The Film
Recently we've been bombarded with releases from the Star Trek franchise. Why shouldn't "The Original Series" get a little high-def love?
It's been a whole four years since Star Trek: The Original Series had any type of Blu-ray release, and with J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness burning up Blu-ray sales, it's time for a refresher course. Actually, it's more like Paramount and CBS are yelling out "'memba me?" with Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins.
The disc includes a whopping five episodes -- yes, five. Why the studio thinks you'd opt for this disc when the complete sets are readily available is one of the great mysteries of the galaxy.
That said, these are all good episodes. If you've always wondered what a Shatner-less world would be like, check out "The Cage." This is the show's original pilot, with Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike. That freedom is fleeting, however, as the second episode on the disc is "Where No Man Has Gone Before," which is the first to include Captain Kirk.
Yes, Origins is all about introductions, which is also why it includes "Space Seed." This is the first episode with Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán). It also has the first appearance of Klingons in "Errand of Mercy" and our favorite furry creatures in "The Trouble With Tribbles."
Sure Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins is a fun purchase, but is it a necessary one? Most certainly not. Unless you're looking to sample the overall series or familiarize yourself with the characters featured in the most recent film, it would be best to invest your money in one of the complete season sets.
The Picture
If you own any of the OS Blu-rays, you won't find any surprises here. Well, there is one. Paramount and CBS have excluded the original versions of each episode -- something that's included in the larger sets. Instead, you'll only find the remastered episodes here. That said, the 1:33 image is pretty good -- at least as good as it's going to get. There are some softer moments, but the detail is really nice, especially when you consider the show's age. Also, the colors pop quite well. Overall, it's a really enjoyable viewing experience.
The Sound
Viewers can opt for the original Mono track on each of the five episodes, but what fun is that? The included DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix provides an occasional boost when the ship is sailing through the galaxy. Otherwise, the action sticks pretty close to the front speakers throughout, but everything is clean and clear here.
The Extras
Final Thoughts
Was this trip really necessary? Well, of course not. Without a doubt, the episodes included in the Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins Blu-ray are all classics. However, they are classics that are included in much better sets. Don't let my star ratings confuse you. These are good episodes with a good AV presentation. However, it's nothing but a money-grab timed perfectly with the release of Star Trek Into Darkness.
Product Details
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