Rating: 
Summary: 22 years in the making, and worth the wait!!!
Review: Star Trek: The Motion Picture was, until now, a classic example of a film which suffered from a rushed post-production. It is well known in ST fandom how the film that was originally hired to do the effects for this movie bascially fell flat on their collective face, leaving Robert Wise and Co. with only a few months to start from scratch on their effects, and a release date that was carved in stone. They went to superhuman effort in order to get everything done by the deadline, and they barely made it. The final effects sequences actually had to be physically spliced into hundreds of copies of the film, right before their delivery to theaters! The fact that the effects were as good as they were is truly miraculous. This is the most cinematic of all the ST movies to date, although The Wrath of Khan comes pretty close. The soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith is one of the GREATEST film scores ever.Of course, the main feature of this DVD is the fact that Robert Wise got to go back and take his time re-doing the effects scenes that he had to rush through in 1979, and then insert them seamlessly into the scenes shot 20 years ago, and make it all fit. Overall, it works extremely well. Some of my favorite improvements: (1) The star field effects over the overture theme and opening credits - Sure, the moving star field over SF movies has been done many times since, but Star Trek invented it. The opening wasn't complete without it. The credits themselves have also been re-worked. The opening credits were one place where the post-production rush in 1979 really showed. It was a nice touch to clean this up. (2) The scenes on Vulcan - Vulcan looks more "Vulcan-like" now, and the removal of the moon seen previously makes the film conform to previously-established Star Trek canon. Another nice touch that is important for continuity. Also, the Vulcan subtitles have been re-worded just a bit to make it a little less obvious that the Vulcans were really just speaking electronically-distorted English. (3) The new shots of Starfleet Headquarters - totally awesome improvement to another casualty of the 1979 rush. As much as I loved that shot of the Starfleet Headquarters seal, it was painfully obvious that some missing effects shots were here. Also, the scene between Kirk and Sonak has been re-done to make the landing area seem much larger. Nice echoing to the dialogue. (4) Insertion of some original-series sound effects, particularly the transporter operation. (5) The scenes when they flew through the cloud and over V'ger were tightened up a bit. Good editing, these secnes were DEFINITELY too long originally. Thank God, though, they left the Enterprise inspection/flyover alone! This is one scene that was just fine all along, and they wisely didn't cut it at all. (6) When you look out the windows of the officer's lounge, you can now see the warp nacelles. Nice touch. (7) The scenes of V'ger attacking the Earth. I always wanted to see a shot of the whole thing at once! (8) The new shots inside V'ger - It's pretty obvious that these are CG, but the creation of the bridge between the Enterprise and V'ger is pretty cool anyway. (9) But, the absolute BEST improvement was the re-working of the Red Alert klaxon and the removal of that infuriatingly annoying computer voice. I got so tired of hearing that thing go "Travel pod available, Cargo 6", and "Intruder Location. A Sonic Shower.", and "Red. Alert. Red. Alert. The Ship. Is On. Red. Alert!" If they did nothing else to the movie, this alone would make the DVD worth buying. Thank you Mr. Wise! The DVD also contains a bunch of bonus features, including the original scenes that were edited, the delightfully cheesy movie trailers and TV commercials, and the scenes that were added for the 1983 TV version and then re-dropped. Some of those scenes were kinda nice, but they didn't really do anything for me. The worst one was the shot of Kirk leaving the Enterprise in pursuit of Spock. You can see the scaffolding on the set! They're baically non-essential, but it's nice to have them anyway. The TV commercials are a lot of fun to watch. This is not the best ST move by any stretch, but it's MUCH better than its detractors think. If you haven't seen it in a while, now is the perfect chance to see it again. The acting is great. If the actors seem uneasy at first, that's because the CHARACTERS are uneasy due to the myraid conflicts that they are undergoing as the movie begins. As the conflicts are resolved, they get more comfortable. It's truly a great SF movie. Pick it up! Oh and Emma, if you're out there, sounds like you got a defective case. Return it and get another copy.
Rating:
Summary: Robert Wise's "Real" vision for the film!
