire core cast of the 1960s Star Trek television series. Nicholas Meyer returned to the director’s chair and the script was written by Meyer and Denny Martin Flinn. The script was based on suggestion from Leonard Nimoy about what would happen if “the wall came down in space”, touching on the contemporary topic of the Cold War.
Star Trek VI begins with an explosion at an energy facility on a moon orbiting Kronos, the home of the Klingons. The disaster forces the Klingons to ask the Federation for help. Captain James Tiberius Kirk (William Shatner), First Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Chief Medical Officer “Bones” McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Communications Officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Chief Engineer “Scotty” (James Doohan), and Tactical Officer Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) of the starship Enterprise. Former helmsman Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) provides assistance as the captain of the starship Excelsior. Naturally, several factions attempt to prevent the signing of a peace treaty between the Federation and the Klingons. There´s a plot to discredit Kirk, and there´s the appearance of a Klingon bird-of-prey that can fire when cloaked (a superweapon that can be analogized to the weapons race that developed between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.).
There are two notable new characters–the Vulcan Valeris (Kim Cattrall) and the Klingon General Chang (Christopher Plummer). Valeris is a protégée (and potential love interest) for Spock. Since Plummer and Shatner (and many of the actors who appear in Star Trek) have theater backgrounds, there are many references to literature, including the constant use of Shakespeare.
It’s not a coincidence that Nicholas Meyer directed the two best films in the Original Motion Picture Collection, or that both The Wrath of Khan and The Undiscovered Country feature the best villains in the series. Take an excellent director, add a solid script, with a good protagonist-antagonist conflict, the usual good cast, and good special effects, and you get yourself a memorable film.
While many Trek fans will want to pick up the Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection reviewed here, Paramount has also released a three-movie set, Star Trek: Motion Picture Trilogy, which includes just Treks II, III, and IV.
Video
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture comes to Blu-ray with a generally stunning 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. the intricate detail on the Klingon cruisers seen at the beginning of the film look fantastic, all of the various protrusions and textures seen on the models now visible in splendid detail thanks to the 1080p resolution. The interiors of these same vessels take on a hazy, soft appearance, a stark contrast to the highly-detailed and nicely-lit exterior shots. Once the film moves its focus to the Enterprise, the film’s fundamental set of visuals — the ship, the crew members, the uniforms, and the small intricacies on board the Enterprise — generally showcase high levels of visible detail that provide plenty of “wow” moments throughout the transfer. The inside of the Enterprise in particular, with its clean, sleek, silver and white appearance, not to mention the gray, white, blue, and mustard-colored crew uniforms, look better than ever.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture does feature a few drawbacks, though none seem particularly bothersome taken in the context of the original elements. Various shots appear soft and blurry while others look sharp as a tack, though some of this is due to Director Wise’s various techniques or some of the more special-effects-heavy shots. Some effects shots appear littered with dirt and debris, though such is to be expected of such shots from a film of the era. Also visible is a bit of blocking in some of the blacks, though the problem is never all that noticeable. The film also looks smooth throughout, without much at all in the way of noise. Star Trek: The Motion Picture looks fantastic, certainly the best home presentation the film has ever seen.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Presented in a 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer, The Wrath of Khan has never looked better for home viewing. The transfer enjoys a slight layer of grain, spiking at times but remaining steady and unobtrusive throughout much of the film. The transfer enjoys startling clarity compared to any and all previous home video transfers, with both foreground and background objects revealing details never seen this well. Particularly impressive are the many printed signs throughout the film and the instrument panels and readouts on the bridges of both Enterprise and Reliant, all far sharper and readable thanks to the improved resolution offered by the Blu-ray transfer. A few scenes take on a soft look, even a few intercut with sharp scenes that define the majority of the image. A few effects shots see some scattered debris, and the 1080p resolution reveals a few leftover remnants from the assembly of the shots, but never to an intrusive extent. Flesh tones appear normal and blacks tend towards a generally dark and inky hue.