Star Trek Blu-ray truly is a masterpiece with perfect scores all around making it a contender for best Blu-ray ever
The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk, is a delinquent,
thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock, a Vulcan, was raised in a logic-based society
that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful
partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly
going where no one has gone before. The human adventure has begun again.
You are fully capable of deciding your own destiny.
As it has since September 8, 1966 with the debut of "The Man Trap" on
NBC that marked the beginning of the greatest and one of the longest-lasting Science
Fiction franchises in the history of filmed entertainment, "Star Trek" once again boldly goes,
this time to where it has never gone before in the span of 43 years, six television series,
and 10 feature films. In 2009, a new film with a new cast portraying old favorites returned to
the series' roots to explore strange new worlds populated not by new civilizations but more
complex and understandably functional sets and wondrous special effects that improve not
on the spirit but certainly the look and feel of the old classics while delivering a film that at
once both satisfies the demands of longtime fans and welcomes newcomers eager to accept
this version of "Star Trek" that doesn't break the mold but instead reshapes it to fabulous
effect. Smartly and effortlessly blending the new with the old, maintaining the spirit of
series creator Gene Roddenberry's vision but at the same time providing to the material a
fresh and modern approach, Director J.J. Abrams' ("Lost") Star Trek is more than a summer
blockbuster; it's a rekindling of an important milestone in Science Fiction while at the same
time boldly plotting a new course towards a limitless, fascinating, and exciting universe of
possibilities.
The Grandeur of the Galaxy.
Stardate 2233.04. The U.S.S. Kelvin is destroyed by a large and technologically
advanced
vessel, the event promising to forever alter the course of the unwritten yet destiny-driven
history
ahead. Several years later in Iowa, a young James Tiberius Kirk (Jimmy Bennett) is depicted
as a
renegade, a boy living on the edge, willing to disobey orders and rules should it suit his
fancy.
Meanwhile, on the planet Vulcan, a young Spock (Jacob Kogan) is ridiculed by his peers for
his
half-Vulcan, half-human heritage, demonstrating his susceptibility to emotional outbursts.
As
young adults, Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) soon find their destines forever
entwined. Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood)
convinces the still-restless and uncontrolled civilian, Kirk, to enlist in Starfleet, seeing his
potential
underneath the rough
exterior. While at Starfleet Academy, Kirk meets his future friend, Leonard "Bones" McCoy
(Karl
Urban) and potential love interest, Communications officer Lt. Uhura (Zoë Saldana).
Starfleet
graduate and now-Commander Spock challenges Kirk's ability as a potential officer when
Kirk
cheats
a simulated test meant to examine the mettle of Starfleet Captains under the stress of sure
failure
and death, but the hearing is prematurely canceled when a distress call is received from
Spock's
home planet of Vulcan. Though Kirk is not assigned to a vessel, Dr. McCoy uses his position
as a
ranking medical officer aboard the Federation's flagship -- the U.S.S. Enterprise -- to
bring his friend on-board. When a groggy but aware Kirk learns that the phenomena
appearing
above Vulcan is described similarly to that which preceded the destruction of the
Kelvin,
a ship to which Kirk has ties, he convinces both Captain Pike and Commander
Spock that the event may actually be a Romulan ambush. Kirk's instincts are proven correct,
and the Romulan vessel, Captained by a man named Nero (Eric Bana) reveals its true
intentions,
setting in motion a series of events that threatens the existence of the Federation and
jeopardizes the destiny of Starfleet's best.
