Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #460 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
J.J. Abrams' 2009 feature film was billed as "not your father's Star Trek," but your father will probably love it anyway. And what's not to love? It has enough action, emotional impact, humor, and sheer fun for any moviegoer, and Trekkers will enjoy plenty of insider references and a cast that seems ideally suited to portray the characters we know they'll become later. Both a prequel and a reboot, Star Trek introduces us to James T. Kirk (Chris Pine of The Princess Diaries 2), a sharp but aimless young man who's prodded by a Starfleet captain, Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood), to enlist and make a difference. At the Academy, Kirk runs afoul of a Vulcan commander named Spock (Zachary Quinto of Heroes), but their conflict has to take a back seat when Starfleet, including its new ship, the Enterprise, has to answer an emergency call from Vulcan. What follows is a stirring tale of genocide and revenge launched by a Romulan (Eric Bana) with a particular interest in Spock, and we get to see the familiar crew come together, including McCoy (Karl Urban), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), Sulu (John Cho), Chekhov (Anton Yelchin), and Scottie (Simon Pegg).
The action and visuals make for a spectacular big-screen movie, though the plot by Abrams and his writers, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (who worked together on Transformers and with Abrams on Alias and Mission Impossible III), and his producers (fellow Losties Damon Lindeloff and Bryan Burk) can be a bit of a mind-bender (no surprise there for Lost fans). Hardcore fans with a bone to pick may find faults, but resistance is futile when you can watch Kirk take on the Kobayashi Maru scenario or hear McCoy bark, "Damnit, man, I'm a doctor, not a physicist!" An appearance by Leonard Nimoy and hearing the late Majel Barrett Roddenberry as the voice of the computer simply sweeten the pot. Now comes the hard part: waiting for some sequels to this terrific prequel. --David Horiuchi

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.

--- UPDATE Nov 2009 ---

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

Star Trek
So, I've something to tell you all; something not even some of my closest friends are aware of...I'm a MASSIVE Star Trek fan. I've seen pretty much every episode of Star Trek ever made, I've seen every film made (even the one where Kirk fights God!), and I could have a debate with any other Trekkie about who is the best captain (Janeway, naturally). However, in recent years, Star Trek was a franchise on its knees. Since the end of Enterprise in 2005, there was no Star Trek series on TV for the first time in 18 years and the last film, Nemesis, effectively signalled the end of the line for the Next Generation crew. What was to be done? Well step in Lost, Alias and Mission Impossible man J J Abrams to breathe life into the once great franchise. To paraphrase Spock: "It's Star Trek Jim, but not as we know it."

After the death of his father aboard the USS Kelvin, James T Kirk (Chris Pine) runs wild in his directionless life. Meanwhile, on Vulcan, Spock (Zachary Quinto) is ostracised due to his mixed Vulcan-human parentage. Both are headed for the USS Enterprise, both there is only room for one in the captain's chair.

Reinventing Star Trek was never going to be an easy job for J J Abrams and his team, as there was almost forty years of canon behind them. However, from the first frames of the new film, the Star Trek timeline has been completely torn apart, due to the premature death of George Kirk, James Kirk's father. Some fans have complained that this isn't `real' Star Trek, but it gives the writers the opportunity to completely reinvent the franchise, both in this film and the inevitable sequels. This is an opportunity which Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman seize with both hands, with a major re-writing of the Trek universe occurring. All bets are off from this point onwards, which is what Star Trek needed, after having picky fans moaning for years that x couldn't have happened, as y had happened earlier, but this also affected z. Let the reinvention begin.

Despite this reinvention, the focus stays on the relationship between Kirk, the passionate human, and Spock, the logical Vulcan. Chris Pine is good as the cocky, self-assured, skirt-chasing Kirk. Although he doesn't have the same bizarre speech pattern as Shatner, when the words come from his mouth, you believe that he is James T Kirk. The way he holds him self is similar too, especially in a moment where he sits in the captain's chair with his fist under his chin, which is completely reminiscent of Shatner's Kirk. The superb performance though comes from Zachery Qunito as Spock. Not only does he have the advantage of already looking like Leonard Nemoy, there is a real belief that beneath the Vulcan exterior, there is a battle raging between the human and Vulcan aspects of his personality.

The rest of the cast put in strong performances as well. Zoe Saldana's Uhura finally has a story arc that Nichelle Nichols would have killed for, Simon Pegg's Scotty and Anton Yelchin's Chevok provide the comic relief, and John Cho's Sulu getting to take part in a pretty tense sword fight. The highlight amongst the supporting cast though is Karl Urban, as Leonard `Bones' McCoy, who has mastered the mannerisms of the grumpy ship's doctor to perfection. More of him in the eventual sequel would be more than welcome.

Abrams has also succeeded in doing something no previous Trek did - Star Trek is now sexy. The original crew we ancient by the time they started making films, and by the time they made Nemesis, the Next Generation crew had too many wrinkles and expanding waistlines. In this film, the hem lines of the skirts are that little big higher, Kirk is caught in bed with a green alien, and the USS Enterprise is very much suited to the iPod generation. The film is also quick paced and action packed, with some fantastic special effects.

The Verdict
Set expectations to stunning - thanks to J J Abrams, Star Trek will live long and prosper. Oh, and it made me cry...twice

A Brilliant Return to Top Form.
As a kid loved the original Star Trek series; it had special effects (far beyond that of Dr Who, which I also loved). It also had plenty of action, drama, charisma, humour, compassion, excitement and it always had purpose; commencing with the now classic line... "to boldly go..."

Behind the gloss the original carried two messages that were missing from my own experiences; it always remained positive - in the face of ultimate adversity it never once rolled over to accept defeat, and it was never judgemental - no matter who, it accepted all beings (both humans and aliens) for who they are without question or making value-judgements on their ways or beliefs. It truly was Utopian.

But even though the spin-off Next Generation franchise retained even more clever science and ever expansive storylines, plus had bigger budgets and better CGI, it left me feeling increasingly distanced by not staying faithful to both these principles so I gave up watching a long time ago.

Consequently, I wasn't sure what to expect of this movie or even if I really wanted to see it but, I had a spare ticket, and rather than let it waste, off I trotted... and I'm so glad I did, and I will be watching again, and again...

I was apprehensive wondering how the young versions of Captain Kirk, Scotty, Spock, and Bones would work out, including Chekov, Sulu and Uhura but the casting has been uniformly astounding and each character is strong and gets their moment to shine on screen so we can understand how they later developed into the legends they became... that in turn made the Starship Enterprise virtually invincible.

For those who don't know the original series (if there are any), you'll see a great movie with plenty to get your teeth into: good humour, heroic action, great SFX and you can expect to rate it 70+%

But undoubtedly, for those who know the original series, you will get more out of it and this movie is a must-see, I think it's the best of all the Star Trek movies and I give it 95+%