Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question.

Spock/Uhura Fan · September 12 2012, 12:19 PM

Okay, so my poll-craziness is coming to an end after this one, I promise!

But I was thinking about how some people I’ve come across in the past wanted Chris Pine to be more like William Shatner in TOS. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea because, to me, William Shatner is to acting what Cher is to singing. They both have great followings, but their “distinctiveness” is hard to imitate without it seeming like a mockery.

That is why I was glad to see that Chris didn’t try to emulate Shatner’s style. He seemed to stay true to the character while giving him mannerisms that came across as genuine for Chris’ portrayal of the character. So, what do you think? Should he have tried harder to be more like the Shat, or was his performance just right. Obviously, once again, the writing had something to do with how the character was received, but I’m speaking strictly about Chris’ performance.

Please discuss.

Xaios · September 12 2012, 05:08 PM

I'd say no, for exactly the reason that you specify: only William Shatner can be William Shatner. Pine did a great job of channeling the essence of Kirk, a brash leader of men, without emulating Shatner, and it worked beautifully.

Methos · September 12 2012, 05:16 PM

yeah, i'm happy with Pine to carry on as he was... he doesn't need to imitate Shatner to do a convincing Kirk, he already did that... any further would just turn his acting into a mockery of Shatner...

M

Spock/Uhura Fan · September 12 2012, 05:18 PM

It's Alive!!!

Thank you both.

I was beginning to think maybe it was a bad question because the thread is so dead, but at least someone was willing to respond and put some life into it.

I think William Shatner did a wonderful job as the James Kirk that grew up with his father as a guiding force, but Chris does a wonderful job as the somewhat renegade version that didn't have that luxury and misses it.

I do wonder if as he goes through these movies if it won't end up being a blending of styles, though.

R. Star · September 12 2012, 05:21 PM

People are going to be comparing him to Shatner no matter what. If NuKirk is going to get out of Prime Kirk's shadow it's going to be because the writers come up with some good material AND Pine sells it.

As things stand NuKirk is just Prime Kirk's alternate, less capable self in my opinion. Maybe the new movie will change my mind on that.

Methos · September 12 2012, 05:26 PM

Spock/Uhura Fan wrote:

It's Alive!!!

*Has a truly, truly, bewildering mental image of NuKirk in a cheerleaders outfit cheering S/U Fan on*

Riiiiight... excuse me...

*runs to find the mind bleach*

M

Sindatur · September 12 2012, 05:34 PM

Considering where the first movie started at in Kirk's life, and the different upbringing, it would've been really wrong for NuKirk to be just like Shatner Prime Kirk in TOS. Shatner Kirk in TOS was already an established Captain of the Enterprise in the First episode, or course, he's going to be a much more confident and competent Leader than NuKirk, fresh out of the Academy, no experience as Captain. Those who say he should've been more ShatnerKirk-like make no sense to me.

Since this movie has him already established as Captain of the Enterprise, I think there's definitely room to him to be more ShatnerKirk-like, at least by the end of the movie, if not early on, but, I don't think he ever needs...to...imitate...Kirk's....Staggered....Spee ch....Pattern

Satyrquaze · September 12 2012, 05:50 PM

I got the part where you said:

Spock/Uhura Fan wrote:

...because, to me, William Shatner is to acting what Cher is to singing.

And found myself voting NO then and there regardless of the validity of the statement.

Seriously, if we could have Shatner shoehorned into the new Trek movie, I'd rather see Shatner himself play the role of Prime Kirk. And, I think the sanest among would agree that it would be a disaster.

Gojira · September 12 2012, 05:54 PM

I think Chris Pine made an excellent Kirk. He can interpret the characteristics of Kirk without copying Shatner's mannerisms and acting style.

Enterprise is Great · September 12 2012, 06:02 PM

The worst thing Pine could ever do is try to imitate Shatner. It would come off as a parody and more worthy of a Saturday Night Live skit than a Star Trek movie.

Xaios · September 12 2012, 06:35 PM

The one point in the movie where I thought he was channeling the spirit of Shatner, he managed to do it without it being cheesy. It's the point at the end of the movie where he steps onto the bridge, takes a look around, and exclaims "Bones!"

I got goosebumps at that moment.

