Star Trek: The Motion Picture - Review

Every single time an argument arises between Star Wars and Star Trek, I will always choose Star Wars for two reasons. One, I love all the Star Wars films (yes, even those prequels) and two, other than the newest Chris Pine reboots, I've never seen a Star Trek film. Then, for my 21st birthday, my father bought me a framed picture of all the Star Trek films with their given years. I told him that I loved it, except I hadn't seen any. It now hangs in my room with pride, however, only 10 months later did I officially start my Star Trek journey with the first feature film in 1979. The first thing I noticed right away was when Captain Kirk sees the USS Enterprise for the first time, it seemed really magical. The way they shot the Enterprise making it look super sleek and beautiful mixed with the wonderful Jerry Goldsmith score and shots of Captain Kirk looking in awe was truly magical. I'm sure the filmmakers felt the same way I did because they dragged that sequence on for 5 minutes without any dialogue. Then it dawned on me that this was going to be a "Motion Picture" as opposed to a movie. What do I mean by that? This film is more of an experience than a movie with a plot and characters. Sure a plot and characters are in there, but the movie is more focused on showcasing the exploration of space and testing the limits of scale and the unknown. There is a scene where the Enterprise enters a large spacecraft, and the sequence lasts for about 20 minutes. No dialogue, just long shots of the Enterprise flying through crazy spaceship designs. I will admit that it looks breathtaking, however, it doesn't stay entertaining for long. There isn't much story in this movie because the movie seems to be more focused on the space that the ship is flying through. As for the actual story, when there is any, however interesting, is very slow. There doesn't seem to be a single ounce of urgency amongst Kirk, Spock, Bones, or anybody. Not that that's a bad thing, just be aware that the plot and entertainment value comes on a much more visual and intellectual stand point. Questions about life's purpose and stuff along those lines drive the story, rather than character motivation which can be jarring to some people. As for me, my first venture into the older Star Trek felt very different from old Star Wars and even new Star Trek. Although I might have been lost at some parts because of the complex writing and maybe would have liked a bit more excitement in the story, I was glad I got to experience it.