Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (television series Star Trek) and
Alan Dean Foster (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

7 December 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

The human adventure is just beginning

Plot:

When a destructive space entity is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral Kirk resumes command of the Starship Enterprise in order to intercept, examine, and hopefully stop it.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Admiral | Space | Space Station | Star Trek

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

William Shatner	...	Admiral James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
James Doohan	...	Cmdr. Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
George Takei	...	Lt. Cmdr. Hikaru Sulu
Majel Barrett	...	Dr. Christine Chapel
Walter Koenig	...	Lt. Pavel Chekov
Nichelle Nichols	...	Lt. Cmdr. Uhura
Persis Khambatta	...	Lt. Ilia
Stephen Collins	...	Cmdr. Willard Decker
Grace Lee Whitney	...	CPO Janice Rand
Mark Lenard	...	Klingon Captain
Billy Van Zandt	...	Alien Boy
Roger Aaron Brown	...	Epsilon Technician
Gary Faga	...	Airlock Technician
David Gautreaux	...	Cmdr. Branch
John D. Gowans	...	Assistant to Rand
Howard Itzkowitz	...	Cargo Deck Ensign
Jon Rashad Kamal	...	Cmdr. Sonak
Marcy Lafferty	...	Chief DiFalco
Michele Ameen Billy	...	Lieutenant
Jeri McBride	...	Technician
Terrence O'Connor	...	Chief Ross
Michael Rougas	...	Lt. Cleary
Susan O'Sullivan	...	Vice-Adm. Lori Ciana (as Susan J. Sullivan)
Ralph Brannen	...	Crew Member
Ralph Byers	...	Crew Member
Paula Crist	...	Extra
Iva Lane	...	Crew Member
Franklyn Seales	...	Crew Member
Momo Yashima	...	Crew Member
Jimmie Booth	...	Klingon Crewman
Joel Kramer	...	Klingon Crewman
Bill McIntosh	...	Klingon Crewman (as Bill McTosh)
Dave Moordigian	...	Klingon Crewman
Tom Morga	...	Klingon Crewman
Tony Rocco	...	Klingon Crewman
Joel Schultz	...	Klingon Crewman
Craig Thomas	...	Klingon Crewman
Edna Glover	...	Vulcan Master
Norman Stuart	...	Vulcan Master
Paul Weber	...	Vulcan Master
Joshua Gallegos	...	Security Officer
Lisa Chess	...	Yeoman
Leslie C. Howard	...	Yeoman
Sayra Hummel	...	Technical Assistant
Junero Jennings	...	Technical Assistant
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Richard Arnold	...	Crewmember (uncredited)
Christopher Doohan	...	Extra (uncredited)
Montgomery Doohan	...	Extra (uncredited)
David Gerrold	...	Crewman (uncredited)
William Guest	...	Crewmember (uncredited)
Louise Stange-Wahl	...	Crew Member on Rec Deck (uncredited)
Bjo Trimble	...	Crewman (uncredited)
Scott Whitney	...	Vulcan Medic (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Wise

Writing credits
Gene Roddenberry		(television series Star Trek)
Alan Dean Foster		(story)
Harold Livingston		(screenplay)

Produced by
David C. Fein	....	producer (2001 director's edition)
Jon Povill	....	associate producer
Gene Roddenberry	....	producer

Original Music by
Jerry Goldsmith

Cinematography by
Richard H. Kline

Film Editing by
Todd C. Ramsay		(as Todd Ramsay)

Casting by
Marvin Paige

Production Design by
Harold Michelson

Art Direction by
Leon Harris
Joseph R. Jennings		(as Joe Jennings)
John Vallone

Set Decoration by
Linda DeScenna

Costume Design by
Robert Fletcher		(as Bob Fletcher)

Makeup Department
Barbara Minster	....	hair stylist
Ve Neill	....	makeup artist
Fred B. Phillips	....	makeup artist
Janna Phillips	....	makeup artist
Rick Stratton	....	makeup effects
Carlos Yeaggy	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Lindsley Parsons Jr.	....	executive in charge of production
Phil Rawlins	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Kevin G. Cremin	....	dga trainee (as Kevin Cremin)
Daniel McCauley	....	assistant director (as Danny McCauley)
Douglas Trumbull	....	second unit director
Douglas E. Wise	....	second assistant director (as Doug Wise)

