Building Star Trek

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, filmmaker Mick Grogan's Smithsonian Channel-aired documentary reexamines the Star Trek phenomenon via the restoration of rare 1960s TV-series props, costumes, and long-lost sets, using these as points of departure for interviewing real-life scientists who are working to Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before: developing phaser-like weapons (Lockheed-Martin battlefield lasers), universal language translators (Google taking the lead there), tricorder-type medical diagnostic devices, and even tractor beams and transporters (albeit on a miniscule/quantum scale). True, some of these advances bear only the mildest resemblance to the TV show (despite fandom among the scientists) and the issue of faster-than-light “warp” travel goes unaddressed. But there is an infectious, if also a bit nerdy, enthusiasm in cross-cutting back to the restoration of the aged, original 11-foot USS Enterprise for the Milestones of Flight Hall at the Smithsonian Institution. Meanwhile, a curator for the formerly named EMP Museum in Seattle amasses a priceless trove of original NBC-TV Trek gear for exhibition. Principle representatives interviewed from the original series include actress Nichelle Nichols and scriptwriters/authors D.C. Fontana and David Gerrold (a few talents from the newer JJ Abrams theatrical features also show up). Nicely juggling showbiz and science, this should find favor with fans. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (C. Cassady)