The biggest challenge facing a reboot of Star Trek -- particularly on this scale -- was
threefold: the necessary re-casting of iconic characters, the re-design of the
Enterprise,
and the explanation as to the hows and whys of the differences between the 2009 edition
of
Star Trek and the long-established and cherished history of the people, places, and
things
of years past. Abrams' vision succeeds at each level. While the film might have gotten away
with little-to-no regard for the latter -- the explanation for the altered reality -- the film not
only
explains it away but also integrates the reason into the film as the primary plot device. The
film
states -- and the crew acknowledges -- their existence in an altered reality shaped by future
events which, as depicted in the film, logically alter the past. Considering "Star Trek" has
dabbled
in alternate timelines and realities before -- notably in the Original Series second season
episode "Mirror, Mirror" and again
in
both "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Star Trek: Enterprise" -- the notion seems as
legitimate
now as it was then. In addition, this is not the first time that "Star Trek" has seen itself
drastically altered. With Director Nicholas Meyer's Star Trek II: The Wrath of
Khan, "Trek" took a turn towards the militaristic, with stricter adherence to military
custom, dress, rank, and terminology, not to mention delivering more in the way of
dangerous
and exciting action pieces. If fans can enjoy both Roddenberry's more utopian vision and
Meyer's
more traditionally militaristic visions equally, why not Abrams', too, considering his masterful
job
of exploring both sides equally in Star Trek, mentioning Starfleet's purpose of being a
"humanitarian and peacekeeping armada" while at the same time including plenty of action
and
cementing it all in a decidedly militaristic structure.
Through it all, however, Star Trek is a film about destiny. Abram's picture posits that,
despite the changes made to the "Star Trek" timeline, there is an aura of destiny about the
NCC-1701 Enterprise and her famed crew, not to mention other, smaller, but no less
important touches that find their way into the film that serve not only to please fans and
maintain some continuity but reinforce the idea that some things are inevitable. In that
regard,
both the characters and the ship require a strong resemblance to those which first
appeared in
1966, and
while there is no mistaking that for Abrams' Star Trek, the similarities are perfectly
maintained while providing a new identity for the 2009 rebirth. The Enterprise
retains
her basic shape, with an elevated saucer section, warp nacelles protruding from the hull in
"V"
formation and located behind the saucer, and a deflector array at the front of the hull and a
shuttle bay in the rear. It's more streamlined and slick, a design characteristic reflected in
the
interior
bridge, corridor, and transporter room settings as well. The interior of the ship is
dramatically
clean and bright, with white the primary color. It's almost organic, a design reflected in the
technology implemented in the view screens and the data they display. No longer is the
bridge
made up of a jumble of clunky buttons as seen in the Original Series or the flat and
seemingly
unintuitive LCARS design of "The Next Generation." Here's it's something more readily
identifiable to 2009 audiences (something "Enterprise" did very well) despite its complex
structure. The computers require skill and speed to operate; no longer can the crew
lock on to a signal for transport or engage the warp drive with the simple press of a button.
It
takes smarts and precision handiwork to operate the Enterprise, and by extension,
that
elevates the importance of her crew. In addition, the Enterprise is dotted by small
but
crucial details that make it a more believable vessel in both function and purpose; the
bridge,
transporter room, and turbolifts feature warning labels, for instance, and the transporter
actually
appears with a military designation (M-6110 in this case). Such details bring the ship to life
like
never before, giving it its own purpose and identity but at the same time merely updating
and
upgrading the ship for 2009 and beyond. Additionally, viewers will appreciate the finer
touches
that truly make Star Trek a film that speaks to, rather than alienates, longtime fans.
The Kobayashi Maru test plays a crucial role in the film, "Admiral" Archer's beagle is
mentioned,
and yes, even a "red shirt" bites the dust in Star Trek.
Most importantly, Star Trek features a cast that might not absolutely resemble the
actors that played in Gene Roddenberry's original "Star Trek," but they each understand not
only
their character's mannerisms but also the importance to the fan base to portray them with a
dignity
and compassion for the source material and the unique performances that made the
characters
so memorable. In fact, the filmmakers have integrated additional character traits into the
story
for both dramatic and humorous effect, and the script's understanding of the complexities of
the
characters further allows the actors to effectively portray them as fans demand. For
instance,
Sulu's (John Cho) prowess with the blade is utilized in one of the film's pivotal action
sequences.
