J.J. Abrams was excited to have a party for the launch of Paramount’s Sept. 10 Blu-ray 3D release of “Star Trek Into Darkness” ($49.99) near the Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Museum. (Only in Hollywood would an enormous piece of technology and history be used as a party prop hanging over a bar at a party.)
Director Abrams told 3DHollywood.net/HollywoodInHiDef.com that the bonus features on the Blu-ray were shot at nearly the same level of quality as the movie itself. He also noted that the IMAX cameras used for selected scenes enhanced the transfer for Blu-ray as well. Abrams is a huge fan of 3D, but mostly of the full size IMAX screens as opposed to the mini-Max theaters in many multiplex movie houses. He also said he enjoyed the experience of shooting in 3D.
<Story continues below the following 2 1/2-min video highlights of Abrams with Space Shuttle, and red carpet interviews with Abrams, Simon Pegg (Scotty), and others…>
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“Into Darkness” is a solid follow-up to the terrific preceding re-boot with several fun and nostalgic references to Trek of yore, and Michael Giacchino does a very nice job with the score. The composer of “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol,” told 3DH/HiHD that just as it was an honor reviving and revising the iconic Lalo Schiffrin theme from “MI,” he relished taking on the familiar Star Trek TV series theme, which he saved until a key moment near the end. He never gave any thought to using the Jerry Goldsmith theme from the original Star Trek movie series, he said.
The 3D in the theatrical version is also nicely noticeable without any distinctive or highly impactful moments.
The bonus features on the Blu-ray edition will be of interest to fans wanting to learn more about the technical aspects of the production, from the creation of the Red Planet and the Klingon home world to the visual effects created for the attack on Starfleet headquarters and the space jump sequence.
Another featurette showcases the partnership between film’s crew and an organization that assists returning veterans to find meaningful ways to contribute to their communities upon their return.
— By Scott Hettrick
I know it was a press event, so I don’t necessarily expect to hear the director, actors, etc., talk about it, but why, in your article, did you make no mention of the HUGE controversy over how the home video extras were treated? Special features spread out over four different releases — Target, Best Buy, iTunes & Xbox?
These guys act like they had no idea how Paramount cannibalized the extras and put them on multiple formats and sources. I can buy tht from Simon, but surely JJ knew.