Star Trek 1 “The V'Ger Incident”

Having watched all six of Bob's TOS movie edits, I can definitely say that they're all recommended, and all of them make me WANT to say that they're my new go-too versions of the films they edit. With ST2, I'd say the original and Bob's version both have their merits. With ST3 through ST5, I'd say Bob's versions are slightly better (and when I say that, it's important to note that I liked the originals quite well), but I'd still recommend that people watch both from time to time.

This edit is actually the most troubling, because while it does almost everything it needs to do in order to make the film more tightly paced and more focused on the proper characters, I feel that it actually cuts too much. Everything about it makes me want it to be my preferred version, because in basically every way it is a massive improvement over the one TOS film that I never really liked that much. There's just one problem: Decker has been cut too much. His choice at the end makes no sense because we've only seen hints of his feelings for Ilia--or, for that matter, his feelings about anything other than wanting command of the Enterprise. All we know about him in this edit is that he had a thing with Ilia and he wants his ship back. In that context, his actions at the end make no sense.

Other than that, it's great. It's the film TMP should have been. Other than that.

I bought this on DVD years ago and never managed to watch the full thing. It was just very boring in parts, for starters. I also found it difficult to follow.

This edit, despite cutting out an hour of footage, makes an engaging movie. As a result, I can appreciate other strengths of the movie now too.

I would echo another reviewer by saying that the use of the TV show elements seemed jarring to me. There are two very different feels going on. But it’s the most minor of points.

Thanks to the editor for this. I hope you’ll consider revisiting it in higher definition at some point. Although, that’s no small task!

This has replaced the Motion Picture for me! Re-designed to play like an episode of the Original Series, the pacing in this edit is great! Orginal sound effects from the TV show have been inserted to give it a classic trek feel, opening titles that suggest what the planned phase two TV series might have been like.

This edit cuts straight to the story - any background details (Spock leaving Vulcan) are told in flashback - none of that overlong Enterprise porn (camera shots of the starship lasting for days on end) - none of the annoying bickering between Kirk and Decker - in all, a shorter more concise and therefore gripping version of the film. I always felt that the Motion Picture was a padded out TV episode, this proves that - and makes a flawed film that is difficult to watch so much more enjoyable and exciting!

Make sure you get version two of this edit btw!

Star Trek The Motion Picture is not an easy film to watch. The concept is good and I still think the reveal of V'Ger identity is a really awesome idea but the pacing is painfully slow and the characters are not totaly themselves. When the director's edition came out, the movie became more watchable and the pacing was improved.

But now, I have found my go to version. BionicBob has crafted THE definitive edition! There is much to be liked in this. By the way, I have watched the second version of the edit.

First of all, the execution of the new introduction is really impressive and puts us right in the mood! The inclusion of the original series music mixed with the original score works really well. The move feels like a good two parter episode, including the classic fade out. The pacing is way much better and the edit waste no time, launching the enterprise directly into its mission. The pacing slows down a little bit when V'Ger reaches earth but it does not decrease the enjoyment. I must say that I really liked the Spock flashbacks during his mind meld with V'Ger.

I did experience just a little bit of problem with the sound mix during one scene. When Spock wakes up after his mind meld, the background music was great but a tad too strong since it was difficult to understand what Spock was saying.

The relation between Decker and Ilia has been trimmed for the better but it does remove a little bit of motivation in the end scene. Decker is not as present and it feels that the original series characters are now front and center, has it should be. The voyage to V'ger and inside V'Ger have been greatly reduced and because of this, the movie is much tighter and way more enjoyable. It really feels much more in the line with Star Trek!

I wont spoil the finale but it has been modified with two new effect shots which really adds something interesting to the Star Trek mythos.

In summary, this is a fantastic edit!!! If this version was the one shown in theater in 1979, it would have been much more welcomed by the critique and the viewer. Nice work BionicBob!! I look forward to watch your other TOS movies edit!

Review by JetSetWilly — July 10, 2012 @ 8:07 pm

I first saw this edit over two years ago, and I’m ashamed to say I’ve only just got around to writing a review about it. Overall, I thought it was very well done. BB’s intention of keeping it inline with the original TV series, and as a start to a second 5 year mission, works very well. The original music, fade outs, it all fits, and works very well. It is also an achievement that he managed to take a movie that’s 135 minutes long, and condense it down to 80 minutes, and STILL tell the same story.

UPDATE: April 2013

BionicBob has released an updated version of this edit, which has slight improvements in the video, with a few added extras to boot. Still a good edit, the added bits make this even better.

Is it an improvement? I don’t think it’s a question I can answer, because I still think the original version is a classic Trek story, whereas BionicBob’s version is a different take on it altogether, so it would be unfair to compare them both side by side. What I will say is that it is an excellent way to start a series of edits based on the first 6 Original Series movies, and moulding them into something that he has thought a hell of a lot about.

This is the start of the crew’s second 5 year mission. It would be rude to not join them.

A solid 9/10.