Chekov (Anton Yelchin) struggles with the pronunciation of the letter "v" in what is the film's
funniest scene. Actor Karl Urban delivers the closest approximation of his character through
his
effort as Dr. McCoy; the speech patterns, the catch phrases, and his attitude towards Spock
make
for an almost uncanny resemblance to what DeForrest Kelley did with the character. Bruce
Greenwood's portrayal of Captain Pike steals the show; he's superb throughout, and his
character, too, winds up reinforcing the film's themes of destiny as well as any other with a
simple but highly effective nod to the "Star Trek" universe when all is said and done. Zoë
Saldana's Uhura undergoes the most noticeable change from 1966 to now. She's scripted
as a
more important character with an attitude and surprise revelation that breaks the norms of
established "Trek" lore but fit in nicely with the entirety of the film. Even Ben
Cross as Spock's father Sarek turns in an excellent performance; not only does he
somewhat
physically resemble Mark Leonard, but he steals every scene he is in, most of which are
highly-charged and emotionally-driven, which only proves the actor's ability to fully immerse
himself as an emotionless Vulcan. Zachary Quinto both looks and acts the part of
Commander
Spock. Spock proves the most pivotal character in the film; his half-Vulcan, half-human
heritage
plays a crucial role in the movie, and his ability to command his half-human side proves vital
to
the
outcome of the story. Quinto makes for the best
Vulcan since Leonard Nimoy, fully understanding not only what it means to be Vulcan but
also
what it
means to be Spock. As James T. Kirk, Chris Pine might be just a bit too rambunctious, but
as the film develops, shades of William Shatner emerge, culminating with a scene at the end
of
the film that's unmistakably Kirk that longtime "Star Trek" veterans will immediately note in
what is nothing but a simple look on the face and motion of the body. There's not a bad
performance to be found, and more importantly, there's not a badly-interpreted character in
the
film. This crew meshes about as well as the old crew, and given that this is their first go-
round
together, it
seems destiny has more in store for them than simply one great film.
Finally, it's important to note just how strong the production is from top to bottom. J.J.
Abrams'
visual style fits in wonderfully with the tone, story, and themes of the film, not to mention
the
approach that nicely compliments the set design. The extensive use of lens flare might
distract
some, but it reinforces the bright interior of the Enterprise, which also plays in stark
contrast to the ugliness of the Romulan vessel and the urgency and sadness that play
crucial to
the crux of the film. Abrams' approach to the material is respectful and graceful, but also
aggressive. There may not be a dry eye in the house after the film's opening sequence
plays out,
and there won't be an unsatisfied viewer insofar as the choreography of the action and its
place
in the resolution of the film's story. In addition, Star Trek's humor never falls flat or
overwhelms the picture in any way. In fact, it generally enhances the tone, pace, and
urgency of
the film and the development of the story and its characters. Star Trek also delivers
impeccable special effects. The ship and the
action both are superbly realized in the digital realm, and there is no single effect that
appears as
anything less than perfect. Star Trek is perhaps the current pinnacle of special
effects;
they may not be as complex as those found in Transformers: Revenge of
the
Fallen, but for sheer immersion, attention to detail, and absolute seamlessness,
they
don't come any better. Last but not least, Michael Giacchino's score is elegant, strong, and
endearing. Like the film, it enjoys its own identity but listeners familiar with the broad range
of
music found in the "Star Trek" universe will note subtle similarities that allow it to nicely
integrate with the works of Alexander Courage, Jerry Goldsmith, Dennis McCarthy, and
others.
Star Trek beams onto Blu-ray with a mesmerizing 1080p, 2.39:1-framed transfer.
