Customer Reviews

The Captains - A Film By William Shatner

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

[I watched this on EpixHD and will certainly buy it once available on DVD]

Shatner is a living spectacle of his own accord. He is controversy and entertainment wrapped into one. And unfortunately, his package deal sometimes comes off a bit pompous and egotistical. Few people really like someone who may revel in the enjoyment of his own voice. Shatner at times does this, and yet... if you can get past that veneer, underneath you will find a very fascinating and earnest man. He is someone who lucked into a legendary role that has made him supremely famous, something that for a long period he derided, yet eventually relented and embraced. He is flawed, he knows he is flawed, but he admits it openly with sincerity. I admire him now, more than I ever did.

"You either love him or you hate him," is how I've often heard Shatner described. And in various on-line forums that I've had the pleasure to read, you'll see a wide range of polarized opinions about him. Love him or hate him, he played a very important part in the world of Star Trek. He is essential.

NOTE: There's a review of this movie up on the New York Times website, worth a read. The author hit the nail on the head saying that Shatner's "genial, relaxed self-absorption is a large part of his charm."

So, "The Captains"... Shatner is typical Shatner in some respects, and yet he is also so much better than that. He usually behaves as alpha male, and yet he is ingratiating with his guests. He loves to talk about himself, and yet he is also genuinely interested in others. Making this film was a very humbling experience for Shatner and you can see it in the content. There are a few rather blatant ego stroking moments that were no doubt purposefully left in after editing, as Shatner not only wrote but directed this production.

It's true that not all of these interviews are created equal. Some of them are all too brief and miss some important aspects. Some questions are raised in common across the guests and yet not all of them are fully heard. But you know, this couldn't have been a perfect work. It required a certain amount of liberty from the guests, who were allowed to influence the flow. Of all the interviews, I found the one with Patrick Stewart the most touching. The one with Avery Brooks the most endearing. The one with Kate Mulgrew wonderfully surprising. And the one with Scott Bakula delightfully honest. There wasn't much to do with Chris Pine, because he's so young and doesn't have nearly enough experience to contribute on the same level. But what we got was reasonably good.

The whole package deal is simply wonderful. We get what appears to be very candid and revealing interviews with key actors from the Star Trek genre, hosted by a deeply colorful man. This is the best off-screen Star Trek related material I've ever watched. It touched me in many ways, despite having to overlook some of Shatner's self-fawning. I will own it and watch it again and again, no doubt about it. It's the perfect send-off for the "old school" Star Trek franchise.

This is one of the most oddly paced documentaries I've seen. The genius/madness/wackness of Shatner ground on me, initially, like nails on chalkboard, and his blatant interruptions of guests, not to mention somewhat horrendous "beat-poetry" with Avery, made me reach for my remote, finger hovering over the stop button.

But I came back to it, for what I would estimate as the last 3/4, and to say it redeemed itself would be an understatement. Like any eccentric character, you have to warm up to Shatners antics, and look for the sincerity amongst the ego. He'll interrupt Patrick Stewart, who is making a profound thought verbal, with some inconsequential question about the smallest of detail, yet tie it all together before its over with and give everyone enough latitude to truly make the interviews two-way. This is a unique but highly interactive interview technique, and as I saw more of it, I grew to like it.

There are some moments, as mentioned before with Avery, that leave you chuckling uncomfortably, but the majority of interactions between Shatner and his fellow captains are earnest, heartfelt, painful, uplifting, and humorous. Pine is the weakest link, but his time on this earth is a fraction of the others. Scott Bakula's catharsis with Shatner about divorce was poignant, and Stewart's earnestness about the love of his craft left me misty-eyed.

Speaking of misty-eyed, the shots from the convention really reminded me what I think most of us that love Star Trek are in it for: the celebration of the ideals and universe that Roddenberry imagined and many have developed into the mythos we have today. As quirky as Shatner is, he works the crowd with such expertise and mastery, you can see the mythical leader Kirk come out in what throughout most of the documentary appears a heavy-set, tired man. Add in the tangible love from the fans, the electricity in the air, and the cameo by Stewart, and you feel like you are in the crowd.

Shatner wraps it all up with an insight that seems so basic to the rest of us, but is brutally honest. The self-discovery portion of this film punctuates the ending to what started as an odd journey and ends with him saying out loud what we all know: if you are receptive to it, Star Trek can change your life.

