What are your top 3 Star Trek films?

[fireproof78]

Abrams brought a needed outsider's point of view who was willing to both learn the franchise (yes, he was), and recognize that introducing new fans would require a small amount of leveling the playing field for newcomers as well as the older fans. And, if a film can appeal to my dad (a full on TOS fan with no love for anything but) and my wife (a person who generally detests most science fiction) then Abrams' did well.

 

[Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos]

I've always said that Abrams brought a little Star Wars to Star Trek and for all the better. Whereas Rian Johnson brought a little Star Trek to Star Wars and for all the better.

YMMV, of course.

In what way did Rian Johnson Star Wars include a Star Trek elements?

Abrams brought a needed outsider's point of view who was willing to both learn the franchise (yes, he was), and recognize that introducing new fans would require a small amount of leveling the playing field for newcomers as well as the older fans. And, if a film can appeal to my dad (a full on TOS fan with no love for anything but) and my wife (a person who generally detests most science fiction) then Abrams' did well.

I enjoyed ST '09 when it first came out, but the sequels were putrid and highlighted some of the flaws from '09. They should have cast method actors for both Kirk and Spock (but especially Kirk). Karl Urban was dead on as McCoy.

 

[fireproof78]

I enjoyed ST '09 when it first came out, but the sequels were putrid and highlighted some of the flaws from '09. They should have cast method actors for both Kirk and Spock (but especially Kirk). Karl Urban was dead on as McCoy.

Oof, no. Pine was dead on with Kirk, especially as the series moved on and he felt more grounded. Pine's respecting of Shatner's work, while bringing his own energy was excellent and entertaining as he grew in to the role. Quinto still is a better Spock than Peck to me, and Urban is the quintessential McCoy.

 

[Galileo7]

TMP
WOK / ID
TUC

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

In what way did Rian Johnson Star Wars include a Star Trek elements?

I enjoyed ST '09 when it first came out, but the sequels were putrid and highlighted some of the flaws from '09. They should have cast method actors for both Kirk and Spock (but especially Kirk). Karl Urban was dead on as McCoy.

In terms of lofting ideas, i.e. “anyone can change the world not just those of special linage,” and deeper character studies.

Of course that’s my interpretation of what Johnson was doing. He’s not said directly he put Trek into his Wars.

 

[Greg Cox]

I don't recall Kirk's sacrifice at the end of '09. I do recall him making a sacrifice at the end of "Into Darkness," which struck me as a cheap knock off of a sacrifice once made by Spock.

I think Hades was referring to George Kirk sacrificing himself at the end of the prologue.

 

[Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos]

Oof, no. Pine was dead on with Kirk, especially as the series moved on and he felt more grounded. Pine's respecting of Shatner's work, while bringing his own energy was excellent and entertaining as he grew in to the role. Quinto still is a better Spock than Peck to me, and Urban is the quintessential McCoy.

He wasn't Kirk at all to me. He was his own incarnation of Kirk, which is an incarnation I grew to dislike with the sequels.

In terms of lofting ideas, i.e. “anyone can change the world not just those of special linage,” and deeper character studies.

Of course that’s my interpretation of what Johnson was doing. He’s not said directly he put Trek into his Wars.

I wasn't seeing a ton of "depth" in Johnson's film, but to each his own.

 

[fireproof78]

He wasn't Kirk at all to me. He was his own incarnation of Kirk, which is an incarnation I grew to dislike with the sequels.

Mileage will vary.

 

[Qonundrum]

ST2 - saw this one again on 4K and it's not as badly dated as all that, and there's nothing wrong with the pacing either.

ST6 - not perfect, but Meyer and co were clearly the visionaries for 80s Kirk Trek.

ST1 - the only true sci-fi-centric outing. While I appreciate good drama, which can be more engaging (see ST2 and 6 above), ST1 has its own balance of plot elements - and a size of scale that wows on the first viewing and, as long as re-viewings aren't too quick, still hold up.

Honorable mention 1: ST3. It's a bit looser with TV episode continuity, not to mention movie continuity as Saavik was unfairly harsh to David and pretending this planet came about from scientifically equal conditions to their prior tests*, but so much more works in its favor compared to the plot holes and other points.

* They can test under controlled circumstances to a not-dissimilar element and then extrapolate to scale (but might still have problems, true), but going from an underground hollow with a small device up to the entire Genesis torpedo detonated inside a teeny tiny starship. A teeny tiny starship of (a) immensely different mineral/material composition and (b) a big-ass energy-producing splodey-makin' source that no planet naturally has, the variables are too numerous and sizeable. Saavik of all people should have grasped that. /tiffy

Honorable mention 2: GEN. It's flawed as all heck, partly due to being rushed along with finishing up TNG the TV series, but some of the philosophical themes are really good. It deserved to be a ton better and not cramming in so much, which is easily its biggest problem. But it's the best TNG movie of the four. Note there's no asterisk, GEN's problems are far more numerous and sizeable despite its positives...

