Sometimes the actors get some facts wrong (Shatner initially states that he appeared in six movies, not seven), but that is less important than the incredible stories the actors tell. Of the numerable fascinating topics covered is the fact that Khan — and Spock's death — began filming without any idea that the character would be brought back later. Unfortunately, "The Captains' Summit" is that is only 70 minutes, watching it unfold one wants it to be at least twice that length.
All of the films have been remastered in high definition for this release, but apparently only Khan has been "fully restored." However, Khan doesn't look substantially better than any of the other releases, in fact, it is — not remarkably — The Undiscovered Country, which was made in 1991, that looks the sharpest visually. It is only the original film that truly shows its age in areas beyond its special effects, clothing, and hair.
The original film is grainy in ways that seem more a product of its age than the intent of the director, Robert Wise (The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951). Other films also exhibit flecks of dirt or other imperfections from time to time, but none are terribly distracting. The audio also gets better as the films progress, indicating an improvement in effects more than anything else, but the mix is a good one across the entire series.
Whether or not one is a fan of science fiction in general and of Star Trek in particular, the amount of influence the Trek universe has had on our world is undeniable. Watching the new Blu-ray release of the films and seeing the incredible amounts of accompanying material, that becomes more than clear. It is true that taken separately some of the films are disappointing, but taken together they represent a cultural force and a view of the universe to which we can only aspire.
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