I've got to give credit where credit is due! Actor William Shatner came up with an inspired idea in the documentary "The Captains" which adds a missing piece to the legacy of television's longest running space saga. Uniting the six actors that have been featured as Captains in the show's various interpretations, the movie would seem to have all of the elements necessary to make it essential viewing for Star Trek fans. I'm not sure, however, that Shatner (taking a writing and directing credit) hits his mark squarely. Expecting new insight into the franchise with marketing that promises an "exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a pop culture phenomenon," I actually thought the film had surprisingly little to say about Star Trek itself. If anything, the documentary's primary subject is acting as a craft and as a career with many of the face-to-face conversations seeming like a low-rent "Inside the Actor's Studio" but without the flair. Don't get me wrong--I would still recommend this to fans, it just fails to fulfill some of its promise.

At the heart of the film is Shatner himself. He is, at once, the film's most valuable asset and one of its primary weaknesses. He travels the globe (as far as England anyway) to sit down with Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, and Chris Pine. Shatner, as a persona, is as lively as ever. As an interviewer, however, he lacks a bit of focus constantly bringing any conversation back to what seems to be his favorite topic--himself. It is sometimes awkward, sometimes endearing. At the beginning of each interview, he seems to want to introduce some deep philosophical concept to make the casual get-togethers seem as if they are fraught with meaning. One of my favorite moments is when he is absolutely incredulous when Stewart says he was in an adult theater piece at the age of 12 (with bulging enthusiasm, "How did you get into a play with adults?" as if it were a strange concept for a budding thespian). Other odd moments include him singing along to Brooks' piano playing and the strangely sexist bend his interview with Mulgrew hits.

Through it all, though, Shatner is an enthusiastic guide. The interviews lack some insight, as I've mentioned. He is, after all, only sitting down with the individual participants for a couple of hours each. The footage from the Star Trek convention is fun enough and he tries to pepper the interviews with humor (arm wrestling, cardboard boxes). It's all light and pleasant enough without being particularly revelatory. Bonus points for adding Christopher Plummer to the roster (Why? Because he could). An entertaining film that misses out on its enormous potential, I'd still give it a look if it sounds at all interesting. Shatner so wanted to make a meaningful piece, but it really lacks any depth in actual relationship to the Star Trek franchise. And it certainly seems disingenuous when Shatner claims to have finally made peace with being James T. Kirk on the flight over to interview Stewart. Convenient timing! You truly have to be a Shatner fan to appreciate most of the movie--and if you are, enjoy! About 3 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 10/11.

"So many people have come up and said my life has changed as a result of seeing you work." A series of interviews of all 5 actors who have played a captain in "Star Trek". This is going to be a different type of review. This is not so much a documentary as it is a series of "60 minute" type interviews with surprisingly deep questions asked by Shatner. Questions ranging from how did you get the role to what happens when you die. I was never a fan of the series and to that extent I did not enjoy this has much as a true fan would. On the other hand the conversation he had with Patrick Stewert toward the end when he talks about getting over the embarassment of playing Captain Kirk was one of the most interesting conversations I have ever seen. Overall, a true "Trekkie" will love this. If you are like me and were never a fan you will still find this very interesting. The fact that this is really only a series of interviews makes it hard to rate...so for this one I will not give a grade.

Would I watch again? - I don't think I will.

Like him or not, there's no denying the power of William Shatner. Busier than ever at age 80, the former Captain James T. Kirk periodically continues his philosopic exploration of the Star Trek phenomenon. Indeed, this is not the first video release in which Shatner delves deep into his most famous character (see also Mind Meld - Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime). But with "The Captains," he brings along 4 other iconic actors from the franchise and engages them some candid conversations.

As a longtime Star Trek fan, I always approach interview segments with the actors with a slight amount of trepidation. The fact is, some of them have a tendency to repeat the same stories over and over. Anyone who's ever sat through Nichelle Nichols' old chestnut of a story about how Martin Luther King Jr. talked her into not leaving the original series knows what I'm talking about. Happily, this is mostly not the case with this documentary. I only heard one story, from Patrick Stewart, that he used two years previously for the "Captain's Summit" Blu-ray disc. The interviews with Kate Mulgrew and Scott Bakula are especially enlightening, although Mulgrew comes across far more pessimistic than the always-affable "Enterprise" star. The film also puts Shatner face-to-face with the NEW Kirk, Chris Pine. Although their time together is limited, credit must be given to Pine for not engaging in anything resembling hero-worship, while Shatner shows some rare restraint by keeping his own ego in check.

