Your favorite movie and why?

[Tesophius]

A straightforward question, what is your favorite STAR TREK movie and why?

Mine is STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE (Lots of spoilers)

It's truly the only ST movie that lives in the realm of the best serious Sci Fi films ever made. Light years ahead of other other Trek. Reasons:

- Idea driven. Compelling, intriguing and somewhat plausible concept. In the early 21st century scientists/inventors/futurists are coming to terms with the understanding that the future of our civilization, and possibly of all others, as noted by the recent change in SETI's strategy, is in merging with the machines. Thus, a planet of intelligent machines is a far more plausible scenario than that of somehow medieval age-like warriors that roam the galaxy. And the ultimate conclusion, the concept of man merging with the machine is more relevant now than in 1979 and definitely more cutting edge than any other ST movie that followed.

- "Mr. Scott, an alien object of unbelievable destructive power is less than three days away from this planet. The only starship in interception range is the Enterprise. Ready or not, she launches in twelve hours."

As V'ger approaches Earth we are kept in a constant sense of urgency, without the cheap use of characters about to die that need to be saved - device.

- Dramatic seriousness. The transporter accident sets the appropriate tone.

- Fantastic visuals. Matched only by the recent reboots, but somehow still more serious.
http://www.arte.tv/sites/olivierpere/files/2013/04/Star-Trek-le-film2.jpg

- Overall aesthetics: uniforms, interior design, lighting - has never been surpassed since. It's futuristic, bright, pristine. None of the "let's turn off the lights to make things seem more dramatic" nonsense.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/16381614937_99aab454c5_b.jpg

- Despite the urgency, TMP maintains a pace that is almost as noble as that of 2001: A Space Odyssey

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- Great Vulcan / Spock moments

All in all, a sophisticated take on STAR TREK that hasn't been attempted since on the big screen.

 

[Armus]

Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It's flawed but of all the films it makes me believe that there really is an Enterprise, and I want to be on that ship, wearing those sleek pastel jumpsuits. James Goldsmith's music has moments of sublime beauty. Of all the films the Kirk in TMP reminds me of the Kirk in TOS, being disciplined, singleminded, and stoical. Having seen all three versions of the film, I enjoy the 143 minute cut the most.

 

[Greg Cox]

The Wrath of Khan, of course: a gripping, compelling, thoroughly entertaining movie that expertly balances adventure, humor, humanity, and old-fashioned sci-fi sense of wonder. Kirk and Spock and the rest of gang at their best, along with knock-out performances by Montalban and Kirstie Alley. I don't know how many times I've rewatched KHAN, but I get caught up in it every time.

Honorable mention: Star Trek IV, aka "the one with the whales." A feel-good movie that always leaves me grinning. (And, in my experience, the Trek movie most likely to be enjoyed by your non-Trekkie friends and relatives.)

 

[donners22]

One from each series - The Undiscovered Country, First Contact and Beyond.

TUC and Beyond are similar in a number of ways, and in particular both manage to capture the fun adventure romp spirit of TOS while demonstrating the progress of humanity through a plot tied to modern issues. The former was a fine sendoff to the original crew; the latter was the film in which their successors truly found their stride.

First Contact just blew me away. It was the only one of the TNG films I was comfortable taking friends to - and goodness knows I took a few, since I saw it half a dozen times in cinemas! It has some of my favourite scenes in Trek, and was one of Stewart's best performances.

 

[Galileo7]

Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It's flawed but of all the films it makes me believe that there really is an Enterprise, and I want to be on that ship, wearing those sleek pastel jumpsuits. Jerry Goldsmith's music has moments of sublime beauty. Of all the films the Kirk in TMP reminds me of the Kirk in TOS, being disciplined, singleminded, and stoical.....

Agree, definitely, The Motion Picture. It does make the viewer become immersed in the believability of Starfleet post-TOS/TAS depiction. The 1701-Refit miniature never looked better on screen then in this film. WOK re-used some of the footage and is impressive in that film too. TMP was Star Trek's 2OO1:A Space Odyssey not Star Wars like the later and latest Star Trek films. All Kirk/Spock/McCoy era [Shatner/Pine] Star Trek films are the ones I most enjoy.

 

[Kor]

Jerry Goldsmith, actually.

Kor

 

[Apparition B5]

Neme... Bwahahahaha, I couldn't even finish typing it out.

In all seriousness, it's a tie between The Undiscovered Country and Beyond. Undiscovered Country for the music, the team-up between the crews of the Enterprise and Excelsior, and the timely theme of the breakdown of the Soviet Union/Klingon Empire. Beyond for the music (again), the timely theme (again) of post-war soldiers integration back into civilian life, righting the course of the Kelvin Timeline from Into Darkness, and the introduction of Jaylah (who I seriously hope we'll see more of).

 

[sbk1234]

Wrath of Khan for me.
TWOK was the Star Trek movie/episode that totally cemented for me my place as a lifelong devoted Trekkie.
Although I did like TMP, TWOK's drama seemed more focused on the characters themselves. Kirk's midlife crisis, his having to face death for the first time, incredibly charismatic villain. And at the time, it wasn't known if Spock was going to come back. I thought it would be forever, so that brought a certain amount of drama that Star Trek hasn't shown me since.

