Star Trek TOS. Enhanced FX good or bad?

[tron3]

My brother just got season one on blu-ray and I borrowed it long enough just to look at some of the enhanced special FX.

I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about this one. In watching the opening you typically see the Enterprise orbiting a planet. Seeing the original footage reveals tons of grain and simply doesn't look very high def. Yes, I know it has to do with the overlays and matte and crap like that. While the rest of the show is looking good the space shots didn't port over so well.

What bothers me is how they enhanced the FX. Usually you see about 3/4 of a planet and the underbelly of the Enterprise as it circles. They don't just overlay the orignal shot to enhance the definition and clarity. Now, the planet is HUGE. You see about 1/3 of it and the top side of the Enterprise pass. It looks fantastic, don't get me wrong, but they completely changed the look and feel of the shot.

In Charlie-X Kirk is narrating and is stating that they are moving next to another ship to pick up the passengers. In the original shot the Enterprise moves onto screen and they zoom in a little. Gives the effect of you seeing the ship from your own portal. In the reimaged shot the Enterrprise is pulling up next to another ship. There is no second ship in the original footage!

What are your thoughts?

[Weirded Wonder]

Don't watch the episodes with enhanced special FX if it bothers you that much. That's why they include both versions for you.

[P@t_Mtl]

I like the new FX shots, make the show even more interesting.

What I did notice is how much clearly now you can actualy notice the stunt doubles on BD It was always obvious before but now in HD, a blind man could spot them

[Kyo28]

Personally I found the new SFX shots to be simply AWESOME! Not only are they crisp and clean, but they also managed to keep the style and feeling of the original show.

Of course, that's just my opinion and I can understand some people prefer the original SFX. In that sense, it's great they've added both with seamless branching. Not only can you choose which version to watch, but you can also switch between them on the fly to compare shots. In that aspect, I think this is a wonderful set that any Trek-fan should own.

[Wdm81]

I love the new FX, i think they are done in a way that doesn't detract but rather just updates the look to match in with the rest of the franchise, unlike starwars (although the majority of the starwars upgrades i had no problem with and actually prefer when compared to the orginals)

If i had one complaint it would be that some of the shots look very subpar, i mean it's like they used a nintendo 64 to design the graphics

It's like they ran out of time to do a final render so we are are left with a cartoony looking shot of a ship or something

[Kyo28]

Originally Posted by Wdm81

If i had one complaint it would be that some of the shots look very subpar, i mean it's like they used a nintendo 64 to design the graphics

It's like they ran out of time to do a final render so we are are left with a cartoony looking shot of a ship or something

I believe that was done on purpose, so as to not stray too far from the style & feeling of the original SFX and the other shots in the show. Well, that's just how I perceive it.

[tron3]

Originally Posted by beardmoen

Don't watch the episodes with enhanced special FX if it bothers you that much. That's why they include both versions for you.

It's not that at all. I plan on watching the new FX. Maybe even watch each episode twice to get a feel for each. Haven't decided yet.

Originally Posted by Kyo28

Personally I found the new SFX shots to be simply AWESOME! Not only are they crisp and clean, but they also managed to keep the style and feeling of the original show...

Again, the new shots are awesome but here is where I disagree. When you used to see 3/4 of a planet and the underbelly of the ship, you now see a gargantuan 1/3 planet and top of the ship. Yes, you still see the Enterprise in orbit. It looks the same in style, but it doesn't feel the same. It changes the camera angle.

I'm fine with it because it isn't like they changed TV history. We do get to see the original footage. I can't help but prefer they did overlay enhancements. Maybe I am just a purist.

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

...What I did notice is how much clearly now you can actualy notice the stunt doubles on BD It was always obvious before but now in HD, a blind man could spot them

"Of course, Jim. A blind man could see it with his stick!" Dr. Leonard McCoy / Star Trek

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

I believe that was done on purpose, so as to not stray too far from the style & feeling of the original SFX and the other shots in the show. Well, that's just how I perceive it.