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Coming off of two rather impressive visual releases in The Motion Picture and The Wrath of Khan, The Search for Spock, disappoints. Presented in 1080p high definition and framed inside a 2.35:1 window, the image appears lifeless, though very clear. Colors range from natural to incredibly bright and vibrant; the Klingon Bird-of-Prey appears an overpowering shade of neon green, and the red Starfleet uniforms sometimes appear to be cranked a shade or two above optimal. The 1080p imagery does reveal the remnants of some effects shots, placing bright boxes around objects against the darkness of space, though the effect is minimal in most instances. Also, while the majority of the image is sharp, some softness creeps in from time to time. The major drawback, though, comes in the form of noise reduction, where backgrounds that should be swirling with grain often appears static, lending to the film a phony, flat appearance. Though faces sometimes look like plastic, flesh tones never waver too far from optimal, and black levels are decent. While this Blu-ray release of The Search For Spock looks better than any previous home video release, it pales next to its predecessors.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Faring slightly better than The Search For Spock but not as good as The Wrath of Khan or The Motion Picture, The Voyage Home features a decent but slightly underwhelming image. Once again, noise reduction is the primary culprit. Backgrounds where one might expect a swirling grain field appear static, such backgrounds almost looking frozen in time and devoid of life. A very small amount of blocking and banding also appear in several shots. Nevertheless, the image enjoys a bit more depth than its predecessor. The hazy interiors of the Klingon Bird-of-Prey look fine, with background details adequate under both the haze and the utilitarian color scheme. The ship’s exterior takes on a slightly more natural shade of green here. The image tends to look just fine in the bright, daytime exterior San Francisco shots, where it sports a good amount of depth. Overall, colors offer a more natural tone while skin shades and blacks deliver suitable visuals.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
The Final Frontier delivers a mostly satisfying 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. Detail ranges from adequate to exceptional; Sybok’s woven garb as seen at the beginning of the film on the dusty planes of Nimbus III showcases a nice, palpable texture. Likewise, the rockface of El Capitan, which Kirk is seen climbing at the beginning of the film, shows adequate detail in close-up shots, and exterior and up-close shots of the Klingon Bird-of-Prey reveal extraordinary details in the ship’s outer hull and wing-mounted weapons. The transfer appears rather soft in several sequences, though the majority appears mostly sharp and clear. Backgrounds don’t appear quite as static in this film as in its pair of predecessors, though there is virtually no grain to be seen here, either. The print exhibits small speckles here and there, too. Flesh tones tend to remain strong but blacks often tend towards a too-bright, slightly grayish appearance.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Undiscovered Country premieres on Blu-ray with a 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. Like the previous few films, this one delivers a suitably good transfer but one that could have been better. The transfer reveals generally strong details and fine colors, though it lacks a wow factor, appearing smooth and somewhat artificial, with film grain only seen minimally and in places. A few shots exhibit some unsightly shimmering and jagged edges on objects. Flesh tones appear fine, and blacks, while stable, sometimes appear a bit on the gray end of the spectrum. Effects shots hold up well. Though easily the best the film has looked for home viewing, it still exhibits some issues that prevent it from being a definitive release.
Audio
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture has never sounded better for home consumption than it does with this full-fledged Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Jerry Goldsmith’s score, particularly the overture, features a nice, inviting feel, the orchestral music playing smoothly and pleasantly while flowing cleanly from the front channels, the experience recalling the sensation of a live performance.The cloud’s attacks on the Klingon vessels allows sound effects to rush from one speaker to the next, offering an almost liquid ambiance. The electrical impulses emanating from the V’ger cloud spread out throughout the soundstage, and the many beeps and thumps from V’Ger seemingly emanate from every speaker in the 7.1 configuration with quite the presence and plenty of LFE support. Along with fine dialogue reproduction, Star Trek: The Motion Picture makes for a fantastic listen, both the score and the many distinct and memorable sound effects playing most impressively via this quality soundtrack.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Presented with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack, The Wrath of Khan delivers a solid if not slightly lacking in bass, audio experience. James Horner’s score, from the more reflective of pieces to the louder action-oriented segments, plays with grace across the front, though perhaps not featuring the utmost in either clarity or volume. Once the film begins with the action sequences — the opening Kobayashi Maru sequence, for instance — the track never produces much in the way of low-end heft, explosions sounding slightly more uninspired than anticipated. However, the first time the Reliant is seen cruising through space, the soundtrack does well to send a bit of a rumble across the soundstage as the vessel seemingly flies through the room. Surround activity picks up a bit during the exterior Ceti Alpha V sequences as wind and debris fly audibly across the soundstage. The lossless track does reveal some minor nuances scattered here and there that seem to have been lost in the shuffle of previous releases. Dialogue reproduction suffices, though a few scenes exhibit a slightly harsh edge, though hardly of any level of troubling import. In summation, the track delivers almost as expected of a film with a sound design that impresses in context but fizzles next to the best in Blu-ray.
