Yeah, well, tell that to J.J. Abrams. :)

J.J. Abrams took an awful lot of liberties thanks to his alternate time line hack.

What? did he trim down the footage?

Was a while since I saw the orginal cut, but the directors cut didnt exactly feel trimmed down.

Besides, Vulcan has no moons. So the trekkie in me thinks the directors cut is superior. ;)

I found the image of the moons to be much neater than the dirt sky. I also liked that Klingons looked like aliens and didn't speak English. I liked that the Enterprise seemed to be a large functioning spaceship instead of cheesy sets with funny lights on the walls. I liked the wierd sounding alarms and the computery voice. I'll take the theatrical cut any day. That is just me. You are also right.

I'd have to see it again. Thought it was a moon, judging by old Spock looking up and seeing all of Vulcan taking up a substantial portion of his field of vision.


Ha, hoped you commented on that, Since I have been giving it some thought lately, why we see the planet so big is because of the optical effect of using a zoom lense (just like ET)

If Spock was standing above the camerman at a certain distance, the zoom would take and enlarge the planet so the viewer sees the planet as alot bigger then Spock does.


In any case, it's close enough to Vulcan that it would have been visible from the Vulcan skyline, just like a moon.

True, but if its a planet, it does only have to be visable once every 100 years (as an example).

If planet A spins the sun in 100 days and planet B spins in 101 days. The planets will just cross path once every 100 years.

Of course if the planet in the new movie is a moon, this theory falls apart.

Ha, hoped you commented on that, Since I have been giving it some thought lately, why we see the planet so big is because of the optical effect of using a zoom lense (just like ET)

If Spock was standing above the camerman at a certain distance, the zoom would take and enlarge the planet so the viewer sees the planet as alot bigger then Spock does.

Even so, how close would that planet have to be? For example, there is no position on Earth where using a zoom lens will make Mars look that large in the sky. However, you can make our moon look that large (as in your E.T. example).

I'm no astronomer, but it seems to me that whatever rock Spock is on would have to be very close to Vulcan, which again makes me think it's a moon.

However, I think the real answer here is that the screenwriters didn't put nearly as much thought into that portion of the script as we're giving it now. :)

Even so, how close would that planet have to be? For example, there is no position on Earth where using a zoom lens will make Mars look that large in the sky. However, you can make our moon look that large (as in your E.T. example).

I'm no astronomer, but it seems to me that whatever rock Spock is on would have to be very close to Vulcan, which again makes me think it's a moon.


I agree, its very close for a planet. A bit to close, unless its a twin planet. And from my knowledge the Vulcan was no twin planet.


However, I think the real answer here is that the screenwriters didn't put nearly as much thought into that portion of the script as we're giving it now. :)

They never do... :S

Geez, maybe we should go back to talking about Star Wars. This moon/planet debate is riveting.

That's no moon.

That's no moon.

It's too big to be a space station.

That's no moon.

Beautifully played! Three points. :D

True, but if its a planet, it does only have to be visable once every 100 years (as an example).

If planet A spins the sun in 100 days and planet B spins in 101 days. The planets will just cross path once every 100 years.

The perfect time to complete the Kolinar.

Loved the blu-ray of WRATH OF KHAN. Loved it. Very filmlike; great treatment of the only Trek film I can watch over and over again.

Got around to watching TREK VI, which I haven't seen since the theaters (and I actually had an internship at ILM while they were making it; even carried the Klingon bird-of-prey model in my car from the art department to the model shop!) First of all: way worse movie than I remember. Like a bad TV show, compared to KHAN.

Second of all... wow this blu-ray looks terrible. I'd kept an eye on this thread, and I tend to think people are too harsh at judging transfers. I find a lot of problems that show up on screen-grabs tend to dissipate as you're watching and enjoying the movie... but not this one. It just looks STRANGE; distractingly strange. If I were a huge Trek fan, I'd be furious. I never saw the PATTON blu-ray, but this is the worst I've ever seen.

Good thing for me, all I care about is KHAN. But now I understand the outrage from the big fans of the franchise. Totally justified!!

