ith at least one Star Trek TV program on-the-air nearly every day and
an ongoing series of theatrical films and literary tie-ins that seem to
multiply like Tribbles, it can sometimes be difficult to remember the
excitement sparked by the debut of Star Trek: The Motion Picture two
decades ago. Though many folks thought the flick did not live up to its
prerelease hype, the feature not only reinvigorated Gene Roddenberry's
moribund franchise, it also introduced the masterful melodies of Academy
Award-winning composer Jerry Goldsmith into the Star Trek Universe.
A new two-CD set, issued to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of that
influential production, presents 18 cues from the movie's soundtrack. Cuts
like "The Enterprise," "Leaving Drydock" and "The Meld" were initially heard
on the LP released along with the film in 1979, but eight tunes, including
"Spock's Arrival," "The Force Field," "Inner Workings" and "Vejur Speaks,"
were previously unavailable.
The second "bonus" disc offers an expanded version of the classic album
Inside Star Trek. This primarily spoken-word collection, which was
originally created in 1976, spotlights Roddenberry interviewing luminaries
such as William Shatner, DeForest Kelley and Isaac Asimov. Among the 18
selections are three vintage passages that were not on the vinyl version and
two newly recorded segments featuring Nichelle Nichols.
The liner notes contain extensive information on the various compositions,
which are sequenced in the order they were presented in the picture, and both
CDs are packaged in a single jewel box that slides into a holographic
slipcase.
Remarkably fresh and vibrant
In many respects Goldsmith has become a Star Trek fixture, creating
the opening melodies for both The Next Generation and Voyager
and scoring nearly half of the big-screen adventures. Audiences must
therefore recognize that, while some of the themes on this collection are
quite familiar today, they were remarkably fresh and vibrant when first heard
on Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
"Klingon Battle" is a particularly memorable cue, as it combines a
thrilling fanfare with both a powerful beat and the otherworldly sounds of the
blaster beam, a 15-foot-long instrument designed in part from artillery shell
casings. The previously unreleased "Games" is another worthwhile cut, as it
intermingles elements from earlier tunes on the disc, such as "Ilia's Theme," with
myriad audio effects to indicate the total control the alien entity Vejur
(more commonly known to Trek enthusiasts as V'ger) has over a sensual
Starfleet lieutenant.
Inside Star Trek features discussions on everything from "The Origin
of Spock" and "Cyborg Tools and E.T. Life Forms" to "McCoy's Rx for Life" and
"Asimov's World of Science Fiction." If nothing else, it proves that Roddenberry was a genuine fan of science fiction and a firm believer in the positive ideals and concepts presented on his show.
Nonetheless, the key component of this collection is unquestionably
Goldsmith's music. His work is simply phenomenal, and this special Collectors'
Edition soundtrack offers a truly marvelous listening experience for both nostalgic Federation fans and Trek neophytes.
