Trek Nation

While Trek Nation qualifies as must-see viewing for Star Trek fans, even non-Trekkies might appreciate the film's “untold story” perspective on the history of Star Trek and, more particularly, the life of its creator, Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry's son, Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, Jr., was not much of a fan himself: growing up in Hollywood, Rod was almost oblivious to his father's work and never fully understood or appreciated the impact of Star Trek and the subsequent series and movies in Paramount Studios' most lucrative and long-running franchise. Instead, he was a somewhat spoiled, self-centered kid with a rebellious streak, poised to inherit a fortune. Later, as a more mature adult, Rod began a multi-year project to document the phenomenon that he initially ignored, making a belated effort to learn more about the workaholic father he never really knew. Filmmaker Scott Colthorp's Trek Nation offers a somewhat haphazard mishmash of this history that is as noteworthy for the interviewees featured (George Lucas, J.J. Abrams, Seth MacFarlane) as for the ones missing (nearly every cast member of the original Star Trek). As Roddenberry, Jr. continues to investigate his late father's life (Gene died in 1991, when Rod was 17), his quest becomes a well-meaning act of contrition from a formerly disconnected son toward his now-deceased father. As an exploration of Rod's own dysfunctional family, the film doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths (including the fact that Gene was a philandering husband), and in a brief, awkward interview segment, Rod's mother, Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Star Trek's “Nurse Chapel”) is clearly uninterested in discussing family matters. Still, this is a mostly heartfelt addition to Gene Roddenberry's legacy, packed with rare film clips from the earliest days of Star Trek and the phenomenal fandom it inspired. Extras include audio commentary by Rod and co-producer Trevor Roth, extended interviews, featurettes on Trekkie fandom and the origins of the original series, archival footage of Gene receiving his star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and home movies. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Shannon)