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
Once again presented in a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless format, The Search For Spock enjoys a solid listening experience. The music accompanying the opening credits features fine clarity and strong rear-channel support, the whole experience recalling a live orchestral performance. Interior Enterprise shots enjoy the humming of the engines in the background, the effect increased when the action shifts to the engineering section. Sound often plays with a heft and room-filling presence; a de-cloaking Bird-of-Prey features thunderous lows and a spacious presence that makes fine use of every speaker. Dialogue generally impresses, though a few lines sound garbled. This is a solid all-around effort.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Presented with a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack, The Voyage Home delivers a pleasant and robust sonic experience. Like the other films in the set, this one features a clear and precise delivery of the theme that plays over the opening credits, offering crisp highs, a solid midrange, and deep lows. The music also enjoys strong rear-channel support, and its breezy, easygoing flair sets the stage nicely for the lighthearted romp to follow. With little in the way of action, this track relies more on atmospherics, music and dialogue, and no one element falters. Most importantly, dialogue reproduction impresses, and minor sound effects features a good sense of space and depth, the effect spilling across the entirety of the front soundstage.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
The Final Frontier features a powerful Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack. Surprisingly active, boomy, and spacious, the mix never disappoints during the action sequences. Sound effects throughout the film play with both heft and volume, all flowing effortlessly about the soundstage. The track enjoys excellent clarity across the front, be it in explosions or music, but the track also features plenty of rear channel activity. The battle outside of Paradise City, where both phasers and cruder weapons are fired from every corner of the soundstage, engulfs the listener with a steady, loud, and aggressive presentation. As with the previous outings, music excels, too, that accompanying the film’s title sequence once again recalling the feel of a live orchestral performance. Rounded out by strong dialogue reproduction, this soundtrack delivers.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Yet again, Paramount offers a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 lossless soundtrack for The Undiscovered Country. The Praxis explosion packs a nice wallop, the waves flowing through the soundstage from front-to-back with a noticeable presence and feel. Likewise, the sounds heard inside the various starships play all over the soundstage with subtle atmospherics, engulfing the listener and spilling out of every speaker and at just the right volume so as not to overwhelm the sense or create a phony-sounding environment. The raucous trial of Kirk and McCoy features chanting Klingons pounding and shouting from every speaker and in these scenes the track delivers a fabulous echoing effect in the cavernous trial chamber as Chang prosecutes the pair of Federation officers. Also featuring strong dialogue reproduction, The Undiscovered Country offers up arguably the best soundtrack in this collection.
Special Features
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture debuts on Blu-ray with a nice selection of bonus materials.
• Commentary Track with Michael & Denise Okuda, Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens, and Daren Dochterman. These participants share their recollections on the film’s origins and opening; special effects shots; the actors in both major and minor roles; shooting locations; new sets, uniforms, and accessories; and plenty of discussion on the planned but never created television program, Star Trek: Phase II.
• Library Computer allows users to access detailed information on persons, places, and things as seen or discussed throughout the movie.
• The Longest Trek: Writing The Motion Picture (1080p, 10:44) further examines the origins of what was to become the first of now eleven Star Trek feature-length films.
• Special Star Trek Reunion (1080p, 9:37) features a quintet of extras reminiscing on their experiences of winding up in the movie.
• Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 101: Mystery Behind V’Ger (1080p, 4:24) features a “Next Generation” Starfleet officer recalling the events as depicted in The Motion Picture.
• Eleven Deleted Scenes (480p, 8:02).
• Three Sets of Storyboards (Vulcan, Enterprise Departure, and V’Ger Revealed).
• The Film’s teaser (1080p, 2:18).
• Theatrical (1080p, 2:29) Trailers, and Seven TV spots (480p, 3:39 combined).
• This disc is BD-Live (Blu-ray Profile 2.0) enabled. At time of writing, the page allows user’s access to Star Trek I.Q., a game that “lets you test your Star Trek knowledge by playing unique trivia games.”
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II features several special features, this package headlined by a pair of commentary tracks.
• Commentary Track track featuring Director Nicholas Meyer. Meyer shares his credentials, the process of writing the film, William Shatner’s initial displeasure with the script, some of the smaller nuances of the film, the work of the actors, the film’s budget constraints, sets, and more.
