<p>I can’t believe there isn’t a thread on this yet, so here it is - the new Star Trek movie. </p>
<p>I thought it was a great movie, and will be to the Star Trek franchise what the Daniel Craig films are to Bond and the new Batman movies are to that franchise. Its modern, exciting, has a young and talented cast, and doesn’t dwell on all the treknobabble and other boring plotlines that required knowledge of the trek world which turned off non-fans.</p>
<p>Special effects are absolutely stunning, the cast are perfect for their respective characters… really, I can’t say enough good things about it.</p>
<p>What did you all think? Surely I’m not the only uber-nerd around here (and the beautiful thing about this movie is that it appeals to everyone, not just us trekkies) :D</p>
<p>I thought it was a very well done sci-fi action adventure flick–but the name “Star Trek” didn’t belong on it. I’m not a Trekker–never much cared for the original series, though I really enjoyed Next Generation and loved Deep Space 9. I don’t know the detailed timelines and plot threads of the multiple series and movies, but I do know the elements that ran through the various iterations and united them under the Star Trek banner–significant character development, explorations of moral and philosophical questions, a sense of curiosity about the universe and man’s place in it. I didn’t find any of that in the new movie, just a lot of very nifty special effects, clever dialogue, non-stop action and unrelenting life-or-death situations. I don’t remember any discussion, or even mention, or the Enterprise’s mission until the very end of the movie, nor do I recall any mention of the Prime Directive (don’t interfere with the natural progression of other civilizations), which is Star Fleet’s guiding principle and the fodder for many great Star Trek storylines. I also thought the “alternative reality” business used to explain the movie’s deviation from the Star Trek canon was pretty lame. </p>
<p>Kudos to to J.J. Abrams for concocting a high-quality summer blockbuster–I just wish he hadn’t exploited the Star Trek name to do it. Boo to Roddenberry’s heirs for selling out so spectacularly.</p>
<p>I liked the new Star Trek movie. The cast is excellent, the character development was robust and the energy was palpable. It was fresh and fun to say the least. Of the 11 Trek films made to date, this is one is up there with Trek II (Wrath of Khan), IV (Voyage Home) and VIII (First Contact)</p>
<p>Momma, I think the reason why this film did not dwell much on the Enterprise’s mission and Star Fleet’s prime directive is because this movie was more concerned with setting a foundation…and it did it well. This is what many prequals have been doing lately. Casino Royal did it for Bond and Batman Begins did it for Batman. I don’t see how there was any exploitation to the Star Trek name. There is no doubt that those characters are Star Trek characters. Pine is a more convincing Kirk than Shatner if you ask me. I am fairly certain that the next Trek movie will be more heavy on plot and abide more to Trek lore.</p>
<p>By the way, like you, I am not much of a trekkie, but I am fairly certain that no menion of the Prime Directive was made during the first 2 seasons of the original series. When they did mention it, it was implied that it was an already existing principle. </p>
<p>I must say that I like the new Kirk (Chris Pine) and Uhura (Zoe Saldana) better than the originals (I always felt that William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols were the weak link in the original series). And the new Spock (Zachary Quinto) and McCoy (Karl Urban) are as effective as the originals. The rest of the cast was solid, but I am not sure they will be as durable as the original ensemble…I guess we’ll have to wait and see.</p>
<p>But to me, any deviations from “canon” aren’t likely to matter.</p>
<p>To me, the definitive Star Trek is The Next Generation. It had a captain who was worthy of the rank – more brains than brawn, level-headed, well-educated, old enough for the job, not usually filled with raging hormones, and sensible enough to send somebody else down to the planets. Kirk, no matter who plays him, is no Picard.</p>
<p>Picard and Kirk are completely different. I prefer Picard myself, but that’s more a function of Patrick Stewart vs William Shatner. Chris Pine I think adds a new dimension to the character, so I think I will like Kirk as much as Picard going forward!</p>
<p>Saw the movie last Saturday and loved it. I agree that it has created a foundation for a continuing saga that breathes new life into the franchise. The alternate reality concept had me puzzled as to its purpose or necessity but certainly will allow for fresh directions for character development and plot lines in future movies. Word of caution though; I saw it at the Omniverse Theatre at the Franklin Institute Institute in Philadelphia. I don’t know whether it was specific to that particular IMAX screen or whether this would apply to all IMAXs, but the images were too large and the distance from the screen to short to maintain perspective on the entire panoramic view, particularly during action scenes. In hind sight< I would have preferred a regular theatre.</p>
<p>We saw it this weekend and I loved it. I’ve watch Star Trek from the very beginning. The only variation I never got into was the last tv series- Enterprise. I thought this movie was great. It had a lot of action, it didn’t dwell on the technology and the actors captured the characters perfectly. Well done, Abrams!</p>
<p>Seeing the movie on Mother’s Day was a treat, bringing back memories of watching the shows with son. I too liked Next Generation best, and DS9’s last few seasons. I also thought the new Uhara was terrific and Bones seems interesting. Does anyone know why only Leonard Nimoy was brought back for this movie? I expect to see character Worf in next movie.</p>
<p>Opening scene was quite good. I too wonder what they will do with alternate time line concept.</p>
<p>I bought the entire original Stark Trek series for Son’s 17th birthday and we’ve watched it all together. I’m not much on seeing movies opening weekend but we just had to go on Saturday morning. I thought they did an excellent job with the characters. I could really see that Chris Pine’s Kirk could become William Shatner’s Kirk.</p>
<p>Went to see it with coworkers as a scheduled meeting on Friday morning of opening weekend. I have a very enlightened boss Absolutely loved it, laughed with delight at every little connection back to the original series. I cannot remember the last time that I went to see a film a second time in the theater, but I’ll be seeing this one again with the spouse and the two kids. </p>
<p>CC tie-in: I am waiting for Cal State Northridge to start pointing out that Starfleet Academy is based on their campus.</p>
<p>haha yep - and that their campus somehow moved to San Francisco in the future :D</p>
<p>As for the alternate universe thing and “canon violation”… personally, I’m glad Abrams chose to do it this way. The 40-year long “canon” would have seriously weighed the movie (and future movies) down. This allowed him to escape all that and make a great movie that appeals to a wide audience while still maintaining the essence of the series. </p>
<p>I’m going back to see it again in IMAX before that’s over, and can’t wait for the sequel (supposedly scheduled for 2011)</p>
<p>Oh, I disagree completely. The movie is set up to allow itself (and it’s sequels) to chart it’s own course, but it felt more authentically Star Trek to me than anything that came out in the last decade. </p>
<p>Also, I loved it. I’m a middling Trekkie and loved it. My daughter would usually rather volunteer to clean the bathrooms for a month than watch anything Star Trek, and she loved it.</p>
<p>And as the child pointed out, it was the best eye candy of the year. We’ve been busily debating just who was the hottest. She votes McCoy, but I’m voting Kirk.</p>
<h2>Quinto- “I’ve been finding decapitated action figures and empty inhaler canisters in my mailbox”</h2>
<p>Quinto- “They’re throwing rocks at your windows?”</p>
<h2>Pine- “Well they’re trying but they’re not throwing hard enough”</h2>
<p>Nimoy- “To not like the new movie would be…”
Seth Meyers- “I know, I know… ‘highly illogical’”
Nimoy- “No i’d say they would be acting like dickheads” :D</p>
<p>edit: I’m not actually insulting anyone who didn’t like the movie - just recapping the clip from SNL</p>
Absolutely loved it, laughed with delight at every little connection back to the original series. I cannot remember the last time that I went to see a film a second time in the theater, but I’ll be seeing this one again with the spouse and the two kids. </p>