Review: And it really has been fixed to where fans who despised this first entry in the "Star Trek" movies can now relate to it more! Director Robert Wise made a smart move when he brought back most of the deleted scenes into his final format which make it more easy to understand, and keep the plot moving at very good pace. However, with other scenes he did delete, and did not use in the final version, he is able to let us see them on the dual disc DVD set! Along with the new scenes comes new CGI scenes which make the scenes more easier to understand. As the Enterprise goes further into the V'Ger ship, you'll know what I mean! As the new scenes have been added in, it also gives more heart to the chracters of Kirk and Spock, and we understand more of Spock's personal quest for fullfillment with each of the new scenes. Finally, I also love the remastered music and digital score. It made me cry when you heared sound effects like the beaming effect from the original series played in this film. Look for a promotion of the new "Star Trek" series "Enterprise" on this DVD. Thank you Robert Wise and Paramount for the care you put back into it.
Rating: 
Summary: SOW'S EAR
Review: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear". That old-fashioned bit of wisdom perfectly describes this DVD's attempt to rehabilitate the flawed original movie. The reason? Sluggish editing and unfinished effects were only a few of the problems with this film. The main one, which is unfixable, is a poor script. Then there's stiff acting from the beloved original crew, who don't appear to be having much fun. And, those unnecessary new characters who were thrown into the film simply because they had been part of the ill-fated ressurection of the television series. Sterile, gray sets. The DVD is redeemed only by the interesting features on the second disk.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the Wait
Review: Finally, it all makes sense. Star Trek fans should forget about the critics and go and get this DVD. The director's cut has several new and enhanced scenes, a terrific score, and revealing commentaries. It's a shame the theatrical version wasn't edited right when the film first came out. But all should be forgiven with this widescreen director's edition. This is a movie that justifies Dolby surround sound and the extra features of DVD. Fans who don't have a DVD player will surely want to get one.
Rating:
Summary: I'ts about time!
Review: I have been waiting for this movie to be released on dvd since dvd came out on the market.I was wondering what was takeing them so long to release this movie to dvd, I mean all of the other star trek movies were out on dvd but not star trek the motion picture,why? well now I know why,they were makeing it better. And they did just that this is the movie the way it should have been,added footage and improved sound now this movie is better than ever it was well worth the long wait!
Rating: 
Summary: BORING AS HELL.
Review: Besides the intro attack with the Klingons and the outstanding march Goldsmith had to offer, this movie stank. How many minutes of weird nothingness going by do we have to see? The audio dubbing was horrible as well. And was that purple eye shadow on Mr. Spock? Yikes.
It was a movie made for desperate Trekkies sick of the reruns. Of course it was a hit, what else was there for these guys?
And I say this as a Trekkie as well. Forget this waste. Wrath of Khan and First Contact are much better. Get this movie only if you suffer from insomnia.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive "Star Trek TMP"
Review: I'm going out on a weak limb here, teetering above the highly opinionated legions of Star Trek fans and definitively calling Robert Wise's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture The Directors Addition" the finest of the Star Trek cinematic offerings. Before you reach for your mouse in disgust, consider the following: As most Star Trek fans know, "The Motion Picture", was a rushed affair at best, upgraded from a new television series to a $40,000,000 feature film designed to cash in on the success of "Star Wars". Behind the scenes in 1979, it became clear that the original special effects unit hired by Paramount would not be able to deliver a single optical shot in a film with 500 such planned shots. Enter Douglas Trumbull ("2001 A Space Odyssey", "Silent Running" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind") and John Dykstra ("Star Wars".) They have nine months to complete all of the optical effects for a non-negotiable December release date. Trumbull and Dyktra's previous films are wildly different from each other and yet they combine their talents, handling the parts of the picture they are best suited to. Dyktra's group does the terrific opening sequence of the Klingon Battle Cruisers being wiped out. In contrast, Trumbull's group handles the poetic Enterprise inspection by Kirk and Scotty. Not only do they complete the picture, but they also deliver some of the most astonishing visuals in the pre-computer era. Many fans and critics were not kind to the film, saying the effect sequences occupy too much screen time at the expense of character development. I disagree. The exploration of Spock's quest for perfect logic and Kirk's obsession with the Enterprise, provide far more intriguing story telling than the later films. The central theme of a machine reaching consciousness and possessing all