Written, directed, voiced and animated by Mark R. Largent, ‘Stalled Trek: The City on the Edge of Foreclosure’ is a brilliantly constructed animated puppet parody that dives into Star Trek fandom and emerges victorious.
Be clear, this is not a lazy spoof. It’s a well observed, detail-rich send-up that manages to affectionately roast Trek canon while honoring it with surprising reverence. Edith Keester voices Xanthippe Sotiriadis, while Largent handles the rest with awe. If that sounds like a vanity project, don’t be fooled, it’s not. The craftsmanship is high-end. The modelling is remarkably clean. The puppetry animation is as expressive as anything you’d find out there. The production value simply defies its indie roots.
Plot-wise, it’s delightfully familiar with just enough chaos thrown in. Captain Krok and Mr. Spott fling themselves through a time-traveling stone donut to 1930s New York. Fans of the original episode (The City on the Edge of Forever) will catch every homage and every lovingly twisted reference.
The voice work is tight, the animation has soul, and the humor is lovingly deranged. This is by a fan who knows exactly where the funny bone lives inside the Federation. Trekkies and parody junkies – this one’s for you. ‘Stalled Trek’ is – quirky, geeky, and wonderfully unhinged. Largent not only spoofs, he has crafted a excellent tribute. Highly recommended viewing.
