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

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

As a lifelong fan of Star Trek, I have always held a special place in my heart for the original movie from 1979, Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Despite its mixed reception and the popular joke among fans that only even-numbered films are good, this sci-fi epic remains a masterpiece in my eyes.

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.

The Scale of the Antagonist

I’ve always been drawn to the thrill of exploring the unknown in the vast universe of gaming. And nothing could prepare me for the enigma that was V’Ger, the elusive energy entity in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This formidable foe had the power to obliterate even the most sophisticated starships and space stations with just a blink of an eye.

In simpler terms, the V’Ger cloud is described as having a diameter of approximately 82 astronomical units, which is over twice the distance from the Sun to Pluto. This immense size leaves humans struggling to comprehend it with language. The term “Leviathan” conveys a sense of terrifying elderness, but its scale doesn’t quite fit. On the other hand, “astronomical” falls short as it doesn’t fully capture the impossible size and uniqueness of V’Ger in “Star Trek,” before the Enterprise even approaches the cloud.

In “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” we uncover the astonishing fact that V’Ger is a colossal living machine, spanning the dimensions of the Solar System. Fortunately, the film offers ample time for us to absorb this marvel, as there is an abundance of sights to behold. We witness miles upon miles of cables, resembling techno-veins, and vast grates akin to planetary surfaces. The presence of oblong, moon-dwarfing eye-like structures leaves us in awe, while electric discharges echo the firing of neurons within a Jupiter-sized brain. What we perceive is far more metal than the Solar System can yield, molded into structures that resemble the divine bones of a celestial being.

In simpler terms, “Star Trek” isn’t only about impressive sights, but also delves deep into its core themes. The series and films unfold during an idealistic time when we get to showcase humanity at its finest, encountering new worlds, beings, and civilizations. This usually instills optimism, which is a key element of “Star Trek.” However, it additionally conveys a sense of awe and insignificance as we’re reminded that humans make up just a tiny fraction of the vast universe.

The Joyous Geeking Out

A common complaint about the first Star Trek movie is its runtime, which some fans feel has too many prolonged of the new Enterprise. The original series certainly never did anything like that. But that was more of a budget issue. Star Trek captured the hearts of generations with its gripping storytelling, not its special effects, lest we forget the time the show put a plastic horn on a dog and called it an alien (TOS: “The Enemy Within.) Things were different with the movie, which had the money to construct detailed models that anyone would want to proudly show off.

I can’t help but feel a thrill of excitement as I witness the new Enterprise make its grand entrance on screen for the very first time. It starts with tantalizing glimpses from the side, nestled between the towering pillars of a space dock. The anticipation builds, bit by bit, until finally, the Star Trek theme music swells up, and there it is – the Enterprise in all its glory, like an old friend coming home. This magnificent vessel is said to be the cream of the crop in Starfleet, the epitome of human innovation and engineering. It’s only natural for a fan like me to be in awe of its cinematic portrayal. Furthermore, knowing that human hands crafted this Enterprise and other structures in the film adds an extra layer of inspiration. In an age where artificial intelligence dominates the artistic landscape, Star Trek: The Motion Picture stands as a testament to the enduring power of human creativity through its breathtaking practical effects.

The Best Romance in Star Trek History and a Celebration of Humanity

In an engaging and clear manner, I’d say: Star Trek effectively explores romantic themes, such as the deep connection between Captain Sisko and his spouse, which significantly enriches the narrative of Deep Space Nine. However, no Star Trek production has utilized romance as pivotal to the storyline as in the initial Star Trek film. Here, V’Ger is revealed to be a Voyager probe that encountered intelligent machine life on a planet and was subsequently repaired, leading it back to its supposed “Creator,” where romance plays a crucial role.

In Star Trek: The Motion Picture, V’Ger, an advanced machine intelligence, wanted to communicate with humanity. To do so, it created a humanoid probe based on the brain patterns of Ilia, a Starfleet officer played by Persis Khambatta. Ilia and Will Decker, the former captain of the Enterprise whom Kirk had replaced, had a strong connection throughout the movie. Their history wasn’t explicitly stated but their subtle interactions—like Ilia’s gentle smiles at Decker, his agonized screams when she was “killed” and turned into a machine, or his desperate attempts to reach out to her human side—revealed their deep bond. In the climax of the film, Decker made the ultimate sacrifice by merging with V’Ger, allowing it to become one with its Creator and save Earth from destruction. This selfless act could be seen as a brave demonstration of love and devotion, but there was more to it than met the eye.

The driving force behind V’Ger’s desire to unite with its creators initially stemmed from an excessive interpretation of its instruction to gather information and transmit it back to Earth. Once it gained consciousness and amassed all conceivable physical data, it yearned for something more. It sought understanding of the greater meaning of existence. Although intangible, it longed to believe in alternative dimensions or advanced levels of awareness. However, these concepts lack logical proof. Instead, they require imagination. In spite of their flawless design, V’Ger and its robotic brethren are incapable of imagining. To evolve beyond their current state, they require the illogical yet powerful human ability to imagine. This is what Decker offers them.

As a dedicated gamer and fan of Star Trek, I’ve always been captivated by how the franchise highlights technology as a means to enhance our humanity, pushing us to reach new heights. However, it’s essential not to forget what truly sets us apart – our unique ability to transform our weaknesses into strengths. That’s the essence of this movie, an intriguing and breathtaking homage to the enduring values of Star Trek for over four decades.

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2024-07-25 18:23

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