Kegg · September 12 2012, 06:48 PM

I love William Shatner's Kirk. I also love Pine's Kirk. Pine really made it his own, as written and directed it would have been very easy for Kirk to just be unlikeable - he is fairly dickish at times - but his impish grin, charisma and chemistry with Quinto really work.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and Pine's Kirk ain't broke. Sure, I'd like see - and expect to see - him mature over the films, but that's not the same as having him transition into Shatnerian mode.

Rhaven · September 12 2012, 06:49 PM

I think NuKirk will always be different from TOS Kirk. Yes, they essentially are the same man, but NuKirk had a different upbringing. Losing his father and growing up without his influence will mold a different adult. Some things will be the same, some friendships will stay eternal and some things will be very different. It's that difference that peaks my interests.

Spock/Uhura Fan · September 12 2012, 07:28 PM

^ The difference in this case is what peaks my interest too.

Methos wrote:

Spock/Uhura Fan wrote:

It's Alive!!!

*Has a truly, truly, bewildering mental image of NuKirk in a cheerleaders outfit cheering S/U Fan on*

Did it look a little something like this?

*runs to find the mind bleach*

M

Oh, so sorry then.

Sindatur wrote:

[...] I don't think he ever needs...to...imitate...Kirk's....Staggered....Spee ch....Pattern

Satyrquaze wrote:

I got the part where you said:

Spock/Uhura Fan wrote:

...because, to me, William Shatner is to acting what Cher is to singing.

And found myself voting NO then and there regardless of the validity of the statement.

Seriously, if we could have Shatner shoehorned into the new Trek movie, I'd rather see Shatner himself play the role of Prime Kirk. And, I think the sanest among would agree that it would be a disaster.

So, does that mean that I made the question too easy? Is it a "slam dunk," in a manner of speaking? I notice that the results are 100% "NO" as of right now.

And I wasn't trying to be insulting when I made that comparison. I just meant to get across that they are distinct in what they do.

Enterprise is Great wrote:

The worst thing Pine could ever do is try to imitate Shatner. It would come off as a parody and more worthy of a Saturday Night Live skit than a Star Trek movie.

http://www.myspace.com/video/saturda...prise/33829799

And one of the best parts is when they mistake NBC for Nabisco.

Satyrquaze · September 12 2012, 07:35 PM

Spock/Uhura Fan wrote:

Satyrquaze wrote:

I got the part where you said:

And found myself voting NO then and there regardless of the validity of the statement.

Seriously, if we could have Shatner shoehorned into the new Trek movie, I'd rather see Shatner himself play the role of Prime Kirk. And, I think the sanest among would agree that it would be a disaster.

So, does that mean that I made the question too easy? Is it a "slam dunk," in a manner of speaking? I notice that the results are 100% "NO" as of right now.

Yeah, you may have made it too easy. My answer was always NO, but you adding that little tid-bit made it a "HELL NO".

View Poll Results: Should Chris Be More Like The Shat or Nat?
Come on, Chris, try to be more like The SHAT.	4	10.26%
I’m not sure. Maybe try a blending of both styles?	2	5.13%
I’m thinking NAT. Keep doing what you’re doing.	33	84.62%
Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

September 12 2012, 12:19 PM	#1
Spock/Uhura Fan Captain Location: Where It's At.	Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. Okay, so my poll-craziness is coming to an end after this one, I promise! But I was thinking about how some people I’ve come across in the past wanted Chris Pine to be more like William Shatner in TOS. I’m not sure if that’s a good idea because, to me, William Shatner is to acting what Cher is to singing. They both have great followings, but their “distinctiveness” is hard to imitate without it seeming like a mockery. That is why I was glad to see that Chris didn’t try to emulate Shatner’s style. He seemed to stay true to the character while giving him mannerisms that came across as genuine for Chris’ portrayal of the character. So, what do you think? Should he have tried harder to be more like the Shat, or was his performance just right. Obviously, once again, the writing had something to do with how the character was received, but I’m speaking strictly about Chris’ performance. Please discuss. __________________ “Tell me what you need.” – Uhura "Are you out of your corn-fed mind!" - McCoy

September 12 2012, 05:08 PM	#2
Xaios Lieutenant Commander	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. I'd say no, for exactly the reason that you specify: only William Shatner can be William Shatner. Pine did a great job of channeling the essence of Kirk, a brash leader of men, without emulating Shatner, and it worked beautifully.

