Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8489 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-11-16
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Subtitled in: English, Swedish, German, Danish, Italian, Norwegian, Castillian, Finnish, Dutch

Amazon.co.uk Review
Arguably the best blockbuster of summer 2009, J.J. Abrams’ reboot of the Star Trek saga has made for pulsating big screen entertainment. And in retrospect, it was an amazing achievement. It opened up the franchise to those who would usually give it a wide berth. It weaved in plenty from the Trek universe to satiate fans. And it proved to be an exciting, effects-laden and action-packed extravaganza that left you positively salivating for the sequel.

But its work wasn’t done when it left cinema screens. For when Star Trek arrived on Blu-ray, it instantly catapulted itself right near the top of reference-standard discs. With a stunning, gleaming picture that crackles with detail, and a house-rumbling surround sound track that matches the heftier moments with more subtle work, the disc is an all-round delight.

Furthermore, it’s also jammed full of extras, and refreshingly, the majority of the supplements you get with Star Trek are also presented in high-definition. It’s a shame that has to be highlighted as an exception to the norm. Star Trek, nonetheless, offers a terrific example of how things should be done.

For ultimately, Star Trek is not just one of the best and most exciting blockbuster films of the last few years, it’s also one of the very best Blu-ray discs to date. It’s an unmissable release, and add us to the list of those avidly awaiting the sequel. --Jon Foster

DVD Description
Details of free comic book - Star Trek: Countdown is the official graphic novel prequel to the smash-hit movie, outlining the history of Nero, the movie’s villain (played by Eric Bana). Who is this mysterious Romulan, and how did he turn from hero to villain? Also featuring Captain Picard and many of the Next Generation stars, this is essential reading for Star Trek fans! JJ Abrams, the film’s director, along with scriptwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have supervised the script by Tim Jones and Mike Johnson.

Special Features
Disc 1:
• Commentary: By director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk.
• NASA News: This BD-Live feature gives viewers access to the latest NASA news about real space exploration. Learn about new mission developments and check out featured imagery from around the universe.

Disc 2:
• To Boldly Go: Taking on the world’s most beloved science fiction franchise was no small mission. Director J.J. Abrams, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof, and executive producer Bryan Burk talk about the many challenges they faced and their strategy for success.
- Branching Pods:
a) The Shatner Conundrum
b) Red Shirt Guy
c) The Green Girl
d) Trekker Alert!
• Casting: The producers knew their greatest task was finding the right cast to reprise these epic roles. The cast, for their part, talk about the experience of trying to capture the essence of these mythic characters. The piece concludes with a moving tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
• A New Vision: J.J. Abrams’ vision was not only to create a Star Trek that was a bigger, more action-packed spectacle, but also to make the spectacle feel real. Every aspect of production, from unique locations to the use of classic Hollywood camera tricks was guided by this overall objective.
- Branching Pods:
a) Savage Pressure
• Starships: Abrams and production designer Scott Chambliss were careful to pay tribute to the design of the original Enterprise, but they also wanted to make it futuristic and cool for a modern audience. This chapter focuses on the unique stories behind the creation of the film’s starships.
- Branching Pods:
a) Warp Explained
b) Paint Job
c) Bridge Construction Accelerated
d) The Captain’s Chair
e) Button Acting 101
f) Shuttle Shuffle
g) Narada Construction Accelerated
• Aliens: Designers Neville Page and Joel Harlow talk about the hurdles they faced creating new alien species, recreating the Romulans and Vulcans, and designing the terrifying creatures on Delta Vega for the new Star Trek.
- Branching Pods:
a) The Alien Paradox
b) Big-Eyed Girl
c) Big Bro Quinto
d) Klingons
e) Drakoulias Anatomy 101
• Planets: From the frozen landscape of Delta Vega to the desert plains of Vulcan, Scott Chambliss and the art department had a number of radically different planets to create. Abrams’ desire to shoot on real locations whenever possible led the production team to a number of strange and surprising locations.
- Branching Pods:
a) Extra Business
b) Confidentiality
• Props and Costumes; Property master Russell Bobbitt had the unique challenge of designing props that were both true to the original series and pertinent to today’s technology. Likewise, costume designer Michael Kaplan talks about how he designed costumes that paid homage to what came before yet were relevant and timeless.
- Branching Pods:
a) Klingon Wardrobe
• Ben Burtt and the Sounds of Star Trek: When famed sound designer Ben Burtt was hired to create sounds for the first Star Wars film, he took his inspiration from the original “Star Trek” series. Burtt jumped at the opportunity to pay tribute to the sounds that sparked his career with the sounds he created for the new Star Trek.
• Score: As a fan of the original series, composer Michael Giacchino embraced the challenge of creating new music for Star Trek while preserving the spirit of Alexander Courage’s celebrated theme.
• Gene Roddenberry’s Vision— J.J. Abrams, Leonard Nimoy, previous Star Trek writers and producers, and scientific consultant Carolyn Porco describe and commend the optimistic and enduring vision of Gene Roddenberry.
• Deleted Scenes with optional commentary:
- Spock Birth
- Klingons Take Over Narada
- Young Kirk, Johnny and Uncle Frank
- Amanda and Sarek Argue After Spock Fights
- Prison Interrogation and Breakout
- Sarek Gets Amanda
- Dorm Room and Kobayashi Maru (original version)
- Kirk Apologizes to the Green Girl
- Sarek Sees Spock
• Starfleet Vessel Simulator: Explore extensive data on the U.S.S. Enterprise and the Romulan ship, the Narada. Submerse yourself in breathtaking 360° views and close-ups and review detailed tech information.
• Gag Reel: Bloopers featuring the entire principal cast.