Ever the armchair psychologist, Shatner isn't afraid to ask the big questions. Bakula admits that Quantum Leap's strenuous schedule helped end his marriage; an almost-tearful Stewart confides that he always placed his career above family obligations, even at the expense of two wives. Mulgrew speaks of the pressures of being a single mother while working 12+ hour days on the set of "Star Trek Voyager."

And then there's Avery Brooks ("Deep Space Nine"'s Capt. Sisko). What to make of his extended odes to the rapturous wonders of jazz music (Brooks even non-answers several questions by tickling the ivories)? Although his show remains the franchise's dark horse, Brooks himself is probably Shatner's heir apparent by virtue of his bug-eyed metaphysical countenance. Seriously, there's nothing in Trekkies to rival the unbridled weirdness of Brooks' interview segments.

"The Captains," even with a few flaws, ultimately represents a true time capsule for anyone in the future who might wonder just what all the fuss was about those "Star Trek" shows and movies. As he did in "Mind Meld," William Shatner sees Death coming for him...sooner rather than later. And while this morbid tone may not sit easily with some viewers interested in light entertainment, I can't help but feel the whole experience was very therapeutic and even comforting to its maker. As he is quick to point out, William Shatner has been entertaining audiences for over 50 years. "When I die...if people say, 'He was Captain Kirk," I'm O.K. with that," Shatner tell Patrick Stewart. And if the end is truly drawing near, this labor of love is a fine tribute to a group of people and a Canadian actor to whom they owe no small measure of their success.

I read the other reviews before purchasing this movie; even though the consensus seemed to be that it was just a vehicle for Mr. Shatner's ego, I had to have it, being a many-decades-long fan of Star Trek.

His interviews were insightful, astonishingly honest, intelligent, and humorous. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie!

Does Mr. Shatner have a "big ego"? Perhaps. But how could he not? How could any one of us not have a big ego, if walking in his shoes? The scenes from the Star Trek conventions, where he walks nonchalantly through the halls with people gasping and exclaiming in delight and, yes, awe, are very telling. People were genuinely thrilled to see him and/or talk to him.

Sure, you might say that any Hollywood celebrity experiences this kind of adulation. But what living celebrity created a universe of entertainment spanning 45 years, all based around his original depiction of a character?

I say if any entertainer is justified in having whatever amount of ego he has, it's William Shatner...

As a long time Star Trek fan, I have seen countless interviews of various cast members but nothing quite like this! It is incredibly well done. It offers insight into the actors who had the lead in every series or movie including Chris Pine. Shatner interviews all of them and I am surprised at how well done it is. If you love Star Trek, get this DVD!

I've got to give credit where credit is due! Actor William Shatner came up with an inspired idea in the documentary "The Captains" which adds a missing piece to the legacy of television's longest running space saga. Uniting the six actors that have been featured as Captains in the show's various interpretations, the movie would seem to have all of the elements necessary to make it essential viewing for Star Trek fans. I'm not sure, however, that Shatner (taking a writing and directing credit) hits his mark squarely. Expecting new insight into the franchise with marketing that promises an "exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a pop culture phenomenon," I actually thought the film had surprisingly little to say about Star Trek itself. If anything, the documentary's primary subject is acting as a craft and as a career with many of the face-to-face conversations seeming like a low-rent "Inside the Actor's Studio" but without the flair. Don't get me wrong--I would still recommend this to fans, it just fails to fulfill some of its promise.

At the heart of the film is Shatner himself. He is, at once, the film's most valuable asset and one of its primary weaknesses. He travels the globe (as far as England anyway) to sit down with Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, and Chris Pine. Shatner, as a persona, is as lively as ever. As an interviewer, however, he lacks a bit of focus constantly bringing any conversation back to what seems to be his favorite topic--himself. It is sometimes awkward, sometimes endearing. At the beginning of each interview, he seems to want to introduce some deep philosophical concept to make the casual get-togethers seem as if they are fraught with meaning. One of my favorite moments is when he is absolutely incredulous when Stewart says he was in an adult theater piece at the age of 12 (with bulging enthusiasm, "How did you get into a play with adults?" as if it were a strange concept for a budding thespian). Other odd moments include him singing along to Brooks' piano playing and the strangely sexist bend his interview with Mulgrew hits.

