That long scene of Kirk and Scotty flying around staring at the Enterprise really makes you roll your eyes. It shows the film-makers, through the characters, are full of themselves.
I was just watching the review again after watching both TMP and 2001. I have found that I disagree with your point on 2001's trip to the moon feeling faster than the Enterprise reveal shot. Both scenes take forever. While I don't understand why people like 2001, I respect the fact that they do. It may just be the fact that I am missing the message, but I digress. I like TMP more of the two. It's in the middle for me as far as Trek films go, my least favorite one that I still watch. Great Review
Since SFDebris is getting so friendly with the crowd at That Guy With the Glasses, I feel that a missed opportunity would be in the intro prior to Randy Newman, to drop in the Gatekeeper from The Spoony One's Nightmare review, talking about the "BLAGHOLE" *skronk*
I agreed with nearly everything in his review, but the enterprise reveal shot. Other than that I thought his break down as to why TMP sucks its good lol
Your comments on TMP and the haughtiness of its supporters attacking "action" films, and comparisons with 2001: A Space Odyssey make me feel warm and squishy inside. Puts to words what I'm too scatter-brained to put into coherent words. "2001" is my movie sacred cow
Fans have been calling it "The Motion-less picture" for God knows how long. Seriously, TMP isn't bad.. it's just boring as hell, and Jerry Goldsmith's wonderful score actually raises it up a few notches in my opinion. At least it has none of the stupid and intelligence insulting humor from any of the next generation movies.
When you made the joke about the reaction of Yaoi fangirls to Kirk's whole "I need him" declaration in regards to Spock, all I could think was "That's nothing compared to the scene in Sickbay." That scene gives heartfelt declarations about "this simple feeling" while Kirk and Spock are shown clasping hands and staring lovingly into each other's eyes. Kirk/Spock were the orignal slash couple for a reason you know :P
One question, did you notice the glaring mistake with Shatner coming out of the Enterprise and it is blatantly clear that its the sound stage? Or did they correct that for the Blu-Ray?
Awesome! I've been waiting for a real fan to do a review of this film. People usually just dismiss it 100%, but there's a lot of good outside of the main plot. Kirk, Spock, & McCoy are greatly presented here, and they fit back into these roles without missing a step. I'm very excited to watch this right away.
I think I prefer the Enterprise reveal over Stanley's etablishing shots. The effects may have hurt the movie, but for me Jerry Goldsmith and Sandy Courage made it.
That look on Kirk's face means so much more to me than any anti-gravity naptime.
I must confess while this film is has the same pace as continental drift, the gratuitous model shots and some of the other effects for this move are rather nice. But sadly it rather falls flat when your trying to sell a film on that asset alone...Avatar anyone?
Aaaaanyway. It's great to see this review back up online, and I eagerly await your review of Wrath of Khan, probably my favorite Sci-fi movie of all time. And of course your review of Nemesis. Ooooh Nemesis, I know you too well...
I watched the intro part and I just want to disagree on one point, about when people disagree and insult others. In short, I think it is justified at times. I like The Twilight Zone, but some write it off as boring crap without seeing an episode for it being old and in black and white.
The reverse is true of memes. Portal and My Little Pony: FiM, where people claim to be fans of those without ever playing/watching them. I think it's justified to call out those people.
That horrid transporter accident scene still haunts me to this day. It's a big reason why I almost never watch this one when I'll even watch V or IX. I gotta skip the beginning of the review thanks to it!
@thunderphoenix440 I saw your first note and was going to say something, but realized it'd be too late. TMP - being the first - was done differently than the follow-ups, so I tried to reformat it into the same style. Thus only one opening bit and incorporating the other into the review itself.
It took years for me to really "get" this movie. And I recall seeing it re-released in like 79 or 80 (back when theaters did that kind of thing). Being much older now, and watching the blu-ray I feel like I can enjoy it and sort of understand some of the subtext. Still slow, still very weak on many plot points. But it is a grand production... I know sfdebris probably passes out during the Enterprise intro ;), but it still seems so new and majestic to me. The music really sells it.
