The Official STAR TREK Grading & Discussion Thread [SPOILERS]

[M'Sharak]

Re: What I did and didn't like at Star Trek

If anyone with the necessary clearance wants to shift my first post into the thread for nitpicking and reviews, I'll be more than happy.

Don't want to be seen to be making a mess, even if this is just about my first ever thread on here in years.

I'll take care of that now.

 

[Michael]

Here's a quick question for those who have seen the film: Just how much did they 'sex it up' in an effort to make it more mass market? I mean, I know there's a sex scene of some sort in the film. But how much of that did they include, and was it tastefully done or explicit? IOW, would you feel comfortable taking your kids to see it?

I didn't get the impression that the movie was sexed up. Everything was very tasteful and I don't think there was anything I'd call a sex scene. Personally, I would take children to the movie, yes. But then again, (1.) I don't have children and (2.) I come from a country where these kind of things are accepted with much less restrictions. I hope that helps.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Also.. I haven't cried at a Trek film since TWOK and was wiping my eyes during the whole evacuation birth scene. Gripping and moving and full of heart as another poster said.

 

[DarthPipes]

Yeah, I didn't think the movie was "sexed up" at all. Just a quick scene of Kirk in bed with a woman and all they're doing is kissing.

 

[section9]

The Movie Worked Wonders-Grade A

Just got back from the 7:00 PM showing at the MUVICO Paradise in Hollywood Florida. One theater sold out, second auditorium about 85 percent full. People in line for 10:00 showing. I don't know whether or not they were doing a third auditorium. They are doing scattershot showings tomorrow for Federation Day.

Very warmly received. Applause at the end. This was a generic movie audience. The monster chase scene, for example, was very well done-you wonder how Pine is going to escape Mr. Crab. He does: in the cave.

There is enough exposition in the story, imho, to explain things to the audience.

Lots of action: this movie never, ever slows down. That's its secret: it grabs an audience and keeps the audience involved. That's why word of mouth will make this thing a monster.

Everyone scores: Pine works, even his promotion in the end at the Academy is accepted at the end because of his heroics. The love affair with Uhura is brought off very well in the Transporter Room in which Pine and Pegg play great straight men in a fine comic scene.

Everything just works wonders for this film. This movie will make Paramount's summer. Trust me. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and so did the audience.

 

[backstept]

yeah this movie really did hit all the important bases
emotion
action
comedy

 

[Stag]

Here's a quick question for those who have seen the film: Just how much did they 'sex it up' in an effort to make it more mass market? I mean, I know there's a sex scene of some sort in the film. But how much of that did they include, and was it tastefully done or explicit? IOW, would you feel comfortable taking your kids to see it?

Honestly, there is a sexy scene but no actual sex scene. I don't think it would be too strong for TV, I thought it was tame actually.

 

[clint g]

Great film, giving it an Excellent, but I did feel a bit sad when Vulcan was wiped out. Kind of drove the point home that they were changing things in a big way.

Going to be seeing it again tomorrow in IMAX, I cant wait

 

[Nowhere Man]

Finally this day has come and I can safely say that I like this movie. The only issues I have are the ones I've alway's had: Enterprise bridge is too cluttered, Vulcan is destroyed, Amanda dies, Old Spock dosen't get enough screen time(IMO), and the movie could have been an orgin story without the time travel. A new issue I have is it was a little too fast paced and we didn't get enough time with Nero's crew. This movie was definately and I stress the definately made for general audiances, but does deliver for the fans too. The moments between Kirk and Old Spock are awsome and The most dramatic scene to me is the opening scene where George Kirk is about to die. The Narada is very Borgish and the music for Nero and the Romulans reminded me of TOS bad guy music, it was very cool. The main music reminded me of TWOk and the whole action and theme of the movie reminded me of TVH. There's a little bit of every series in this movie, i'll go down the line; Enterprise = Archers dog bit, TNG and Voyager = Nero's Borg ship and of course the original timeline, DS9 = Cardasian Ale. The Kelvin is really cool, the bridge interior is touch screen too, but it looks very much like TOS movies and pre-TOS if that makes sense. The movie it's self is just fun and it definately looks like an alternate timeline. The core of the movie is just plain old Star Trek without all the technobable and this movie looks like what would have happened if Gene Rodenberry had a huge budget and made a movie, then the TV. show followed(Kinda like MASH.) and the TV> show had a shitty budget. Is this a scifi movie with Star Trek slapped on it? No, it's a stand alone , big budget, TOS episode. The time flew by, which is not a bad thing, but it just left me wanting more. The Kobyashi Maru test was awsome, I wish I had TWOK and that side by side to compare notes. Kirks accention to Captian is kinda fast and the crew coming together like they did is a little too convienient, but Kirk did save the Earth and scene where he gets promoted reminds me of the end of TVH. Ultimately it seems like things could still play out as they are suposed to and I hope the next one will provide more moments with the big 3 and I hope it's a little more serious, but all in all it was good. I gave it an above average. It's not the best Star Trek movie, but it's pretty dam good. One more thing real quick , each acter totally fit thier roles and one more thing, my wife liked it and she absolutely hates Star Trek, Star wars or Battlestar, pretty much anything with star in it. I asked if she would watch the show now, she said no. You can't win em' all I guess.

 

[seigezunt]

Fantastic! This fan-since-1973 was very pleased. I really can't see what anyone would have to gripe about. It respects the already contradictory continuity, makes an exciting film, and I thought Pine nailed his character. Quinto was good too, and that's a much harder part, IMHO.

I can't wait to see the next one.

Edit: the one plus of having Amanda die, we won't have to see any more of a truly execrable actress.