Through it all, though, Shatner is an enthusiastic guide. The interviews lack some insight, as I've mentioned. He is, after all, only sitting down with the individual participants for a couple of hours each. The footage from the Star Trek convention is fun enough and he tries to pepper the interviews with humor (arm wrestling, cardboard boxes). It's all light and pleasant enough without being particularly revelatory. Bonus points for adding Christopher Plummer to the roster (Why? Because he could). An entertaining film that misses out on its enormous potential, I'd still give it a look if it sounds at all interesting. Shatner so wanted to make a meaningful piece, but it really lacks any depth in actual relationship to the Star Trek franchise. And it certainly seems disingenuous when Shatner claims to have finally made peace with being James T. Kirk on the flight over to interview Stewart. Convenient timing! You truly have to be a Shatner fan to appreciate most of the movie--and if you are, enjoy! About 3 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 10/11.

Having read several reviews about this documentary, most of which suggested that it was simply a vehicle for William Shatner's enormous ego, I decided to give it a try anyway.

This film was fun, insightful, entertaining, a bit off-beat, but most importantly, it was engaging.

To my way of thinking, William Shatner, if anything, set his "ego" aside and demonstrated that at the end of the day, he's just one more person walking the globe trying to make sense of it all. His interviews with the other "captains" are insightful and warm, and I found it quite fascinating to see how readily each of his subjects were able to open up about their experiences with not only the "franchise" that is Star Trek, but with their individual little pieces of it. How the shows in which they participated impacted their careers and their personal lives.

If you're looking for a documentary that focuses on the characters these actors and actresses played within the Star Trek universe, then you will be quite disappointed. Sure, some footage of the shows/movies is scattered around here and there, but that's not the point. No. The point of this film is to explore the people who played the roles of The Captains. What they brought to their roles, how they approached their jobs, and also--and perhaps more importantly--what they took *from* their roles when all was said and done.

Shatner's ego? I've been around enough show-biz people to know that everybody who's been around Hollywood for that long probably has a big ego. But I think William Shatner demonstrated an incredible humanity in this film. His interaction with each of the people he interviewed was genuine and I didn't catch a hint of condescension from him at any point. ...well maybe a few times with Avery Brooks...but who could blame him for that? I especially enjoyed footage of Shatner at a Star Trek Convention. He was funny, lively, a bit wacky at times, and also showed a broad streak of compassion in a moment that had to be rather tough.

Bottom line: This isn't a film about the tapestry that is Star Trek. This is a film about a few actors and actresses with a common thread that binds them within the fabric of that tapestry, but more so within their own careers.

"Of all the films about Star Trek I have encountered within my travels, this was the most...human."

The single criticism is that I would have loved to heard some of what each actor saw as the virtues of the Captains they played, and perhaps, the vices. Although Stewart certainly seems to have played himself...as it seems all of these actors did. Perhaps being a Captain on Star Trek allows one to do that, as its such a personal sort of role.

However, wonderful insight into these actors, and the characters they played even when the information is not overt and spoon fed. And certainly, Patrick Stewart in a sense is given this wonderful "thank you" from Shatner for making clear that Star Trek was indeed "great Art" and worth doing.

Heroic Idealism is a lost concept on most television and film today. It's what makes the present Star Trek film ridiculously cool and...ridiculous...period.

Shatner knows this, and even the exchange between himself and Chris Pine was wonderful in what wasn't said. Shatner's slightly veiled, less than overt contempt (perhaps not for Pine directly, but what he represents) is amusing and contagious. And his utter respect for all the other actors is wonderful.

Avery's energy is also incredible and you can see the power in the man's eyes, and we are given the treat of listening to his music. Loved Bakula as well.

Someone else leveled the same old "BIG EGO" charge against Shatner in a previous review. In Latin, EGO means "I". Self-esteem. The SELF. The singular component that made America great, and her best television series - the sanctity of YOU above the collective (Borg, Klingon or otherwise). The one that showed us a way to our future, and made it happen. All of this through the sheer force of will of a man who through his ahem fictional "cowboy diplomacy", womanizing and understanding of the value of Individualism, created a franchise that will likely last forever until it stops being Science Fiction and begins to turn into Science Reality...which I believe it has.

My thanks to Shatner for making this film and for his wonderful work in acting. And yes, my love to HIS EGO lol - where would any of us be without it. Probably watching more of Jar Jar I'm afraid.

He is a mirror to his alter ego (and not the kind from the Mirror Universe with a goatee...or was that Spock?)