Wait, V'Ger is a computer which was presumed destroyed. One which directly evolved as a result of its programming and due to that program it now travels back to earth to turn everyone into pure data and store them. It's also powered by pure logic.
Does anyone else thing V'Ger was inspired by, or inspired, the superman villain Brainiac?
I don't think Brainiac was portrayed in that manner at that time, and possibly (I don't know for certain) not until the Superman animated series of the 90's.
@Crickett2814 That's where most of my thinking came from in comparisons between the two. Still, it would be interesting to know if V'Ger did influence that portrayal of Brainiac during the 90s in any way.
Don't disagree with this being slow and thinly plotted but it still ranks in my top three Trek films that I can enjoy on repeat viewings. I was bored to tears with this when it first came out over the years it's grown on me. Probably because it has roughly the same appeal as a laser Floyd show. Maybe I should synch it up with Meddle some time.
Maybe it`s just my browser, but on the SFDebris site, the first video and the second video are the same, but they`re labelled differently. The labels lead me to believe that the first video is the whole review, all like 35 minutes of it in 1 video. Am I missing something?
@sfdebris I can understand respecting some one else's view & discussing it with them in a Civil way, I can also understand trying to keep in mind that your view might be turn out to be wrong even if you can't see anything wrong with it yet but I do not understand how if you think some one else is wrong about something where you are right that you don't think you smarter then them because if it isn't being right about things where others are wrong or don't know that makes you smarter then what?
@doctorwhoknows1 - The problem is that you are assuming that sfdebris believes that his reviews are grounded in facts, when in fact he admits that his reviews are merely his opinions on the topic.
sfdebris is merely asking that people admit that their views on this movie and other forms of entertainment are merely opinions and should be treated as such.
@DoctorBottle It confused me at first too since the run time of the top one is too short for the full review, but it will load new parts as needed. So, instead of one 35 minute video it's a play list of three 11-13 minute videos.
My faviorate part the music and the classic rotoscope light effects with the really awesome twang sfx make it so epic for 1970s movie watch?v=Xla4BnppeUM
@torchwoodchesterfiel there was a novel or game that basically said the wormhole sucked V'ger into the past and spat it out on the early Borg's front door, but as far as canon goes, it does not. But at least we now know where JayJay got his idea for timetravelling Black Holes.
THANK YOU!!!! I have been looking foward to these reviews. And for some reason, I think that it has something to do with my hardware, the video is all screwed up unless its in high definition, so the movie reviews and a couple of other reviews that you have are much more enjoyable for me.
I belong to those boring Trekkies who like TMP the best :-) So while I usually agree with Chuck on almost everything, this is one of his few reviews where I beg to differ. But I don't have anything new to add to the discussion, either. I loved and still love the slow pace, the focus on exploration, the expert direction, camera work, sfx and overall high production values of this film. Regarding the problems on the story level I happily agree with Chuck, but they don't bother me nearly as much.
So you redid this review using the Bluray version? Am I right in saying that's not the Director's Edition (as it's missing the overture at the start and the logo you show in part 1 seems to be the original logo, not the DE logo)? If it isn't the DE it also means that the Spock crying scene and a couple of others that are really needed to give this story some sense of meaning aren't in there. :(
@Dilandau3000 Yeah, it's definitely not the DE, I can tell now from some of the unfinished effects shots in your rips. It's a shame the Blu-ray version isn't the DE (as while it doesn't fix the movie, it at least makes it bearable to me). But at the same time I understand why, since the updated effects were not created in HD since they were meant for the DVD release of the DE.
ah i love this one ^^ it maybe slow and boring but its still one of my favorites. and in a way its the most honest to the original premise. "to go where no man has gone before". right into the rectum of a giant alien spaceship :o awesome lol
That long scene of Kirk and Scotty flying around staring at the Enterprise really makes you roll your eyes. It shows the film-makers, through the characters, are full of themselves.