September 12 2012, 05:16 PM	#3
Methos First Officer: USS Aventine Location: Hiding under Gaila's bed...	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. yeah, i'm happy with Pine to carry on as he was... he doesn't need to imitate Shatner to do a convincing Kirk, he already did that... any further would just turn his acting into a mockery of Shatner... M __________________ In Russia, a 122 year old man has passed away, he credited his long life to abtaining from alcohol, tobacco and women. His last words were "I've made a huge mistake."

September 12 2012, 05:18 PM	#4
Spock/Uhura Fan Captain Location: Where It's At.	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. It's Alive!!! Thank you both. I was beginning to think maybe it was a bad question because the thread is so dead, but at least someone was willing to respond and put some life into it. I think William Shatner did a wonderful job as the James Kirk that grew up with his father as a guiding force, but Chris does a wonderful job as the somewhat renegade version that didn't have that luxury and misses it. I do wonder if as he goes through these movies if it won't end up being a blending of styles, though. __________________ “Tell me what you need.” – Uhura "Are you out of your corn-fed mind!" - McCoy

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September 12 2012, 05:21 PM	#5
R. Star Commodore Location: Terra 3	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. People are going to be comparing him to Shatner no matter what. If NuKirk is going to get out of Prime Kirk's shadow it's going to be because the writers come up with some good material AND Pine sells it. As things stand NuKirk is just Prime Kirk's alternate, less capable self in my opinion. Maybe the new movie will change my mind on that. __________________ "I was never a Star Trek fan." J.J. Abrams

September 12 2012, 05:34 PM	#7
Sindatur Rear Admiral Location: Sacramento, CA	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. Considering where the first movie started at in Kirk's life, and the different upbringing, it would've been really wrong for NuKirk to be just like Shatner Prime Kirk in TOS. Shatner Kirk in TOS was already an established Captain of the Enterprise in the First episode, or course, he's going to be a much more confident and competent Leader than NuKirk, fresh out of the Academy, no experience as Captain. Those who say he should've been more ShatnerKirk-like make no sense to me. Since this movie has him already established as Captain of the Enterprise, I think there's definitely room to him to be more ShatnerKirk-like, at least by the end of the movie, if not early on, but, I don't think he ever needs...to...imitate...Kirk's....Staggered....Spee ch....Pattern __________________ One Day I hope to be the Man my Cat thinks I am Where are we going? And why are we in this Handbasket? Last edited by Sindatur; September 12 2012 at 06:32 PM.

September 12 2012, 05:54 PM	#9
Gojira Commodore Location: Stompin' on Tokyo	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. I think Chris Pine made an excellent Kirk. He can interpret the characteristics of Kirk without copying Shatner's mannerisms and acting style. __________________ My Science Fiction-Fantasy movie review Blog: http://foleyfunfilmfacts.wordpress.com/

September 12 2012, 06:02 PM	#10
Enterprise is Great Rear Admiral	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. The worst thing Pine could ever do is try to imitate Shatner. It would come off as a parody and more worthy of a Saturday Night Live skit than a Star Trek movie. __________________ JJverse Star Trek...is gonna rock again! On May 17, 2013!

September 12 2012, 06:35 PM	#11
Xaios Lieutenant Commander	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. The one point in the movie where I thought he was channeling the spirit of Shatner, he managed to do it without it being cheesy. It's the point at the end of the movie where he steps onto the bridge, takes a look around, and exclaims "Bones!" I got goosebumps at that moment.

September 12 2012, 06:48 PM	#12
Kegg Rear Admiral Location: Ireland.	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. I love William Shatner's Kirk. I also love Pine's Kirk. Pine really made it his own, as written and directed it would have been very easy for Kirk to just be unlikeable - he is fairly dickish at times - but his impish grin, charisma and chemistry with Quinto really work. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and Pine's Kirk ain't broke. Sure, I'd like see - and expect to see - him mature over the films, but that's not the same as having him transition into Shatnerian mode. __________________ 'Spock is always right, even when he's wrong. It's the tone of voice, the supernatural reasonability; this is not a man like us; this is a god.' - Philip K. Dick

September 12 2012, 06:49 PM	#13
Rhaven Commander Location: Rhaven in Boston	Re: Chris Pine: To Shat or Nat? That is the question. I think NuKirk will always be different from TOS Kirk. Yes, they essentially are the same man, but NuKirk had a different upbringing. Losing his father and growing up without his influence will mold a different adult. Some things will be the same, some friendships will stay eternal and some things will be very different. It's that difference that peaks my interests. __________________ I'm not a geek, I'm an aficionado.