Oohs, Aahs, Awe And Laughter At TNG Blu-ray Event

You could see it in their eyes and hear it in their oohs and aahs, as well as in their laughter and applause. Everyone gathered in Theater #12 at the AMC Garden State Plaza in Paramus, New Jersey, last night had a blast as they experienced the Star Trek: The Next Generation 25th Anniversary Event, the one-night-only, in-theater event celebrating the release today of Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season One on Blu-ray. Similar events were held at theaters across the country and around the world. In Paramus, there was hardly an open seat in the theater as the screen faded to black and the event kicked off. Fans were treated to a documentary that offered a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive high-definition upgrade project, then to a showing of the episode “Where No One Has Gone Before,” followed by more behind-the-scenes footage, the episode “Datalore” and then a sneak peek at the extras that will be included on the second-season Blu-ray.

Throughout the evening, fans marveled at revelations made in the extras and at the images, performances and dialogue from the two episodes. For example, the footage of animated people moving about the Enterprise elicited surprise. People could be heard talking to each other, expressing their amazement at that recently unearthed footage, how it was realized and at having never noticed it until now. Everyone, pretty much in unison, shook his or her head at the big-screen spectacle of Wesley’s sweaters, chuckled at bloopers and makeup tests, and exploded in laughter when Captain Picard and then Dr. Crusher shouted, “Shut up, Wesley!” Actually, more than a few people around us quietly uttered dialogue before the characters on screen did. Also generating tremendous response: the new, digitally rendered Crystalline Entity from “Datalore.”

Following the screening, StarTrek.com chatted with Carolan Prisco, a serious Star Trek fan and memorabilia collector who dared to wear a red Trek outfit. She was on hand with her friend Angelo and her two young daughters, budding Trek fans who’ve already attended conventions with their mom. “I grew up watching Star Trek,” she told us. “I was six or seven years old, the same age my youngest is now. I thought it would be fun to bring them tonight, so that they could see what I’ve loved for so long on the big screen. It’s a late night for them, but totally worth it.”

So, were you at a screening of Star Trek: The Next Generation 25th Anniversary Event? If so, tell us about your night out at the theater? About the crowd. About what impressed you in the episodes and the Blu-ray extras.

 

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