Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far - Page 11

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Why can't they put both versions on the disc? I'm very disappointed with some Blu-rays. The Thing & Terminator 2 come to mind. I just bought T2 & was shocked at the lack of stuff on the Blu-ray. I'm going to return it unopened. I see the studio's don't care & i thought they learned a lesson from DVD but I see they didn't. I thought they were going to go full tilt with Blu-ray & I'm shocked with what I'm finding.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

In reading some postings in other forums, seems a lot of people don't care for or want the extras. Many don't want to hear the commentary, so why pay for all the extras! Surprising to read that yes, but the majority of the buying public that the Hi-Def industry wants to sell and convert to HD are Joe Six Pack. We film buffs and fans will have to wait for the Director Cut Special Editions. That's my theory anyway.

Which reminds me of circa 1990 when Criterion first put out King Kong on Laserdisc and IIRC, one of the first to have extras and commentary. It was aimed at the film buff and film students. That level of extras somehow migrated to the general public and now it's become expected material for the general masses. And I can see the extra cost to produce that is a cost the studio has to consider now in the marketing. Barebones used to be the norm. And the extras were for the world of the film buff who was willing to pay for it from the studios that made it available. But I know you guys already know this, but I was reminded of this.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Sure they did. They learned the lesson that they can keep re-releasing and selling the same movie over and over.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

But to be fair, T2 is an early Blu-ray, and comes from Lions Gate to boot!

Nelson, i find i care less and less about special features. Sure i love stuff like the Blade Runner 5 disc set, and The Lord of the Rings extended cuts. But those are far and few between. I stopped with commentaries when they all became a pat on the back to the rest of the cast/crew, or "look here i am coming in the door." Yea, i see that, tell me something i DONT KNOW. The Kong LD, that i own tells me stuff i didnt know, it informs, and is a fascinating listen. Life is to short, and EPK fluff doesnt count as a making of. You want me to watch it, you better thrill me.

Add to that, its a rare movie, made these days, that i even give a half azz about a making of, or commentary. I am happy just to LIKE a movie made now.

Anyway, i am so in for Trek season 1, and movies 2,3,4. I would buy TMP, but only as a directors cut. So, i will wait on that one. that is, if they sell them as single movie discs. I gather they may. Paramount did that with the Blu-rays of M:I.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Wow, they are already setting up the double-dip..........

Instead of offering seamless branching of 2 & 6, they are releasing the theatrical ONLY???

No f*cking way. AND only releasing them in a box set so I have to buy THREE movies 1, 2 & 6 that I want different versions of??????????

My worst nightmare come true. And how long till the Director's versions of the other 3-----2years?

Paramount is the ONLY company that hasn't released ANY movies with seamless branching---hey it's way better to sell the moronic Trek fans the same movie twice than to go to the trouble of seamless branching.

And I'm sure the idiotic Paramount apologists will crawl out of the woodwork---"We should be so glad they are releasing the original versions..."

Which really means, "I'm glad they released the version I want and screw the fans of the other version."

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Maybe it's just for practical reasons that it's theatrical cuts only, right now. We already know that the Director's Edition of ST:TMP was created in the standard-def video realm, so there's nothing on hand to create an HD version of the Director's Edition.

Maybe it's the same for II and VI? That the extra scenes and changes were done in the video realm, and that there's no print of those versions that they can go back and re-transfer to HD? The first step towards getting the newer cuts would probably have to be making brand new, high quality HD masters of the original films anyway.

I may be in the minority, but I'm really pleased that they're releasing the original versions. And I happen to love 99% of the tweaks in the Director's Edition of II - but with that said, the theatrical version was the cut that I first saw and grew up with, and when I have kids someday, that's the version I want to show them first. I would have been concerned if only the newer versions came out, that perhaps the originals would become lost or completely unavailable to the public after time, and I'm glad to see that that doesn't seem to be the case.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

[sarcasm] Thanks for the compliments. Much appreciated. Definitely called for, too. That's absolutely what I was thinking about the other versions - afterall, my enjoyment of the theatrical editions is only complete if other people are unsatisfied, as I can't enjoy something unless it makes someone else miserable. [/sarcasm]

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Kinda like how some people only want the souped up version of TMP and the alternate cuts of the others...screw everyone who doesn't? These specs are not official. We do not know what the entire plan is. Josh has a good point about the state of the elements. Why don't we wait another two or three weeks before declaring the end of the world.


Nope, you're not alone. I'm all for the extended/redone versions, but the originals have to be available in a "just as good" condition.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I wouldn't be shocked - I don't think the extended versions have ever played theaters, and some (if not all) of the home video releases of Star Trek VI don't have Rene Auberjonois in the closing credits, since all of his scenes were cut from the theatrical release (as they should be!).

Nice. This'll be my first time buying that movie, since I've wanted the theatrical version.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Here's some chatter I copied from trekmovie in the discussions as some of you may not look there. Some relevant discussions, clarifications and new info there.

