STAR TREK V DIRECTOR´S CUT

[FormerLurker]

The line about the Universal Translator isn't wrong, it's not enough information. Let's say the Translator's version is formal to a degree the Klingons will identify as Starfleet Normal. Even if they follow this suggestion:

Yeah Uhura could have muted the comms, had the computer say the line, switched comms back on, and repeated the line. It's even a Galaxy Quest in-joke.

the Klingons will know it's the Starfleet patented Universal Translator providing the translation, and Enterprise is a sitting duck. Thus, they need to get the books out and translate by hand, as it were. Scotty pointing that out should have contained a reference to needing the books instead, and that's why the line and following scene is clunky.

The real question is, would they have known that on set/while writing the script at the time?

 

[K1productions]

The line about the Universal Translator isn't wrong, it's not enough information. Let's say the Translator's version is formal to a degree the Klingons will identify as Starfleet Normal. Even if they follow this suggestion:

the Klingons will know it's the Starfleet patented Universal Translator providing the translation, and Enterprise is a sitting duck. Thus, they need to get the books out and translate by hand, as it were. Scotty pointing that out should have contained a reference to needing the books instead, and that's why the line and following scene is clunky.

The real question is, would they have known that on set/while writing the script at the time?

Or just use the computer. The screen was right in front of her. English to Phoentic Klingon. So they clearly went to the effort of creating the animated computer graphic, but still felt it necessary to use all the books instead? The scene was intended for comedy, nothing else. And it served to the detriment of all characters involved in the process.

 

[Mytran]

The line about the Universal Translator isn't wrong, it's not enough information. Let's say the Translator's version is formal to a degree the Klingons will identify as Starfleet Normal. Even if they follow this suggestion:

the Klingons will know it's the Starfleet patented Universal Translator providing the translation, and Enterprise is a sitting duck. Thus, they need to get the books out and translate by hand, as it were. Scotty pointing that out should have contained a reference to needing the books instead, and that's why the line and following scene is clunky.

The real question is, would they have known that on set/while writing the script at the time?

While there may be a familiar formality to the "standard" output of the UT, it beggars belief that the Enterprise computer system lacked the resources to switch the translation output to "formal", "informal", "conversational", "regional variation #A" etc.

 

[K1productions]

While there may be a familiar formality to the "standard" output of the UT, it beggars belief that the Enterprise computer system lacked the resources to switch the translation output to "formal", "informal", "conversational", "regional variation #A" etc.

It would still certainly do a better and faster job than thumbing through a bunch of different books on the fly. There is no way in hell they were able to put together proper sentences fast enough to respond that quickly, even with how they were utterly butchering the language.

 

[Pauln6]

It would still certainly do a better and faster job than thumbing through a bunch of different books on the fly. There is no way in hell they were able to put together proper sentences fast enough to respond that quickly, even with how they were utterly butchering the language.

Yeah if they were that rubbish their accent would be terrible. The computer could have given sample accents and could have used fan in-jokes so not only have Uhura repeating the computer, but choosing between northern and southern Klingon accents. Or maybe picking Imperial Klingo

It's even more embarrassing when the Klingon officer in STV had a flawless Federation Standard accent. Not even a hint of French.

 

[Grant]

For me it's the worst scene in the movie and not in the least bit funny as it was intended. And on top of that an insult to Uhura in her last ever appearance. Her frustration at the end of that scene was not acting.

 

[Ssosmcin]

And again, the background players are way over the top. I don't blame Nicky Meyer for the humor, but I do have to lay the overdirection of the background players on his lap. He was so proud of getting Shatner to be so bored as to give more subtle performances, but he forgot to bore his extras.

That guy in engineering is laughable.

 

[K1productions]

And again, the background players are way over the top. I don't blame Nicky Meyer for the humor, but I do have to lay the overdirection of the background players on his lap. He was so proud of getting Shatner to be so bored as to give more subtle performances, but he forgot to bore his extras.

That guy in engineering is laughable.

To be fair, if I got to be an extra on that gorgeous set, I would have the same look on my face.