Even so, how close would that planet have to be? For example, there is no position on Earth where using a zoom lens will make Mars look that large in the sky. However, you can make our moon look that large (as in your E.T. example).

I'm no astronomer, but it seems to me that whatever rock Spock is on would have to be very close to Vulcan, which again makes me think it's a moon.

However, I think the real answer here is that the screenwriters didn't put nearly as much thought into that portion of the script as we're giving it now. :)

Since there was no dialogue, I'd guess is it was a revision from JJ or the effects studio.

From an interview w/ the writers, it sounds like they wee a little peeved and answered the question saying the effect wasn't supposed to be visual with the eye, but through a telescope.

Most likely Spock was supposed to have a view of Vulcan from a scope or terminal outside, or further away in the system, but liberties were taken to make it more personal. Also, the mind melt could explain it away as a general idea of his memories, not what he really saw on the planet.

Loved the blu-ray of WRATH OF KHAN. Loved it. Very filmlike; great treatment of the only Trek film I can watch over and over again.

Got around to watching TREK VI, which I haven't seen since the theaters (and I actually had an internship at ILM while they were making it; even carried the Klingon bird-of-prey model in my car from the art department to the model shop!) First of all: way worse movie than I remember. Like a bad TV show, compared to KHAN.

Second of all... wow this blu-ray looks terrible. I'd kept an eye on this thread, and I tend to think people are too harsh at judging transfers. I find a lot of problems that show up on screen-grabs tend to dissipate as you're watching and enjoying the movie... but not this one. It just looks STRANGE; distractingly strange. If I were a huge Trek fan, I'd be furious. I never saw the PATTON blu-ray, but this is the worst I've ever seen.

Good thing for me, all I care about is KHAN. But now I understand the outrage from the big fans of the franchise. Totally justified!!
i rented I-VI from n'flix; when i watched VI (2 nights ago) thru my 720p pj/82" screen, i thought it looked better even than 'khan'.
i was actually surprised it looked as good as it did.
plenty of detail (for a 720p setup). imo, of course.:D

The viewing-the-"moon"-from-a-telescope...

Remember, they have warp drive, time travel, phasers, and many alien races in the future... I'm sure they have more powerful and better telescopes too :)

True, but if its a planet, it does only have to be visable once every 100 years (as an example).

If planet A spins the sun in 100 days and planet B spins in 101 days. The planets will just cross path once every 100 years.

Of course if the planet in the new movie is a moon, this theory falls apart.
Not likely. Planets in such similar orbits would interact gravitationally, eventually causing a collision, or one planet flinging the other out of the system.

The viewing-the-"moon"-from-a-telescope...

Remember, they have warp drive, time travel, phasers, and many alien races in the future... I'm sure they have more powerful and better telescopes too :)
Except that Spock was clearly not looking through any telescope. He was just looking up into the sky.

To make this on topic...

Second of all... wow this blu-ray looks terrible. I'd kept an eye on this thread, and I tend to think people are too harsh at judging transfers. I find a lot of problems that show up on screen-grabs tend to dissipate as you're watching and enjoying the movie... but not this one. It just looks STRANGE; distractingly strange. If I were a huge Trek fan, I'd be furious. I never saw the PATTON blu-ray, but this is the worst I've ever seen.

Good thing for me, all I care about is KHAN. But now I understand the outrage from the big fans of the franchise. Totally justified!!
Couldn't agree more.

I just watched about half of VI, and noticed that a couple of scenes are missing...

Spock, Scotty and Valeris having a conversation together: gone.

The operation presented to the Federation President to rescue Kirk and McCoy: gone.

Why would these be missing? I distinctly remember seeing both scenes when I watched the movie in the theater.

The second one is really dumb, as the assassin at the end of the film is the guy who makes the presentation. With that scene gone, how is someone who has never seen the movie before supposed to know who he is?

I just watched about half of VI, and noticed that a couple of scenes are missing...

Spock, Scotty and Valeris having a conversation together: gone.

The operation presented to the Federation President to rescue Kirk and McCoy: gone.

Why would these be missing? I distinctly remember seeing both scenes when I watched the movie in the theater.