 

[fireproof78]

I don't recall Kirk's sacrifice at the end of '09. I do recall him making a sacrifice at the end of "Into Darkness," which struck me as a cheap knock off of a sacrifice once made by Spock.

George Kirk's sacrifice's at the beginning was amazing, setting the tone for the rest of the series, and Kirk's growth from the getgo.

His sacrifice in Into Darkness made sense with the arc set up. I don't care about TWOK references; I care about character growth.

 

[dupersuper]

That is a fair statement, although I do not see "major" plot problems with TUC

For me, though I like the movie, the notion that Kirk goes through his trial and trip to prison with the very obvious veridium (sp?) patch on his shoulder always takes me out.

He wasn't Kirk at all to me. He was his own incarnation of Kirk, which is an incarnation I grew to dislike with the sequels.

I liked him far more in Beyond, but in the first two (especially 2009) he seemed more like a caricature of the pop culture idea of Kirk. I blame the writing far more than the actor for that though. He did what he could with what they gave him.

 

[Lord Garth]

He wasn't Kirk at all to me. He was his own incarnation of Kirk, which is an incarnation I grew to dislike with the sequels.

I'm not a fan of NuKirk either. I think he's pretty much a dudebro. Not so much in Beyond, but definitely in the first two. I guess his father really did have an influence on him in the Prime Timeline.

I know Kirk is the main character in those films and the hero and everything, but a lot of the time I found myself siding with NuSpock. And I really thought Pike was the adult in the room.

 

[fireproof78]

Pike is the adult.

Kelvin Spock I identify with the most.

Kelvin Kirk has one of the best arcs in Trek.

 

[1001001]

I thought Pine did a great job as Kirk.

 

[Pikirk_Janesisko]

TWoK and TVH are the only ones I really enjoy. I liked TUC when I first saw, but on subsquent rewatches it didn't hold up for me. It starts pretty strong with a great first act and after that it dips down in quality for me. It's a servicible ending for the TOS, however I think it could've been a lot more. It's my third favorite. I also tried to like TMP, but I just can't. There's huge problems with that film like lots of plodding and bad pacing. Also, there's none of that energy from the The Original Series. Overall, I'm not a big fan of the feature films.

 

[Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos]

For me, though I like the movie, the notion that Kirk goes through his trial and trip to prison with the very obvious veridium (sp?) patch on his shoulder always takes me out.

It was a little far-fetched, but you could attempt to explain it away by saying that Klingons were generally too lax and unconcerned to care or notice. They may not even check for such a device because, if you recall, he had to be a certain distance away in order for it to even matter.

Spoiler

Plus, if you recall, there was an indication that they wanted him to attempt to escape. He probably wouldn't have attempted without that.

I liked him far more in Beyond, but in the first two (especially 2009) he seemed more like a caricature of the pop culture idea of Kirk. I blame the writing far more than the actor for that though. He did what he could with what they gave him.

Urban's method acting was fantastic. I wish they could have found some better ones for Kirk and Spock.

 

[donners22]

One from each cast:

The Undiscovered Country
First Contact
Beyond

 

[Damian]

Granted the poll is unscientific, but there are a few surprises.

Some non-surprises, TWOK leading the pack. Many Trekkies (and even the general public) seem to consider this the best Star Trek film ever. It is a great film, I have it in 2nd place myself. TUC currently holds 2nd place. While it's not a favorite of mine, I can't say that's surprising either. A lot of fans feel that was a great film as well. First Contact being in 3rd place is a slight surprise. It seems most consider it the best of the TNG films (though it has its detractors), and I have it in 3rd place myself. I'm not at all surprised it hold first place among TNG films, but I thought it would fall in 4th place because.....of my the one big surprise I see in this poll. The low tally for Star Trek (2009). That film got such high accolades at the time I thought that would come in at 3rd place easily. But it's one of the lowest ranked films in the poll. For me, when I first saw it I probably had it around 4th place, but I noted before that it has not aged well for me. Each time I watch it I like it a little less. I have noticed occasionally people saying something similar, though there may be many reasons for its low ranking.

And Beyond currently holds the lead among the Abrams films. It's my favorite of the Abrams films, but I know it has gotten its fair share of knocks by fans who don't care for it, some not at all.

TVH and TMP hold around the middle. Not surprised there really. Both have their fans. It seems most Trekkies liked TVH, I don't see too many people who dislike it. It's just a matter of where it falls for them. For me it's an upper middle of the road Trek film. And TMP has gotten a bit more appreciation as the years have passed. Some fans seemed to have come around on that one a bit, maybe didn't like it at first but see it a bit differently now.

So a few surprises. Not sure how representative the poll is among Trekkies at large. But some of what I see is expected, and some unexpected.

 

[fireproof78]

09 still suffers from the "not real Trek " and Abrams dislike among many.

 

[1001001]

09 still suffers from the "not real Trek " and Abrams dislike among many.

09 was fun, but the plot was ridiculous.

Beyond was, IMHO, much better.