"Wow, aren't we proud. We're on the big screne."
charlesvan13 3 weeks ago
I was just watching the review again after watching both TMP and 2001. I have found that I disagree with your point on 2001's trip to the moon feeling faster than the Enterprise reveal shot. Both scenes take forever. While I don't understand why people like 2001, I respect the fact that they do. It may just be the fact that I am missing the message, but I digress. I like TMP more of the two. It's in the middle for me as far as Trek films go, my least favorite one that I still watch. Great Review
ATADSP 1 month ago
Since SFDebris is getting so friendly with the crowd at That Guy With the Glasses, I feel that a missed opportunity would be in the intro prior to Randy Newman, to drop in the Gatekeeper from The Spoony One's Nightmare review, talking about the "BLAGHOLE" *skronk*
KirinjiMcDohl 7 months ago
I guess you were tempting fate when you said that you'd never have to see TMP again.
KatayokoNoTenshi 7 months ago
I agreed with nearly everything in his review, but the enterprise reveal shot. Other than that I thought his break down as to why TMP sucks its good lol
wolfmaster555 7 months ago
This trailer moves faster than TMP. LOL, nah, I like TMP, can't say it's a favourite, but it could be worse
willmandude 7 months ago
you are aware that if you flip the footage you can get it on you tube
critic188 8 months ago
Your comments on TMP and the haughtiness of its supporters attacking "action" films, and comparisons with 2001: A Space Odyssey make me feel warm and squishy inside. Puts to words what I'm too scatter-brained to put into coherent words. "2001" is my movie sacred cow
BloodiestMargie 8 months ago
Your intro made me feel guilty for getting enraged at Confusedmattew for his 2001 review. (the guilt is probably a good thing.)
SpaceInvader42359 8 months ago
@SpaceInvader42359 I hear ya. I even un-subbed from CM over that. Kinda feel bad about that now... not bad enough to re-sub though.
fraggenaught 8 months ago
Fans have been calling it "The Motion-less picture" for God knows how long. Seriously, TMP isn't bad.. it's just boring as hell, and Jerry Goldsmith's wonderful score actually raises it up a few notches in my opinion. At least it has none of the stupid and intelligence insulting humor from any of the next generation movies.
garamonde 8 months ago
When you made the joke about the reaction of Yaoi fangirls to Kirk's whole "I need him" declaration in regards to Spock, all I could think was "That's nothing compared to the scene in Sickbay." That scene gives heartfelt declarations about "this simple feeling" while Kirk and Spock are shown clasping hands and staring lovingly into each other's eyes. Kirk/Spock were the orignal slash couple for a reason you know :P
MST3K1506 8 months ago
@MST3K1506
That's not even getting into the stuff the novelization gets into.
thunderphoenix440 7 months ago
BLACK HOOOOOOOOOOOOLE
kranktank 8 months ago
The director's cut or edition or whatever improves it. Somewhat. I still like TMP.
kranktank 8 months ago
One question, did you notice the glaring mistake with Shatner coming out of the Enterprise and it is blatantly clear that its the sound stage? Or did they correct that for the Blu-Ray?
FSJGuy78 8 months ago
Awesome! I've been waiting for a real fan to do a review of this film. People usually just dismiss it 100%, but there's a lot of good outside of the main plot. Kirk, Spock, & McCoy are greatly presented here, and they fit back into these roles without missing a step. I'm very excited to watch this right away.
NickMichalak 8 months ago
Just to be difficult,
I think I prefer the Enterprise reveal over Stanley's etablishing shots. The effects may have hurt the movie, but for me Jerry Goldsmith and Sandy Courage made it.
That look on Kirk's face means so much more to me than any anti-gravity naptime.
Williamsfan 8 months ago
I must confess while this film is has the same pace as continental drift, the gratuitous model shots and some of the other effects for this move are rather nice. But sadly it rather falls flat when your trying to sell a film on that asset alone...Avatar anyone?
Aaaaanyway. It's great to see this review back up online, and I eagerly await your review of Wrath of Khan, probably my favorite Sci-fi movie of all time. And of course your review of Nemesis. Ooooh Nemesis, I know you too well...
bazookoidben 8 months ago
I watched the intro part and I just want to disagree on one point, about when people disagree and insult others. In short, I think it is justified at times. I like The Twilight Zone, but some write it off as boring crap without seeing an episode for it being old and in black and white.
