What are your controversial Star Trek opinions?

[Unnamed Caitian]

At this point in time the definitive factor in evaluating Star Trek movies and episodes against each other is rewatchability.

V is great. Every actor in it is superb. Even the Klings

 

[cooleddie74]

TFF has at time awful effects and some of the humor doesn't land, but it feels like TOS. More than any other of the films.

 

[Farscape One]

At this point in time the definitive factor in evaluating Star Trek movies and episodes against each other is rewatchability.

I can see this as a good gauge.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Controversial Opinion:

Star Trek 09 is superior to all other Trek movies.

 

[cooleddie74]

Now we're controversying with gas.

 

[Citiprime]

Can someone explain why the "bad actor" rep was attached to Shatner?

I understand his way of speaking and mannerisms are very open to parody, but I've never felt he was just giving an awful performance. And I always thought that when he was over the top in TOS, it fit the material and what they were going for with the story. It was never a case where they were wanting a serious dramatic performance, and Shatner just went all goofy with it.

Beyond that, I can't see how someone looks at his work within Star Trek and comes away thinking that Shatner's work is the weak link or "bad." Although, maybe I'm a bad judge of this, since I don't get the "Keanu Reeves is a bad actor" argument either.

 

[Citiprime]

Controversial Opinion:

Star Trek 09 is superior to all other Trek movies.

It has a lot of annoying plot conveniences/contrivances that become apparent on repeated viewings, and (arguably) become exacerbated in Into Darkness.

For example, why does the crew of the Enterprise forcibly maroon Kirk on Delta Vega instead of throwing him in the brig? And what do you know, of all the places they could leave someone at on an entire planet, it's right where Nero left Prime Spock ... and what do you know, it's also the same planet where Scotty just happens to be which is conveniently within walking distance.

 

[Vger23]

Controversial Opinion:

Star Trek 09 is superior to all other Trek movies.

I have a weird opinion there. I feel like it (Trek 09) makes a case / argument for being a better movie than the other Trek films, but there are other films in the franchise that make better Star Trek films.

 

[Vger23]

Can someone explain why the "bad actor" rep was attached to Shatner?

I understand his way of speaking and mannerisms are very open to parody, but I've never felt he was just giving an awful performance. And I always thought that when he was over the top in TOS, it fit the material and what they were going for with the story. It was never a case where they were wanting a serious dramatic performance, and Shatner just went all goofy with it.

Beyond that, I can't see how someone looks at his work within Star Trek and comes away thinking that Shatner's work is the weak link or "bad." Although, maybe I'm a bad judge of this, since I don't get the "Keanu Reeves is a bad actor" argument either.

Shatner carried that television series on his frigging back. I don’t care what anyone says. His charisma, work ethic, and performances made Star Trek a fun, colorful, engaging experience for audiences.

 

[cooleddie74]

Trek 2009 has no business being as good as it is. Even for a Star Trek film its logical loopholes and Get Out of Jail Free cards are ridiculous. But it works. It's one of the two best Trek films since FC and it shouldn't be. But it is.

 

[Nerys Myk]

And the dune buggy scene could have been deleted and nobody would miss it.

And miss out on this brilliant photoshop?

 

[cooleddie74]

Worf: "If those are wine coolers, Sir, I will leave the vehicle NOW and you and Commander Data will be on your own!"

 

[Richard S. Ta]

For example, why does the crew of the Enterprise forcibly maroon Kirk on Delta Vega instead of throwing him in the brig? And what do you know, of all the places they could leave someone at on an entire planet, it's right where Nero left Prime Spock ... and what do you know, it's also the same planet where Scotty just happens to be which is conveniently within walking distance.

Eh... Why is the Enterprise always the only ship in the quadrant? How is it that Chekov just happens to be serving on the Reliant and the Genesis project just happens to be run by Kirk's ex and his son?

Small universe syndrome is baked into Star Trek. You have to roll with it or roll out.

Shatner carried that television series on his frigging back. I don’t care what anyone says. His charisma, work ethic, and performances made Star Trek a fun, colorful, engaging experience for audiences.