Art Department
Chris Buchinsky	....	animator
Lee Cole	....	graphic designer
Tom Cranham	....	production illustrator
Jack Johnson	....	production illustrator
Eugene S. Kelley	....	construction coordinator (as Gene Kelley)
Steven Kerlagon	....	set painter
Martin A. Kline	....	production illustrator (as Martin Kline)
Daniel Maltese	....	set designer
Robert McCall	....	production illustrator
Syd Mead	....	production illustrator (as Syd Meade)
John Millerberg	....	graphic artist
Michael Minor	....	conceptual illustrator
Michael Minor	....	production illustrater
Don Moore	....	production illustrator
David J. Negron	....	senior illustrator
Andrew Probert	....	production illustrator (as Andy Probert)
Ron Resch	....	geometric designs: Boston University
Richard M. Rubin	....	property master (as Dick Rubin)
Kevin Shanks	....	drapery man/floor covering
John R. Shourt	....	production illustrator (as John Shourt)
Mark Siegel	....	sculptor
Jimmy Williams	....	carpenter
Maurice Zuberano	....	production illustrator
Rick Sternbach	....	illustrator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Richard L. Anderson	....	supervising sound editor
Dirk Dalton	....	sound effects creator
Stephen Hunter Flick	....	sound editor
Joel Goldsmith	....	sound effects creator
Cecelia Hall	....	sound editor
Sean Hanley	....	dialogue editor
Alan Howarth	....	sound effects creator (as Alan S. Howarth)
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recording mixer
Francisco Lupica	....	sound effects creator
Mark A. Mangini	....	adr editor
Benjamin Martin	....	sound effects editor: 2001 director's edition
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recording mixer
Alan Robert Murray	....	supervising sound editor
Tom Overton	....	sound mixer
Frank Serafine	....	sound effects creator
Bill Varney	....	supervising re-recording mixer
Colin Waddy	....	sound editor
George Watters II	....	sound editor
Craig Hundley	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
John Roesch	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Donald C. Rogers	....	technical director of sound (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Deborah Baxter	....	assistant photographic effects
Jeffrey Baxter	....	special photographic effects
Thane Berti	....	special effects photography
Cosmas Paul Bolger Jr.	....	special effects photographer (as Cosmos Bolger)
Martin Bresin	....	mechanical special effects (as Marty Bresin)
Al Broussard	....	special props and miniatures
Glenn Campbell	....	photographic effects camera
Chris Crump	....	special props and miniatures
Courtney Dane	....	special effects
Dieter Deipert	....	mechanical design
Janet Dykstra	....	assistant special photographic effects
John Dykstra	....	special photographic effects supervisor
Glenn Erickson	....	special effects editorial staff
Lee Ettleman	....	special props and miniatures
Scott Farrar	....	photographic effects camera
Michael L. Fink	....	special props and miniatures (as Mike Fink)
Bob Friedstand	....	photographic effects camera
Christopher George	....	photographic effects camera (as Christopher George)
Leora Glass	....	assistant special photographic effects
Philip Golden	....	assistant special photographic effects
Phil Gonzales	....	special effects photographer
Kristopher Gregg	....	effects props (as Kris Gregg)
Kristopher Gregg	....	special props and miniatures (as Kris Gregg)
William Guest	....	special props and miniatures
Rick Guttierez	....	special props and miniatures
Robert Hollister	....	photographic effects camera
John James	....	photographic effects: project manager
Proctor Jones	....	assistant special photographic effects
Steve Klein	....	special effects editor
Stephen Mark	....	special effects editor (as Steve Mark)
Ray Mattey	....	mechanical special effects
Russell McElhatton	....	photographic effects camera
Michael McMillen	....	special props and miniatures
Bill Millar	....	photographic effects: project manager
Tom Pahk	....	special props and miniatures
Mike Peed	....	photographic effects camera
Kevin Pike	....	special effects: custom props
John Piner	....	special effects projectionist
Darrell Pritchett	....	mechanical special effects
Lex Rawlins	....	photographic effects camera
Ramon Sanchez	....	special effects
Jonathan Seay	....	photographic effects camera
Robert Shepherd	....	special effects project manager
Robert Short	....	special props and miniatures
Denise Shurtleff	....	assistant special photographic effects (as Tutt Shurtleff)
Steve Slocomb	....	photographic effects camera (as Steve Slocum)
Robert Spurlock	....	special props and miniatures
David K. Stewart	....	special photographic effects cinematographer (as Dave Stewart)
Robert C. Thomas	....	photographic effects camera (as Bob Thomas)
Rick Thompson	....	special props and miniatures
Douglas Trumbull	....	special photographic effects director
Paul Turner	....	special props and miniatures
Alex Weldon	....	mechanical special effects
Alex Weldon	....	special effects coordinator
Don Wheeler	....	special props and miniatures
Richard Yuricich	....	special photographic effects producer