• Commentary Track two once again features Meyer, this time accompanied by Producer Manny Coto. Meyer again impresses with his wealth of information, discussing the direction he took the film, and by extension the series, lending an element of reality to the picture, the work of the cast, and more. Both tracks make for excellent listens that should please fans.
• Library Computer, a feature allowing users to learn more about the world of Star Trek II, from Khan to the Boatswain’s Whistle.
Five pieces filed under Production:
• Captain’s Log (480p, 27:21) takes a direct but incredibly fascinating look at how the film came together, told through interviews with primary cast and crew.
• Designing Khan (480p, 23:54) features a look at the design of the ships, the new uniforms, the creation of the Genesis torpedo, and more.
• Original Interviews With William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and Ricardo Montalban (480p, 10:56) features the quartet of actors recalling their experiences in making the film in a collection of classic interviews.
• Where No Man Has Gone Before: The Visual Effects of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (480p, 18:14) takes viewers behind-the-scenes and into the making of the film’s special effects shots.
• James Horner:Composing Genesis (1080p, 9:33) features the composer discussing his work on the film.
The Star Trek Universe is another piece broken into several features.
• Collecting Star Trek’s Movie Relics (1080p, 11:05) takes a very interesting look at some of the props used throughout the history of Star Trek.
• A Novel Approach (480p, 28:55) looks at bringing Trek history and lore to the printed page.
• Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 002: Mystery Behind Ceti Alpha VI (1080p, 3:08) features a “future” look back at the events of The Wrath of Khan.
• A Collection of 13 Storyboards.
• A Tribute to Ricardo Montalban (1080p, 4:44).
• The Film’s Theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:22).
• BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) connectivity, this feature once again offering Star Trek I.Q.
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock has several special features:
• A Commentary Track with Director Leonard Nimoy, Writer/Producer Harve Bennett, Director of Photography Charles Correll, and Actress Robin Curtis. Recorded separately and edited together rather coherently, the track manages to flow well despite its patchwork origins. Nimoy offers the best comments of the bunch, showing a passion for the material and delving beyond the superficialities of the film to share a good many insights into the picture.
• A Commentary Track Featuring “Trek” veterans Ronald D. Moore and Michael Taylor. They discuss their history of working on various Star Trek– related programs and how they took the canon as established in the films as gospel, their credentials as fans, and plenty of little odds and ends that make for an overall satisfying listen.
• Library Computer.
The Production tab provides access to a quartet of features:
• Captain’s Log (480p, 26:13) looks at Star Trek III’s origins, Leonard Nimoy’s involvement, the development of the story, the challenges of the shoot, cast discussing their characters, and more.
• Terraforming the Prime Directive (480p, 25:53) looks at the potential for mankind to terraform Mars.
• Industrial Light & Magic: The Visual Effects of Star Trek (1080p, 13:50) examines some of the old-school techniques used to bring the Trek films to life.
• Spock: The Early Years (1080p, 6:22) looks at the young actors who portrayed Spock in the film.
The Star Trek Universe is another piece divided into five features:
• Space Docks and Birds of Prey (480p, 27:49) focuses on the new and intricate models, effects, and shooting techniques seen in the film.
• Speaking Klingon (480p, 21:04) examines the development of the Klingon language as heard in the Star Trek films.
• Klingon and Vulcan Costumes (480p, 12:16) looks at the wardrobe and adornments seen throughout the films.
• Star Trek and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame (1080p, 16:52) takes viewers to Seattle, Washington for a look at the many Star Trek exhibits in the museum.
• Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 003: Mystery Behind the Vulcan Katra Transfer (1080p, 2:42) once again shows a “Next Generation” officer discussing the ancient Vulcan ritual that plays a pivotal role in both The Wrath of Khan and The Search for Spock.
• Also included are two photo galleries: Production and The Movie.
• 10 storyboards.
• The Film’s Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 1:12)
• BD-Live functionality that, again, features Star Trek I.Q.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Commentary Track Featuring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. The best track to be found anywhere in this entire collection, the Captain and First Officer discuss the lightheartedness of this film compared to the relative heaviness and themes of death and old age of the last two films. They also discuss the time travel theme of the film, the chemistry between the cast, the humor in the film, and much more.