Whether live-action people and sets or purely digital effects shots, Star Trek never
fails to
dazzle with its impeccable detail that's clearly extraordinary from the get-go. In fact, and
save for
one or two very minor issues, there may not be a better or more natural-looking Blu-ray out
there. Facial detail, which makes for one of the first truly startling images when the camera
focuses on the face of the U.S.S. Kelvin's Captain, reveals such intricate nuances in
pores
and the shadow of facial hair that the screen seems more like a window than a source
displaying
filmed images. Strong detail is evident in every corner of the frame; whether wear-and-tear
on
the exterior of the Starfleet shuttle that transports Kirk and McCoy to the Academy, the
gritty
and grimy interior of Nero's vessel, the clarity of the characters and words that appear on
the
Enterprise's display screens, or the texture of Starfleet uniforms, viewers will never
find
reason for concern with the intricate level of fine detail on display in practically every frame.
The
film isn't particularly awash in color, though it's nicely realized throughout. The red, blue,
and
yellow uniforms worn by the crew of the Enterprise and the ship's streamlined white
and
blue interior make for the most notable colors in the film, but the red convertible driven by a
young
Kirk, the lush green fields of Iowa, the earth tones of Vulcan, and the maroon colored
Starfleet
uniforms as seen primarily during Kirk's inquest all appear as natural and beautifully
rendered.
Blacks are marvelously deep and inky, and flesh tones retain a neutral shade throughout.
Only
one shot near the end of the film appears soft, but otherwise, Star Trek appears
crisp
and sharp in every frame. The transfer also features a very fine layer of grain that's never
really
noticeable but completes a perfect film-like transfer. About the only fault here is that
Star
Trek almost demands a huge screen to appropriately soak it all in, and for those that
saw
this spectacle unfold theatrically, it just feels a bit tiny on anything but the largest of
displays.
Star Trek warps onto Blu-ray with a startling Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack.
Though the soundtrack might not be as loud and powerful as some might have hoped for,
it's a
wonderful listen that strives for a more realistic tone rather than an unnaturally aggressive
mix.
Precise and clear throughout, nary a moment passes where either high-octane action or
subtle
atmospherics don't make for a satisfying sonic experience. Indeed, the track excels when it
comes to minor ambience; turbolift doors slide open naturally and effortlessly across the
front half
of the soundstage, and shuttlecraft fly about the listening area with a subtle zoom that
doesn't
overpower the listener but instead transports them into the middle of the action. Michael
Giacchino's music enjoys exceptional clarity throughout the entire range, and it nicely blends
into
the rear channels. In fact, the back channels are in consistent use; even when not
delivering
powerful action effects or music, they immerse the listener in subtle activity that truly brings
the
film to life. Whether beeps and blips on the bridge of the Enterprise or background
voices
in the Vulcan school seen early in the film, these and other sound effects enjoy precise
balance in
both volume and position. Of course, the soundtrack explodes when the action intensifies.
Whether a strong low end accompanying a bar scene in chapter three or various explosions
during the battles between the Kelvin or the Enterprise and Nero's vessel,
listeners will enjoy a robust yet tight low end that's never too aggressive or too relaxed.
Phaser
blasts feature a solid pulsating effect, and when the blasts impact metal surfaces, there's a
wonderful thudding sensation that seems to reverberate throughout the listening area.
Star
Trek delivers a rousing, entertaining, and highly effective sound mix through the entire
range, from the most energetic sound effects to the most subtle atmospherics. Rounded out
by
consistently strong dialogue reproduction, Star Trek makes for one of the absolute
best
soundtracks yet on Blu-ray.
Star Trek materializes onto Blu-ray with a fascinating and massive collection of extras
spread across three discs. Disc one's primary extra is a feature-length commentary track
with
Director J.J. Abrams, Producers Bryan Burk and Damon Lindelof, and Writers Alex Kurtzman
and
Roberto Orci. The track is immediately identifiable as affable and easygoing, but at the same
time
full of fascinating insights into the film. They begin by speaking on the year-and-a-half
discussion
as to how to open the film and the importance of continuity and "Star Trek" canon. The
commentary moves on for a strong discussion on the importance of editing to not only
pacing but
also
the strength of the story, a theme that runs throughout the commentary. Also discussed is
set
creation
and design, character dialogue, the film's connection to the
storytelling methods of Star Wars, costume design, the importance of the Kobayashi
Maru, the many digital effects, the performances of the cast and character development, and
much more. This is a fabulous commentary that grabs the attention and never lets up. Also
included is BD-Live functionality that, at time of publishing, provides an RSS feed of the
latest news from the NASA website.
