The Hollywood Reporter

10-29-97

TREKKIES Review

By Frank Scheck

With "Star Trek's" phenomenal popularity growing even after 30 years, it was inevitable that a film would come along to document the particular fanaticism exhibited by devotees of the show's various incarnations. Adopting the more commonly used label for its title - true fans, of course, prefer Trekker - this is an entertaining documentary that should exploit its subject matter nicely.

Although slightly dragged out to achieve feature length, it is a fun look at a colorful subculture that should achieve a long life on video after modest theatrical play.

Director Roger Nygard adopts an affectionate, nonjudgmental tone toward his subject - which, as becomes increasingly clear as the film goes on, must have taken a little effort. Still, by letting his subjects speak for themselves and not adopting a wiseacre attitude a la Michael Moore, he manages to poke fun at the Trekkies without seeming mean-spirited.

The film chronicles the development of the Trekkie phenomenon, beginning with the first convention in 1971, during which the show's creators and original stars were astonished to discover what they had started. Amusing interviews with cast members of the various series reveal their unpreparedness to deal with the fanaticism that "Star Trek" generated.

Among the more amusing subjects on display are Barbara Adams, the Whitewater juror who showed up for court in her "Star Trek" costume; a Florida dentist whose office, dubbed "Starbase Dental," has been decorated in a "Star Trek" motif, complete with uniform-wearing receptionists; an obsessed 14-year-old who has already managed to attend 28 conventions; the hosts of a radio talk show, ÒTalk Trek," devoted to Trek issues; and a man who admits to wanting to have his ears surgically altered to resemble a Vulcan.

Some of the scenes are positively priceless: a class at the Klingon Language Camp; William Shatner barely able to contain himself from cracking up while standing next to a guy in a "Star Trek" uniform [sic]; and a look at a Midwestern town that proudly bills itself as "the future birthplace of Captain Kirk."