Star Trek: Reunion

The biggest tragedy regarding Star Trek: The Motion Picture is that it had the potential to be a masterpiece. If it hadn't been for its slow pace and 130-140 minute running time, I truly believe TMP could've been a worthy theatrical entry for the Star Trek franchise. Some people feel that the reason for the excessive length was because it was trying too hard to be the next 2001. I'm not so sure about that, as the logic that goes on in this movie is pretty faithful to the show. My personal opinion is that Robert Wise was simply the wrong person to direct a film about the Enterprise crew, talented though he may be. Musicals like The Sound of Music and West Side Story are Wise's bread and butter, and while the slow pacing may work for a musical, it wasn't necessary or appropriate for an adaptation of a popular sci-fi TV show.

Whatever the reason, the 103-minute runtime of TM2YC's edit was a big drawing factor for me in deciding to see this edit. Did TM2YC's cut finally give this film the justice it deserved? Well, in answer to my own question, just about.

I should note, though, that even in this edit's truncated form, there are still a few instances where the scenes go on for longer than they should. The introduction to the enterprise, for example, now only contains 6 wide establishing shots of the Enterprise, and yet, I still felt like the scene only needed two. There's another scene that occurs later on that suffers from the repetitive reaction shot/establishing shot/reaction shot/establishing shot/reaction shot/establishing shot editing pattern that was so deadly to the original cut. Still, these incidents happen so much less that it's hard to call it a problem anymore. I'm also curious to see if a second viewing will make these two issues invisible.

Overall, this is a true improvement over the original version, and if I want to prove that Star Trek: the Motion Picture really could've been a watchable movie, Reunion is one edit I'm happy to use as proof.

I really liked the Lovecraftian elements of the original film, but I also thought the movie was too slow paced for my taste, this version is much more straightforward but without losing character development and narrative.

Right from the opening titles, I knew I'd like this edit. The V'ger cloud is cleverly used, and opening on Vulcan makes a lot of sense. The only thing I found jarring in the first 30 minutes was the Enterprise Introduction, since there were some unfortunate musical cuts and visual effects of Kirk in the pod that haven't aged well.

But the color! I went into this dreading another drab, lifeless experience, but I found myself largely without complaint. Brilliant!

There's one small issue I take with the final card - 'The Human Adventure is just beginning' perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this film (The Human Adventure should have been the title), so to immediately connect it to The Wrath of Khan shakes me out of the introspection that was clearly intended with that cerebral ending.

Other than that, this is just about perfect!

I have always had a soft spot for this film, having seen it when it first came out with my family at the cinema. As a pre-pubescent boy, I was slightly scared by a briefly bearded McCoy and slightly turned on by a near naked bald woman. Having watched it several times since, both emotions still remain, strangely.

So it is with great relief to discover that TM2YC has done an amazing job with this film. Reading the cutlist and having followed the in-the-works thread, I'm in awe of what has been achieved here. It looks great, with only a couple of noticeable SD elements - but I have to agree with their inclusion. Plus it sounds even better. It's a superbly polished edit, and it zips along much better for the cuts. The Kirk/Decker dynamic is particularly good.

If, like most people, ST:TMP left you a bit cold, you should do yourself a favor and check this edit out. If nothing else, you might find yourself being slightly turned on (bald woman or bearded medic. Your choice. I won't judge).

TM2YC's Star Trek Reunion is the fan edit I have been most anticipating so far this year, and I am very happy to report the wait has been well worth it. TM2YC has injected new energy into this film and delivers a solid, more enjoyable reinterpretation.

First off, let's be crystal clear, this may the BEST LOOKING version of STTMP EVER!!! The colours are vibrant and rich, instantly refreshing the viewing experience and injecting some of the lost wonder into the voyage through V'GER. Absolutely beautiful work by the editor! There are some scenes of obvious lower video quality, but I do not mind them as they are vital to the narration. In fact, I wish a few more had been used for continuity, such as showing Chapel arriving on the bridge to help Chekov instead of her just mysteriously appearing from off stage.

The revised narration is faster paced and well executed. Kirk appears slightly less ineffective and more commanding, while his relationship with Decker is still challenging, it comes across slightly more respectful and professional. Personally, I miss McCoy's mistrust of Spock subplot, as it always seemed appropriate to me and added some needed extra tension and added another dynamic to the theft of the spacesuit scene.

Love the audio work. Great new music cues and background sound FXs throughout the edit. My favourite was by far was hearing the bridge computer say, "Working....". Pure Trek awesomeness!!!
Though I really wish Sulu's dreadful offscreen "Why...why it's...." line had been cut...lol.

The journey to the heart of V'GER, while shorter than the original, and as I said before, more wondrous due to the colour work, still feels long and drawn out. I wish at least another minute or more had been cut, to try and keep the original series tone and pacing.

So many wonderful things about this edit.... while I still prefer the DC version of Vulcan, TY2YC offers a gorgeous looking alternative.... the klingon battlecruisers looked magnificent (and thank you for showing the fate of the mysteriously lost 3rd ship).... the new end title card....

So much time and work went into this edit, almost every single scene has been tweaked in some manner and it all pays off very nicely.

The dvd menu is very lovely, tying into TY2YC's dvd art design (...oh, and I LOVE the second dvd art too... reminds me of the original teaser poster for the movie--well done!!!), though I wish the fan edit trailer had been included with it too.

A truly wonderful fan edit that now sits proudly on my shelf with my Star Trek collection.

Highly recommend. THUMBS UP! :)