Disc two features the bulk of the supplemental material. Things begin with To Boldly
Go
(1080p, 16:41), a piece that allows for branching to additional content as the piece plays
(also
accessible from the main menu screen). This is
a good overview piece that features the cast recalling the massive challenge of rebooting
the
"Star
Trek" universe, making Star Trek for fans and newcomers alike, the crew's varying
degrees of "Star Trek" fandom, casting the roles, the Kirk and Spock relationship that serves
as
the core of the movie, the participation of a "Star Trek" legend, the subtle touches
incorporated
to please the hardcore fan base, and more. The additional content -- called "Branching
Pods" --
include The Shatner Conundrum (1080p, 1:58), Red Shirt Guy (1080p, 0:43),
The Green Girl (1080p, 3:25), and Trekker Alert! (1080p, 2:22).
Casting (1080p, 28:53), as the name implies, looks at the importance of re-casting
the
iconic "Star Trek" characters and the process of allowing them to make the characters their
own
while simultaneously recalling the performances of yesterday's crew. The piece takes its
time
introducing each actor, the character they portray, and the traits that make their efforts
both
unique and in-line with established "Star Trek" lore. A New Vision (1080p, 19:31)
looks at the influence of Star Wars' pacing on the film, making the film seem "real,"
the
use of on-set special effects when possible, the sets and shooting locations, shooting on
film and
with anamorphic lenses, the use of lens flare in the film and placing them digitally into the
effects
shots, shooting some of the more hectic "camera-shaking" effects, some of the innovative
tricks
used during the shoot, and the strengths J.J. Abrams brought to the film. The "Branching
Pod"
sequence accompanying A New Vision is Savage Pressure (1080p, 3:08).
Starships (1080p, 24:33) focuses on the design of the ships seen in the film, both
interior
and exterior. It looks at the importance of creating the right look based on the established
"Star
Trek" timeline but also updating them for 2009 and utilizing more modern equipment and
making use of the larger budget not afforded to the original television show. The piece
focuses
primarily on the U.S.S. Kelvin; the U.S.S. Enterprise and her size, "hot rod"
design, shooting locations that doubled for her bowels, and the design of the bridge; and
Neros'
Narada. "Branching Pods" for this feature include Warp Explained (1080p,
1:22), Paint Job (1080p, 1:14), Bridge Construction Accelerated (1080p,
1:18),
The Captain's Chair (1080p, 0:45), Button Acting 101 (1080p, 1:44),
'Narada' Construction Accelerated (1080p, 1:20), and Shuttle Shuffle (1080p,
1:46). Next up is Aliens (1080p, 16:30), a look at the various aliens seen in the film
and
the people that played them, including a crew member on the Kelvin, patrons at the
bar,
characters at Kirk's inquest, an Enterprise crew member, Scotty's sidekick, Vulcans,
Romulans, and purely digital characters. "Branching Pods" for this piece include The Alien
Paradox (1080p, 1:40), Big-Eyed Girl (1080p, 1:25), Big Bro Quinto
(1080p, 1:26), Klingons (1080p, 1:57), and Drakoulias Anatomy 101 (1080p,
1:35).
Moving on, Planets (1080p, 16:10) looks at the locations, sets, and special effects
that
double for alien worlds and futuristic locations, both interior and exterior settings. Locations
examined include Vulcan, Delta Vega, a Federation shuttle hangar, Starfleet Academy, a
futuristic
San Francisco, and Iowa. "Branching Pods" for this supplement include Extra
Business
(1080p, 2:29) and Confidentiality (1080p, 2:45). Next up is Props and
Costumes (1080p, 9:22), a look at the design of the updated phasers, communicators,
tricorders, Uhura's earpiece and earrings, Starfleet uniforms, and Vulcan and Romulan
costumes.
