Star Trek (1-10) Films - help needed

[ANDYBALLINA]

Being a big fan of Star Trek (2009), but having never followed the different series (due to the big time commitment), I'm wondering if the original movies are still worth getting into. So, I'm wondering the following and if anyone can answer my questions, I'd appreciate it

Do they have to be watched in order or are they seperate storylines? Which one's are the best? Star Trek 2, 4 and 8 look really good. So yeah, could I just get the best one's and still be able to understand the storyline's and if so, which one's does everyone recommend?



Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection Blu-ray Review

Star Trek: The Next Generation Motion Picture Collection Blu-ray Review

[bainbridge's_stache]

It depends. 2, 3, and 4 are considered a trilogy because they are corner stoned on Spock. Wrath of Kahn (2) and First Contact (8) are my personal favorites, but 8 is from the Next Generation films that are set around 100 years after the first 6.

There is no real right or wrong answer. You're choices are pretty spot on for most people, fans and non fans alike. It just depends on how deep into the mythos you are willing to go.

[octagon]

1-7 feature characters from the original 60s series that were paralleled (or rebooted, if you will) in the 2009 film. 7-10 feature characters and events from the 90s series The Next Generation. (7 overlaps characters from both series)

Each film can more or less stand alone but they do build on and make reference to events from previous films in the series (and to some extent, their respective tv series).

If you just want to get your feet wet I would agree you're on the right track with 2 and 8.

Rent/borrow/download the original series season one episode 'Space Seed' then watch the second movie The Wrath of Khan. That should give you a pretty good feel for whether you want to invest any more time in that part of the franchise. If you still want more then you'd be best served watching 3-7 in order. You can work 1 in there pretty much anywhere you want.

I wasn't a huge fan of 7-10 in general but I'm with goodmonson on First Contact - easily my favorite of the Next Generation based films and a pretty good movie in its own right.

[Batman1980]

7 is the one where the 2 shows collide, 6 is Undiscovered Country,

[Show spoiler]where Kirk stands trial for something he didn't do.

[octagon]

Oh, right, the God one is in there...I always forget about that one for some reason

Undiscovered Country is actually pretty decent. Much like Wrath of Khan, the story is so-so but the banter and space battles save it.

[bainbridge's_stache]

It's weird that the even numbered ones ended up being better than the odd numbered ones. Then again, the 2009 film was an odd numbered one. It has to be a conspiracy. Quick, someone, get Nic Cage on this!

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by ANDYBALLINA

Being a big fan of Star Trek (2009), but having never followed the different series (due to the big time commitment), I'm wondering if the original movies are still worth getting into. So, I'm wondering the following and if anyone can answer my questions, I'd appreciate it

Do they have to be watched in order or are they seperate storylines? Which one's are the best? Star Trek 2, 4 and 8 look really good. So yeah, could I just get the best one's and still be able to understand the storyline's and if so, which one's does everyone recommend?

The even-numbered ones are legendarily good (look for anything Nicholas Meyer wrote/directed), but, to go into geek-consumer detail:

- #1: The Motion Picture (1979) - One of Hollywood's most legendary Ang-Lee-Hulk flops--Given to a Great Director who had never seen the series in his life, and tried to turn it into 2001 on Slow speed.
- #2: the Wrath of Khan - Arguably topping the list of Best TV-Series-to-Movies ever made, period. If you have to start with classic Trek at all (and have some basic knowledge of who Kirk, Spock and McCoy, etc., are), this one ain't a bad way to start.
- #3: the Search for Spock - Generic but harmless...Accent on "generic". A minor-league wrapup of loose (SPOILER) ends from #2, just to provide an excuse for the title.
- #4: the Voyage Home - Star Trek meets Crocodile Dundee, as we get a cute comedy interlude of the time-traveled crew fish-out-of-watering on 80's Earth
- #5: the Final Frontier - Just watch a fan's eye twitch at the mention of this one (ahemrowboat)...Shatner tried directing, and if you're worried, you should be.
- #6: the Undiscovered Country - Like we said: Meyer knew HOW to turn Trek mainstream for the new folks in the audience, this time giving us a Klingon murder mystery...
- #7: Generations - The first Next Generation movie, as Capt. Picard sets off to rescue Capt. Kirk, and the word is "Anticlimax". That, and "Aggressively mediocre".
- #8: First Contact - The Trek #6 of the Next Generation franchise--Borg, Federation history, action, and all the stuff that SHOULD have been in #7.
- #9: Insurrection - Might've been interesting, if it hadn't had its plot removed by the studio at the last minute. What they left behind...wasn't much.
- #10: Nemesis - A serviceable finale for the Next Generation franchise, though no #6, and an even more generic villain than the Abrams movie--Those who want a good into-the-sunset ending for Picard, however, will have to look up the Deleted Scenes.

(Like fans have said for twenty years: Stick with the even numbers.
After that, y'know....the original series IS on Blu.)

