45 Years Later, “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” Remains One of the Franchise’s Highlights

Among Star Trek fans, there’s an aged joke that only the even-numbered films in the franchise are worth watching. While it’s challenging to dispute the excellence of “The Wrath of Khan” (1982) and “The Voyage Home” (1986), this perspective overlooks the significance of the film that initiated it all: “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” released in 1979. Although fan sentiment towards this sci-fi classic has evolved over time, opinions on this groundbreaking movie remain divided. While one can’t force someone to appreciate something they didn’t enjoy, there are aspects of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” that make a compelling case for the merit of being an odd-numbered entry. On its 45th anniversary, let us revisit and acknowledge all the ways this first Star Trek movie set the bar high.