 

[Prax]

I've never been big on the film's, and to this day I've never seen Insurrection, Beyond, or the Entirety of Nemesis or Final Frontier. I was POed when Netflix had ALL the Trek movies except Insurrection. I at least want to see it.

Anyways, the only two I saw as a kid were The Motion Picture when I was 8 or 9, and Generations in the theatre. Generations had so much hype and like many families at the time, we all sat down together to watch TNG each week. Generations was decent. At least I remember really enjoying it in the theatre...

...but the one that is always special and stands out to me is The Motion Picture. I just remember being sucked into the TV and feeling dread, and awe. That scene where Spock goes EVA was scary back then! I was like "Why did he do that?! What's wrong with Spock!? Why's he acting crazy?!"

Good Times... Yeah TMP still feels like one of those timeless classics. It fits well with TOS and some early TNG the way it has that eeriness and wonder. Plus, the actors still look like their TOS selves.

Having seen the other movies only as an adult, I just don't appreciate them as much as I should. I do like them for the most part, but get annoyed that they have to put in extra exposition, hammy dialogue, etc for the wider audience.

 

[TheTraveler]

The Motion Picture.
I tend to prefer my Trek on the more serious side, which this one was. The plot was pure sci-fi imo. No silly whale stuff. I remember waiting in line in the cold fir over an hour to see it when it was first released. It was epic and sweeping on the big screen and the audience was enthralled.

 

[Infern0]

Can't belive TMP is getting so many votes, I can't stand it.

My pick is The Voyage Home, entertainment value is great, it's a simple story but it's incredibly well done and was the peak of Star Trek. Second would be First Contact, I do take issue with the characterization of Picard but as an action/horror/comedy it's incredibly well done.

I prefer the movies that "feel like a movie" rather than ones that feel like a really good 2 part episode.

 

[C57D]

At risk of repeating previous posts, I have to vote for TMP. Sweeping and expansive - it was a truly wonderful return to on-screen Trek. The central characters trinity was firmly in place and consistent with their roles from circa ten years before. And the grand old lady looked good after her "pimping".
Many have commented on and observed story links with 2001 and the Changeling, and I have to agree. But, just as much, to me, are links to The Doomsday Machine and the Immunity Syndrome. Vast, impenetrable, alien "lifeforms" posing a threat to the planets of the UFP. And our heroes having to investigate and examine in order to (eventually) remove the danger.
All in all a great mix of action, weirdness and investigation.
And Kirk, as he should be - decisive, problem solving, in command, and more than a little arrogant! Not the "middle aged crisis" Kirk of TWOK !
If only it had been more successful and we had been gifted with a similarly orientated successor, and not the more action focused one we got. I would have loved to have seen snippets of a new Five Year Mission!

 

[1001001]

Can't belive TMP is getting so many votes, I can't stand it.

Amen. It is the only ST movie I find unwatchable.

As for my favorite, I really can't pick one. Wrath of Khan? Undiscovered Country? Generations? First Contact? Beyond?

 

[The Old Mixer]

I prefer the movies that "feel like a movie" rather than ones that feel like a really good 2 part episode.

That's exactly why many of us like TMP.

 

[JohnChod]

I will also go with The Motion Picture. It has its problems for sure, but the production values were terrific. I'm sure it garners extra points with me because it was the on-screen return of Trek - what we original TV viewers longed for since the end of TOS. Good, albeit derivative, premise with some actual sci-fi aspirations that maintained a sense of wonder and even dread at times. There was the very real thought that this could be a one-time movie, rather than a 'franchise,' and the difficulty in bringing Nimoy back gave rise to thoughts of one or more of our heroes not making it out alive this time.

It is often criticized for a lack of character moments and ignorance of the interplay between the big three being such a key aspect of TOS. However, that fits within the context of the crew being apart - Kirk at the admiralty, Spock on Vulcan, Bones retired. It would make some sense that they wouldn't immediately mesh. Spock being more standoffish than ever fits with the study of the Kolinahr.

I have a soft spot for Star Trek 2009 as well. Again, lots of problems with it, but I saw it as yet another resurrection of the franchise and that earns some points. There were a number of callbacks to TOS that didn't seem forced and I found it to be an enjoyable homage.

 

[Captain of the USS Averof]

For me it's a toss-up between The Wrath of Khan and The Undiscovered Country.

 

[Lucky]

I'll have to go with Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. It was funny and entertaining. The chemistry among the cast was at its peak.

 

[Six of Twelve]

From the Original Trek movies:

Star Trek IV: the time travel, the whales, the humor, and that the 20th century woman got to come to the future.

From the TNG movies:
First Contact: the Borg, Zefrem Cochrane - he wasn't a goody-goody like he was in the original Trek episode, Lily, and again, time travel.

 

[Vorpal_Blade]

TMP for me. I can remember going to the theater as a teenager and watching in wide eyed amazement as my heroes and of course, the Enterprise, appeared on the big screen. I enjoyed the effects, the music, and the acting. It was a great experience for me.

 

[BillJ]

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Trek's imperfect masterpiece. The only film prior to the Abrams films that felt "big", like it belongs on the silver screen. I love the ideas it explores, and getting the gang back together.

Makes me wish we would have gotten Star Trek: Phase II.