Star Trek: The Motion Picture Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Kirk steals back his old job, flies into a space cloud that turns out to be a Voyager probe with serious mommy issues, and a dude merges with a robot so Earth doesn’t get a cosmic blue screen of death.

🍿 Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Approaching Threat

In 2273, a massive and immensely powerful alien entity obliterates Klingon cruisers and a Federation monitoring station as it heads toward Earth. Starfleet puts the USS Enterprise, recently refitted, into service to investigate and intercept the threat. Admiral James T. Kirk, eager to return to command, takes over the Enterprise from Captain Willard Decker.

Enterprise’s Troubled Start

Kirk’s assumption of command creates tension with Decker, who has overseen the Enterprise’s refit. The initial systems tests are disastrous, resulting in the deaths of two officers due to a transporter malfunction. Spock arrives as science officer, having sensed the entity’s consciousness during a Vulcan ritual.

Encountering V’Ger

The Enterprise intercepts the alien entity, later identified as V’Ger. An attack leads to the abduction of Ilia, the Enterprise’s navigator, who is replaced by a robotic probe with her likeness. Spock undertakes a mind meld with V’Ger and discovers its nature as a living machine.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Captain Kirk (William Shatner): The ambitious Admiral who resumes command of the Enterprise to confront a mysterious alien threat.
• Spock (Leonard Nimoy): The logical Science Officer who senses a connection to the approaching alien entity.
• Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley): The Enterprise’s chief medical officer and Kirk’s close friend, whose humanism provides a contrast to Spock’s logic.
• Decker (Stephen Collins): The Enterprise’s former commanding officer, displaced by Kirk, who develops a complex relationship with Ilia and V’Ger.
• Ilia (Persis Khambatta): The Enterprise’s Deltan navigator who is abducted and replicated by V’Ger to serve as a probe.
• V’Ger (N/A): A massive, sentient alien entity revealed to be the Earth probe Voyager 6, seeking its creator.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kirk: “Enterprise, this is Admiral Kirk. Ready to take command.” – Kirk announces his return to the Enterprise, signifying his eagerness to resume his captaincy.
• McCoy: “I signed on this ship to practice medicine, not to have my atoms scattered across the universe!” – McCoy expresses his frustration and fear during the transporter malfunction, highlighting his concern for the crew’s safety.
• Spock: “Logic is only the beginning of wisdom, not the end of it.” – Spock shares his evolving understanding of the limitations of pure logic after his mind meld with V’Ger.
• Ilia Probe: “The Creator desires that I serve V’Ger.” – The Ilia Probe states its purpose, reflecting V’Ger’s interpretation of its programming.
• Kirk: “Out there… thataway.” – Kirk’s simple direction at the end of the film, signifying the start of a new adventure for the Enterprise and its crew.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $82,604,699
• Worldwide Gross: $82,676,805

💥 Star Trek: The Motion Picture Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I know some people call this one ‘The Motionless Picture,’ but I secretly love it! The scene where Kirk first sees the refitted Enterprise always gives me chills – the music, the sheer scale of the ship, it’s just awesome. I also really like the philosophical questions it raises about humanity’s place in the universe. Sure, it’s slow, but sometimes you need a movie that makes you think more than it makes you jump. And Persis Khambatta looked amazing!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of the original Star Trek series”
  • “Viewers who enjoy science fiction with a philosophical bent”
  • “Those interested in visual effects and classic sci-fi scores”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild sci-fi violence”
  • “Some thematic elements that may be complex for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While visually stunning for its time, ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ focuses more on spectacle than a compelling narrative. The extended scenes of the Enterprise in space are gorgeous, but the pacing suffers, leaving some viewers wanting more substance beyond the impressive effects. The film grapples with deep questions about humanity and technology.
• The New York Times: “‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ is a cerebral, if somewhat slow, return to the Star Trek universe. Robert Wise emphasizes grand visuals over action, resulting in a film that ponders the nature of existence but lacks the charm and wit of the original series. Goldsmith’s score adds significant emotional depth.
• RogerEbert.com: “The Director’s Edition of ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ significantly improves the original film, tightening the pace and enhancing the special effects. It’s a visually impressive and thought-provoking entry in the Star Trek franchise, exploring themes of creation, purpose, and the fusion of technology and humanity.

Audience Reactions

The visual effects were groundbreaking and still hold up surprisingly well today.: Many appreciate the film’s ambition to explore deeper themes of artificial intelligence and existence, even if the execution is a bit uneven.

Jerry Goldsmith’s score is phenomenal and elevates the entire movie-watching experience.: The music is often cited as one of the film’s strongest elements, creating a sense of wonder and gravitas.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive but slow-paced return to the Star Trek universe, ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ is appreciated for its ambition and philosophical themes, though some find it lacking in action and character development.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Science Fiction Film)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s initial budget was much smaller, but after the success of ‘Star Wars’, Paramount increased it significantly to compete visually.”
• “Many of the visual effects were groundbreaking for their time, utilizing techniques developed by Douglas Trumbull, known for his work on ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’.”
• “The film’s production was rushed to meet its release date, leading to numerous issues and revisions, culminating in the later release of Robert Wise’s ‘Director’s Edition’.”
• “Jerry Goldsmith’s score is considered one of the best in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise, earning him an Academy Award nomination.”

🖥️ How to Watch Star Trek: The Motion Picture?

Star Trek: The Motion Picture is available for streaming on platforms such as Paramount+. You can also rent or purchase the movie on demand from services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for broadcast schedules.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Star Trek: The Motion Picture, you might like these similar films:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): Shares a similar sense of wonder and philosophical exploration of humanity’s place in the universe, with groundbreaking visual effects for its time.
• Contact (1997): Explores themes of humanity’s encounter with the unknown, the search for meaning, and the challenges of understanding advanced intelligence.
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977): Presents a sense of awe and mystery surrounding extraterrestrial contact, focusing on the emotional and spiritual impact on individuals.
• Arrival (2016): A modern sci-fi film that delves into the complexities of communication with an alien intelligence, focusing on language and understanding as pathways to connection.
• Solaris (1972): Tackles philosophical themes of identity, memory, and the nature of reality through the encounter with an alien intelligence that reflects human emotions and experiences.

🛒 Star Trek: The Motion Picture Related Products

• Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Director’s Edition [Blu-ray]: Experience the restored Director’s Edition with enhanced visuals and sound. Robert Wise’s definitive vision of the film, a must-have for any Star Trek fan.
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture – V’Ger Model Kit: Build your own replica of the mysterious V’Ger entity. This detailed model kit is perfect for display and a unique addition to any Star Trek collection.
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture – Enterprise NCC-1701 Refit Metal Model: A highly detailed metal model of the refitted USS Enterprise NCC-1701, as seen in the movie. Perfect for display or adding to your Star Trek fleet.
• Star Trek: The Motion Picture – The Complete Score: The remastered and expanded score by Jerry Goldsmith, a masterpiece of science fiction film music.

🎧 Soundtrack

Star Trek: The Motion Picture features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from Star Trek: The Motion Picture” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Ilia’s Theme” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Enterprise” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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