'Star Trek: The Motion Picture' returning to theaters for 40th anniversary

“Star Trek” had been just a short-lived 1960s science-fiction TV show when it made its first journey to movie theaters in 1979 with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.”

It was a special-effects-heavy affair, more like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and differing significantly in look and feel from its sequel, “The Wrath of Khan.” But it brought “Trek” back, launching a franchise that is continues to grow and evolve.

In celebration of the movie’s 40th anniversary, “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” will return to theaters for two nights in September thanks to Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures.

Tickets for the showings on Sept. 15 and 18 go on sale Aug. 2.

The original 1979 theatrical cut will be shown. A director’s edition has been released on home video. A behind-the-scenes documentary, “The Longest Trek: Writing the Motion Picture,” will precede the film.

It will be the first nationwide cinema release since the film debuted in December 1979.

It was the fourth-highest-grossing film that year and has a domestic gross of about $82 million, according to Box Office Mojo. It earned Academy Award nominations for visual effects, art direction and original score.

The movie was made after plans for a new TV show, “Phase II,” were scrapped. “Star Trek” would not return to the small screen until “The Next Generation” debuted in syndication in 1987.

Fan feelings on the film are decidedly mixed. Many refer to it as “The Motionless Picture,” for its lack of action and protracted special effects sequences, and it carries only a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film brings Kirk, Spock and McCoy together again on the Enterprise after Kirk has been promoted from captain to admiral, Spock returned to Vulcan to study logic, and McCoy had left Starfleet vowing to never return.

Kirk takes back command of the refitted Enterprise from its new captain after a powerful alien vessel concealed in a massive cloud destroys three Klingon battle cruisers and a space station on its way toward Earth.

The movie saw the entire original cast — William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Geroge Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig and James Doohan — reprise their iconic roles. Stephen Collins joined the cast as Capt. Decker; Persis Khambatta was introduced as Ilia.

“Star Trek: The Motion Picture” was directed by Robert Wise and features music by composer Jerry Goldsmith.