[Ite]

i love original Star Trek movies too, does anyone have the box set? I wanna know how good the upgrade is if its worth it, thanks!

[ANDYBALLINA]

Originally Posted by EricJ

The even-numbered ones are legendarily good (look for anything Nicholas Meyer wrote/directed), but, to go into geek-consumer detail:

- #1: The Motion Picture (1979) - One of Hollywood's most legendary Ang-Lee-Hulk flops--Given to a Great Director who had never seen the series in his life, and tried to turn it into 2001 on Slow speed.
- #2: the Wrath of Khan - Arguably topping the list of Best TV-Series-to-Movies ever made, period. If you have to start with classic Trek at all (and have some basic knowledge of who Kirk, Spock and McCoy, etc., are), this one ain't a bad way to start.
- #3: the Search for Spock - Generic but harmless...Accent on "generic". A minor-league wrapup of loose (SPOILER) ends from #2, just to provide an excuse for the title.
- #4: the Voyage Home - Star Trek meets Crocodile Dundee, as we get a cute comedy interlude of the time-traveled crew fish-out-of-watering on 80's Earth
- #5: the Final Frontier - Just watch a fan's eye twitch at the mention of this one (ahemrowboat)...Shatner tried directing, and if you're worried, you should be.
- #6: the Undiscovered Country - Like we said: Meyer knew HOW to turn Trek mainstream for the new folks in the audience, this time giving us a Klingon murder mystery...
- #7: Generations - The first Next Generation movie, as Capt. Picard sets off to rescue Capt. Kirk, and the word is "Anticlimax". That, and "Aggressively mediocre".
- #8: First Contact - The Trek #6 of the Next Generation franchise--Borg, Federation history, action, and all the stuff that SHOULD have been in #7.
- #9: Insurrection - Might've been interesting, if it hadn't had its plot removed by the studio at the last minute. What they left behind...wasn't much.
- #10: Nemesis - A serviceable finale for the Next Generation franchise, though no #6, and an even more generic villain than the Abrams movie--Those who want a good into-the-sunset ending for Picard, however, will have to look up the Deleted Scenes.

(Like fans have said for twenty years: Stick with the even numbers.
After that, y'know....the original series IS on Blu.)

Thanks for the write up mate. So basically 2,4,6,8 & 10 are really good and worth picking up? I could go into all those and not miss anything on the storyline's?

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by ANDYBALLINA

Thanks for the write up mate. So basically 2,4,6,8 & 10 are really good and worth picking up? I could go into all those and not miss anything on the storyline's?

As a hardcore Trek fan, I'd have to say that the better list is more like 2,4,6,7,8 for anyone who hasn't followed the franchise religiously.

I myself enjoy 2,4,6,7,8,9 the most. Insurrection was a great film that went back to the Next Gen series' ability to tell a good story while focusing on the moral corruption that can plague high ranking officials and could potentially destroy the very fundamental concepts that are the foundation of the United Federation Of Planets.

[bsweetness]

Everyone here has you on the right track. Even numbers are the way to go.

But just keep in mind that if you watch 2 and 4, and skip 3, might be a bit confused by some of 4 (mostly at the beginning). I'm sure you'll figure it out quickly enough, but they are a trilogy of sorts with a thread of a continuing story between them (3 and 4 in particular).

All of the other even number films can be watched without having seen any of the other films or TV shows. A little bit of background knowledge would help, but it isn't completely necessary.

[HD Goofnut]

I'll make it easy for you and won't write a paragraph.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - 8/10
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn - 9/10
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock - 6/10
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home - 8/10
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - 5/10
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - 7/10
Star Trek: Generations - 6/10
Star Trek: First Contact - 9/10
Star Trek: Insurrection - 6/10
Star Trek: Nemesis - 7/10

I have seen all of these at least 5 times and I am not even a hardcore Trek fan.

[jawsfan1975]

NEMESIS always seems to take a beating but it finally delivered what I had been waiting on for years.....a really good space battle involving multiple ships. The Borg one featured in First Contact was way too brief for me and felt like just an apetizer.

[Wookalar]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I'll make it easy for you and won't write a paragraph.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture - 8/10
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn - 9/10
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock - 6/10
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home - 8/10
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier - 5/10
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - 7/10
Star Trek: Generations - 6/10
Star Trek: First Contact - 9/10
Star Trek: Insurrection - 6/10
Star Trek: Nemesis - 7/10

I have seen all of these at least 5 times and I am not even a hardcore Trek fan.

I'd agree with all the rankings here, especially the first film. It's definitely not the place to start if you're not a full-on fan yet, but there are so many great moments (the transporter scene still creeps me out) and the general hotness of (the late) Persis Khambatta. I refuse to get it, though, until they release the Director's Cut, since it really does feel and look the way it should.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Wookalar

I'd agree with all the rankings here, especially the first film. It's definitely not the place to start if you're not a full-on fan yet, but there are so many great moments (the transporter scene still creeps me out) and the general hotness of (the late) Persis Khambatta. I refuse to get it, though, until they release the Director's Cut, since it really does feel and look the way it should.

