Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) is a science fiction movie based on the popular TV series of the same name. Directed by Robert Wise and produced by Gene Roddenberry, it follows the story of a monitoring station called Epsilon Nine in the 23rd century that discovers a powerful alien entity making its way towards Earth. The entity easily destroys three Klingon warships and Epsilon Nine before continuing on its course. Meanwhile, the starship Enterprise, commanded by former captain James T. Kirk who has been promoted to Admiral, is undergoing a major refit on Earth. As the only ship within range to intercept the entity, Enterprise is assigned to do so by Starfleet Command. Despite objections from Captain Willard Decker, who is overseeing the refit as its new commander, Kirk uses his experience and authority to take command of the ship for this mission.

The testing of Enterprise’s new systems does not go smoothly. Tragically, a malfunctioning transporter results in the deaths of two officers, one being Sonak, the Vulcan science officer. Additionally, the engines are not properly calibrated and almost cause the destruction of the ship. The tension between Kirk and Decker escalates due to Kirk’s lack of familiarity with the new systems and Decker’s temporary demotion to commander and first officer. Spock, who is undergoing a ritual on his home planet to rid himself of emotion, senses a consciousness within the energy cloud that they are intercepting. Unable to complete his ritual due to his human half’s emotional connection to it, Spock arrives as a replacement science officer. However, as they approach the cloud, an alien vessel attacks them. A probe then appears on the bridge and assaults Spock before abducting their navigator Ilia.