Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
The Enterprise's first feature, with smarts outdoing guns.
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Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Parents say that this film is often considered a slow and dull entry in the franchise, with its long musical sequences and lackluster plot failing to engage younger viewers, even those familiar with the series. However, it is appreciated for its groundbreaking special effects and a decent score, making it mainly a nostalgic experience for devoted fans rather than a captivating story for new audiences.
- slow pacing
- limited appeal
- impressive effects
- nostalgic experience
- clunky narrative
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 12 kid reviews
What's the Story?
After years deskbound as an admiral in Starfleet, STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE begins with James T. Kirk (William Shatner) reassuming command of the starship Enterprise, just refurbished with the latest gear and weaponry. Their mission is to stop a cosmic menace, a shimmering force field from uncharted space that is heading for Earth and destroying anything in its way. Kirk is in an uncomfortable situation, having demoted the younger, more tech-savvy Captain Decker (Stephen Collins) in order to get his ship back. First Officer Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is a late arrival on the mission, having unhappily opted out of joining a monk-like mystical order of pure logic on his home planet of Vulcan.
Is It Any Good?
While the $42 million budget generated almost as much awe in itself as the movie's cosmic menace, the best part about Star Trek: The Motion Picture is the reunion of beloved small-screen cast members. Far more complex than the film's plot is the story behind the many years it took to bring the first Star Trek film to the big screen. It's commendable that the filmmakers, for the most part, stuck to the TV show's model of character-based dramatics, and an interplanetary menace was defeated using intellect and good judgment, not light sabers.
Still, the film is a pretty ponderous spectacle. When the Enterprise enters the vast, cloudlike boundaries of the intruder, an awful lot of the movie is indeed the cast gaping at the shimmering light show, right up to a quasi-mystical finale that might have some viewers more puzzled than dazzled.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sci-fi violence. How realistic is the violence seen in this movie? Does it make the same impact if violence is in a sci-fi setting?
The Star Trek series and movies always made a point of having a diverse cast. Why does having diverse media role models matter?
How does Star Trek compare to other science fiction franchises?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 7, 1979
- On DVD or streaming : November 6, 2001
- Cast : DeForest Kelley , Leonard Nimoy , William Shatner
- Director : Robert Wise
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures
- Run time : 143 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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