Visual Effects by
Larry Albright	....	effects props and miniatures
Dick Alexander	....	mechanical designer
Darryl Anka	....	model maker
Michael Backauskas	....	visual effects editor
Don Baker	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Charles L. Barbee	....	motion control photography: photon torpedos and V'ger flyover sequence (as Chuck Barbee)
Philip Barberio	....	camera operator: special photographic effects (as Phil Barberio)
David Bartholomew	....	visual effects assistant editor
David Beasley	....	effects props and miniatures
Lisze Bechtold	....	animation and graphics
Mat Beck	....	electronic technician
Bruce Bishop	....	effects props and miniatures
Rob Bonchune	....	digital effects artist
Deena Burkett	....	special animation effects
Kathryn Campbell	....	visual effects editor (as M. Kathryn Campbell)
Mark Cane	....	special effects grip
Merilyn Ching	....	animation artist
Elrene Cowan	....	matte and roto supervisor
Don Cox	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Kris Dean	....	special electronics
Cy Didjurgis	....	animation
Daren Dochterman	....	visual effects supervisor: DVD-The Director's Edition
Dennis Dorney	....	motion control camera
Roger Dorney	....	optical supervisor
Jim Dow	....	miniatures
Douglas Eby	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Douglas Eby	....	matte painter
Leslie Ekker	....	art department model designer & animator: designed small ships, bridge Displays, slot mask animation
Leslie Ekker	....	visual effects designer/animator: Slot Mask Animation
John Ellis	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Robert Elswit	....	visual effects photographer
Charles Embrey	....	special effects gaffer
Jon Erland	....	effects props and miniatures
Stephen Fog	....	special electronics
P.J. Foley	....	digital artist
Mark Freund	....	optical cameraman
Joe Garlington	....	effects props and miniatures
Ernest Garza	....	visual consultant
Bo Gehring	....	computer motion control system for miniatures
Bill George	....	model maker
Bruno George	....	motion control camera operator
Pete Gerard	....	effects props and miniatures
Rick Gilligan	....	effects props and miniatures
John Gilman	....	special electronics
Rocco Gioffre	....	additional matte paintings
Jim Goodnight	....	special electronics
Abbot Grafton	....	optical and mechanical consultant
Alan Gundelfinger	....	optical consultant
David R. Hardberger	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Alan Harding	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Linda Harris	....	animation and graphics
Richie Helmer	....	effects props and miniatures
Jack Hinkle	....	visual effects editorial
Sherry Hitch	....	digital compositor (DVD Director's Cut)
Thomas Hollister	....	visual effects photography (as Tom Hollister)
Fred Iguchi	....	special electronics
Don Jarel	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Gregory Jein	....	miniatures (as Greg Jein)
Phil Joanou	....	special visual consultant
Michael Joyce	....	effects props and miniatures
Michael Joyce	....	model maker
Nicola Kaftan	....	animation artist
Denny Kelly	....	visual effects editor
Deborah Kendail	....	effects props and miniatures
John Kimball	....	animation artist
Greg Kimble	....	visual effects photographer
Mark Kline	....	special effects grip
Tom Koester	....	animation and graphics
Don Kurtz	....	effects props and miniatures
Milt Laiken	....	optical consultant
Michael Lawler	....	visual effects cameraman
Lin Law	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Deidre Le Blanc	....	animation artist
Adam 'Mojo' Lebowitz	....	visual effects supervisor: Foundation Imaging: DVD director's edition
David V. Lester	....	optical effects unit manager
Robin Dean Leyden	....	special electronics (as Robin Leyden)
Clayton R. Marsh	....	camera operator: special photographic effects (as Clay Marsh)
Pat McClung	....	effects props and miniatures
David McCue	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Grant McCune	....	miniature supervisor
Gregory L. McMurry	....	special electronics (as Greg McMurray)
Gregory L. McMurry	....	visual effects technician
Dennis Michelson	....	console display animation
Michael Douglas Middleton	....	special visual consultant (as Mike Middleton)
Alvah J. Miller	....	electronic engineer
Virgil Mirano	....	visual consultant
Harry Moreau	....	effects animator
Linda Moreau	....	animation artist
Max Morgan	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
David R. Morton	....	digital matte painter (2001 director's edition)
Josh Morton	....	special electronics
John C. Moulds	....	optical cameraman
Mike Myers	....	special electronics
Erik Nash	....	special visual consultant
Gerald Nash	....	optical and mechanical consultant
Ron Nathan	....	visual effects photographer
Tom Pahk	....	model maker
Jose Perez	....	visual effects
Jerry Pooler	....	visual effects cameraman
Gary Rhodaback	....	effects props and miniatures
Christopher S. Ross	....	model maker (as Chris Ross)
Steve Sass	....	electronic technician
Dennis Schultz	....	effects props and miniatures
David Scott	....	effects props and miniatures
Barry Seybert	....	visual effects
William Shourt	....	mechanical designer (as Bill Shourt)
Russ Simpson	....	miniatures
Dick Singleton	....	effects props and miniatures
Richard Smiley	....	effects props and miniatures
Douglas Smith	....	special effects cameraman (as Doug Smith)
David Sosalla	....	effects props and miniatures
Scott Squires	....	visual effects r&d supv
Mark Stetson	....	effects props and miniatures
Lee Stringer	....	visual effects animator/modeler: director's edition
John E. Sullivan	....	special effects cameraman (as John Sullivan)
Robert Swarthe	....	special animation effects
Michael Sweeney	....	visual effects photographer
Rick Thompson	....	model maker
George Trimmer	....	model maker
Don Trumbull	....	mechanical designer
Susan Turner	....	effects props and miniatures
Patrick Van Auken	....	visual effects grip (as Pat Van Auken)
Don Webber	....	effects props and miniatures
Brett Webster	....	assistant visual effects
Gary Weeks	....	effects props and miniatures
Greg Wilzbach	....	animation artist
Vicky Witt	....	visual effects editorial
Diane E. Wooten	....	visual effects photographer
Hoyt Yeatman	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Alison Yerxa	....	animation and graphics
Marv Ystrom	....	optical effects
Matthew Yuricich	....	camera operator: special photographic effects
Matthew Yuricich	....	matte artist
Mike Donahue	....	system engineer: Foundation Imaging (director's cut) (uncredited)
Dave Gregory	....	special optical effects lineup & plotting: Pacific Title (uncredited)
Michael Rivero	....	effects camera (uncredited)
John Sore	....	visual effects animator/modeler: director's edition (uncredited)

