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Star Trek: Original Series Vol. 16
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
This is the second "Original Series" Star Trek DVD that I've reviewed, and the first time in a long while that I've sat down to watch an episode of the old show. Watching it reminds me of why it became so popular, and in similar fashion, why the "X-Files" has built up such a fan base. This isn't television but something beyond it; breaking the boundary to become more of a movie than television.
Led by William Shatner's entertaining overacting (please, no more priceline ads), the crew went on journeys to bold new worlds each week. There are two episodes on this DVD; the first one is "Metamorphasis", where Kirk and crew are drawn by a mysterious cloud to a planet where Zefram Cochrane lives. Although I'm no "trekkie", those who have seen "First Contact" may remember Cochrane as the character who invented warp-speed. Along for the ride is Commissioner Hedford(Elinor Donahue) who is ailing from a disease that needs treatment; unfortunately, they're marooned on the planet with only the cloud and Cochrane. I won't give away the plot, but there are secrets that Cochrane offers about how he's gotten there that are quite interesting. Those who have seen "First Contact" may enjoy seeing an early version.
I haven't watched the show in ages before reviewing these two new volumes, and it really amazes me how these shows haven't really "aged". Yes, the effects are sometimes silly, but the plots are creative and entertaining still today. Where "Metamorphasis" is a good dramatic episode, the second episode offered on this Volume is more of an action episode - "Friday's Child" has Kirk and a landing party facing the Klingons on a planet, while the crew of the Enterprise have to deal with a Klingon ship in space above. It's an entertaining episode, but I liked "Metamorphasis" more.
The DVD
VIDEO: The image quality for both of the episodes in Volume 16 are quite good for the age of the show, and ever so slightly improved over the two episodes in the previous volume. The difference here is slightly less wear on both episodes. There is still some marks and scratches on occasion, but they seemed less frequent in comparison. A slight bit of grain does appear from time to time, but this is not distracting.
I didn't see any pixelation or shimmer in the full-frame presentation, which has strong colors that look bold (especially some of the richer colors in the "Metamorphasis" epiosde) that never look faded. After watching Volumes 15 and 16, Paramount should be praised for keeping these shows in such good shape. They do show some flaws, but certainly less than I'd expected.
SOUND: Like the rest of the Volumes, the two episodes here have been remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. While this certainly isn't an agressive or active sounding presentation, it does benefit from this, opening up the previously mono sound. Again, surrounds are used very minimally for both episodes, but the music and effects do get a fine presentation from the front speakers.
Like the episodes in Volume 15, this isn't rich sound, but I was pleased to find that it wasn't thin or flat, either. The music seems crisp and clear, and dialogue is easily heard throughout, with no problems at all. Paramount has done strong work and I hope that they continue offering these original episodes in Dolby Digital 5.1.
MENUS:: Menus aren't animated, but are nicely designed, with both episodes having their own area.
EXTRAS:: The original previews for both episodes.
Final Thoughts: Even for non-Trek fans, the low price makes these two entertaining episodes worth a look. Again, both episodes are presented well with good audio and video quality. Both Vol. 15 and 16 are recommended.
This is the second "Original Series" Star Trek DVD that I've reviewed, and the first time in a long while that I've sat down to watch an episode of the old show. Watching it reminds me of why it became so popular, and in similar fashion, why the "X-Files" has built up such a fan base. This isn't television but something beyond it; breaking the boundary to become more of a movie than television.
Led by William Shatner's entertaining overacting (please, no more priceline ads), the crew went on journeys to bold new worlds each week. There are two episodes on this DVD; the first one is "Metamorphasis", where Kirk and crew are drawn by a mysterious cloud to a planet where Zefram Cochrane lives. Although I'm no "trekkie", those who have seen "First Contact" may remember Cochrane as the character who invented warp-speed. Along for the ride is Commissioner Hedford(Elinor Donahue) who is ailing from a disease that needs treatment; unfortunately, they're marooned on the planet with only the cloud and Cochrane. I won't give away the plot, but there are secrets that Cochrane offers about how he's gotten there that are quite interesting. Those who have seen "First Contact" may enjoy seeing an early version.
I haven't watched the show in ages before reviewing these two new volumes, and it really amazes me how these shows haven't really "aged". Yes, the effects are sometimes silly, but the plots are creative and entertaining still today. Where "Metamorphasis" is a good dramatic episode, the second episode offered on this Volume is more of an action episode - "Friday's Child" has Kirk and a landing party facing the Klingons on a planet, while the crew of the Enterprise have to deal with a Klingon ship in space above. It's an entertaining episode, but I liked "Metamorphasis" more.
The DVD
VIDEO: The image quality for both of the episodes in Volume 16 are quite good for the age of the show, and ever so slightly improved over the two episodes in the previous volume. The difference here is slightly less wear on both episodes. There is still some marks and scratches on occasion, but they seemed less frequent in comparison. A slight bit of grain does appear from time to time, but this is not distracting.
I didn't see any pixelation or shimmer in the full-frame presentation, which has strong colors that look bold (especially some of the richer colors in the "Metamorphasis" epiosde) that never look faded. After watching Volumes 15 and 16, Paramount should be praised for keeping these shows in such good shape. They do show some flaws, but certainly less than I'd expected.
SOUND: Like the rest of the Volumes, the two episodes here have been remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. While this certainly isn't an agressive or active sounding presentation, it does benefit from this, opening up the previously mono sound. Again, surrounds are used very minimally for both episodes, but the music and effects do get a fine presentation from the front speakers.
Like the episodes in Volume 15, this isn't rich sound, but I was pleased to find that it wasn't thin or flat, either. The music seems crisp and clear, and dialogue is easily heard throughout, with no problems at all. Paramount has done strong work and I hope that they continue offering these original episodes in Dolby Digital 5.1.
MENUS:: Menus aren't animated, but are nicely designed, with both episodes having their own area.
EXTRAS:: The original previews for both episodes.
Final Thoughts: Even for non-Trek fans, the low price makes these two entertaining episodes worth a look. Again, both episodes are presented well with good audio and video quality. Both Vol. 15 and 16 are recommended.
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