Karl Urban's thoughts on TMP are exactly why I have always liked it. It is still the only Star Trek film that stands apart from the rest, just exploration [ of V'Ger ].
But then they ended up pulling out rather quickly when they'd concluded their business. Pshaw. They're all the same once they've got what they want...
You're obviously wrong. The Enterprise would never do such a thing. Its oath of celibacy was on record.
You, sir, have a gift for understatement. Urban's Dredd beats the shit out of many movies. He's perfect in that one and he's great in every other movie I've seen him in, even if the movie sucks he's always a bright spot.
As I recall, he was Cupid on HERCULES and Julius Caesar on XENA. Bastard had Xena crucified . . . twice.
TMP is a great, deep, meditative, beautiful film that gets a lot of undue criticism. In my not-so-humble opinion, The Motion Picture achieved what 2001: A Space Odyssey set out to do; and gave us a film that was not only profound and thought provoking, but entertaining. The film can be read and interpreted in many ways, but I've always interpreted a part of it as an allegory on the 1970s. This was the decade in which everyone was seeking something - to find meaning in chaos. The "Me" Decade. Spock sought to find meaning on Vulcan, and grew his hair long - hoping to find equilibrium by making himself whole (by removing his troublesome human half); Kirk sought a higher purpose in joining Starfleet's command; McCoy in returning home, growing a beard, and becoming a down-home country doctor. But for all of these men, these journeys into the interior proved wanting - Kirk grew restless behind a desk; Spock knew, deep down, his emotions were a help - not a hindrance - and McCoy knew, for all his rebelliousness, that his true home was with Starfleet. This can be seen as an allegory for the ending of the Hippie era as the 70s ended and we moved into the 1980s. A hopeful film which saw a family reunited, released during questioning times. This surreal journey brought this team from their respective sojourns to the place they truly belonged - alongside each other.
I have always felt that Star Trek:The Motion Picture is Star Trek's 2001:A Space Odyssey. It is the only Star Trek film that stands apart from the rest, just exploration of the unknown [ of V'Ger ] like 2001's exploration of the large monolith near Jupiter. Both films have slow pacing for their own serious narrative style and both have visually stunning production design, i.e., miniatures/models, sets, special vfx.
Caesar (played by Urban) was a recurring villain on XENA--until Xena had him assassinated, of course.
I'd say the opposite. The slow tempo for the V'ger approach works as a way to build tension and emphasise the spectacle of the new, whereas for the rest of the movie the pace is just too slow. I mean, every shot is held way too long, and there's too much "shoeleather" (showing how things get from a to b). Anyway, Urban is obviously a serious Trek fan, which means we need to revoke his "cool" credentials. You know what they say: once is a misfortune, twice looks like carelessness.
Not too long ago, when I was a fledgling trekkie, still learning the ropes and not yet having explored the universe outside of TOS, (although incredibly addicted to TOS) I tried to find all the movies on DVD. I could only ever find 2 through 6. The 1st movie wasn't available anywhere. I believe this was done on purpose so people would buy the box set. And the box sets I could find at the time we're Blu Ray. I was yet to buy a Blu Ray player. I'd seen the rest of the films many times, and felt ripped off. Finally I came into some money one day. I bought myself a Blu Ray player and a huge new tv. The first purchase was that box set to test it out on. I had a hard time explaining to my brother why the first thing I'd want to watch on it would be such an old movie that wouldn't be nearly as high Def as most other options. When I got home and hooked it up we watched it on the new tv together. Two mid 20s 6 foot men sitting on a blanket, about 5 feet from the tv like we used to when we watched Saturday morning cartoons when we were kids. I remember the space sequences looking just fantastic. It's a cherished memory of mine. Although it's not my favorite star trek movie, it's my favorite moment I've ever had while watching trek. I think STTMP is the only trek film that really allows that kind of experience. It's a beautiful film, and a great choice from Urban.
On the other hand, when the Enterprise first penetrates V'ger, we are left kind of bored, really, because we're simply given long, loving looks at unfamiliar Abstract Art. And Spock's not a damn bit of help ... "the purpose of this structure is unknown. Composition? ... unknown." So, we're left to examine this Abstract Art, reason out what it's probably made of ... how large the practical model probably is ... and ascertain whether, or not, Syd Mead was the Artist involved. It's like being at an Art Show. And instead of viewing it all with a critical eye, we see the bridge crew making facial expressions which don't coincide. Sulu looks on with eyes wide, jaw agape ... is he offended? We get to see what he's looking at and it's like ... what was that look for? What's it all about?
Urban gets it. And, anyone who thinks the film drags during V'Ger exposition isn't enjoying Maestro Goldsmith's excellent score. Hell, I'd happily watch 3 more hours of V'Ger flyover if his music accompanied it. You could never make TMP today. No space battle. No fights. No villain. I couldn't imagine any studio buying that kind of concept now.
Combined TMP and TWOK encompass all of the pontential of Star Trek stories. From the pure meditative science fiction of TMP that uses outer space to explore the human condition to TWOK that uses a tale of vengeance loaded with melodrama to, again delve deeply into the human condition. Really, they are the perfect counterpoints to each other.
Throw in TVH to represent the lighter side of life (and STAR TREK) and you have an even fuller spectrum . . . . "The Human Comedy is only beginning . . . ."
what gave it the bad name was really the last 30 mins. Even the director's cut couldn't really address that. But the entire story is just as fantastic as Urban, bless his heart, describes it. Love him for expressing it...
Loving that image of your brother and you replicating your kiddie pose on the blanket. My brother and I did the very same with TMP!