DVD
Review |
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Special Collector’s Edition) Written by:Kage
Alan
If there’s one film in the franchise that was
able to attract fans and non-fans of “Trek” alike, it was “The Voyage
Home”. Why? After the action and extreme drama of the previous two
films, the series really needed to lighten up and
actor/director/writer Leonard Nimoy understood this. How it was to be
accomplished was another matter, but it would start with a solid story
that was not only timely, but also universally appealing whether
viewers were fans of Science Fiction or not.
The events in “Star Trek III: The Search For Spock”
left the crew of the starship Enterprise (the ship itself was sacrificed
in a fiery explosion) on the planet Vulcan where their previously
deceased comrade, Spock (Nimoy), had his living essence transferred from
McCoy’s (DeForest Kelley) head and put back into his own. Anyway, the
reunited crew must now decide whether to accept exile where they are or
return home to face the numerous charges against them. After a group
vote, they decide to head back in their commandeered Klingon
Bird-Of-Prey, but, unbeknownst to them, a mysterious probe has appeared
and is using Earth’s oceans to destroy all life on the planet.
An analysis by the stunned crew when they finally
learn of the attack reveals that the probe is using a language used by
whales from Earth’s past. You see, there are no more whales left alive
to answer. A plan forms in Kirk’s (William Shatner) mind and they’re
soon slingshotting around the sun to travel back in time, capture a few
whales and bring them back to the future. They may travel the galaxy
and meet dozens of alien species, but nothing can prepare them for the
culture shock of 1986!
While the story is very moving and addresses a
number of serious issues, there’s enough warmth and humor to please even
the most vehement detractor of Star Trek and that’s where this film
shines brightest. Much of the banter and chemistry that made the
original series so endearing to fans is back in full swing while
supporting cast members like Catherine Hicks help flesh things out and
the film stays true to the rules established in the Star Trek universe.
Honestly, what’s not to like?
Paramount has released “Star Trek IV: The Voyage
Home” in a crisp looking Widescreen transfer. I own the barebones first
edition of the film and can’t see that they’ve made any improvements
between the two, so there is a little bit of grain visible from time to
time as also appeared in the previous release. The audio quality is
really quite exceptional as are the extras, which is what makes this a
real “special collector’s edition”. First up is a commentary track with
stars Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner, a first on any of the “Star
Trek” feature film discs. Both banter back and forth quite well and
give plenty of background information. The only problem is that they
have a tendency to lapse into silence for periods of time. There’s also
another great text commentary by Michael and Denise Okuda features tons
of trivia.
Disc 2 features several different sections. First
up is “The Star Trek Universe”, which contains 4 featurettes; “Time
Travel: The Art of the Possible” (11min), “The Language of Whales” (5 ¾
minutes), “A Vulcan Primer” (8min) and “Kirk’s Women” (8min). The
second section is “Production” and also contains 4 areas of
behind-the-scenes looks at the film; “Future’s Past: A Look Back” (27
½min), “On Location” (7 ½min), “Dailies Deconstruction” (4 ½min) and
“Below-The-Line: Sound Design” (11 ¾min). Next up is a series of raw
interviews filmed during production with the jovial Leonard Nimoy (15
½min), a slightly difficult and terse William Shatner (14 ½min) and
ever-delightful De Forest Kelley (13min). There are two moving tributes
paid on this disc as well, one to Gene Roddenberry in the “Roddenberry
Scrapbook” (8 ½min) by his son and “Featured Artist: Mark Lenard” (12
¾min) by his wife and two daughters. Aside from a trailer, the final
area is a section called “Archives” and contains a “Production Gallery”
(4min) and 8 separate “Storyboard” areas to explore.
So much material, so little time! I’m going to
have to revisit this disc again soon because I absolutely fell in love
with the movie all over again. For many of us who have been fans for
years or even new fans today, these 2-disc sets Paramount has been/will
continue to be releasing provide wonderful insight we’ve never had
before. I just hope they keep up the good work.