The reverse is true of memes. Portal and My Little Pony: FiM, where people claim to be fans of those without ever playing/watching them. I think it's justified to call out those people.
SabreXT 8 months ago
I've never seen this movie before but from your description of it I'd say it's not worth my time to watch it.
TheJboy88 8 months ago
Which do you prefer we watch it on Blip, or your website?
HawkPenn 8 months ago
@HawkPenn I have no preference, but thank you for asking.
sfdebris 8 months ago
Does anyone see the similarity between TMP and TOS episode Changeling??
nations000 8 months ago
@nations000 You aren't the first to notice that. People have talked like it's a rehash of that episode.
trlkly 8 months ago
That horrid transporter accident scene still haunts me to this day. It's a big reason why I almost never watch this one when I'll even watch V or IX. I gotta skip the beginning of the review thanks to it!
thunderphoenix440 8 months ago
@thunderphoenix440
Erm, the beginning of the original. It's in the middle of part 1 now!
thunderphoenix440 8 months ago
@thunderphoenix440 I saw your first note and was going to say something, but realized it'd be too late. TMP - being the first - was done differently than the follow-ups, so I tried to reformat it into the same style. Thus only one opening bit and incorporating the other into the review itself.
sfdebris 8 months ago
@sfdebris
No worries. I'm exaggerating. A bit. Good job on the review, looking forward to TWOK and the rest!
thunderphoenix440 8 months ago
It took years for me to really "get" this movie. And I recall seeing it re-released in like 79 or 80 (back when theaters did that kind of thing). Being much older now, and watching the blu-ray I feel like I can enjoy it and sort of understand some of the subtext. Still slow, still very weak on many plot points. But it is a grand production... I know sfdebris probably passes out during the Enterprise intro ;), but it still seems so new and majestic to me. The music really sells it.
spins321 8 months ago
sheesh, what the hell rebuilt Voyager 6? Unicron?
wakeangel2001 8 months ago
Wait, V'Ger is a computer which was presumed destroyed. One which directly evolved as a result of its programming and due to that program it now travels back to earth to turn everyone into pure data and store them. It's also powered by pure logic.
Does anyone else thing V'Ger was inspired by, or inspired, the superman villain Brainiac?
Tseuhadon 8 months ago
@Tseuhadon
I don't think Brainiac was portrayed in that manner at that time, and possibly (I don't know for certain) not until the Superman animated series of the 90's.
Crickett2814 8 months ago
@Crickett2814 That's where most of my thinking came from in comparisons between the two. Still, it would be interesting to know if V'Ger did influence that portrayal of Brainiac during the 90s in any way.
Tseuhadon 8 months ago
@Tseuhadon
The Superman Animated series version anyway. He's a lot different (and IMO a lot less cool) in the comics.
thunderphoenix440 8 months ago
Don't disagree with this being slow and thinly plotted but it still ranks in my top three Trek films that I can enjoy on repeat viewings. I was bored to tears with this when it first came out over the years it's grown on me. Probably because it has roughly the same appeal as a laser Floyd show. Maybe I should synch it up with Meddle some time.
strontiumcrypt 8 months ago 5
Maybe it`s just my browser, but on the SFDebris site, the first video and the second video are the same, but they`re labelled differently. The labels lead me to believe that the first video is the whole review, all like 35 minutes of it in 1 video. Am I missing something?
DoctorBottle 8 months ago
@DoctorBottle Either way, it kind of gets confusing on what is what >_> I don't particularly feel like watching the same video twice in a row ._.
DoctorBottle 8 months ago
@DoctorBottle So I want to make sure I'm not missing anything.
