8.1 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
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.
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce GreenwoodAction | 100% |
Adventure | 93% |
Sci-Fi | 75% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Portuguese, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy (on disc)
BD-Live
Region free
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 5.0 | |
Overall | 5.0 |
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.
Let's see what's out there.
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.
This special Best Buy exclusive edition of Star Trek contains the three-disc Blu-ray set in
addition to a handsome collection of four Starfleet replica insignia badges, one each for command,
medical, science, and engineering. Cast from solid metal and featuring two lapel pins on the back
of each insignia to allow attachment to most any garment, these are sturdy replicas that should
please every Star Trek fan. The pins and Blu-ray package are both housed in a soft black
plastic display case within a cardboard box measuring approximately 11" in length, 7.5" in
height, and 1" in depth. The insignia pins measure approximately 2" in height and 1.5" in width
at their largest portion at the bottom of the "A"-shaped badge.
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 that comes with four sturdy and attractive replica Starfleet insignia badges, this Best Buy exclusive release of Star Trek receives my highest recommendation. Live long and prosper.
3-Disc Digital Copy Special Edition
2009
U.S.S. Enterprise 3-Disc Digital Copy Special Edition
2009
2009
Limited Edition Replica Gift Set
2009
Limited Edition Replica Gift Set
2009
Single Disc
2009
2 Disc Combo Set
2009
Single Disc / Bilingual
2009
2009
2009
Single Disc
2009
2009
2009
2009
(Still not reliable for this title)
IMAX
2013
1982
1984
1991
2016
1996
1998
1986
1989
1977
2014
2009
2002
1994
2013
2002
2013
1966-1969
1999
1983