Review of Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) by Brad R — 05 Nov 2012

Paramount's attempt to both rebirth "Star Trek" on the big screen and to cash in on the box office success of "Star Wars" lands with a resounding thud as we are left with a picture that's just, well, boring.

One can't be too hard on famed director Robert Wise or the team of writers involved with this misfire, as the film was hastily set for release before a script even existed. All things considered, this might be the best film they could've produced in such rushed circumstances, but in the end "The Motion Picture" lingers as the most dull of all "Star Trek" films.

The plot is interesting enough and the characters, even with what little time they're given being often dwarfed by the endless special effects, are still a joy to see on the big screen for the first time.

The effects are some of the best in "Star Trek" history, but at some point they simply become larger and more important than the rather thin story they're telling. Some entire sequences just seem to serve as a music video for composer Jerry Goldsmith, who pens here (in complete juxtaposition with almost all other aspects of the film) the best score of his entire illustrious career.

The movie is indeed a rough piece of work, but still offers just barely enough enticing concepts and romantic indulgence to be a semi-enjoyable slice of cinema.