As I've written, I'm really no fan of Star Trek: Discovery, though I'll admit that I've only watched its first season and snippets from Season 2. (I do have Season 2 on DVD and mean to watch it at some point.) Honestly, I was massively disappointed with Star Trek: Picard, mostly because I found so much of its plot to be wildly out-of-touch with Trek (in general) and for a lot of issues I had with the narrative. (No, I'm not gonna rehash it here, nor am I gonna argue with anyone. It is what it is, and we'll agree to disagree.) I haven't even explored the animated incarnations, so it'd be unfair of me to sound off on that.
But when it comes to the adventures of the original crew, I'm a huge supporter.
Still, I'm inclined to pass at this point on investing in the forthcoming 4K restoration of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Unlike so many of you, I actually love the film. Though I'll happily concede it has some pacing problems, I think too much criticism has been layered onto it over the years, so much so that even folks who were thrilled with it in its original run have kinda/sorta turned on it decades later out of fear of being found 'out of the mainstream' of opinion. Those who know me -- or at least those who've read my stuff in this space for some time -- know that I could honestly care less what the mainstream thinks of my take of things; I try to always stick true to my own voice, no matter what fans or enemies it earns me. That's who I've always been, and that's likely how I'll leave this Earth.
But I do see that this restoration is being given the Fathom Events treatment -- meaning it'll make a round through select theaters -- and I am likely inclined to partake of that. Any opportunity to see Kirk and company on the silver screen in their original features almost always means I'll be there, and I encourage fans of the Starship Enterprise to think about doing the same.
I'm coping and pasting the details below that were provided by StarTrek.com for all to enjoy.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
Eagerly anticipated by Star Trek fans for over two decades, Star Trek: The Motion Picture—The Director’s Edition will make its long-awaited debut exclusively on Paramount+ on April 5, 2022, in celebration of First Contact Day. The film will be available to stream on Paramount+ in 4K Ultra HD on supported devices and platforms. The newly restored film will subsequently arrive on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in September from Paramount Home Entertainment. In addition, fans will have the opportunity to see the restored version of Star Trek: The Motion Picture—The Director’s Edition on the big screen for the first time when Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures bring it to theaters for an exclusive two-day event on May 22 and May 25. Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 8 at FathomEvents.com.
Originally released in 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture became the fourth highest grossing movie of the year and earned three Academy Award® nominations for Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and Best Music, Original Score. The film successfully launched the Star Trek franchise beyond the original television series, despite having been rushed to theaters with incomplete special effects and forced editing choices.
In 2001, director Robert Wise revisited the film to refine the edit and enhance the visual effects. His updated vision was released on DVD in standard definition and embraced by fans but has never been available in higher definition until now. Meticulously assembled and restored by producer David C. Fein with preservationist Mike Matessino, both of whom originally collaborated with Wise, the film has been prepared for presentation in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision™ high dynamic range (HDR) and a new powerful and immersive Dolby Atmos® soundtrack. Fein and Matessino assembled a team of special effects experts, led by returning visual effects supervisor Daren Dochterman, and utilized the extensive resources in the Paramount Archives to recreate the effects not just in HD, but in Ultra HD. After more than six months of painstaking work, the updated movie looks and sounds better than ever while staying true to Wise’s original intention.
“I couldn’t be prouder and more thrilled to have completed the film in 4K,” said Fein. “Paramount offered unprecedented access to the original elements and exceptional support and the results are stunning. Utilizing the latest discoveries and innovations of modern film production, The Director’s Edition delivers so much more today than was previously possible. It’s an adventure you’ll never forget!”