STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE

20th Anniversary Collectors' Edition

by Jerry Goldsmith

What can I say? This is probably one of the best film scores ever. Goldsmith took his innovative approach to film scoring to the next level. Although most remember this for the title march, I always think of the perfect meld between the orchestra and electronics that the maestro achieves in the V'Ger sequences. This special edition, although delayed for five years, incorporates most of the score in a digitally remastered CD complete with informative liner notes. Although the sound quality is pinched in a couple of tracks, many instruments not able to be heard in the previous mix are now present.

Track by Track Analysis:
1. Ilia's Theme (3:01)
Goldsmith begins the film with a concert suite of the love theme. A great technique that he employs is the interpolation of sections of the not-yet-heard main theme.
2. Main Title (1:23)
The famous main theme is introduced. As the liner notes say, the snare drums were mixed down, which IMHO was a poor choice. However, this arrangement has a very powerful introduction that has not been heard in the subsequent films. The rest is played as in the other films, although the brass are much more powerful.
3. Klingon Battle (5:27)
This lengthy set piece introduces the familiar Klingon theme. Additionally, the large percussion instrument called the Blaster Beam makes its first appearance, signifying the alien presence. Also, "Klingon Battle" is basically the only action cue in the film. It begins with an ominous piano note, and leads to the Klingon theme. Eventually, a "busy" Federation motif appears, and the cue ends with a climax of the Klingon theme.
4. Total Logic (3:44)
This previously unreleased track begins with ceremonial drums interrupted by the Blaster Beam accompanied by electronics. Spock's previously unheard motif makes its first appearance. Stravinsky-esque electronics coupled with the Blaster Beam make a trasition to another statement of Spock's Oriental-sounding theme, and this segues to my favorite statement of the main theme. The brass chorale sounds simply marvelous.
5. Floating Office (1:03)
Another previously unreleased cue, this features dreamy string and woodwind arpeggios over a statement of the main theme in the minor mode. A great track.
6. The Enterprise (5:59)
This is Jerry Goldsmith's ultimate tour-de-force. The main theme is put through numerous permutations, and as the characters move closer to the ship, it becomes more and more grand. Finally, when you think he can't possibly add any more, a giant pipe organ appears. All of this climaxes in a smashing cadence. One of the reasons for my opinion on the lack of the snare drums in the main title is that they are very prominent here, and their appearance in the title would have provided some nice continuity. Oh well....
7. Leaving Drydock (3:29)
"Leaving Drydock" plays as the Enterprise , um, leaves drydock! It features more great brass playing of the main theme, along with some weird electronics. At the end, Goldsmith adds a tambourine to the main theme, and we move on to...
8. Spock's Arrival (1:58)
This previously unreleased tracks is one of the coolest on the album. Spock's theme is played on electronics under soaring clarinet and flute arpeggios. As the cue progresses, Jerry adds some more weird percussion, and the arpeggios climax in some lush harp chords. Spock's arrival onto the ship features some light, high-pitched electronics.
9. The Cloud (4:58)
Goldsmith begins the film's seemingly-eternal special effects sequences here with ominous arpeggios and pipe organ. The rest of the track has many unusual electronic parts, including a reappearance of the Blaster Beam. It also introduces and developes V'Ger's foreboding low brass motif.
10. Vejur Flyover (4:57)
More Blaster Beam, electronics, and V'Ger music. Goldsmith incorporates his avant garde techniques from Planet of the Apes, although they are infinitely more listenable here.
11. The Force Field (5:03)
An extension of the previous two tracks. This time, Jerry uses an ominous version of the Federation motif along with V'Ger's theme. I think this is much more interesting and evocative than the previous two cues, even though it is an inferior version from the one heard in the film (the opening Blaster Beam is different, and the electronic whale calls are much more pronounced in the film.)
12. Games (3:41)
Shimmering woodwind trills give in to a statement of Ilia's theme. However, it is interrupted by the Blaster Beam and an evocative version of V'Ger's motif. Ilia's theme appears once again, only to be taken in by a huge brass crescendo. A bright two-note ostinato appears as Spock knocks out a guard with a nerve pinch in order to steal a space suit. A desperate statement of Ilia's theme ends the track.
13. Spock Walk (4:19)
Even though it has a large number of weird electronic effects, this remains my favorite cue on the album. The earlier V'Ger material is worked into almost an action cue. Goldsmith contrasts orchestral music meant to represent Spock with harsh electronics representing V'Ger. Another huge brass crescendo leads into one of the most demented passages I've ever heard. Soaring strings are met with a grinding electronic noise. A large horn glissando coupled with pipe organ combines with these to form a brutal climax. A statement of the Ferderation motif ends the track.
14. Inner Workings (3:01)
This evocative cue is a reprise of the material from tracks 9-11, except much faster. BTW, the beginning of this was in the Star Trek: First Contact trailer.
15. Vejur Speaks (3:50)
Although still pretty good, this is probably the weakest track on the album. Grinding ambience based on the Federation motif forms the first 3 minutes, then Ilia's theme is stated for the last time.
16. The Meld (3:09)
All of V'Ger's material climaxes in a track of almost biblical proportions. At the end the main title march appears for the first time since track 7. This is a highlight of the album.
17. A Good Start (2:26)
For the last scene of the film, Goldsmith employs a reprise of the end of "The Enterprise." Unfortunately the sound quality is muffled, and the performance is slightly underwhelming.
18. End Title (3:16)
Jerry introduces his standard formula for Trek end titles (main theme/new theme/main theme). This time, Ilia's theme is in the middle. I usually skip this, since all of this has been heard before. Oh yeah, there's some bright electronic tones in the first part of the main theme.

As I said above, it's a little hard to be unbiased, since I think this is one of the best film scores of all time. Unfortunately, instead of issuing the complete score on 2 CD's, someone at Columbia thought it would be a good idea to rerelease a 1975 record with interviews with the founder of Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry. Sure, it's okay the first time, but after that, the second CD has no use (unless you want it as a coaster for your coffee table.) So now, we still have about 40 minutes of unreleased music, including spectacular alternate versions of "The Enterprise," "Spock's Arrival," "Leaving Drydock," and several other tracks. Oh, well. If it weren't for the small sound quality complaints and that second disc, this new release would be just about perfect.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture: The Final Score
Music Rating	10/10

Packaging/Liner Notes	10/10
Orchestral Performance	10/10
Sound Quality	9/10
Length	7/10

Star Trek: The Motion Picture is Copyright 1998 by Columbia/Legacy. Its appearance on this site is for informational, nonprofit use and is not meant to infringe on copyright. This review is Copyright 1999 by Andrew Drannon. As always, these opinions are not those of Tripod or anybody else.