I agree. The transporter scene is also still disturbing to me.

[modano079]

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I agree. The transporter scene is also still disturbing to me.

I agree, creeps me the hell out

[octagon]

Originally Posted by jawsfan1975

NEMESIS always seems to take a beating but it finally delivered what I had been waiting on for years.....a really good space battle involving multiple ships. The Borg one featured in First Contact was way too brief for me and felt like just an apetizer.

It was an excellent space battle that felt much more like a naval engagement than an arcade game. It's too bad there was so little else going on.

[octagon]

And for the record, statistically speaking you have a far greater chance of being killed or injured on the way to the transporter room than in a transporter malfuction.

[Lope de Aguirre]

Here is my opinion of the Trek movies and shows:

01. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (10/10)
This story plays with the very heart of the Trek universe. Political crime thriller which portrais and explores the iconic Klingons the most and best of all films.

02. Star Trek: First Contact (10/10)
Focused, beautiful and damn well acted Trek film.
Awesome SFX, dramatic character-driven story and well grounded in Trek history and with a brilliant portrail of the iconic Borg

03. Star Trek (9/10)
What a fun ride. Stunning visuals, fun score, great action.
Adds it's own to the Trek mythology.

04. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (08/10)
Most cerebral, most epic and most serious of the entire franchise. Love the scope and the score by Jerry Goldsmith. Visually it is in parts stunning and in parts boring. Awesome SFX by Douglas Trumball but ugly uniforms and greyish/white/beige sets.

05. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (07/10)
The humor was kind of goofy but not as silly as in "The Final Frontier" or "The Voyage Home". But this one is at the core of the Trek mythology.

06. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (07/10)
It looks dated and never blew me away (lesser than some Trek films ranked lower in my list) but in recent viewings I grasp more and more the class, the mythology, the seriousness and the iconic characters in their iconic - highly personal - battles.

07. Star Trek: Generations (07/10)
OK, a missed opportunity with big plot holes and a lame ending. But I love the visuals and a lot of story ideas, scenes and moments. It is acted great and is to me highly enjoyable.

08. Star Trek: Insurrection (07/10)
Besides some kitsch it has some interesting characters and a nice mood and feels overall quite satisfying for me.

09. Star Trek: Nemesis (05/10)
Picard is horribly out of character but besides some lame action scenes it has nice visuals, a good score, some cool performances and memorable action scenes.

10. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (05/10)
Silly humor and lame visuals but great character moments and interesting story elements.

11. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (03/10)
The only film I really do not like. Awful style and silly humor.
Yeah it has the heart at the right place and I like the non-violent, non-villian approach but the result in this case was horrible.


shows

1. Star Trek: Enterprise (07/10)
Most modern Trek show. Visually mostly great with a likable more dynamic cast of characters. A lot of good episodes and a fair share of weaker ones. If one overlooks the silly nudity and the stupid Hoshi, "the queen of translation" stuff it's a pretty solid show.

2. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (07/10)
Great sets, designs and SFX for it's time which to a certain degree still hold up. The most complex, character driven and epic Trek show which starts boring and sometimes silly but get's better and better almost every season.

3. Star Trek: The Next Generation (04/10)
Yeah it was pretty good for it's time but it has aged badly and is often boring, naive, bland, stiff, ugly and preachy.
But it has some great creative, classic gems between a lot of awful episodes. The same goes for the characters. You have horrible ones like Wesley, Troi and Riker but also great ones like Picard, Data and Q.

4. Star Trek (04/10)
Groundbreaking for it's time and it has more dynamic and life in its than TNG + VOY. Iconic characters (Kirk, Spock and McCoy) and numerous classic episodes. The show is 45 years old and does not hold up with todays shows but for it's time it holds up VERY VERY good and in some ways better than TNG + VOY.

5. Star Trek: Voyager (02/10)
This show was dated storytelling-wise and was bad even when it premiered.
The characters are bland and the stories boring. It looks decent but that does not change that this is a completley missed opportunity (the premise was very good but never explored).


If you start with the films I would recommend to start with I or II and if you have seen II you should definatley also watch III.

In theory you can understand every film on his own but you will have much more fun with III if you have seen II and you would spoil II if you watch III first.

[JediMatt]

I'd say definitely skip #1.
#2 is one of the best.
#3 is decent, and it helps bridge the story between 2 and 4. should probably watch it.
#4 is a good comedy and worth a watch
#5 is not very good and the plot is fairly self-contained, so you could skip it if you want
#6 is very good and I would recommend it
#7 - I'm not a fan, but it's the bridge between Classic and Next Gen. maybe watch if you want an intro to the Next Gen cast
#8 is one of the other best ones. great action flick. recommended.

STOP watching after #8.