Disc 3:
Digital copy

Language information:
Subtitles - English, English SDH, German, Danish, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Castilian Spanish, Finnish, Dutch.
Commentary - English Commentary, German Commentary, Castilian Spanish Commentary, French Commentary, Italian Commentary

Customer Reviews

a convert's point of view
I had to be dragged into the room and threatened with being tied to the chair when we watched this movie. I've hated Star Trek since I was a child - it was one of my father's obsessions and I was put off by his need to watch it over and over again, ad infinitum (especially when he decided to tell me what was about to happen several seconds before it did happen). I thank goodness for the invention of the media player and the personal dvd player, which means that I don't have to inflict my obsessions on my family.

This film had action, romance (thankfully very limited), comedy, tension and more.

I was relieved to see that they had chosen new actors to play the roles. James T Kirk (Chris Pine - The Princess Diaries 2 - Royal Engagement [DVD] [2004]) is, er, shall we say self-assured and brash. After trying to pick up Uhura (Zoe Saldana) in a bar he is talked into joining star fleet academy (again) by Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood). On the transporter he meets a recently divorced, jaded and overly anxious Dr Leonard McCoy aka Bones (Karl Urban - The Truth About Demons [DVD] [2007], Out Of The Blue [2007] [DVD]).

Three years later Bones is a changed man, much more relaxed, but, unfortunately, his friend Kirk isn't. Spock (Zachary Quinto - 24 : Complete Season 3 [DVD]) is at the academy too, but in a more senior position than Kirk.

After Starfleet intercepts a distress call and the fleet set off to help. Kirk, having been "grounded" is smuggled aboard the Enterprise by McCoy. On board the Enterprise we meet Sulu (John Cho) and teenage genius Pavel Chekov (Anton Yelchin - Terminator Salvation [DVD] [2009]). Later in the film we meet Scotty (Simon Pegg).

Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down (2 Disc Set) [2002] [DVD], Troy (Director's Cut) [DVD] [2004]) is Nero, a Romulan who is out for revenge on those he believes allowed his planet and, therefore, his family to be destroyed.

Guest appearances include Winona Ryder as Spock's mother, Ben Cross as Spock's father, and Leonard Nimoy as the older Spock.

The cast were outstanding. I particularly enjoyed watching the start of the friendship between Kirk and Spock, as well as the friendship of Kirk and McCoy. All the cast performed well - it was, however, unfortunate that we did not see more of Karl Urban's McCoy.

This film has converted me to Star Trek. I am still not sure I would be able to watch the various series that were made, but I would certainly watch a sequel to this movie - providing they could get the same Enterprise cast back. I would like to see more of McCoy and the others too.

I really wanted to dislike this film, I really did, but unfortunately I found I couldn't. I never thought I would ever say this, but I really liked this Star Trek movie.

--- For Information Purposes ---
Audio tracks available: English only
Subtitles are in English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish for the main feature film.

--- UPDATE Nov 2009 ---

A sequel has now been announced - the main cast is expected to return

Stunning Blu Ray Transfer.
Amazing blu ray transfer and thanks to the boys in blue (Royal Mail Blue that is) causing much mayhem, many online retailers are shipping early I have just received my copy and I'm 100% happy with it.

Many people are not happy with the new film but I really don't understand why? It is a fantastic way to refresh everything and while it rewrites history it is done in a completely explainable way and I look forward to many more films with hopefully the same actors who play their respective characters to perfection.

CGI has come a long way over the years and this is just about the first time I didn't think "you can tell that's done with a computer".

The Blu ray comes with a second disc jam packed with extras and the extra scenes are fantastic to watch. We all know a directors cut that will include them will be released in the next 12 months though.

All in all this is one of the best modern films I've watched and unlike most modern films I will be watching this on more then one occasion.

Looking forward to Star Trek 12.

5 Star Film and a 5 star Disc

Star Trek XI
THIS YEAR'S IRON MAN
I guess there are different sorts of die hard fans. I'm of the type who has lapped up everything Star Trek for 40 years. The orginal series was great and so were most of the even numbered movies. TNG was a great ride but with each successive series thereafter, the ideas got less an less original - not that the shows weren't created by hugely talented people but how could they stay hot after hundreds of episodes? By the time we limped to Enterprise, the franchise needed a shot in the arm if it was going to survive. I was hugely sceptical about Abrams' version - Simon Pegg as Scotty, come on! I mean we love him but that definately felt like credibility was being stretched.

What a true delight it was then to see a true pumped up, rock 'n' roll version of Star Trek! Abrams and his gang did a clever thing, they created their very own Star Trek leaving the original series and everything we know fully intact sat happily in its own time line. Don't misunderstand though, this is the very same Kirk, Spock, McCoy and co. we all know and love, just sent down a slightly different path. So we can take a few liberties, mix things up a bit and generally have a ton of fun.

The story does what it needs to, the casting is great (especially Spock and McCoy), the effects are fantastic and Abrams manages to do character moments on the move so there's hardly time to take a breath - oh and Simon Pegg is great as Scotty!

Overall I got a real sense of joi de vivre, hence it being this year's Iron Man something that's been missing from Trek for a long time.

Maybe the best thing is, die hards and newbies alike will all find something to like.

Buy it!