Forget Star Trek, this is pure Science Fiction

The first time I saw this film I was 18, I thought it was interesting but too slow. Now some years later, I watched it for the second time and have second thoughts. Who cares about action and laser battles? This film is intelligent and makes you think a for a while, well, is not a lecture on philosophy, but of all ST films this is the most 'intellectual'. Besides, the FX are almost excellent and the V'ger craft is impressive. Most purist trekies comment on the missing Kirk/Spock/McCoy trinity, while this is true, I do not care about it. This is more a science fiction movie than a Star Trek one, that nevertheless is faithful to one of Star Trek's premises: '...to explore new life forms'. I give this movie 5 stars because I like Star Trek, I'd give it 4 instead from a general movie point of view: it is good, interesting AND entertaining as a piece of its genre.
Forget that modern and dull cliche that movies must have action, battles or fast pace to be good: ST Nemesis has a lot of action and battles and it is lame.
This film is superior, it matches with The Wrath of Kahn, of course not in action scenes but in movie quality. I recommend it to everyone that do not think that action is the only thing worth in a movie!
About the Director's Cut, I liked it, a little different but equally good, but I'd wish that we had the other version in the same pack, like the Alien series DVDs.

A matter of opinion...

This is often a criticized entry along with "The Final Frontier." I agree with Roger Ebert. This is a very cerebral, enjoyable film with built-in "expectations" from a television show cast. They almost don't mix but if you sit back, relax and open your mind they do come together splendidly. I prefer the theatrical cut from late 1979. That is why I own the widescreen VHS version. It is the only way to see the film in its theatrical cut. The pan & scan VHS and DVD are different cuts. One of the best themes ever written musically for an opening.

True Science Fiction.

STTMP is a dark, almost depressing film. The costumes are heinous. The new enterprise is an antiseptic monstrosity. Spock is manically depressed. Kirk is acting like a [...].

Yet, it is one of the few films that really takes a plunge into the core of science fiction and makes no apologies. It is a totally indulgent experience, as we almost feel like we are on the enterprise surrounded by this totally alien power known as V'ger -- which, by the way, is an incredible marvel of special effects. For all of the magnificence of The Wrath of Khan, that film is exceedingly light SF when compared with this.

Although the film is slowly paced, it almost the perfect thing for a serious Trek fan. I personally do not have any problem looking at the gorgeously redesigned Enterprise (the exterior that is) and listening to Jerry Goldsmith's beautiful, nautical score. The film is a grand indulgence for die-hard fans of Trek. But probably an utter bore for others.

And there are many gems therein as well. Spock's scenes are fabulous. From the opening on Vulcan (now beautifully re-designed) to his exploration of V'ger, they are some of the highlights of the film. But there is much more to be loved here, nothing less than Ilia and the totally bizarre climax to V'ger. This is GOOD Trek along the lines of the old series.