That is very much the reason, in the special feature Bring Star Trek To The 21st Century, they talk about this. They wanted to keep a 60's type of look to the effect and not make them as real as they could actualy make them with today's computers and CGI

[Adam_ME]

I've been watching the original version with the original audio. But I love how both versions are offered. That's how it should always be done.

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

I've been watching the original version with the original audio. But I love how both versions are offered. That's how it should always be done.

I was very happy as well both version were provided on the BD. When I feel nostalgic and wish to see Star Trek like in the good old days, the option is there for me to do so.

[Wdm81]

Originally Posted by Kyo28

I believe that was done on purpose, so as to not stray too far from the style & feeling of the original SFX and the other shots in the show. Well, that's just how I perceive it.

I understand that that is the offical statment on the fake looking CGI but i just don't buy it, first of all CGI wasn't around back then so it's impossible to make 1960's style computer graphics, and second of all if they wanted to make it look and feel like the original show, the effects shots should have been more textured, the models although matted horribly and with little in terms of detail like lights still had texture to them, The new CGI shots are just way to smooth and almost animatic like

[tron3]

Originally Posted by Wdm81

I understand that that is the offical statment on the fake looking CGI but i just don't buy it, first of all CGI wasn't around back then so it's impossible to make 1960's style computer graphics, and second of all if they wanted to make it look and feel like the original show, the effects shots should have been more textured, the models although matted horribly and with little in terms of detail like lights still had texture to them, The new CGI shots are just way to smooth and almost animatic like

I think the point was misunderstood or related incorrectly. Some crude graphics did exist in the 1960's, but only on mainframe computer and could never generate anything more complex than simple wire frames. Basic 2D B&W stuff. They must mean the graphics were done in the "image" of 1960's style. Big difference in perception.

I agree the new FX are "ultra clean" and video game-esque quality.

[Harlock415]

I think that the new effects look great for the most part. What I wished they would have done though is that they remaster the old scenes like they did with the rest of the episodes. The none effects scenes look stunning, but when you look at the original effects, the film is scratchy and faded.

[ryoohki]

What.. it look like this???



*Reference to one reply that said that some SFX are N64 level... LOL

[charlieray1]

Love the new fx!

I'm a loooong time fan -- since the very early 70's -- and I've seen all the episodes a million times, but I'm really enjoying seeing them all again. The greatly improved PQ and the new fx have made them fresh for me again.

It's true that a (very) few of the new fx shots look cartoony for some reason -- there's a really bad one in "Where No Man Has Gone Before" -- but most are great. And having the choice makes it all the better.

[icyteddy]

I prefer the FX version only. It brings the series up to date. The studios at that time did not have the technology means to create CGI so they use models. Gene Roddenberry was also working on a limited budget and even more so in the final season. With the new CGI effects this is how Gene Roddenberry originally envision the series to be shown. In CGI glory!

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by charlieray1

I'm a loooong time fan -- since the very early 70's -- and I've seen all the episodes a million times, but I'm really enjoying seeing them all again. The greatly improved PQ and the new fx have made them fresh for me again.

I am with you, seen the original series so many time since I was 6 back in the 70's I can't even count them. Seeing the new FX shots made it feel like I was watching a brand new series

[pEgLeG]

I love the new fx, and I've compared it to the original. I like them both.

[DarkDune]

The BEST thing about the new fx IMHO is that it allows kids today to experience Star Trek in an up-to-date form. Since the originals are there too, they can see how far we've come.

Let's face it, Star Trek is famous for it's stories and "before-its-time" quality. I am thrilled that I can share them with my four-year-old, and re-experience them with my Spock-lovin' wife (don't get me wrong, she likes Spock for his mind -- I am the whole package)

[TTC1984]

The new effects look great, don't get me wrong. But when I watch a movie/tv show/etc., I like it with the original effects, as the original generation of viewers saw it. This is a prime example. However, at least these effects aren't committing the massacre that George Lucas has done on Star Wars. The Trek effects stay true to the original vision, and for the most part don't stray too far.