No you didn't.....

I just watched about half of VI, and noticed that a couple of scenes are missing...

Spock, Scotty and Valeris having a conversation together: gone.

The operation presented to the Federation President to rescue Kirk and McCoy: gone.

Why would these be missing? I distinctly remember seeing both scenes when I watched the movie in the theater.

The second one is really dumb, as the assassin at the end of the film is the guy who makes the presentation. With that scene gone, how is someone who has never seen the movie before supposed to know who he is?

The Blu-ray is the original theatrical cut, and this is the first time it's been released on home video ;)

No you didn't.....

Scooby Scooby Doo!!! :D

No you didn't.....

Then why do I recall each scene perfectly?

The BD represents the first time I've owned the film. I never bought it on VHS, LD or DVD.

I saw it on HBO in the early 90s, maybe those scenes were there then?

Then why do I recall each scene perfectly?

The BD represents the first time I've owned the film. I never bought it on VHS, LD or DVD.

I saw it on HBO in the early 90s, maybe those scenes were there then?

Sounds like you're describing the home video version to me so, yeah, maybe that's what HBO ran...

Amazon have just increased the price of the Original Motion Picture Collection to $87.49

Is this in preparation for dropping the set in favour of the full 10 movie collection, or just Amazon's crazy price fluctuations?

I was actually hoping the price would drop.

[Edit]: Amazon have dropped it back to $69.49, this yoyo practice is crazy.

I received this set as a birthday gift but have never really watched more than a few minutes here and their of the television series over the years. Do you need to watch the tv series in order to understand these movies? Also, do most of you guys who like these movies like the Star Trek TNG movies and the new Star Trek 2009 film?

Thanks:)

I'm a big fan of both TOS and TNG. These films pretty much stand on their own. Going into The Motion Picture, understand that Kirk has now been an admiral and the head of Starfleet Ops for a few years, and hasn't been captain of the Enterprise during that time, and that he is using the emergency in the story to get back the Enterprise. Other than that little bit of back story, I think the films generally stand alone well on their own. Having watched the 3 seasons of TOS helps get a richer understanding of the relationship of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, but isn't necessary for enjoying the films.

Then why do I recall each scene perfectly?

The BD represents the first time I've owned the film. I never bought it on VHS, LD or DVD.

I saw it on HBO in the early 90s, maybe those scenes were there then?

Likely the extended version was shown, because as stated, those scenes were NOT in the theatre. Trust. I remember them well because when I viewed the version you saw, those scenes stuck out as eminently removable, the dialogue was too trite and cutesy, the "clean their chronometers" line was pure cinematic anthrax, and the line about the Klingons not shedding a tear (because they don't have tear ducts, per Spock's reply) was interesting, but seemed forced from Scotty.

Star Trek TMP is 30 years old today.

I'm a big fan of both TOS and TNG. These films pretty much stand on their own. Going into The Motion Picture, understand that Kirk has now been an admiral and the head of Starfleet Ops for a few years, and hasn't been captain of the Enterprise during that time, and that he is using the emergency in the story to get back the Enterprise. Other than that little bit of back story, I think the films generally stand alone well on their own. Having watched the 3 seasons of TOS helps get a richer understanding of the relationship of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, but isn't necessary for enjoying the films.

Thanks so much for the explanation.:) I can hardly wait to start watching. If I like the first few I'll order TNG motion pictures and the 2009 movie.

Went into Fry's on the day of release and it was going for $50 and change. I said to myself, it's cheaper on the web...boy, did I lose out on that deal!

I just watched about half of VI, and noticed that a couple of scenes are missing...

Spock, Scotty and Valeris having a conversation together: gone.

The operation presented to the Federation President to rescue Kirk and McCoy: gone.

Why would these be missing? I distinctly remember seeing both scenes when I watched the movie in the theater.

The second one is really dumb, as the assassin at the end of the film is the guy who makes the presentation. With that scene gone, how is someone who has never seen the movie before supposed to know who he is?