 

[donners22]

Yeah, I didn't think the movie was "sexed up" at all. Just a quick scene of Kirk in bed with a woman and all they're doing is kissing.

The shot of Uhura taking off her top was somewhat gratutous but hardly offensive. It seemed to be as much for a trailer as anything.

 

[I Grok Spock]

It's about time somebody made a movie out of that Star Trek show from the 60s.

 

[AxelFoley]

Just thought of something, will the future/timeline that Spock comes from be altered by the planet Vulcans destruction in the "new" timeline? I can only assume the devastating consequences it could have.

Bumpelibump

 

[section9]

One other thing: you can tell Abrams' homage to Episode IV because in the Final Combat sequence the Big E comes roaring into the scene like the Millenium Falcon on steroids. People cheered.

 

[flcat]

I thought the plot was rather lame...I've almost gotten to the point where I absolutely hate time-travel themes in sci fi. Karl Urban NAILED McCoy...nailed him. Quinto was a decent Spock. Pine as Kirk? Meh! I liked Sulu and Chekov...Pegg was a little too goofy as Scotty to strike one as a brilliant engineer. Uhuru...she had her moments...kind of liked the romantic angle they pursued in the film...unexpected. Wonder where this leaves a certain nurse if they introduce that character?

It was a good-looking movie. Liked the new ship design and interiors for the most part. However, for the life of me, the scene where Scotty and Kirk beam aboard the Enterprise had me wondering if engineering had its own water slide. WTF? That whole segment made me think of Galaxy Quest.

 

[The Evil Dead]

I am so proud to be a Star Trek fan right now. Amazing movie, great experience seeing it with a lively crowd full of Trekkies.

 

[gh4chiefs]

Just got back from seeing it. First a couple of non-review observations. The theater was somewhat empty, perhaps 33 to 50% full at best. That was surprising and disappointing, but it may be that people just didn't realize it started tonight seeing how ALL the ads say May 8.

Second when I walked into the theater, I saw an old friend with whom I saw ST:TMP with for the first time back in 1979. It was a nice bonus for the night.

Ok on to the movie. I really enjoyed it more than I thought might based on my reservations. Still not happy with Amanda and Vulcan, but I can live with it. The actors all did a good job of channeling the originals. This is how remakes should be done IMHO.

Aside from Amanda and Vulcan, my biggest gripe about the movie was the awfully convenient meeting of Spock Prime and Kirk. It was fun, but way too big of coincidence.

A great movie, but I doubt that it ends up being THE summer blockbuster that some people might portray it as. Most Trekkies and Trekkers will like it I think, except for the most anal amoung us.

Oh I voted "Above Average" because I really, really, really hated the shaky cam photography.

 

[ialfan]

I just got back from seeing the first screening in my area. I'm a bit tired so here are some random thoughts:

* I loved the fact that they made it clear the other "prime" original timeline still exists unaffected and that reading the countdown comics actually helped me with the story.

* I loved Karl Urban. I liked him on Xena as Ceaser but he was the PERFECT McCoy. As good as DeForest Kelley imo.

* I liked how they clearly didn't have to count phaser shots or anything. The special effects budget was quite large. That said I felt the movie was lacking an "epic" space battle like Nemesis had. We got a few frames of the Enterprise firing all weapons showing off how fugly it is from the rear. That's nice but I wanted more!

* I HATED, HATED, HATED, HATED, HATED the interiors of the Enterprise with the exception of sickbay and the turoblifts. The bridge is too cluttered especially that stupid freestanding console that seemingly does nothing. Engineering is so confusing I have no idea the size of it or what a single thing does. The future shouldn't make me think I'm in the engine room of the Titanic.

* I liked seeing an Orion however cheesy.

* I felt there needed to be more aliens in the movie. C'mon how much would an Andorian or three have hurt things? Seriously instead of new alien #200 give me one I know something about and give a damn about. Even a Tellarite or Denobulan would have been ok.

* No offense to the actor but I hated Chekov. He was used ONLY for comical effect and it utterly failed for me. Now I have a strange sense of humor and everyone else in the theater thought he was hilarious but it made me feel embarrassed to be there.

* I don't think the physics of the movie were very well done. The ship went from Earth to Vulcan in a few minutes and back again. Apparently Delta Vega was so close to Vulcan it was practicaly a moon of Vulcan, yet seemingly hours later the Enterprise was within transporter range!?

* I feel like Nero was a weak villian. Not much better than Shinzon or Ru'offo really. The plot was a bit convenient with what all of starfleet but 7 ships being far away on training? Oh well.

* I didn't like the directing. That camera wouldn't keep still often enough for me to truly appreciate the entire scene. >.<

* The Admiral Archer's Beagle line was kind of lame an implausible. I so wanted an Enterprise reference but that just boggled me. Would it have hurt to show T'Pol as an instructor at Starfleet Academy. She doesn't even need to be named just shown in the background in Vulcan makeup aged slightly.

* I didn't like the Nokia or Budweiser ads in the movie. That kind of stuff pulls me out of it I mean this is Star Trek. :-/

* I thought it was hilarious there was some silly commerical with Dominic Keating in it right before the movie started. Made me sad thinking this could be the first Enterprise movie. *sigh*
All that said I really liked the movie and voted above average. It just could have been a lot better!

And for those who are curious the theater I went to was about 80% full.

 

[Michael]

Would it have hurt to show T'Pol as an instructor at Starfleet Academy. She doesn't even need to be named just shown in the background in Vulcan makeup aged slightly.

But how would you know it was T'Pol then?

 

[ialfan]

Would it have hurt to show T'Pol as an instructor at Starfleet Academy. She doesn't even need to be named just shown in the background in Vulcan makeup aged slightly.

But how would you know it was T'Pol then?

Have Jolene Blalock play her.