The "Branching Pod" segment for this extra is Klingon Wardrobe (1080p, 1:08). The
next feature is Ben Burtt and the Sounds of 'Star Trek' (1080p, 11:45), a fascinating
glimpse into the world of sound design and the importance of sound effects to both film in
general
and "Star Trek" in particular. Burtt discusses his love for the sound effects of the original
"Star
Trek" series and how those influences carried over into the new film. Remaining with that
same
theme, Score (1080p, 6:28) features Composer Michael Giacchino discussing the
retention of Alexander Courage's original theme and its place in the film as well as his own
work
that makes up the bulk of the score.
Gene Roddenberry's Vision (1080p, 8:47) features J.J. Abrams, Michael and Denise
Okuda, Rick Berman, Nicholas Meyer, and others looking back at "Star Trek's" creator and his
vision for the future, particularly as it was influenced by the era in which he created the
franchise. Next up is a collection of nine deleted scenes (1080p) with optional commentary
by
J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindoff. Scenes include Spock
Birth
(1:52), Klingons Take Over Narada (0:46), Young Kirk, Johnny, and Uncle
Frank
(1:36), Amanda and Sarek Argue After Spock Fights (0:38), Prison Interrogation
and
Breakout (3:08), Sarek Gets Amanda (0:22), Dorm Room and Kobayashi Maru
(Original Version) (3:59), Kirk Apologizes to the Green Girl (0:54), and Sarek
Sees Spock (0:12). Next is Starfleet Vessel Simulator, an interactive piece that
shows both the Enterprise and the Narada in a three-dimensional
environment with clickable options that reveal text-based facts about the vessels. Rounding
out
this impressive collection of extras on disc two is a gag reel (1080p, 6:22) and four trailers:
"Teaser" (1080p, 1:18), "The Wait is Over" (1080p, 2:14), "Prepare for the Beginning"
(1080p,
2:17), and "Buckle Up" (1080p, 1:03).
Finally, disc three of this set features both a playable demo version of the video game
Star
Trek D-A-C and a digital copy of the film. Replayed on a second-generation iPod touch,
the
quality of both the video and audio are suitable, though not necessarily as good as the best
digital
copy transfers that have come before it. Detail is fine, colors are a bit dull, and fairly heavy
blocking and banding are evident throughout. The audio, too, is decent but lacks a fuller,
more
robust presentation. Dialogue is strong but sound effects don't always enjoy the level of
clarity
associated with the better digital copy soundtracks. Regardless, it's good enough to enjoy
on a
long car trip, plane ride, hotel room, or voyage across the galaxy at warp speed.
Star Trek is an extraordinary film on every level. Satisfying both longtime fans and
tepid
newcomers alike to the series, Director J.J. Abrams' vision of Gene Roddenberry's future is a
dazzling
achievement of filmmaking, special effects, and story, not to mention a perfect rekindling of a
sadly
dormant franchise. While Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg,
John
Cho, and Anton Yelchin will never replace William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForrest Kelley,
Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, George Takei, and Walter Koenig, there is no doubt they
can
co-exist. With an impeccable cast; wonderful special effects; a dramatic, far-reaching, and
emotional story that doesn't rely on action but rather integrates it perfectly into the film;
infectious
humor; and spot-on odes to the original stories and characters that define the "Star Trek"
universe,
2009's Star Trek is a passionate rebirth, a resurrection for the ages, and it boldly
and confidently goes where "Star Trek" must to endure. Paramount's Blu-ray release of
Star
Trek is, like the film, mesmerizing. Featuring impeccable picture and sound quality, not
to
mention a complete, thoroughly informative, and consistently entertaining supplemental
package,
Star Trek receives my highest
recommendation. Live long and prosper.
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