(Not including the reboot trilogy as that's a different altogether topic)
I was recently in a mood to binge the first ten Star Trek films as I hadn't seen any of them in several years, and I notice that the TOS films are better than the TNG films. Which is weird because when it comes to the tv series, I far prefer TNG and its spin-offs over TOS but when it came to the films, it's the opposite. I love First Contact, and like Generations but Insurrection and Nemesis are pretty bad IMO, whereas the only TOS film I truly dislike is V. (My favorites are IV and VI) Was wondering what others here thought, I think this may be the standard opinion in fact.
As for why they're better, I think for whatever reason the TOS movies feel more cinematic, whereas the TNG films were mostly trying to capture the TNG feeling and not as much be cinematic?
I think while Insurrection and Nemesis are widely agreed as bad next gen movies I would argue they're better than the worst original movies.
If you can't acknowledge Motion Picture as bad I don't know that we can have the discussion on a solid base though.
STTMP theatrical release was gods-awful even in the 70s. The more recent directors cut actually salvages it. I rather like it these days.
I guess that's why I like it now, saw the Directors Cut.
The soundtrack is probably the best part. I saw it in the theater a few months ago, and it blew my socks off. I only ever heard it on VHS with a mono tv speaker. I bought the vinyl a couple of weeks ago.
The music and the visuals are awesome in the film, at least this new version available
I used to despise Star Trek 1 but recently saw the HD Directors Cut version and loved it.
I'll admit I haven't seen that but it would have to be some impressive magic.
My wife has never managed to stay awake past the opening sweep around the Enterprise but I can't say it really gets better.