Star Trek – The Original Series: Season One (HD-DVD Combo Format)
Picture:
B/C+ Sound: B/C+ Extras: B Episodes: B
Of all
the classic TV series to arrive first in either high definition format, it is
no surprise the classic, original Star
Trek would likely be the first to do so, but not without some
controversy. The importance, greatness,
influence and innovations of the original show are inarguable and you can read
about the first DVD-only wave of releases at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/1680/Star+Trek+-+The+Original+Series
Though
the shows have been restored, they have also been altered. The shows on both the HD and regular definition
DVD sides have consistent color and remain at their original 1.33 X 1 aspect
ratio, all the old model work and view screens have been replaced with lame
digital versions. The studio even made
digital records of the original model and recreated in the most boring way
digitally for these shows. They have
altered all the shows this way and adding atmospheres to the planets looks
phonier than the 1960s effects ever did.
As for
the color, it seems a bit tined down at times as if the studio was afraid of
the more vibrant 1960s colors that made the show great. In addition, the color for the digital work
is even worse and has motion blur issues the models never had. If they really wanted to upgrade these shows,
they should have used more realistic models and or digital effects instead of
the stillborn result. Also, the
transitions from the motion blur of the digital to the grain of the more
colorful footage is also obnoxious and even with its color unevenness, the older
DVDs of the series can often play better with their limited clean up and
upgrades. Having seen nice film prints
of the show, I can tell you the color is not 100% as intended on either side. Finally, detail could be better considering
these were shot in 35mm film and that Warner’s block style 1.33 X 1
HD-DVD/Blu-ray releases of Casablanca
and Adventures Of Robin Hood (both
reviewed elsewhere on this site) look sharper is a sign something is not quite
correct about these transfers. How films
25 – 30 years older look better is an issue.
The Dolby
upgrades are not much different from the previous set, though the Dolby True HD
5.1 on the HD sides sound best, score music was supposedly rerecorded in some
or all spots, but is less noticeable and distracting in any case. The show was originally monophonic and not
bad mono at that. The older elements
have been taken care of at any rate and the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix on the
standard DVD side is not any better than the Original Series DVD sets already
issued.
Extras
include recent 2003-04 interviews with the cast and producers, 1988 Roddenberry
footage, The Birth of a Timeless Legacy
featurette, To Boldly Go... Season One
featurette, Sci-Fi Visionaries
featurette, Shatner Life Beyond Trek
piece, Nimoy Reflections of Spock
featurette and (as expected) continuing Michael & Denise Okuda pop-up text
commentary on four of the episodes.
These are all welcome and save the set from being ignorable, if you are
as unhappy with the upgrades as this writer is.
You might
want to get those older DVD sets just in case.
- Nicholas Sheffo