Stunts
Bob Bralver	....	stunts
Bill Couch	....	stunts (as William Couch)
Keith Lane Jensen	....	stunts (as Keith L. Jensen)
John Hugh McKnight	....	stunts
Lightning Bear	....	stunts (uncredited)
Tom Morga	....	stunt double: Leonard Nimoy in Space Suit (uncredited)
Kym Washington	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Bernie Abramson	....	director of photography: second unit
Albert Bettcher	....	camera operator
Richard Debolt	....	camera & mechanical design
Jim Dickson	....	additional photographer
Michael Genne	....	assistant camera
David Gold	....	effects gaffer
Larry D. Howard	....	gaffer (as Larry Howard)
Bruce Logan	....	additional photographer
Bob Sorbel	....	key grip
Mel Traxel	....	still photographer
Charles F. Wheeler	....	additional photographer
Robert Wise	....	assistant camera (as Rob Wise)

Animation Department
Lisze Bechtold	....	animation graphics
Angela Anastasia Diamos	....	animator (as Angela Diamos)
Linda Harris	....	animation graphics
John Millerberg	....	animator
Connie Morgan	....	animation graphics
George Polkinghorne	....	mechanical designer
Alison Yerxa	....	animation graphics

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Jack Bear	....	wardrobe
James P. Cullen	....	costumer
Agnes G. Henry	....	wardrobe (as Agnes Henry)
Mary Etta Lang	....	wardrobe

Editorial Department
Don Dittmar	....	color timer
Paul Hamill	....	post-production assistant: Cinema Research Corp.
Rick Mitchell	....	assistant film editor
Nora Jeanne Smith	....	negative cutter
Randy D. Thornton	....	assistant film editor

Music Department
Alexander Courage	....	composer: theme "Star Trek"
Kenneth Hall	....	music editor (as Ken Hall)
Tommy Johnson	....	musician: tuba soloist
Arthur Morton	....	orchestrator
John Neal	....	scoring mixer
Fred Steiner	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Robert D. Mayne	....	unit transportation coordinator (as Robert Mayne)