the secrets of the universe, but needing a human element to evolve is deeper stuff than 90 percent of other Hollywood offerings claiming to be Science Fiction. The director's addition wisely trims some of the optical sequences. As director Wise states in the commentary, of the 60 plus films he has directed, Star Trek was the only one released without audience preview response. The audience would have demanded more character and less special effects. Additionally as Director Wise also states in the DVD commentary, the starship Enterprise is as central a character as Kirk and Spock. I think this is an important point often neglected in the later films. We see vast portions of the ship, from the engine room to the redesigned bridge. I would argue that the subdued lighting of the bridge, and other interiors, give the best feeling of any of the films that we are on a huge star ship hurtling through space. Some of the orange upholstered box furniture is a little dated, but over-all the production design holds up well. Also, in this film you get the feeling of a complex machine bustling with critical human activity. In the later films you get the felling that 10 people run the ship. Star Trek TMP is really the only true "hard" science fiction offering of the series. It has much more in common with Stanley Kubrick's brilliant "2001 A Space Odyssey" than "Star Wars". 2001 is a superior film, but at least in this Star Trek I don't find myself cringing with some foolish time travel plot or comical villain. All the concepts are firmly grounded in science and Isaac Asimov is even listed in the credits as an advisor. The V'Ger craft still manages to provoke a 2001 like awe and I love the surreal leering mouth, and eyes during the V'ger fly-over. Now to the DVD directors cut. Wise's new cut is a much tighter and more enjoyable film. This film has the best cinematography and production design of any of the series. The visual transfer is superb and the new 5.1 sound Dolby Digital sound mix totally immerses you in the film. As in the original, Gerry Goldsmiths score is terrific. The new effect shots are almost indistinguishable from the original film. In contrast I found the added shots in the special addition "Star Wars" distracting. The new shots in Star Trek are designed to complete concepts in a rushed film. The new approach to the V'ger brain complex, the full V'ger exterior and the redesigned planet Vulcan sequence are high points. The DVD extra's are enjoyable, particularly the commentary during the film by Wise, Trumbull, Dykstra, Goldsmith and actor Stephen Collins who plays Will Decker. You get the feeling of what a difficult film it was to make. Bob Wise recounts flying to the Washington DC premier with the still wet prints with him on the plane. Forget the original theatrical release or the re-cut TV version. Remember this is the only Star Trek film with Gene Roddenberry's personal attention and it shows. The director's cut should be the final and definitive version of this film. This DVD should be a welcome addition to anyone's serious film collection. "The Human Adventure is Just Beginning."
Rating: 
Summary: Still controversial...
Review: Off the top of my head, I can think of no other production in science fiction film that has engendered so much controversy over so long a period of time than "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". Most Trek fans either grudgingly accept the film's presence, or outright despise it with such rancor that its a wonder the film is still in circulation in any form, let alone a new DVD. Few fans can look past the expansive, sprawling, epic-like quality of the film, so unlike the original series in tone, pace, and styling. The metaphysical attributes of ST:TMP conjure up images of the rival series "Space:1999", which to this day many Trek fans still love to hate. Personally, I've always leaned more towards "2001" style sci-fi than the mindless action-fests that litter the genre today, so even as a Trek fan, I can more easily accept ST:TMP than perhaps some of my fellow Trekkers can. I'd be lying if I said ST:TMP was my favorite Trek, or even an understandable one. But I've always kind of liked it, flaws and all. The film is firmly rooted in the mid-70's, and even the name "The Motion Picture" brings to mind a grand, sprawling epic like "2001". The "2001"-effect is in full force in ST:TMP, especially in the opening sequence when Kirk is shuttling over from the space dock, and we first get to see the new Enterprise. The "2001" spacecraft ballet sequences were obviously an inspiration for this part of ST:TMP. The attitudes about sex, especially where the Deltan, Ilia, is concerned, are also a bit dated. Most of her lines about other races being "sexually inferior species," etc., have been cut in the new release. The DVD, however, is not really all that special. While most of the newly added effects scenes are seamless, there are one or two points where the CGI Enterprise looks like a graphic from a videogame. Best fix would have to be the moment when Enterprise leaves the drydock. The black armature rig that was attached to the secondary hull always bugged me in that sequence (used again in STII:TWOK), at it was seamlessly removed in this new version. Worst is the land bridge forming when the crew exits the ship to go see V'ger (the CGI Enterprise is obviously fake here, but still better than the lousy matte paintings used in 1979). We also get