DoctorBottle 8 months ago
@DoctorBottle The top is all three parts, the first one below (labeled "Intro Only") is the intro, only.
sfdebris 8 months ago
@sfdebris I can understand respecting some one else's view & discussing it with them in a Civil way, I can also understand trying to keep in mind that your view might be turn out to be wrong even if you can't see anything wrong with it yet but I do not understand how if you think some one else is wrong about something where you are right that you don't think you smarter then them because if it isn't being right about things where others are wrong or don't know that makes you smarter then what?
doctorwhoknows1 7 months ago
@doctorwhoknows1 - The problem is that you are assuming that sfdebris believes that his reviews are grounded in facts, when in fact he admits that his reviews are merely his opinions on the topic.
sfdebris is merely asking that people admit that their views on this movie and other forms of entertainment are merely opinions and should be treated as such.
lobothesacred3 6 months ago
@lobothesacred3
no he's suggesting that you can believe your right but not smarter then other people I don't see how that's possible
doctorwhoknows1 6 months ago
@doctorwhoknows1 - Do you believe that your personal opinions about various movies and games are wrong?
lobothesacred3 6 months ago
@lobothesacred3 opinions can't right or wrong their subjective,
and no why would I hold a point of view if I thought it was wrong, I'm open to the idea that I might be wrong but I don't think I am
doctorwhoknows1 6 months ago
@DoctorBottle It confused me at first too since the run time of the top one is too short for the full review, but it will load new parts as needed. So, instead of one 35 minute video it's a play list of three 11-13 minute videos.
jaerys 8 months ago
My faviorate part the music and the classic rotoscope light effects with the really awesome twang sfx make it so epic for 1970s movie watch?v=Xla4BnppeUM
jmm1233 8 months ago
Transporter travel is the way of the future! Yay! Also why did that sound like cats meowing? A death mew?
UnbeltedSundew 8 months ago
An excellent way to wake up: an SFDebris review, and some tasty Eggo Waffles.
AceEuphrates 8 months ago
do you think v'ger has anything 2 do with the borg?
torchwoodchesterfiel 8 months ago
@torchwoodchesterfiel there was a novel or game that basically said the wormhole sucked V'ger into the past and spat it out on the early Borg's front door, but as far as canon goes, it does not. But at least we now know where JayJay got his idea for timetravelling Black Holes.
RotalHenricsson 8 months ago
@RotalHenricsson Novel. One of the Shatner universe ones. Kirk is brought back to life by a Romulan Borg alliance. Pretty good read actually
Benjy5997 8 months ago
THANK YOU!!!! I have been looking foward to these reviews. And for some reason, I think that it has something to do with my hardware, the video is all screwed up unless its in high definition, so the movie reviews and a couple of other reviews that you have are much more enjoyable for me.
001SpecialAgent 8 months ago
I belong to those boring Trekkies who like TMP the best :-) So while I usually agree with Chuck on almost everything, this is one of his few reviews where I beg to differ. But I don't have anything new to add to the discussion, either. I loved and still love the slow pace, the focus on exploration, the expert direction, camera work, sfx and overall high production values of this film. Regarding the problems on the story level I happily agree with Chuck, but they don't bother me nearly as much.
TheCriticalTwins 8 months ago 9
So in other words: Llllandscape!
abridgedfanboy 8 months ago
So you redid this review using the Bluray version? Am I right in saying that's not the Director's Edition (as it's missing the overture at the start and the logo you show in part 1 seems to be the original logo, not the DE logo)? If it isn't the DE it also means that the Spock crying scene and a couple of others that are really needed to give this story some sense of meaning aren't in there. :(
Dilandau3000 8 months ago
@Dilandau3000 Yeah, it's definitely not the DE, I can tell now from some of the unfinished effects shots in your rips. It's a shame the Blu-ray version isn't the DE (as while it doesn't fix the movie, it at least makes it bearable to me). But at the same time I understand why, since the updated effects were not created in HD since they were meant for the DVD release of the DE.
Dilandau3000 8 months ago
@Dilandau3000 Correct. It was also missing the second shot of the Golden Gate bridge, which is why that shot is slightly fuzzy compared to the rest.
sfdebris 8 months ago
the best part is when bones comes on board lol thats priceless xD
happosai27 8 months ago
ah i love this one ^^ it maybe slow and boring but its still one of my favorites. and in a way its the most honest to the original premise. "to go where no man has gone before". right into the rectum of a giant alien spaceship :o awesome lol
happosai27 8 months ago