Star Trek: The Motion Picture

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture

G

Released Dec 6, 1979

2h 12m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

52%

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58 Reviews

42%

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50,000+ Ratings

The Federation calls on Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the Starship Enterprise to contain an immense nimbused object that's on a crash course with Earth. After investigating, the crew discovers that the alien cloud harbors artificial intelligence with an ominous primary directive. Crisis strikes when a probe dispatched by the energy cloud attacks the crew, abducting navigator Lt. Ilia (Persis Khambatta). An android look-alike containing her memories shows up soon after.

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Critics Consensus

Featuring a patchwork script and a dialogue-heavy storyline whose biggest villain is a cloud, Star Trek: The Motion Picture is a less-than-auspicious debut for the franchise.

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

A cerebral, 2001: A Space Odyssey-inspired story that sends our heroes into the heart of a dangerous alien megaship. Yet what they discover... is the essence of human scientific inquiry and the existential despair at reaching the end of all knowing.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 19, 2022

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It’s a bit overextended but very watchable with flourishes of exotic invention...

Rated: 4/5

Aug 18, 2022

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Arthur Knight

The Hollywood Reporter

No mistake about it, Star Trek is a big movie - big in scope, big in spectacle and, most important, big in entertainment values.

Dec 7, 2021

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Terry Grimley

Birmingham Mail

In fact, so much more was apparently spent on the effects than on the script that the chief mystery is why there is so little action and so much talk.

Sep 22, 2024

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Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Star Trek is good entertainment, with moments of genuine lyricism and no convincing reason to last two hours and eleven minutes. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 17, 2024

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

[The film] lacks almost every joyous attribute carried by the television show, regardless of its technical merits.

Rated: 2/4

Sep 5, 2023

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Garrett B

Not a very good start for the Star Trek films. Good visuals but bad pacing and too long.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

11/03/24

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alan g

Worst star trek movie ever. A complete waste of time and a blot on the name of star trek.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

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Charlie M

Horribly boring and tedious, also uninteresting. Never would watch again, does nothing interesting for the world or characters really.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Cirrously? The main villain is a cloud and 1979 thought it'd be normal in the 23C for an attractive (Persis Khambatta) woman’s first words to her lecherous boss (Admiral Kirk, the hero): “you know I took a vow of celibacy.”

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

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Rick A

Dull and Boring. The cinematography and special effects are amazing but could not save this show.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

Full Review

Tim M

I love this movie. The 4k directors edition is a great entry point. Mwah mwah meah mwah mwah, that is me kissing spock with a bob on the mouth. And I'd do it again too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

Full Review

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Robert Wise

Director

William Shatner

Admiral

Leonard Nimoy

Commander Spock

DeForest Kelley

Lt. Cmdr, Leonard H. 'Bones' McCoy, M.D.

Stephen Collins

Capt.

Persis Khambatta

Lieutenant Ilia

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Movieclips: Star Trek - Spock's Best Scenes

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - Kirk Needs Bones

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - Spock Reports for Duty

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - Kirk Takes Over

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - VGER is a Child

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - Attempting to Communicate

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - VGER is Voyager 6

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - The Light Probe

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - VGER's Journey

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Star Trek: The Motion Picture: Official Clip - Thattaway

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Synopsis

The Federation calls on Adm. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the Starship Enterprise to contain an immense nimbused object that's on a crash course with Earth. After investigating, the crew discovers that the alien cloud harbors artificial intelligence with an ominous primary directive. Crisis strikes when a probe dispatched by the energy cloud attacks the crew, abducting navigator Lt. Ilia (Persis Khambatta). An android look-alike containing her memories shows up soon after.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Gene Roddenberry
Screenwriter: Alan Dean Foster, Harold Livingston
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Century Associates
Rating: G
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 1979, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 16, 2009
Runtime: 2h 12m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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