to see at long last what the V'ger ship really looks like. The extras are a mixed bag. There are three documentaries that reveal little or nothing new, and in true Paramount fashion, are part infomercial for Trek merchandise. We only get to see snippets of the screen tests of Xon and Phase II, when we could have seen them in full. At least the trims and cut scenes from both the 1979 theatrical version and the 1983 TV version are present on Disc 2. Best surprise? The original TV spots, being narrated by none other than Mr. Orson Welles! And they're sooooo seventies-looking, too! As for the recut by Robert Wise, most of it makes sense. The film is tighter than ever, and plays better. Still, there were moments that shouldn't have been cut, or ones I just plain miss. Case in point, when V'ger attacks the Enterprise. Sulu says, "The new screens held!" This always made sense to me, since we had a new starship with new tech, so new-style defectors were a natural. But this crucial bit was snipped in the recut, so now it doesn't make sense when the Klingons and the Epsilon Array are wiped out, but not the Enterprise. Sulu fares the worst in other missing scenes, mostly to remove some of the moments with of Ilia. The nervous, fumbling Sulu showing Ilia the control system is gone, as is the moment when Kirk takes Decker off the bridge and Sulu asks a distracted Ilia to confirm a control setting. Sulu fans are bound to be a bit unhappy at the cuts. Maybe the scenes make more sense to a Trek fan than to a great, (but non-Trek), director like the legendary Wise. Or maybe it's just nostalgia on my part, having heard the dialogue so often over the years that I expect Sulu to say "The new screens held," or for Kirk to repeat his command, "Viewer off!" In the end, although I like the overall fix and updated effects, I find myself longing a bit for the 1983 version, even though I had to fast-forward through the endless fly-over of V'ger. In my opinion, the recut is both a great achievement that was a long time in coming, and its also a bit of a disappointment. When all is said and done, the new recut is bound to keep alive the one thing about ST:TMP that has always been consistant... controversy.
Rating:
Summary: PAJAMA PARTY
Review: Even after 22 years on screen, on video, on television and now released in this special edtion DVD, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE is still a work in progress. Robert Wise returns to his often muddled, too long and struggling mess of a film that relaunched the STAR TREK franchise onto the big screen - and is allowed to make the changes he wanted, add the effects that were never completed in time and remaster the score to pitch perfect quality - and even after his final seal of approval, it's still a work in progress... and it is still a wonder to behold. It also is one of the "must buy, must own" DVD's for this holiday season - for both fans of the series and those new to the franchise. The script is intelligent, the performances (a bit uneasy at the start, but well seated by the close of the film) are top notch and the added effects and the new edits to the film both tighten and expand its appeal. Much of what was left unfisnished has been completed and added neatly into the story - we now get to see the V'GER ship as it orbits the Earth. We get more detail and background of the cloud, we have added scenes (a whole new V'GER chamber, a CG Enterprise, a brand new Vulcan without moons, and what is perhaps the first CG Star Trek cast to make it to the screen), and we have scenes cut shorter to make for better pacing. The audio commentary is informative and entertaining, while the text based commentary is almost overloaded - appearing and disappearing so fast that you dare not blink for fear you might miss something. The new transfer is clean and very pretty and the second disc is packed with features, deleted scenes, advertising (how many of you remember that Orson Wells provided the narration for the previews?) and docmentaries (of which only one was too short for my taste, the PHASE II era of STAR TREK is glossed over all too quickly - but does feature for the first time the original test footage of the new Enterprise and uniforms - pick up the book: STAR TREK: PHASE II for expanded information plus the original IN THY IMAGE script), plus an inventive menu design featuring V'GER. PARAMOUNT has finally done right by STAR TREK, and STAR TREK fans and THE MOTION PICTURE is not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: I still prefer the longer version.
Review: Overall the Director's Cut is an improvement in terms of sound, visual effects, and pace. And yet, i still prefer my VHS copy of the 143-minute version. Certain key scenes were deleted from the DVD, including some tender moments between Ilia and Decker, and some dialogue between McCoy and Kirk regarding Spock's obsession with V'Ger. The Ilia/Decker relationship is not as fully developed in this new cut, which is aggravating because it is that relationship that facilitates the ending of the film and gives it significance. If Robert Wise wanted to trim scenes, why not cut some more of those endless shots of V'Ger's inner layers, instead of interesting dialogue that actually contributes to the plot and characters' development. Having said all that, I suppose the DVD will please audiophiles and those who go ga-ga over CGI technology.
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