• The second track is a “fan track” with the writers of the 2009 Star Trek film, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. They discuss the strong and overwhelmingly positive fan reaction to the film during its theatrical screenings, the strength of the story, the special effects, the humor, and more.
• Library Computer interface.
Five features under the Production tab:
• Future’s Past: A Look Back (480p, 27:32) An entertaining retrospective piece, cast and crew discuss the success of the franchise, the humor of the film, the time travel story arc, a discussion of some of the film’s more famous scenes (including the “punk on bus” sequence), and more.
• On Location (480p, 7:26) looks at shooting in then-modern-day San Francisco.
• Dailies Deconstruction (480p, 4:13) shows viewers side-by-side takes and angles of a scene.
• Below-the-Line: Sound Design (480p, 11:45) examines the creation of sound effects for objects that exist only on-screen.
• Pavel Chekov’s Screen Moments (480p, 6:09) features Actor Walter Koenig discussing his increased role in the film.
The Star Trek Universe, a collection of seven features:
• Time Travel: The Art of the Impossible (480p, 11:15), a piece where prominent physicists discuss the theories of time travel.
• The Language of Whales (480p, 5:46) takes a brief look at the species and how they learn and communicate.
• A Vulcan Primer (480p, 7:50) features an examination of the logical and emotionally-controlled species.
• Kirk’s Women (480p, 8:19) features a series of interviews with several of the women that worked with Shatner over the years.
• Star Trek: Three Picture Saga (1080p, 10:12) looks at what makes the second, third, and fourth films a “trilogy.”
• Star Trek For a Cause (1080p, 5:40) examines how the film raised public attention to whaling and environmentalism.
• Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 004: The Whale Probe (1080p, 3:42) features a “Next Generation” officer recounting the events of the film.
Visual Effects examines a pair of sequences — From Outer Space to the Ocean (480p, 14:43) and The Bird of Prey (480p, 2:48).
• Original Interviews features vintage pieces with William Shatner (480p, 14:33), Leonard Nimoy (480p, 15:40), and DeForest Kelley (480p, 13:02).
Next is Tributes contains two features:
• Roddenbery Scrapbook (480p, 8:17)
• Featured Artist: Mark Leonard (480p, 12:44).
• Production Gallery (480p, 3:55) features a series of behind-the-scenes stills. a collection of eight storyboard galleries
• The film’s Theatrical Trailer (1080p, 2:24)
• BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality that offers the Star Trek I.Q. game.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
• Commentary Track featuring William and Liz Shatner. The Shatners deliver the expected stories from the set, the chemistry between Kirk, Spock, and McCoy in the campfire scenes, the budget of a Star Trek film, and many other tidbits.
• Commentary Track Featuring Michael and Denise Okuda, Garfield and Judy Reeves-Stevens, and Daren Dochterman. They discuss the film’s failings with audiences, challenges on-set, William Shatner’s direction, set design, the campfire scenes, and more.
• Library Computer.
Production breaks down into six segments.
• Harve Bennett’s Pitch to Sales Team (480p, 1:42) features the producer discussing the film and the “live long and prosper” salute.
• The Journey: A Behind-the-Scenes Documentary (480p, 28:55) looks at the process of creating the film, from the origins of the story to the scrapping of the infamous “rock man” footage.
• Makeup Tests (480p, 9:50) features screen tests for several characters.
• Pre-Visualization Models (480p, 1:41) offers a series of screen tests with miniature models.
• Rockman in the Raw (480p, 5:37) features sketches, photos, and footage of the costume.
• Star Trek V Press Conference (480p, 13:42) features the entire cast on-set and in front of the press answering a series of questions.
The Star Trek Universe tab contains an additional eight features.
• Herman Zimmerman: A Tribute (480p, 19:09) looks back on the career of the famed composer.
• Original Interview: William Shatner (480p, 14:37) is a vintage piece featuring the actor-director discussing the film.
• Cosmic Thoughts (480p, 13:05) features a philosophical examination of what might be beyond the boundaries of Earth and man’s place in it.
• That Klingon Couple (480p, 13:05) features Actors Todd Bryant and Spice Williams recounting their experiences playing Klingons in the film.
• A Green Future? (480p, 9:24) takes an extended look at Yosemite National Park and nature’s importance to mankind.
• Star Trek Honors NASA (1080p, 9:57) looks at the influence of Gene Roddenberry’s creation on the space program and the series’ forward-thinking themes and technologies.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame: James Doohan (480p, 3:10) showcases a few brief scenes from the dedication ceremony.
• Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 005: Nimbus III (1080p, 3:02) again takes a futuristic look back at the events as depicted in Star Trek V.
• Four Deleted Scenes (480p, 4:17).
• Production Gallery (480p, 4:05) features a series of behind-the-scenes stills set to music.
• Storyboards offers viewers the opportunity to examine three scenes in the earliest of stages: Sha-Ka-Ree, The Face of God, and Escape.
• a pair of Theatrical Trailers (1080p, 2:42 & 1:34), seven TV spots (480p, 3:14 combined runtime)
• BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality, again offering the Star Trek I.Q. game.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• Commentary Track with Director Nicholas Meyer and Screenwriter Denny Martin Flinn. Meyer recalls how the film reflects the period of history in which it was made. Also discussed are the costumes, the performances and professionalism of the actors, the dialogue, inspirations for particular scenes, and more.
• Commentary Track Featuring Larry Nemecek and Ira Steven Behr. This pair provides fine insight into the film and recall their Trek memories in a relaxed manner.
• Library Computer.
• The Perils of Peacemaking (480p, 26:33) examines the role of Science Fiction in facilitating an examination of contemporary problems, and Star Trek VI’s parallels to the contemporary world.
Stories from Star Trek VI breaks down into six features:
• It Started With a Story (480p, 9:46) further examines the film’s parallels to the politics of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
• Prejudice (480p, 5:02) looks at the role of racism in the film, and pays particular attention to the disagreement between cast and crew over the tone of the film and the difficulties of the cast to adequately perform their parts.
• Director Nicholas Meyer (480p, 5:57) features cast and crew laying praise on the director.
• Shakespeare and General Chang (480p, 5:53) looks at both the role of Shakespeare and Actor Christopher Plummer in the film.
• Bring it to Life (480p, 23:25) take a look at the making of various segments of the film, including the dinner scene and the score.
• Farewell and Goodbye (480p, 7:04) looks at the ideas behind the film’s final shot.
The Star Trek Universe is eight segments.
• Conversations With Nicholas Meyer (480p, 9:33) focuses attention on a series of interview segments with the director.
• Klingons: Conjuring the Legend probes the place of Klingons throughout the history of Star Trek.
• Federation Operatives (480p, 4:53) looks at actors who have played roles over multiple incarnations of Trek.
• Penny’s Toy Box (480p, 6:06) plays with several of Trek’s props.
• Together Again (480p, 4:56) looks at William Shatner’s and Christopher Pummer’s history of working together.
• Tom Morga: Alien Stuntman (1080p, 4:57) features the actor recounting his long history of working on Trek.
• To Be or Not To Be: Klingons and Shakespeare (1080p, 23:04) takes viewers behind-the-scenes of a real-life Klingon language performance of Hamlet.
• Starfleet Academy SciSec Brief 006: Praxis (1080p, 2:37) takes a “Next Generation” look at some of the events from Star Trek VI.
The Farewell tab features:
• DeForest Kelley: A Tribute (480p, 13:19), a look back at the man and his character.
• Original Interviews features chats with William Shatner (480p, 5:05), Leonard Nimoy (480p, 6:26), DeForest Kelley (480p, 5:03), James Doohan (480p, 5:33), Nichelle Nichols (480p, 5:39), George Takei (480p, 5:28), Walter Koenig (480p, 5:31), and Iman (5:07), the actress who played “Martia” in the film.
• Production Gallery (480p, 3:24) features behind-the-scenes video clips from the set.
• A Collection of Four Storyboard Sequences — Praxis, Assassins, Rura Penthe, and Leaving the Spacedock (omitted).
• The Film’s Teaser (1080p, 1:28) and theatrical (1080p, 2:23) trailers,
• 1991 Convention Presentation by Nicholas Meyer (480p, 4:49)
• BD-Live (Blu-ray profile 2.0) functionality that offers, again, Star Trek I.Q.
The Captain’s Summit
Disc seven offers only the singular feature Star Trek Summit (1080p, 1:11:12), a three-part roundtable discussion with William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, and Jonathan Frakes, hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. The piece moves along briskly and the five Trek legends deliver a well-rounded discussion, speaking on the impact of Star Trek on both popular culture and in their personal lives, their television watching habits, the wardrobe, their favorite moments in the show, their forays into directing, etc.
