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Reviews
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Never intended to BE Star Wars...
Many of the comments in this group sadden me. They truly do.
One thing you have to bear in mind is that this film was not meant to be Star Wars. Neither the producers nor the cast ever thought of it that way. (In fact, Robert Wise mentions quite plainly in the DVD commentary that they were going for the "epic" feel, the huge film that makes you think.)
I do not know if all the negative comments about this film are posted by people who just want to be spoon-fed cartoonish laser battles and little morality plays that require no thought...But if they are, then it is no wonder they are dissapointed.
There is no over the top evil villian type. There is no backwoods farm boy who will rise up to be the savior or the universe or some such crap. It is, simply a group of people coming together (With skinned knees and bruised egos and all) to face and ultimately attempt to defeat a supremely powerful and unknown entity.
Admittedly, I feel the evolution of the characters (Spock, in particular) was handled better in the Director's cut of the film. You really get the feel of Kirk's passion for command, his "anger management" issues surrounding Decker, and ultimate assumption of a father figure-like personality, not only for Decker, but the entire crew. Spock really shines as the most interesting character in the film. From his initial failure at controlling his emotion, to his overcompensation by acting like a cold computer, then to his final revelation in Sick Bay. Good Stuff.
And as geeky as this may sound, I do feel that this version of the Enterprise is one of the most beautifully crafted ships in all of Sci-Fi. The drydock sequence, along with Goldsmith's masterful score, is designed to make our hearts beat just a little bit faster. And it succeeds. Wildly.
All in all, it is one of those rarest kind of films. The kind that entertains, that makes you think, and fills you with hope.
VidaTv (2001)
Felicidades!
I would have to disagree with the other comment left here. I had an opportunity to watch the show with my wife in Panama, who absolutely adores it. (By the way, in Spanish, "felicidades" means "Congratulations". Generally, all the names announced before the song are people having birthdays.)
Very true, that if you don't speak Spanish, you'll have very little idea of what is going on. It is very much a comedy-variety show. They like to bring in people to impersonate music celebrites, or have guests act out scenes from a telenovela, or cook, or do any number of things, and have the celebrity panel rate the act or the food or the whatever one through five. (And when they unanimously give a five, they get up and dance.)
I was initally drawn to the show because of my wife's love of it, and my love of staring at Galalea, but I stayed because it's fun if you know what is going on.