Trek Nation (Special Edition)
2 Disc Set
Trek Nation is about a journey of a man seeking to
understand more about his father’s impact on the world, and also more
about his father. Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek passed away
in 1991. The man touched so many lives in his stories and his creation
of Star Trek and its characters. There are so many stories about people
becoming scientists, Doctors, Pilots and ultimately Astronauts because
of Star Trek. Star Trek and the man Gene Roddenberry influenced the
world in so many positive ways even to this day.
Eugene Rod Roddenberry was only 17 when his father
passed away. As a teen Rod never paid much attention to what his father
was to the world nor what Star Trek was truly all about. Now as an adult
Eugene Rod Roddenberry is on his own trek to understand his father and
what Star Trek meant and still means to the world.
Trek Nation is a mix of documentary and a journey of
discovery. The feature follows Rod over a period of time as he makes a
TREK to visit different locals, conventions, and interview different
people along the way. The main focus seems to be split, not only in
offering insight for the viewer as to what Star Trek and Gene
Roddenberry meant to so many people. Also it’s a journey of discovery
for Rod Roddenberry to know more about his father and also the creation
that is Star Trek. For those of us that enjoy and love Star Trek in all
of its incarnations, it may be rather hard to believe that someone that
grew up around it did not fully understand the great influence the show
and films had and continue to have on so many people.
We see Rod as he does different interviews with his
late father’s friends, learning about Gene Roddenberry’s back grounds
his influences, as well as his all too human ways. No matter how
uncomfortable it may be, and it does seem uncomfortable at times for
some of the people being interviewed to tell some of some of the things
they recall and events that took place. For fans and for folks wanting
to know more about the history of Star Trek and the Man that created it,
this peek behind the curtain of time and space is open and straight
forward.
Some of the behind the scenes interviews we see of
Gene Roddenberry hit the viewer hard…. One particularly punches at your
heart and soul as they talk about Gene’s health getting worse, and then
showing him at a fatigued moment and having to take a break from an
interview filming.
The second disk is the place to find most of the
special features that round out this collectable set. I am loving this,
special features are always good when they have something to offer and
is actual SPECIAL. The extras fit the bill.
We get to see extended and it seems unedited
interviews from the main feature.
Infinite Diversity: The Fans of Star Trek, viewers
get to hear from the fans. The people that have been affected by Star
Trek and the vision of Gene Roddenberry.
A Star Trek is Born. Writer and friend of Gene’s
Christopher Knopf looks back and talks about how Gene first spoke to him
about the idea of a T.V. show like no other.
The features are rounded off with Star Walking,
footage from Gene Roddenberry’s Hollywood Walk Of Fame star ceremony.
Some home movies and picture in picture commentary from the producers.
There is plenty of familiar material here if you are
a part of the legions of fans. Though I would venture to say there is
plenty here that the fan may not be aware of. For those with a passing
interest in Hollywood history, this is also a must have on your list.
Edwin Millheim
Impulse Gamer