Other crew
Isaac Asimov	....	special science consultant
Mona Thal Benefiel	....	assistant: Mr. Turnbull
Richard Foy	....	titles
Joyce Goldberg	....	assistant: Mr. Yuricich
Suzanne Gordon	....	publicist
Richard E. Hollander	....	electronic and mechanical design (as Richard Hollander)
Paul Johnson	....	electrical designer
Ann M. Johnston	....	assistant: Mr. Shepherd
Brian Longbotham	....	engine room and voyager 6 design
Guy Marsden	....	visual consultant
Michael Matessino	....	restoration supervisor (2001 director's edition)
Mimi McKinney	....	assistant: Mr. Dykstra
Sam Nicholson	....	engine room and voyager 6 design
Charles A. Ogle	....	accountant
Bonnie Prendergast	....	script supervisor
John Rothwell	....	unit publicist
Susan Sackett	....	assistant: Mr. Roddenberry
Ramon Sanchez	....	scientific consultant
Mark Siegel	....	creature maker
Mark Siegel	....	puppeteer
Anita Terrian	....	production secretary
Jesco von Puttkamer	....	special science advisor
Evans Wetmore	....	electronic and mechanical design
James Doohan	....	Klingon and Vulcan languages (uncredited)
Leonard Nimoy	....	additional writer (uncredited)
Gene Roddenberry	....	creator: original story (uncredited)
Philip Weyland	....	stand-in (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Century Associates
• Paramount Pictures

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1979) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1983) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video
• Cinéma International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (France) (theatrical)
• Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1979) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Video (1995) (USA) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (VHS)

Special Effects

• Apogee Productions
• Foundation Imaging (2001 director's edition)
• Robert Abel and Associates

Other Companies

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  grateful acknowledgment
• Polaroid  technical assistance

Also Known As:

Star Trek II (USA) (working title)
Star Trek: Phase II (USA) (working title)
Star Trek: Planet of the Titans (USA) (working title)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition (USA) (DVD title)
Ürszekerek (Hungary) [hu]
Jornada nas Estrelas - O Filme (Brazil) [pt]
O Caminho das Estrelas (Portugal) [pt]
Patrouille du cosmos (Canada: French title) [fr]
Star Trek (Denmark) [da]
Star Trek: Der Film (West Germany) [de]
Star trek (Italy) [it]
Star trek - A mozifilm (Hungary) [hu]
Star trek - Csillagösvény (Hungary) (TV title) [hu]
Star trek - avaruusmatka (Finland) [fi]
Star trek, le film (France) [fr]
Star trek: La película (Spain) [es]
Uzay Macerasi (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Uzay Yolu: Uzay Macerasi (Turkey: Turkish title) (Pay-TV title) [tr]
Viaje a las estrellas (Colombia) [es]
Viaje a las estrellas: La película (Argentina) [es]

MPAA:

Rated PG for sci-fi action and mild language.

Runtime:

132 min | USA:136 min (director's cut) | USA:143 min (TV version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Klingon

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX (director's cut) | Dolby

Certification:

Italy:T | Canada:PG (Ontario - 2006) | Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | New Zealand:G | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-10 | France:U | Ireland:G | Netherlands:12 | Norway:12 | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:G | USA:PG (director's cut) | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) (director's cut) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Century Associates

Trivia:

So far, this film still has the longest running time of any Star Trek movie. In fact, it's the only one to break the two-hour mark.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The Voyager probes were actually a renamed Mariner 11 and 12; there were no more in the series - only Voyagers 1 and 2 were ever built.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Klingon captain: [giving an order in Klingon] Tactical...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex, Drugs and Rock 'N' Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (2003)

Star Trek Done Right!

It's amazing how many Trekkies I meet describe Star Trek the Motion Picture as "A good sci-fi film, but an awful Star Trek movie."....And that's when they're feeling generous!

This statement can't be farther from the truth. The story is well written and director Robert Wise makes the characters believable. The movie is not filled with the goofy jokes and ridiculous Shatner back-flip fight scenes that some Trekkies seem to enjoy. Instead, the battle with the mysterious alien entity reveals the dynamics and inner conflicts of the crew. Spock realizes that pure logic alone cannot answer all, but must be coupled with emotion in order to tap into our creative imagination and see the possibilities of our universe. Kirk is portrayed as a daring and brilliant captain, who learns that as a leader he needs to rely on the expertise of those around him. He is a more believable figure who is fallible and struggles to learn from his mistakes.

The Enterprise is not envisioned as an easy to fly wonder ship that requires no more than the main Trek cast to run, but as a complex machine that needs precise tuning of components balanced by a crew of hundreds. The scene where Spock and the engineering crew struggle with balancing the mathematical models needed to program the warp engines convey the real dangers of space flight.

Additionally, both the visual and audio effects add to the impact of this movie. For a film made in '79, before the advent of believable CGI, the special effects are superb. Believe it or not, I've noticed special effects scenes in Independence Day taken directly from Star Trek:TMP footage (scan the shots of the inside of the mother ship (ID4)when Will Smith is making his escape run).

All in all, the ingredients of good character development, believable conflict, and hard science make this movie the true precursor to Star Trek: The Next Generation. Unfortunately, Star Treks III, IV, and V avoid the hard work this movie required and depend on the silly antics of its maturing crew.