I really don't know how I should feel about this. Star Trek's key reason you liked it wasn't the special effects, it was the concept and the story. Why fuck with a good thing? Are we that desperate that we'll re-do the old stuff and re-air it in hopes of something to watch? How long before we re-do ST:TNG, DS9, and VOY? At what point does something no longer become a classic? Is this a way for paramount to re-enable a new generation of copyright securing the star trek franchise in their control for the next 200 years?
The prospect is a little unnerving. However, I will admit that the effects were sometimes distracting to me, watching TOS while growing up in the late 80's, and are almost laughable today. I can understand that certain people, most especially younglings and those who've never seen through a transparent snow speeder, might not watch TOS at all if they see the model of the 1701 bob across the title screen.
I totally agree that the story is what has always mattered most. From what I've read, there are no plans to alter anything but the special effects (mostly external shots, the main viewscreen, and matte backgrounds).
As long as the changes are superficial, I don't see a problem. And even if you don't like the prospect of updated effects, surely you can't argue with a remastering? Besides, it's not like they're replacing the original versions - they're all out on DVD already are they not?
As for motivation, my understanding was that this process was necessary to enable broadcasting of the episodes on HD channels.
Anyhoo... They seem to have only prettied it up. The score is the same arrangement, just re-recorded with better tech, no prob there.
If they really didn't mess with it, it's good. I notice they added clouds to the earth-like-planet images, I always found that pre-satellite era error distractingly humourous. As long as all face-lifts are like that, we shouldn't worry... if the originals are still available that is.
I took a look at the higher quality video and the difference between the original and the new is really very nice. Nothing new except the effects. The video is really much sharper and cleaner. I hope this investment returns them a good bit of money.
I was incredibly dubious about this project, but I'm now rather less worried.
However, I don't feel that the trailer actually gave me a decent look at any of the new effects shots, as most of the time it's hard to tell the difference between the effect and the trailer's scene-transition glowy thing.
Planets look nice though! And if the ship looks like it's moving forward instead of slightly sideways all the time, that'll do me nicely.
... that grand, optimistic view of the future that actually looks like the future again. Instead of looking like bad B-movies. This is a good thing, with the large condition that it is done with a light touch. If the enhancement ever takes the focus, it has failed. If it serves to prevent the jarring lack of reality that the original previous effect gave the show, then it works.
