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The original STAR TREK is back and looking better than ever as three new dvd box sets featuring the original crew of the Starship Enterprise go boldly into the shops. They're out in April and we're reviewing them, although you can find reviews for episodes from all the shows via the TV Page. |
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We're not sure who goes for these sets of episodes taken from across the series of the STAR TREK franchise, but if you have to have one then this is an extremely good one to have, containing some of our favourite episodes. Top of the list are The Inner Light and Frame of Mind from THE NEXT GENERATION. From the original series is the original mirror universe episode Mirror, Mirror, The Alternative Factor where warring opposites threaten the whole universe, split Kirk episode The Enemy Within and series ending Turnabout Intruder. Shifting realities for Worf in Parallels and the much lauded Yesterday's Enterprise complete the THE NEXT GENERATION offerings. DEEP SPACE NINE gives us the mirror universe trilogy of Crossover, Through the Looking Glass and Shattered Mirror as well as the rather dull The Visitor. Kes is unstuck in time in Before and After, Chakotay and Kim change time in Timeless, Shattered leaves Chakotay unstuck in time and everyone just comes unstuck in Oblivion from VOYAGER. Finally, ENTERPRISE has a mirror universe double of Through a Mirror Darkly Parts 1 and 2 as well as Twilight and E2. These are consistently entertaining episodes, taking beloved characters out of their normal space with some exceptional stories and no really duff ones. |
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Going boldly where no-one had ever been before, STAR TREK was the original universe hopping space series that brought wider horizons to the television public in its most famous and influential manner. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this show. It is, therefore, quite surprising to find the show so watchable, entertaining and unpretentious. Sure, some of the acting has dated somewhat, but the same can't be said of the special effects as these have been completely redone, but kept within the style of the period. and it's all presented on high definition on the shiniest of shiny disc formats. |
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The original crew managed between them 6 big screen adventures and a mixed bag they proved to be. STAR TREK:THE MOTION PICTURE
Much better was to come in STAR TREK 2:THE WRATH OF KHAN a comic book romp that sees Kirk going up agianst Ricardo Montalban in full overact mode. See space battles inside nebulas and slugs sliding in and out of Chekov's ears. More importantly, weep as a Vulcan makes the ultimate sacrifice. STAR TREK 3:THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK concerns, well, the search for Spock. Not yet dead and thanks to some nifty plotting able to be reincarnated, this is silliness incarnate, utterly watchable, but never believable. It's time to save the whales as STAR TREK 4:THE VOYAGE HOME takes the crew back to present day earth to pick up a couple of extinct cetaceans to stop humanity becoming extinct in the future. Lots of fun to be had and the cast are clearly having (ahem) a whale of a time. William Shatner takes a stab at directing with STAR TREK 5:THE FINAL FRONTIER and, oh dear, what was he thinking? A mess of a film that never manages to pull together its elements into anything remotely coherent. Uhura dancing on a sand dune? Camp fire singalongs? The low point. STAR TREK 6:THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY bridges the gap between original Trek and THE NEXT GENERATION, showing how the Klingons were brought into the Federation fold and having Kirk kiss himself, well sort of. A fun, if disposable, way to end the voyages of the original crew. |
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