Agreed and @Citiprime as well. I don't think Shatner is hammy and he is very, very far from being a bad actor. Actors who are bad don't have regular work over a 70+ year period. Anyone needing evidence of that need look no further than the likes of George Takei.

Shatner was superlative in TOS and gave great performances in each and every Star trek movie he featured in.

Is he theatrical? Sure. But so are Stewart/Brooks etc. That comes with the territory of playing larger than life characters in a larger than life world.

Shatner is a legend.

 

[Lord Garth]

Controversial Opinion:

Star Trek 09 is superior to all other Trek movies.

Star Trek (2009), while entertaining, was Transformers for people over 25.

At least in Star Trek, I could tell who was who and care about the characters. With Transformers (just to be clear, I'm talking about the 2007 film), I couldn't tell who was who, didn't care about any of the characters, and kept thinking to myself, "The only reason I'm even here is because I used to watch the cartoon when I was a kid." With Star Trek, I didn't feel silly watching it. But I feel like Paramount mapped out who they wanted to reach. Under 25 was Transformers. Over 25 was Star Trek. At least that's what I was thinking at the time. Obviously that didn't end up panning out.

EDITED TO ADD: Star Trek (2009), as fast as it was, I could still keep up with it. With Transformers (2007), I couldn't keep up at all.

So, I think the 2009 Film did what it set out to do. It put Star Trek back on the map. But the best Star Trek movie? Not even close. It's not even in my Top 5. Sorry.

Whenever someone lumps DSC or PIC in with JJ Trek, it makes my blood boil. Literally. Some people here actually got to see that during one of the Zoom Sessions a few years ago. I was pissed. I can laugh at it now, but at the time...

 

[Richard S. Ta]

It's not even in my Top 5. Sorry.

Why sorry? I've always respected your opinion, even when it's different to mine, because you bother to explain yourself eloquently.

IDIC.

Whenever someone lumps in DSC or PIC with JJ Trek, it makes my blood boil.

Yes, it's bullshit. They are nothing alike.

 

[fireproof78]

Star Trek (2009), while entertaining, was Transformers for people over 25.

Dang. I guess I just hit the threshold, since I was 25 when I watched it. I loved 09 but could not stand Transformers.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

Gosh, I had just turned 30 when I saw ST09.

 

[FederationHistorian]

Star Trek (2009), while entertaining, was Transformers for people over 25.

At least in Star Trek, I could tell who was who and care about the characters. With Transformers (just to be clear, I'm talking about the 2007 film), I couldn't tell who was who, didn't care about any of the characters, and kept thinking to myself, "The only reason I'm even here is because I used to watch the cartoon when I was a kid." With Star Trek, I didn't feel silly watching it. But I feel like Paramount mapped out who they wanted to reach. Under 25 was Transformers. Over 25 was Star Trek. At least that's what I was thinking at the time. Obviously that didn't end up panning out.

Under 25, I liked both ST’09 and Transformers

A few years later, still under 25, I disliked the sequels to both. And did not even bother going to the theatres for the 3rd Transformers film.

Over 25, liked BEY and liked Bumblebee

Its not an age thing. It’s a good scripts thing.

 

[Kamen Rider Blade]

And the dune buggy scene could have been deleted and nobody would miss it.

I enjoyed the dunebuggy scene, my only issue is that there are no front gunners as well as rear gunners.

And why is the driver seat on the left hand side?

It should be in the center, the optimal driving position for a dune-buggy / jeep style vehicle as Halo has proven.

 

[Citiprime]

Spacedock on YouTube went through all of the problems with the dune-buggy, and why it makes no sense just based on utility if you were designing a tactical vehicle.

• It's not covered, so it offers no protection from the elements.
• The rear weapon's mount gives a limited firing arc that makes defending the craft more difficult.
• What little room there is in it is occupied by 3 passengers, meaning there's little to no storage area for supplies or to haul materials other than just enough for the body of a Soong-Type android.
• It seems to take up most of the area of the shuttlecraft, which brings up the biggest problem with it: why not just use the shuttle to go from place to place and grab what you need instead?