These scenes are included on the director's cut of the Special Edition DVD. There is also a Director's Cut of KHAN and, more importantly, on ST:TMP (with improved effects). Unfortunately, the BD releases are just the theatrical cuts, which is why I haven't bought them.

Unfortunately, the BD releases are just the theatrical cuts

Or fortunately, depending on your opinion. For example. VI has never been available in its original theatrical cut on home video, and some people cannot stand the Scooby Doo ending of the director's cut.

These scenes are included on the director's cut of the Special Edition DVD. There is also a Director's Cut of KHAN and, more importantly, on ST:TMP (with improved effects). Unfortunately, the BD releases are just the theatrical cuts, which is why I haven't bought them.

Or fortunately, depending on your opinion. For example. VI has never been available in its original theatrical cut on home video, and some people cannot stand the Scooby Doo ending of the director's cut.

I prefer the original cut of II, it just flows better to me.

As far as TMP goes, yeah the Director's Edition is superior, but I want the option to see them as they were theatrically and Paramount's really bad at seamless branching (Gladiator in fact was authored by Universal).

I prefer the original cut of II, it just flows better to me.

As far as TMP goes, yeah the Director's Edition is superior, but I want the option to see them as they were theatrically and Paramount's really bad at seamless branching (Gladiator in fact was authored by Universal).

Agreed on both here.

I'd buy them if I could get them all individually or they'd use regular Blu-Ray cases in the boxset. I think it's pretty ridiculous that Paramount is only making available certain films in the franchise as individual purchases.

I prefer the original cut of II, it just flows better to me.

Ironically, I prefer the Director's Cut if TWOK for the same reason - that it seems to flow better to me.

Most of the deleted scenes from TWOK are character moments involving the original cast: Scotty's grief at his nephew's death; Kirk and McCoy's exchange about how Kirk tricked Khan; and McCoy and Spock having one of their classical philosophical differences. For a TOS fan, those kinds of scenes are gold and were somewhat lacking in the original cut.

Likewise, the deleted scenes and "Scooby Doo ending" as some call it from Star Trek VI: TUC serve to show just how deep the conspiracy at Starfleet was; they also give explanation to why Col. West was so gung ho to mount the rescue mission and where he ended up, giving a narrative that more neatly ties up any loose ends, in my opinion.

As for Star Trek: TMP, Robert Wise himself stated that the Director's Edition was his preferred cut, so as far as I'm concerned there's really not much more to say on that one. And again, we're treated to some nice character moments with Spock and a sound remix that is much more in keeping with the original show.

Hopefully Paramount will get off its duff and release the Directors Cuts for TMP, TWOK and TUC at some point; I think they'd make a lot of Trekkies very happy.

Ironically, I prefer the Director's Cut if TWOK for the same reason - that it seems to flow better to me.

Most of the deleted scenes from TWOK are character moments involving the original cast: Scotty's grief at his nephew's death; Kirk and McCoy's exchange about how Kirk tricked Khan; and McCoy and Spock having one of their classical philosophical differences. For a TOS fan, those kinds of scenes are gold and were somewhat lacking in the original cut.

Likewise, the deleted scenes and "Scooby Doo ending" as some call it from Star Trek VI: TUC serve to show just how deep the conspiracy at Starfleet was; they also give explanation to why Col. West was so gung ho to mount the rescue mission and where he ended up, giving a narrative that more neatly ties up any loose ends, in my opinion.

As for Star Trek: TMP, Robert Wise himself stated that the Director's Edition was his preferred cut, so as far as I'm concerned there's really not much more to say on that one. And again, we're treated to some nice character moments with Spock and a sound remix that is much more in keeping with the original show.

Hopefully Paramount will get off its duff and release the Directors Cuts for TMP, TWOK and TUC at some point; I think they'd make a lot of Trekkies very happy.

Pretty much how I feel...the more character bits added to TREK are always a plus...after all, that's what the original TV series had to rely so much on. TMP, in particular, needed as much more of it as they could get.

I watched Star Trek V last night and was surprised to hear the sample from Tupac - Pain at the end of the movie... YOU PAIN RUNS DEEP, SHARE IT WITH ME!!!