The Motion Picture - I remembered it differently...

[JonnyQuest037]

Yes! Probably my favorite passage in the book was at the inital costume fitting. When the actresses in the movie were talking about how tight the new costumes were, Koenig wrote that all of the women in the movie had "superior posteriors".

Maybe he also saw that woman who passes Decker in the corridor, surely one of the more bizarre castings of an extra.

I don't know who you mean here, Therin. Which scene would this have been?

 

[Pauln6]

I actually like the pace in the movie. Stuff didn't move by so fast that you didn't get a chance to even notice what it was. That is one thing about movies today that I really dislike. They mention something big or important or special and when it arrives on screen it is gone two seconds later.

Although I enjoyed the movie and some elements (such as the romance) worked very well, the main thing I disliked about the recent Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy was the pace. I grew up with the radio plays and so much great stuff was wasted in the movie adaptation because it rushes by in the background.

The thing I liked least was the way Zaphod and Ford were so manic, echoing the dappy version of Scotty in the Trek remake. I wonder if it's an American thing? Why can't more US directors take a leaf out of Del Toro's book? Hellboy could be full of manic characters but instead it's very restrained and beautifully characterised. Most non-Americans (well, ok, apart from the Dutch) find manic characters to be offensive and annoying. Jim Carey's Mask and Riddler only got away with it because Carey knows exactly when to dial it back.

So yeah, I love the pace and attention to detail in the early part of TMP. I could probably live without the wormhole scene (a 2-minute scene could have got the message across) and with more humour, more involvement of the supporting cast in the second half, and a landing (or shuttle) party including more than just the big 3 exploring V'ger, and I think the movie would have been improved.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I don't know who you mean here, Therin. Which scene would this have been?

The woman who passes Decker when he confronts Kirk about the transporter deaths. At 27:34 of the theatrical version. It often gets posted in threads here.

 

[JWD75]

TMP is my favorite of all the Trek films. For a film that is thirty years old it amazes me how well the special effects hold up. In none of the other movies, not even Star Trek 09, did the Enterprise look as impressive or as real as it did in TMP.

 

[plynch]

It does try to be serious. Thanks, TMP. 2001 DOESN"T take itself seriously? And how's itzzzzz pacing? (I am pro2001, by the way - I'm just saying.)

I hate Trek stupid-"humor." It's not funny. IMHO of course. And scenery-chewing villains: please, one Kahn was enough.

TMP is a good sci-fi film.

 

[Dukhat]

I don't know who you mean here, Therin. Which scene would this have been?

The woman who passes Decker when he confronts Kirk about the transporter deaths. At 27:34 of the theatrical version. It often gets posted in threads here.

Between not having a copy of the theatrical version handy, and just not feeling up to murking through old thread topics, could you be a bit more specific about the scene?

 

[Mr Radioactive]

In my opinion, The Motion Picture is a stunning film, and I think it's the best representation we have of what Star Trek should be.
The idea in this film of the exploration of human existence is subsequently explored briefly in early TNG, and it isn't mentioned again until All Good Things.... I think this is a tragedy - particularly when you think about what Star Trek has become now.
The Motion Picture was a beautiful, elegant, intelligent film.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Between not having a copy of the theatrical version handy, and just not feeling up to murking through old thread topics, could you be a bit more specific about the scene?

If I could find the still, I'd have posted it. One of the female extras has an extremely wide bottom, with the skintight jumpsuit uniform and harsh camera angle only accentuating everything that was wrong with her figure. That's all.

The idea in this film of the exploration of human existence is subsequently explored briefly in early TNG, and it isn't mentioned again until All Good Things.... I think this is a tragedy - particularly when you think about what Star Trek has become now.

Actually, I think human existence was explored quite often in TNG, often as reflected in other races. What about episodes like "Evolution" (with the nanites), any of the Borg episodes, many of the Data episodes, "The Quality of Life", and so on?

 

[Irishman]

I think part of the problem with TMP is perhaps perception and changing audience tastes over the years. Today and for sometime now we're accustomed to fast paced films particularly Sf works. When I watch TMP I don't feel the flyover is that bad in itself. But today everything is expected to move at at least a brisk clip and perhaps a lot viewers today don't have the patience for how older films unfolded.

No offense meant, just thinking aloud.

I agree. When I first saw the V'Ger flyover, it was more an "Oh my God" moment - the idea that we the audience were exploring this completely alien thing along with the crew - that overcame any sense that it was paced slowly. It was awesome.

It only became a fast-forward segment for me decades after the fact. Why? Maybe because we know it doesn't advance the plot much at all, maybe because we know nothing of consequence happens during it. Who knows?

Maybe a well-done Blu-Ray transfer that enhances the visuals enough to bring back the "wow!" factor would be of interest.

 

[Mr Radioactive]

The idea in this film of the exploration of human existence is subsequently explored briefly in early TNG, and it isn't mentioned again until All Good Things.... I think this is a tragedy - particularly when you think about what Star Trek has become now.

Actually, I think human existence was explored quite often in TNG, often as reflected in other races. What about episodes like "Evolution" (with the nanites), any of the Borg episodes, many of the Data episodes, "The Quality of Life", and so on?

