A negative take on the film

[Admiral Buzzkill]

If the people on this board want to censor negative reviews that's their prerogative.

And since they don't, it's not really an issue.

 

[gilmour1899]

A thread called "It's not Star Trek" just got closed, so I apologize if my opinion is frowned upon here, however the gist of it is the same as the title of that thread. I post on these boards about once a year I think, but I lurk a lot here and have been a member since 2000 and a longtime fan of Trek. So I'm not a "cadet" drawn out by the new movie to come here mindlessly bashing it for no reason, however I felt like giving my opinion on the film given that it is a monumental turning point I think for the franchise. I realize that the majority of the fanbase is very positive about the film and don't like to hear negative things about it, but I think I have a reasonable argument as to why I don't think this film is good for Star Trek and hope that people here can consider it and not just post "fail" pictures and what not.

Now first of all I'm fine with the "reboot". At first I was dead set against it but I've come around and accepted it. It's not perhaps what I would do with the franchise but that's okay. The alternate timeline-plot actually makes it more acceptable for me, separating the "prime" and "alt" timelines, so I don't have a problem with doing away with the original continuity like some people. Likewise with new actors playing the old characters, that's fine too.

What the problem with this film is however is style and feel. To me this does not feel like Star Trek. It feels like a run of the mill blockbuster action movie with it's frantic pacing and simplistic plot. The fact that it's creators don't understand or appreciate Trek and instead just set out to make a generic space action movie is evident at every turn. It might be a competently executed generic space action movie but that's beside the point (for me).

Now of course I realize the franchise had become stagnant and needed a fresh new look and all that. I would argue that Trek has had two distinct styles during its history (before now), the first one being that of TOS and the second one a re-imagining done for TNG (with the first 6 movies possibly constituting a third). The franchise sort of rode the "TNG style" all the way until 2005 by which time it had become outdated leading to the franchises "death" and need for a reboot. Both these times Trek emerged as something intelligent, unique and different from anything that was around at the time, and that was the source of it's success and iconic status. This time however it does not. To me this effort does not have that creative vision, it is not unique, it's just like any other action movie without much substance. It might be popular for a while but I think say 20 years from now it'll look really dated and meaningless. Abandoning the old way of doing things is fine by me, even necessary, but not if there's nothing of substance to replace it. A lot of people are enthusiastic that this film makes Trek popular and mainstream again. To me that is completely irrelevant really, I'd be happy with Trek remaining in a niche. Mainstream does not seem to me to correspond well with quality, quite the opposite actually.

I understand that I'm in the minority and most people really enjoyed the movie, and while I am somewhat disappointed at that, I respect that majority opinion and wouldn't presume to claim that my opinion is any more valid than theirs. Perhaps my way of seeing things is just archaic and I just don't "get" the new movie, but that is how I honestly see it, to me it's an empty and dumb film, not worthy of the Star Trek name. I'm surprised to find myself on this side of the argument actually, because usually I'm more inclined to see positives in a lot of things that get bashed a lot. Nemesis for example I didn't find anywhere near as bad as it's commonly made out to be. I will see every sequel for sure and see if things change, and even if they don't, well there's always the novels set in the good old prime universe.

Your opinion is welcome here, Mjuice, since you state your reasons instead of insult everyone by calling them mindless pop culture drones. It is much appreciated. Now, I love the movie, but I can understand why you seem not to enjoy it. There's no reason why we can't have a civil discussion on the matter.

There's such a shortage of negative views around here.

The poll for the Star Trek movie (as of this posting) is:

Average or Better: 687 people
Below Average or Poor: 63 people.

Less than 10% of the people polled do not like this movie, so it is within reason to figure there are very few negative reviews of the movie.


J.

I would suggest not even fox news would think up a poll with those terms.

If 600 people thought the movie was "Average" does that mean it's a positive result?

 

[Amaris]

A thread called "It's not Star Trek" just got closed, so I apologize if my opinion is frowned upon here, however the gist of it is the same as the title of that thread. I post on these boards about once a year I think, but I lurk a lot here and have been a member since 2000 and a longtime fan of Trek. So I'm not a "cadet" drawn out by the new movie to come here mindlessly bashing it for no reason, however I felt like giving my opinion on the film given that it is a monumental turning point I think for the franchise. I realize that the majority of the fanbase is very positive about the film and don't like to hear negative things about it, but I think I have a reasonable argument as to why I don't think this film is good for Star Trek and hope that people here can consider it and not just post "fail" pictures and what not.

Now first of all I'm fine with the "reboot". At first I was dead set against it but I've come around and accepted it. It's not perhaps what I would do with the franchise but that's okay. The alternate timeline-plot actually makes it more acceptable for me, separating the "prime" and "alt" timelines, so I don't have a problem with doing away with the original continuity like some people. Likewise with new actors playing the old characters, that's fine too.

What the problem with this film is however is style and feel. To me this does not feel like Star Trek. It feels like a run of the mill blockbuster action movie with it's frantic pacing and simplistic plot. The fact that it's creators don't understand or appreciate Trek and instead just set out to make a generic space action movie is evident at every turn. It might be a competently executed generic space action movie but that's beside the point (for me).

