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Spanning
two decades and countless light years of interstellar adventure, Star
Trek: The Motion Pictures Collection is a testament to the enduring
goodwill of Gene Roddenberry's optimistic sci-fi concept. Long before
Star Wars sparked an explosion of big-screen science fiction,
Roddenberry had planned a second Star Trek TV series; the project
fizzled, but its pilot script evolved into the first film in
Paramount's most lucrative movie franchise. Despite its sluggish pace
and bland "pajama" costuming, Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
offered a welcomed reunion of the "Classic Trek" cast, packed with
Douglas Trumbull's still-dazzling special effects. Trekkers were even
more ecstatic when The Wrath of Khan (1982) revived the spirit of the
original series, even though director Nicholas Meyer was a Trek
neophyte. With Leonard Nimoy directing, The Search for Spock (1984)
began where Khan left off, with a thrilling (albeit contrived)
obligation to resurrect the formerly ill-fated Mr. Spock.
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Nearly two
decades after the cancellation of the original STAR TREK television
series creator Gene Roddenberry launched the first of what was to be
four phenomenally successful spinoffs with STAR TREK: THE NEXT
GENERATION. Set in the 24th century (nearly 100 years after the
stewardship of Captain Kirk) the series introduced an all-new cast of
intergalactic travellers exploring the farthest reaches out of outer
space on a mission to chart new planets and alien civilizations. Ship
commander Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) anchored the crew
of the Starship Enterprise-D with a sensitive reserve that marked a
distinct contrast to his trigger-happy predecessor whose role was
assumed by the Kirk-like second-in-command William Riker (Jonathan
Frakes). Rounding out the cast were the Spock-like android Data (Brent
Spiner); blind officer Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton); Klingon officer
Worf (Michael Dorn); ship doctor Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden); her
teenage son Wesley (Wil Wheaton); and psychic psychiatrist Deanna Troi
(Marina Sirtis). THE NEXT GENERATION was considered one of the best
STAR TREK spinoffs for its intelligent writing and superb sci-fi
special effects.
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