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By AARON SKETCHLEY (aaronsketch@HOTdelete_thisMAIL.com) | Ver 1.1 2022.05.16 |
The Motion Picture is unlike any other Star Trek picture. In some ways, it is bigger and grander than anything that came before and since. It is a wonder to behold such details as a tiny space-suited worker doing a back flip on the dry dock scaffolding when the Enterprise launches. On the other hand, the film proceeds at a snails pace, with a lot of repetitive sequences. Also, while some of the Enterprise sets are vast, spacious, and well lit, others feel cramped and dark. On top of that we have *new* uniforms that are anything but recognizable as Starfleet issue.
While it's great to see the cast from the original series reunited in their first big-screen outing, they are given hardly any opportunities to show their comradeship until the finale. Nevertheless, the conflict between an out-of-touch Kirk and Captain Decker—who Kirk demotes at the beginning of the film—is a refreshing change of pace. Kirk misreading Decker when he is merely doing his job as the First Officer also adds well-needed realism. Nevertheless, this movie is more about its style, special effects, and ambience than it is about things like plot and characterization. Thankfully the special effects get better as the film progresses. The highlight, of course, is the wonderful music, and this reviewer can't help but smile when hearing those classic Trek themes.