STAR TREK - THE MOTION PICTURE DIRECTOR'S CUT

The intro is an overture, going back to the days when there was music playing before the movie started, for when people were finding their seats, especially with "roadshow" presentation events that didn't have previews for other movies. Many older movies have an overture like this.

I liked the sets and 'look' of the movie, but, yeah, it was a slog to get through.

Except for Wrath, I never found that any of the subsequent movies or Next Gen managed to capture the spirit of the original series, either the original or the re-make. I can't even say why either.

If I had to guess, the eps of the original series had a certain intimacy to them that was lacking in subsequent series and movies. Probably a function of the reduced budgets which forced them to focus on the relationships and dialogue rather than the 'splosions and stuff. The best eps in my mind always featured Kirk/Spock using their wits rather than phasers and photon torpedoes to get the job done.

I just watched this again after 20 years and I must say, back then this movie was boring as hell but now I was amazed at how good it actually is. Does maturity have something to do with it? Or just onset old man syndrome.

I loved the sets, the ship porn, the score too but what stood out for me brilliantly was 2 things. 1 was the story, thoroughly enjoyed it and very well told. Maybe just me but I found it thought provoking long after the movie ended. 2 the acting by the whole cast was fucking amazing in retrospect, including Decker and Aahliyah. I even noticed subtle moments from the supporting cast as well, like the transporter lady and the other doctor lady.

The enterprise was alive as well and the engineers and crew on its decks made it feel alive. It felt like an entity with the humans coming across as it’s vital blood stream running between the different organs.

Oh well, let me continue the isolation in Trek land.

I think it is vast improvement on the original. They cut scenes, a lot of them, moved at least one quick scene around and the added effects were better without being distracting. The addition of the V'ger vessel in all its glory was a wonderful surprise. They just need to make a cleaned up blu ray.

I just watched The Director’s Edition for the first time this weekend and, for the most part, enjoyed it. Some special effects are better, some are still pretty weak. The story flow is a little smoother. The biggest problem from the theatrical release is still there, though: the chemistry between characters is lacking. (That would be remedied in the next movie.)

This movie may have stumbled out of the gate, but once Ilia is kidnapped and transformed it becomes superior sci-fi.