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Movies / On DVD / Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Star Trek: The Motion Picture

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

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Reviews Counted:30

Fresh:15

Rotten:15

Average Rating:5.7/10

Runtime: 2 hrs 23 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Synopsis: In STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE, the original crew of the Starship Enterprise from the 1960s TV show is reunited in this dramatic, full-length science fiction epic. Admiral James T. Kirk (William... In STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE, the original crew of the Starship Enterprise from the 1960s TV show is reunited in this dramatic, full-length science fiction epic. Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner), formerly a captain, is called upon to collect his old crewmates in order to save humanity from a giant, hostile alien vessel steadily approaching Earth and destroying everything in its path. The complex alien life-forms apparently possess such an advanced intelligence that even the brilliant Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) fails to comprehend the massive structure that contains them. There is tension on the ship, as well as in the universe, as Commander Willard Decker (Stephen Collins), the Enterprise's new captain, is relegated to being Kirk's assistant. In addition, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley), the lovable, crotchety doctor who is constantly at odds with Spock, must be tricked away from his life of relaxation to serve on a voyage he wants no part of. It's not long before the Enterprise is taken over by the alien entity, and navigator Ilia (Persis Khambatta) is abducted. When she is returned to the Enterprise, she informs Kirk that unless the entity is united with its creator, it will destroy the Earth. With excellent special effects and witty nods to the old series, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE set a new standard in sci-fi films--and paved the way for a host of excellent sequels. [More]

Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Persis Khambatta, Stephen Collins

Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Persis Khambatta, Stephen Collins, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, George Takei, Majel Barrett, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols

Director: Robert Wise

Director: Robert Wise
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith

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Reviews for Star Trek: The Motion Picture

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1 - 20 (sorted by comments; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

For non-addicts, the smart plot and effects go some way towards compensating for the plastic characters and costumes.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
08/16/07
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

As an exploration of the loneliness of a unique machine consciousness, great! As an exciting SF experience, maybe not.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
05/19/08
Matthew De Abaitua
Matthew De Abaitua
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nothing in this first Trek film moves above a glacial speed.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
09/11/01
William Gallagher
William Gallagher
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Director Robert Wise has no feeling for Trek's pop insouciance, and the movie unfolds ponderously.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
05/19/08
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
05/28/03
Brandon Judell
Brandon Judell
PopcornQ

The rule with Star Trek films is even-numbered films are good, odd-numbered are bad -- and the first film in the series is no exception.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
11/02/01
Christopher Null and David Bezanson
Christopher Null and David Bezanson
Filmcritic.com

No review available.

comment Comment
10/10/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

You've heard the about the curse of the odd-numbered Star Trek films. It REALLY applies to this one.

comment Comment
05/07/03
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Nitrate Online

No review available.

comment Comment
02/08/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

This 1979 movie adaptation of the cult TV series is blandness raised to an epic scale.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
05/19/08
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

No review available.

comment Comment
07/23/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Star Trek-The Motion Picture is a smart sc-fi thriller whose fascinating characters and thought-provoking plot are emphasized more than special effects.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
01/29/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
07/02/06
Greg Maki
Greg Maki
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD)

Star Trek - The Motion Picture: Director's Edition is no 2001 (its obvious inspiration -- a fact that is more evident here than ever before), but it represents thought-provoking, well constructed science fiction.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

An inventive and thoughtful science fiction movie, even if it is not entirely in keeping with either the television show that preceded it or the movies that would follow it.

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
11/25/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

So okay, perhaps the plot is somewhat substandard but the glorious special effects thrown up by director Robert Wise ... and a no doubt expert team of special effects craftsmen actually makes this one well worth seeing.

Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | comment Comment
01/01/00
James O'Ehley
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page

The long, majestic scene in which Scotty (James Doohan) takes Kirk in a shuttle toward the refurbished Enterprise is still breathtaking.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

More of an event than a movie...more flash than content.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
05/15/09
John J. Puccio
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

If the endless interstellar vistas of 2001: A Space Odyssey tested your patience, Star Trek: The Motion Picture will make you cry like a little star child.

Full Review Source: LarsenOnFilm | comment Comment
03/22/09
Josh Larsen
Josh Larsen
LarsenOnFilm

Often unfairly maligned because it's slow and contemplative, but has some real ideas behind it.

comment Comment
10/28/04
Luke Y. Thompson
Luke Y. Thompson
New Times
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by comments; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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