Star Trek: The Motion Pictures DVD Collection (1-10) (2003)

However, I am sorry that I must complain about the treatment of the Trek films on DVD. With the recent exception of Star Trek-The Motion Picture, these films truly are "bare bones" DVD format. These movies had such great potential to be jazzed up with extras and commentaries, and you end up with nothing. What's more...there are rumors circulating that Paramount will soon be releasing special editions of all the films. I hope this is so, becuase I will not purchase a single Star Trek DVD (except for TMP) untill this is done. I'm not going to waste my money.

Let's review this collection:

ST-The Motion Picture: This is what they SHOULD be.

STII: The Wrath of Khan: One trailer, no other extras. There were at least 3 minutes of deleted scenes added to ABC's broadcast back in the 80's. Let's see some of that again.

STIII: The Search for Spock: One trailer, no other extras. How cool would it be to listen to a commentary by Leonard Nimoy? I KNOW that there are deleted scenes to be had here too.

STIV: The Voyage Home: Trailers and some bogus featurette that is on one of the VHS versions anyway (oooooo!) Now imagine how cool it would be to have that commentary by Nimoy AND Nicholas Meyers?

STV: The Final Frontier: 2 Trailers, no extras. This film could stand the same treatment that ST-The Motion Picutre got. I've read a lot about what Shatner's original vision was and how it was paired down because of budget cuts and the writer's strike. Let's see some improved visual effects and hear Shatner's commentary. And I KNOW that there were some cool deleted scenes here too.

STVI: The Undiscovered Country: 2 trailers. Let's see the TV campaign, there were some excellent ads for this film. Another excellent opportunity for Director's Commentary. More deleted scenes. Making of documentaries.

ST Generations: This one is totally empty. For god's sake, I have the trailer on the beginning of my VHS copy of Mission:Impossible, but they couldn't put it on the disk??? There were a ton of deleted scenes here...most alarming are those cut featuring Kirk at the beginning of the film. Also, there was an alternate ending filmed with a different death for Kirk (you can read about it in his Movie Memories book AND it is evidneced in the trailer).

ST:First Contact: Trailers, but no other features. Let's hear Jonathan Frakes' commentary. I know that there were "making of" featurettes for this movie. Let's see some deleted scenes, cast bios, better menus...c'mon! This thing was a blockbuster in the theatres!

ST:Insurrection: Trailers and a half-hearted making of featurette. The TV ad campaign for this film was cool. Another chance to hear Frakes. Also, there were different story angles that weren't shown in the final film and plenty of deleted scenes (including some more Riker-Troi stuff).

Message: WE KNOW you have the goods Paramount. Now fork it over or you'll be sorry!

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) (theatrical version)- The original one that realized the real potential of Trek. Eye-popping VFX are still the main highlight here. And Jerry Goldsmith's musical is, in my opinion, his best. RIP, old man. 8/10

(directors cut) A restructured, sometimes mangled film. It may be Rob Wise's vision, but I found the original to be perfect. Like Alien: The Director's Cut, it's a stupidly edited and toned-down film. 6/10

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)- The best movie sequel ever. Khan, the well-known villain from the Star Trek episode, "Space Seed", is back, and really frickin' angry! It's the ultimate revenge tale. 10/10

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1983)- At the end of Wrath of Khan, Spock managed to repair the Enterprise's warp system and escape the fiery destruction of the Aliant, which Khan had stolen to pursue Kirk. Unfortunately, Spock induced a massive amount of radiation, thus resulting in his death. But is he dead? Watch and find out. 9/10

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)- Trekkies and non-Trekkies confirmed it: the even-numbered ones are the best ones, and this is no exception. 10/10

Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)- The tagline for this one was, "Why are they putting seatbelts in theatres this summer?" More like, "Why are they putting barf bags in your home when you get this?" 4/10

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)- The conclusion to the original crew movies. And what a conclusion! 9/10

Star Trek: Generations (1993)- Well, well, well. Kirk is back for one last fling. The best odd-numbered Trek. 10/10

Star Trek First Contact (1996)- A wonderful even one. Top-of-the-line. 10/10

Star Trek Insurrection (1998)- Yet another Star Trek blockbuster! 8/10

Star Trek Nemesis (2001)- The worst even-numbered one, but still fun. 7/10

Now, the first five Special Edition DVDs are in this set. For films 1-5. All the digital mastering is beautiful, considering this is The Mountain's luxury movie series. Special features are also up the wazzo! Like F13 in terms of sequels, only WAYYYY more box-office slam. Get ready for the definitive Trekkie experience!

Paramount will be releasing each of the Star Trek films as director's cuts. "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn" was just released as a director's cut and I have read that the director's cut of "Star Trek III" will be coming out later this year.

I'm really dissappointed that Paramount released the nine Star Trek films with only one director's cut. Sometime after the theatetrical release of "Star Trek X: Nemesis" later this year, I expect all of the Star Trek films to be available as director's cuts and to contain other bonus material. A set of all 10 director's cuts would be a truly great set!