Two other things about this bother me. First, they couldn't even be bothered to replace (or at least turn off) the TNG-era graphics on the panels in front of them.
Secondly,... why are there CADETS on the ship right now (red means cadet, not commissioned officer)? They aren't on a training cruise. The uniforms they are wearing were introduced BY Nick Meyer, and he forgot everything about them? Further evidenced by him not only giving Valaris a red undershirt (again meaning cadet) but not matching its color to the department color straps on her uniform. He himself said he did this just because it looked good. For a man who apparently loves all the little naval detail, this was an asinine decision to make, messing up the details. Speaking of messed up details, she was "Lieutenant" wearing Lieutenant Commander rank.

 

[Ssosmcin]

To be fair, if I got to be an extra on that gorgeous set, I would have the same look on my face. .

Sure but you cap that stuff at the run through, otherwise:

"Cut. Okay, background, a little less 'face' here. Natural, please. Not so much 'acting.' Okay, let's run it again."

 

[Grant]

Production was way too rushed.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Production was way too rushed.

If this was the only overacting extra, I’d go with that. But they’re all trying to out-Shatner Shatner. Which makes it a directorial decision.

 

[Nightowl1701]

The line about the Universal Translator isn't wrong, it's not enough information. Let's say the Translator's version is formal to a degree the Klingons will identify as Starfleet Normal. Even if they follow this suggestion:

the Klingons will know it's the Starfleet patented Universal Translator providing the translation, and Enterprise is a sitting duck. Thus, they need to get the books out and translate by hand, as it were. Scotty pointing that out should have contained a reference to needing the books instead, and that's why the line and following scene is clunky.

The real question is, would they have known that on set/while writing the script at the time?

I saw TUC in theatres, and that line about the Universal Translator was not in the film then.They dubbed in that line after-the-fact for the video release, presumably after fans (and Nichols!) raised hell about it.

 

[K1productions]

I saw TUC in theatres, and that line about the Universal Translator was not in the film then.They dubbed in that line after-the-fact for the video release, presumably after fans (and Nichols!) raised hell about it.

To be fair, I remember very little about when it was in the theater, except for the fact that the floating blood scared the crap out of 10-year-old me, and all through the battle of Khitomer I was covering my eyes, because I knew at any moment the gravity would go out and Klingons would beam in and start shooting, making more floaty blood.

 

[FormerLurker]

Or just use the computer. The screen was right in front of her. English to Phoentic Klingon. So they clearly went to the effort of creating the animated computer graphic, but still felt it necessary to use all the books instead? The scene was intended for comedy, nothing else. And it served to the detriment of all characters involved in the process.

You didn't even read what I wrote, did you?

I saw TUC in theatres, and that line about the Universal Translator was not in the film then.They dubbed in that line after-the-fact for the video release, presumably after fans (and Nichols!) raised hell about it.

I saw it twice in theaters before Christmas. The line was there both times.

 

[K1productions]

You didn't even read what I wrote, did you?.

I did... perhaps you meant something that I did not pick up from what you said. I just read it again, and I am still not entirely sure what it is I missed. I apologize if I did. That is the one problem with text over voice, as all important vocal inflections are missing.

I saw it twice in theaters before Christmas. The line was there both times.

I do remember the lines. The only time I remember there BEING a line at that particular theater. The lines were so long that they had to assign seats,.. which unfortunately put me and mother in the second row from the front, all the way to the right. And this was before the days of stadium seating (at least, this theater sure didn't have them) so it was a real pain in the neck (literally) to watch the movie from this vantage point

 

[Nightowl1701]

I saw it twice in theaters before Christmas. The line was there both times.

Time does play tricks on memories. I admit I could be wrong, maybe I missed it somehow. I do remember reading the novelization afterward (in that, the universal translator had been sabotaged by Valeris) and thinking 'Oh, that's why they did that!'

 

[Ssosmcin]

Yeah, I'm gonna have to back them up. I saw it multiple times in the theater and when it hit home video, every change jumped out at me. The line was always there to my memory.

 

[Vger23]

I like TFF much more as a Star Trek movie, but I do think the TUC humor is a little more appropriate overall.

 

[K1productions]

I like TFF much more as a Star Trek movie, but I do think the TUC humor is a little more appropriate overall.

The only thing that gives Undiscovered Country the edge for me as a "Star Trek movie" is the still relevant commentary of the end of the cold war. Final Frontier didn't exactly have anything particularly relevant in its commentary.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Shatner’s original message about the power of tele-evangelists was lost a bit. Admittedly,
It wasn’t quite as strong as “the wall coming down in outer space.”