Bill Hunt, hope you don't mind me doing this, as I thought your posts were insightful. Some clarification on the Trilogy and Star Trek TMP and the effects. (Darendoc is Daren Dochterman, one of the team responsible for the remastered effects in TMP:


So go out and buy The Motion Picture sets and see the movie and buy the BD TOS set!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Yes apparently some of you are the kind of jerks I was referring to.

Happy that your version is going to be released and mocking someone who thinks it's high time Paramount showed some respect to the fans of Trek.

I've bought Trek 2 at least 7 times in various formats and now in 2009 I'm supposed to accept that they have all good & noble reasons for releasing it again in the theatrical ONLY version??

How sad. Let's look for excuses as to why they aren't releasing BOTH versions.

Meyer made tweaks to Trek 6 using pieces of FILM they found for that very purpose----what did they since lose those film elements and now simply have video-only versions of those scenes? They also found lots of out-takes and alternate camera angles for the bonus section---those were on film--not video.

The new movie which they are tying this release in with has been in production since 2007. The HiDef formats have been here since 2006 and were're supposed to believe that Paramount has been caught flat-footed and is doing us a favor by releasing the theatrical only versions becuase they are pressed for time??

I've stated before and will do so again that I want all the fans to have the versions they prefer available with branching and I find it quite pathetic that some folks don't have the same empathy for the fans of their non-preferred version.

Also bill Hunt in one of hs posts at trekmovie so much as admitted that since they weren't ready with a director's cut of TMP---they might as well put off a director's version of 2 & 6 as well---great reasoning---"well since we're going to have to screw over the fans of TMPs director's cut we might as well screw over the fans of the other two movies' director's cut.

Who here would bet that they WON'T 'find' the film elements to make Trek 2 & 6 director's versions in say 2 or 3 years???

Anyway i get to save $125 or so this year and spend it in 3 years I guess that will make Paramount happy.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I'm not that big on extras as well. But when there's more than one cut of the film. I want both on the same Blu-ray.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I should have added, I don't agree with any fan of any of the Director's cuts that say only the director's cuts should be available---I find that to be arrogant & selfish.

I just watched 3+ hours of the new King Kong theatrical/extended version without so much as a single glitch in sound or audio--bravo Universal. 13 minutes of difference between the two. Trek 2 & 6 have only 3 minutes and 30 seconds each. It can be easily done if they wanted to.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

As I always say, double-dipping is part of the home video business model for studios. It's happened on every home video format and Blu-ray is no exception. So, I'd expect just the theatrical cuts and eventually the extended/director's versions in several years or so.

I do think it's very good they are doing the original and remastered versions of the show in one set.

I will pick-up the boxset and season 1. It will depend on price, however. If it's too high, I will wait for an eventual Deep Discount sale or something.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I assume you're at least partially talking to me.

Please go through what I have said. I never mocked anyone for anything. Period.

Now then...I continue to fully intend to buy all these titles knowing full well a double dip will be coming.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Being a Star trek fan has its costs, it always has. You buy what you can afford, its that easy.
Camper, i agree with what you say. It would be nice to have both versions on 1 disc, and use seamless branching. Shoot, go the multiple disc route like Blade Runner, that would be cool too! But, once again, this is Star Trek, and i am pretty sure they would love to see this franchise go another 40 some years. So, they will resell it many more times. It doesnt make any of us jerks! Doesnt make Paramount evil...it just is.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Why? Of course, it would be nice if everything and the kitchen sink was included in the first Blu-ray release but did anyone really think that this is the last word that you're going to hear from Star Trek on Blu-ray?

EDIT: Exactly. And if someone thinks that something is lacking with these releases, skip these and buy the next ones. It should only be about two or three years or so.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Or maybe when the Abrams Star Trek film is released on BD? One can only hope. But I realize that's kinda soon.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Having only the theatrical versions doesn't bother me in the least, although it's odd that Paramount are going out of their way to release a version of VI that - correct me if I'm wrong - has never been seen outside of a movie theater. Nick Meyer's extended cut has been the de facto home video version of the movie for as long as I can remember.

As long as the sound is solid and the video hasn't been tarted up to look like it was shot yesterday, I am so there. Can't wait for May.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

TOS non-Lucased edition on BD=

FINALLY!!! that's why i didn't get it on HD DVD when TOS came out. it was SE only. this is the proper way to do it! now we want the rest! S2&S3!!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I'll help you on the latter but, sorry, no to the former. Ironic that the only way I can get what I want is to a) buy a costly boxed set that falls well below my standards and b) pay to see a reboot movie that looks excrutiatingly, migraine-inducingly poor. Well, Homie don't play dat.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I am a huge ST fan and no way will I purchase these unless/until ALL versions of each movie are provided on Blu-Ray in the same set. Whether you want to use seemless branching or a different disc for each cut I don't care, but when ST:TMP comes out without all variations of it in the same set I will not pick it up, same goes for 2 and for 6.

