The Captains Collection Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

The Captains Collection Blu-ray Movie Review

THERE...ARE...FIVE DISCS!

Reviewed by Randy Miller III February 4, 2023

William Shatner's Star Trek-themed interview series The Captains features intimate conversations with several of the franchise's most beloved main and supporting members. In total, it includes four medium to full-length documentaries: "The Captains" (1:36:11), "The Captains Close-Up" (2:28:19), "Chaos on the Bridge" (59:14), and "Get a Life" (58:18). Shout Factory's four-disc standard Blu-ray served up all four documentaries and a handful of lightweight bonus features on each disc. Also available (and exclusive to Shout Factory's online store) is this Special Edition -- limited to just 2,000 copies and still available, as of this writing -- which adds an exclusive fifth Blu-ray disc with a bonus William Shatner music-themed documentary, Gonzo Ballet, and even more extended interviews for die-hard Trekkies.

For an overview and appreciation of all four documentaries included as the main feature on this set, please read Martin Liebman's review of the standard Blu-ray. It's a solid production that fans of William Shatner, Sir Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Chris Pine, and other Star Trek mainstays are sure to enjoy.

The Captains Collection Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Since the primary discs in this set are 100% identical to Shout Factory's standard Blu-ray edition, please read that linked review for Martin Liebman's thoughts on its 1080p transfers of all four documentaries.

The Captains Collection Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Similarly, please read that earlier review for a critique of The Captains Collection's DTS-HD 5.1 and 2.0 Master Audio mixes. English (SDH) subtitles are included during the main features and all extras (including the new ones).

The Captains Collection Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This five-disc release ships in a keepcase with design elements similar to the standard edition; the only differences are a yellow "Special Edition" banner, new content listed on the back cover art, and of course a bonus disc in its own hub. Considering the price differential and limited nature of this release, perhaps some new cover artwork, additional printed goodies, or even individual numbering would've helped to make it feel like a more premium upgrade.

As mentioned earlier, all four movie discs include their own assortment of bonus features, which are all outlined in Martin Liebman's review of the standard Blu-ray. The exclusive bonus disc includes the following extras.

• William Shatner's "Gonzo Ballet" Documentary (50:44) - One of the most unlikely but memorable musical collaborations in recent decades happened when Shatner -- 36 year after The Transformed Man -- teamed with multi-instrumentalist Ben Folds for Has Been, a 2004 pop album where Shatner ruminated on life, love, and loss. (Their first collaboration actually occurred on Folds' little-known 1999 side project, Fear of Pop.) Surprisingly, Has Been -- including its lead-off cover of Pulp's "Common People", "It Hasn't Happened Yet", "Together", and other songs -- was made into a 2009 ballet by choreographer Margo Sappington, whose development and production are chronicled during this fun lo-fi documentary, as is the inception of the album. Interview clips with Shatner, Sappington, Ben Folds, Henry Rollins, and others are included, as is ballet rehearsal footage.

• "Gonzo Ballet" Trailer (2:54)

• Extended Interviews - These ten interview segments, featuring key cast and crew members from several different Star Trek incarnations, broaden the length and subject matter covered during their shorter counterparts that appeared on both The Captains and Chaos on the Bridge.

• Walter Koenig (10:56) - "Pavel Chekov" speaks candidly about meeting William Shatner for the first time, his work on Star Trek: The Original Series, Bill's on-set behavior, transitioning to films, and more.
• Grace Lee Whitney (14:56) - "Yeoman Janice Rand" speaks about her character's history through several different Star Trek TV and film incarnations (including a few promotions), and her other work.
• Gary Lockwood (16:38) - Although best known for his role in 2001: A Space Odyssey, he's known in in the Trek universe as "Gary Mitchell" from TOS Season 1 episode "Where No Man Has Gone Before".
• Sally Kellerman (3:59) - "Elizabeth Dehner" from "Where No Man Has Gone Before" speaks briefly about her time on Trek's second pilot, including working with Gary Lockwood.
• Patrick Stewart (18:13) - "Captain Jean-Luc Picard" speaks eloquently about such diverse topics as his early years on Star Trek: The Next Generation, a staunch protest of Good Morning America's attempts to film on the TNG set, reflecting on other highlights during his career, and more.
• Maurice Hurley (34:30) - This in-depth interview with Star Trek: TNG's late, great showrunner (1987-89) covers a surprising amount of ground, touching upon his other TV work but mostly focusing on the challenges of writing and producing episodes of a show still struggling to find its own identity.
• Ira Steven Behr (12:53) - The purple-goateed TNG writer/producer (1988-89) speaks with Shatner about turbulence during the show's third season, dealing with Gene Roddenberry, and more.
• Melinda Snodgrass (22:02) - Another casual sit-down chat with Shatner, the TNG writer and story editor (1989-90) speaks enthusiastically about writing the fan-favorite episode "The Measure of a Man", working with Maurice Hurley and Ira Behr, her lifelong love of the franchise, and other topics.
• Jeffrey Katzenberg (14:25) - Shatner enjoys an outdoor chat with the former Paramount executive, specifically about his involvement in Star Trek: The Motion Picture's turbulent production.
• Les Moonves (9:09) - The president of CBS (1995-2018) handles this interview like a defendant, with more than a few carefully-worded answers that you'd expect from someone in his position.

The Captains Collection Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Shout Factory's presentation of The Captains Collection is a treasure trove of retrospective Star Trek interviews hosted by William Shatner and featuring Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Chris Pine, and others. While their standard Blu-ray is packed with four primary documentaries and a nice little selection of supplements, this Special Edition (limited to 2,000 copies and exclusive to Shout Factory's online store) ups the ante with a bonus disc featuring the Shatner documentary Gonzo Ballet and ten extended cast and crew interviews. Although the packaging doesn't befit an exclusive of this nature, it's still well worth the extra $15-20. Grab it while you still can!