The Lost Starship (2023)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

After returning from a meeting with the Romulans, Captain Blake Hovis (Jeff Johnson) returns to the U.S.S. Cherokee and begins acting out of character. The Lost Starship follows the crew of the aforementioned Cherokee as they try to uncover the truth behind Hovis’ strange actions. With ideas of mutiny and treason circulating the ship, this crew must work together to solve the mystery of Hovis. 

This idea of treason is one that I’ve yet to see in the Star Trek canon, and while The Lost Starship may not technically be part of that canon, it’s safe to say that this narrative shakes things up in the greater Star Trek universe. There’s a level of intensity that surrounds the ideas of mutiny and treason, the idea that such an important figure in Starfleet could turn on his crew so quickly and without hesitation. I was quickly drawn to this aspect of The Lost Starship, because, again, it was something I was unfamiliar with in this canon. With that, however, I needed that intensity to develop at an appropriate rate, I needed it to match what I had seen in other Star Trek productions up to this point. And let me tell you: it most certainly does. 

A constant whirring and/or humming in the background of the film helps to develop and sustain a level of drama and intensity that is essential to the film. It’s not the dialogue or the special effects, even the individual characters that really drive forward the narrative in The Lost Starship, but rather the sound. This, similar to the themes of the film, was something I was unfamiliar with in the canon–and a brilliant touch. Using sound to drive this film works because it’s something that can remain constant. Rather than trying to fit a character into as many scenes as possible, or dialogue not being organic, the simplistic use of sound to intensify this narrative is able to exist throughout the film in its entirety, never taking a break–simply existing in the background throughout every integral moment of The Lost Starship. It plays the role of a main character, never stepping on anyone’s feet or chewing scenery–but playing its role with great aplomb from beginning to end. 

Star Trek is a franchise that relies heavily on special effects in order to bring its stories to life. The Lost Starship is really no different, as there are multiple occasions in which viewers are thrown into the dark depths of space and shown a series of ships. Visual Effects Producer Keith M. Hamilton takes the reins on this aspect of the film, and he delivers far beyond my expectations. This is a low-budget science fiction film, and in my experience it’s difficult to create something like this with minimal funds and find visual success. Hamilton, however, finds ways to bring this film to life that enhance the viewing experience. I was able to suspend my disbelief, and I was able to feel that this was more than just a low-budget, fan-made film. The Lost Starship is thoroughly enjoyable in its aesthetic, and far greater than I anticipated in this regard. 

The Lost Starship feels both familiar and original, as it explores aspects of Star Trek that I had not yet experienced. However, it feels authentic–keeping pace with the intensity of the canon films and series, but doing it in unexpected and highly effective ways. The special effects are effective as they reel in viewers and allow them to suspend their disbelief, but it’s the use of sound that engulfed me in The Lost Starship, that heightened the intensity of nearly every moment of this unique journey. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and would highly recommend that any level of Star Trek fan spend twenty-three minutes watching The Lost Starship. 

Directed by Vic Mignogna. 

Written by Brian W. Peterson. 

Starring Jeff Johnson, Alison Williams, John D. Powell, Dan Martin, Grace Flores-Arbolay, Skip Morris, Tina Cordova, Dave Arland, etc. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING

TO WATCH The Lost Starship CLICK HERE.