I agree with you on that. I meant the exploration of human existence more in terms of the idea in season 1 that human beings will evolve, and eventually will transcend even the Q. Or the episode where the traveller sends the Enterprise into a part of the galaxy where the crew's thoughts become real. The traveller says that human beings aren't ready for this yet.
In All Good Things... Q tells Picard that the real journey is not mapping stars, but exploring human existence.
I don't mean to criticise TNG because I think it is an amazing show. But I think if a new series is ever made, it should start to develop the ideas that were brought up in The Motion Picture and early TNG.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Or the episode where the traveller sends the Enterprise into a part of the galaxy where the crew's thoughts become real. The traveller says that human beings aren't ready for this yet.

In that case, you should count the next two Traveler episodes ("Remember Me" and definitely "Journey's End"), where he takes Wesley under his wing.

 

[Mr Radioactive]

Or the episode where the traveller sends the Enterprise into a part of the galaxy where the crew's thoughts become real. The traveller says that human beings aren't ready for this yet.

In that case, you should count the next two Traveler episodes ("Remember Me" and definitely "Journey's End"), where he takes Wesley under his wing.

I think the problem for me with Journey's End was that we don't actually see Wesley go on his new journey. We don't know what happens to him, we don't know what he becomes. The ideas in The Motion Picture were never examined properly. The film didn't get a proper sequel - although I loved Star Trek 2,3, and 4, and I loved TNG too.

 

[timelord1010]

I've been hoping for a animated anthology show that could fill in some of the blank spots in Trek Prime history like the time between TMP and WOK, between TUC and TNG, and even what Wesley was doing after Journey's End.

 

[Pauln6]

I've been hoping for a animated anthology show that could fill in some of the blank spots in Trek Prime history like the time between TMP and WOK, between TUC and TNG, and even what Wesley was doing after Journey's End.

Yeah baby - I've always been keen on seeing an animated second 5 year mission for Kirk and his crew ever since we got Weetabix cards, action figures, and little lead figurines teasing us with what might have been. I've even started writing a story (uploaded onto Youtube) using stills from TMP to tell such a story. However, I went a bit further, since I wanted to use Decker and Ilia and experiment with some of the classic aliens from other franchises.

I think NuTrek might have put paid to any hopes of seeing the 'original' crew in animated form for fear of confusing younger viewers that are not familar with the original show. An animated show featuring the NuEnterprise could still be a possiblility but, like Clone Wars, I don't think it's likely until the current set of actors moves on from the movie franchise.

 

[Patrickivan]

Just getting back to the OP comment. I agree. The vger scenes were silly long. I've yet to see any version where it isn't. I understand they wanted to show the enormity of this ship, but it was really pointless.

Hell, I remember when I went to see the movie as a little kid (single digits). I ate too much popcorn. Puked when I got home. Went skiing for the first time the following day.

I wish I could say that nostolgia could help me sit through the whole movie, but I fast forward every ship scene except the initial flyby. That brings a tear to me eye...

 

[Therin of Andor]

I've always been keen on seeing an animated second 5 year mission for Kirk and his crew ever since we got Weetabix cards, action figures, and little lead figurines teasing us with what might have been.

I hope you've read "Ex Machina" by Christopher Bennett!

 

[Pauln6]

I've always been keen on seeing an animated second 5 year mission for Kirk and his crew ever since we got Weetabix cards, action figures, and little lead figurines teasing us with what might have been.

I hope you've read "Ex Machina" by Christopher Bennett!

I bought all the TOS books set post TMP plus the excellent novels set in the 2.5 year gap - I think Traitor Winds was my favourite but Ex Machina and the TWoK novelisation were close runners up. Ex Machina was a proper sequel to TMP, featuring many of the extras from the movie and following up on some of the themes expressed in the TMP novelisation. Surprisingly few novels have been written in the second 5-year mission though.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Ex Machina was a proper sequel to TMP, featuring many of the extras from the movie and following up on some of the themes expressed in the TMP novelisation.

My salute to "Ex Machina":

The "LA Times" syndicated comic strip was soooo cool.

 

[Nero's Shadow]

I have to say I love TMP I like it grandness and how all the crew got back together and that flyby scene and music bloody EPIC I always crank up the volume when it comes to that scene love it when the enterprise is powering up great film pity the story slow but I love it. The DE is good as well pity the TV version is little better more character scenes and bit more fill in .?

 

[Pauln6]

I have to say I love TMP I like it grandness and how all the crew got back together and that flyby scene and music bloody EPIC I always crank up the volume when it comes to that scene love it when the enterprise is powering up great film pity the story slow but I love it. The DE is good as well pity the TV version is little better more character scenes and bit more fill in .?

Yeah, I'd agree that I'd love to see a hybrid version. They produced about 5 versions of Blade Runner so why not? Let's have the tightened pace of DE with all the additional character scenes from the TV version.

I've never seen that comic strip Therin! I did buy some of the Marvel comics in the eighties - some of them were really good. I loved the one where Scotty get beaten up by the Black Annis ooh and where transporter 'ghosts' possess some of the crew. Groovy.