The very idea that Paramount is waiting to see if the sets sell well before they decide to go back and do ST:TMP properly, and by that I mean make the DC available by upping the resolution on the "updated" effects, as well as the theatrical release and the TV extended version, gauls me to no end.

I know double-dipping is part of every studio's model when it comes to video releases, but enough's enough.

I can see Paramount redoing ST 1, 2 and 6 after the first set sells well but then only release the extended cuts, and it won't be until THAT sells well that they will then release a third set with all versions on the same set. It will be at that point I will buy these in Blu-ray and not a moment before.

Why they can't just treat Star Trek with the same care that Blade Runner was finally treated to in Blu-ray is beyond me.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I see people saying that double-dipping is expected, but does that make it acceptable?

I see why only the theatrical version of T2 or Robocop were available in 2006, but most titles coming out now are including both or even multiple versions.

Why excuse Paramount just because it has been their pattern so far?

Is braching that complicated or expensive? Isn't this the format we have hoped for that makes a lot of content and branching easy for the first time?
Trek 2 & 6 are not complicated do-overs like Troy or Kingdom of Heaven.
In fact the under 4 minutes of added material are pretty much on the bottom end of just about any extended length movie I've ever seen.

Well, I'm happy for the fans of the theatrical versions (at least those who have any empathy for those of us who prefer the alternate versions )
And my wife will be happy that i won't be spending $125 or so dollars this May.

And I guess this won't be the release that finally features any of the deleted scenes from Treks 2,3 4, & 6. That's for the double-dip.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I wouldn't call it acceptable but that's the way they play the game. Fans keep buying it, they keep putting it out.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

I'm in two minds about these releases. Folks talk about future editions with seamless branching, but Paramount is just not known for this. The Trek movies came out on DVD in their theatrical incarnations and then as the director's cuts, but multiple versions never appeared in the same set.

I half expect that the director's editions will appear down the road, but you'll still have to hold onto these original discs if you want the theatrical versions. So in a way you're not wasting money by getting these now. Just a guess.

Personally I'm delighted that the theatrical versions of TMP and VI are coming out because I prefer them (in the case of VI, loved the extended TV version, hated the director's cut). But I do like the extended edition of II so I'm a little disappointed that we won't be getting that.

As for the series, well I'm not interested in the bastardised versions, but if the original cuts are included with significant picture upgrades over the DVD sets then I might be tempted.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Well it confirms what I suspected all along. Paramount are giving us the std barebones version of everything just like they did with the DVDs then in a few years they will work on Special Editions & or Directors Cuts as the marketing can sell on this which is understandable from a business point of view. All they have to do is find the theatrical masters get the best condition copy they can find and convert to 1080P. The extended cuts of 1,2 & 6 were all obviously done on video tape to save money and would now need additional work to achieve 1080 levels of quality as they can cut & paste into 480P and hide the joins as its low res anyway but 1080 would expose this process more. Star Trek V is going to be interesting as in 480 the VFX look dire and you can see lots of grainy & poor optical composites as well as wires & badly painted sets so 1080 will make it look a lot worse.

I will still pickup this as I love the first 6 movies (have like many here bought the various vhs, vhs ws, LD P&S, LD WS, LD boxed sets, DVDs etc etc) even with their flaws they all have a place in the hall of fame for sci-fi movies & are still the strongest Trek movies ever made.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

The European Version had a 3 min long prologue which recountered ST2+3 as in those days European audiences were not huge Star Trek fans so it was designed to bring them up to speed on the story to date. This European prologue also has a different title card for the logo as well as Shatner doing a new captains log voiceover and Rosenthal also composed or remixed some music for it which is quite easy to listen to. Finally they also added some aggressive surround sound pans for a few of the shots as well as enhancing the bass a little. For years its been part of the European ST4 release so lets hope Paramount are wise enough to make it the definitive ST4 release for all future regions as it definately gets you pumped for the movie!

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

My understanding is that those were dropped from the European release of IV (at least for the second DVD), making the "original" American version the definitive The Voyage Home release.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

Well its certainly bizarre that they won't include the director's cut of VI as a branching option at least since that was clearly mastered from a 1080p source. And I think II was as well (unlike TMP where the interlacing problems make it quite obvious that it is not). I can only imagine that this is an oversight on Paramount's behalf, intentional or not.

Thank god nobody seems to care about the 2.00:1 ratio on VI at least. Its bad enough with the Storaro threads.

Re: Star Trek films on Blu-Ray... what we know so far

T2 has changed hands so many times that its likely that the rights to earlier special features don't belong to the new owners, and there for CAN'T be included in the new set. It's one of the problems with a film being made basically independently.

I for one will pass on the theatrical cuts of the Star Trek films, particularly TMP. While its interesting from a historical point of view, I find it almost unwatchable after having the director's cut. I think I'll just wait and see what comes.

Doug