New ‘Star Trek’ movie in orbit

J.J. Abrams’ powerhouse “Star Trek” is out on Blu-ray and DVD, in time for holiday gift-giving.

This “Star Trek” — a prequel to the events chronicled over the past five decades — is a sensational popcorn movie: exciting, touching and fantastic. In terms of entertainment value, it is this year’s “The Dark Knight.”

Paramount Home Entertainment released the science fiction movie in several versions:

• A three-disc “Star Trek” Blu-ray with a digital copy ($26.49 Amazon);
• A double-disc “Star Trek” DVD with digital copy ($22.99 Amazon);
• and a single-disc “Star Trek” DVD for those who just want the film. ($16.99 Amazon)

Any fan of the series or of just this movie will want the multidisc sets. Looks like they won’t be disappointed, as director Abrams has put together a state-of-the-art set of extra features.

The Blu-ray and DVD both have the essential bonus materials, but the high definition version goes boldly into interactive territory.

The main extra features are:

“A New Vision” featurette — Abrams’ tells how he gave the aging space exploration franchise new life by going back to the future — to the early days of Capt. Kirk, Spock and the rest of the gang.

Deleted scenes — With or without commentary, your choice. Titles include “Spock birth,” “Klingons take over Narada” and “Prison Interrogation and breakout.”

“To Boldly Go” featurette — We hear from Abrams’ collaborators, including the producers and writers.

Plus there’s a look at the aliens, the casting and some console game freebies for the major formats.

The Blu-ray edition of “Star Trek” includes:

“Gene Roddenberry’s Vision” — Director Abrams and longtime “Star Trek” actor Leonard Nimoy talk about the series originator, who died in 1991.

NASA news — A link to the space agency’s latest news, for those with Blu-ray players hooked up to the Internet.

Bonus content — Blu-ray viewers can choose to explore expanded materials while watching the extra features.

Plus, there’s an interactive breakdown model of the Starfleet ship, a discussion of the various spacecraft used in the 2009 “Star Trek” film and a visit to some of the real-world locations Abrams used to create other worlds.

The “Star Trek” sets should please almost all science fiction fans, while Blu-ray enthusiasts should appreciate what could be be a reference-quality presentation, given the movie’s stellar production values.

Fans of the original TV series are in luck, as Paramount has just remastered three seasons with 21st century special effects added. Check out “Star Trek: The Original Series.”