In what became a more contemplative departure from one of the most popular shows in the history of television, Star Trek: The Motion Picture created groundbreaking special effects, while eschewing a traditional cat and mouse style villain (“KHAN!”), for a more nuanced character driven film – “Spock, this ‘child’ is about to wipe out every living thing on Earth. What do you suggest we do? Spank it?” The chemistry of the TV show’s iconic crew members (Captain James T. Kirk, Spock, Bones, Mr. Scott, Uhura, Chekov and Sulu) carry the dense plot of the story, in Academy Award winning director Robert Wise’s big screen feast for the senses, that is a Kubrick influenced film at its Blue Danube sequenced best. The film’s stunning visuals by cinematographer Richard H. Kline, an enthralling score that ranks as one of Jerry Goldsmith’s best, and the esoterically mysterious alien energy of “V’ger”, are enough to make you “boldly go” back and revisit this incredibly ambitious voyage.
“For those who like their sci-fi meditative, psychedelic and visually stunning there’s a lot to appreciate.” – Time Out
“Producer Gene Roddenberry and director Robert Wise have corralled an enormous technical crew, and the result is state-of-the-art screen magic.” – Variety
Garret Mathany discusses Star Trek: The Motion Picture on the New Beverly blog.