Now of course I realize the franchise had become stagnant and needed a fresh new look and all that. I would argue that Trek has had two distinct styles during its history (before now), the first one being that of TOS and the second one a re-imagining done for TNG (with the first 6 movies possibly constituting a third). The franchise sort of rode the "TNG style" all the way until 2005 by which time it had become outdated leading to the franchises "death" and need for a reboot. Both these times Trek emerged as something intelligent, unique and different from anything that was around at the time, and that was the source of it's success and iconic status. This time however it does not. To me this effort does not have that creative vision, it is not unique, it's just like any other action movie without much substance. It might be popular for a while but I think say 20 years from now it'll look really dated and meaningless. Abandoning the old way of doing things is fine by me, even necessary, but not if there's nothing of substance to replace it. A lot of people are enthusiastic that this film makes Trek popular and mainstream again. To me that is completely irrelevant really, I'd be happy with Trek remaining in a niche. Mainstream does not seem to me to correspond well with quality, quite the opposite actually.

I understand that I'm in the minority and most people really enjoyed the movie, and while I am somewhat disappointed at that, I respect that majority opinion and wouldn't presume to claim that my opinion is any more valid than theirs. Perhaps my way of seeing things is just archaic and I just don't "get" the new movie, but that is how I honestly see it, to me it's an empty and dumb film, not worthy of the Star Trek name. I'm surprised to find myself on this side of the argument actually, because usually I'm more inclined to see positives in a lot of things that get bashed a lot. Nemesis for example I didn't find anywhere near as bad as it's commonly made out to be. I will see every sequel for sure and see if things change, and even if they don't, well there's always the novels set in the good old prime universe.

Your opinion is welcome here, Mjuice, since you state your reasons instead of insult everyone by calling them mindless pop culture drones. It is much appreciated. Now, I love the movie, but I can understand why you seem not to enjoy it. There's no reason why we can't have a civil discussion on the matter.

There's such a shortage of negative views around here.

The poll for the Star Trek movie (as of this posting) is:

Average or Better: 687 people
Below Average or Poor: 63 people.

Less than 10% of the people polled do not like this movie, so it is within reason to figure there are very few negative reviews of the movie.


J.

I would suggest not even fox news would think up a poll with those terms.

If 600 people thought the movie was "Average" does that mean it's a positive result?

Yes. Average would be the dividing line. Average and better is positive, below average and poor is negative. Even if, however, we add Average to the negative side, it is still:

Above Average or Excellent: 632
Average to Poor: 118

Still only 20% overall, which is still very lopsided, and that includes people who thought the movie average, which means that 80% of the vote says the movie is above average or excellent which is very positive. You wouldn't call a candidate with an 80% voting margin a close call. It would be an overwhelming majority.

J.

 

[stonester1]

Yeah, the mods are locking down all the negative threads. That's why the topic "I’ll just go ahead and say it: I don’t like Star Trek." manages to stay active and on the front page all the time.



Critics need to be less paranoid. Or maybe it just feels good somehow to pretend that you're speaking your mind under threat of some imagined suppression, or something. I dunno.

Hence, the "liberal media".

 

[Peter the Younger]

As much as I am personally tempted by it, I think it would be wise if we all refrain from comparisons to the current political climate. I'm not saying there aren't comparisons to be made, but there are flame wars on the political blogs that make our worst arguments look like a love fest. Let's keep it limited to the discussion of imaginary space travelers.

 

[Islander]

As much as I am personally tempted by it, I think it would be wise if we all refrain from comparisons to the current political climate. I'm not saying there aren't comparisons to be made, but there are flame wars on the political blogs that make our worst arguments look like a love fest. Let's keep it limited to the discussion of imaginary space travelers.

That's just not possible. All imaginery tales have a basis in reality, often in the lives of the writters. They don't necessarily have propaganda or social messages but they do reflect the culture of their time, which politics is a big part.

 

[freak]

As it was stated by Zachary Quinto in an interview with David Letterman not too long back, this movie is "an alternate universe movie". It is not the Trek we grew to know, people! I liked it in the fact that it seemed like it was into the not too distant future, especially with the Nokia gadgets in young Kirk's car. Personally, the movie was extremely awesome and more action packed that I ever remember it being. But of course, this isn't 1982, it's 2009. :P
I do can see why some people here have a problem with the movie..it did have some faults in the storyline. But, it overall, had THE BEST opening scene of ANY movie I have ever seen!!!!!!! I was seriously on the edge of my seat the whole entire time and didn't feel like it was 2 hours long at all!!!
This is actually the first time that I've heard any negative comments about the movie in general..on TBBS! Mostly it has been really positive and that's why I went to see it for myself and found it just amazing.
Two things bothered me: The Spock/Uhura romance..what the hell were they thinking?! But I guess it's an alternate universe movie and therefore Spock gets all the women instead of Kirk. And of course the destruction of homeworlds as well. I seriously wanted to kick some Romulan ass by the time the movie was over with!

 

[Lightinspire]

There's such a shortage of negative views around here.

Maybe because they all just about get edited or deleted completely so why bother voicing them. Reminds me of another forum who bans and edits at the slightest touch of a negative comment. Guess they like looking at their work thru rose colored glasses without seeing the real world where not everyone agrees.

 

[Jolantru]

I just found my new avatar.

That is so weird! I never knew when you blow someones head off, it causes them to spontaneously grow a mustache, glasses and show signs of male pattern balding, just before exploding!

 

[Squiggy]

Stick with me kid and I'll teach you lots of things. Come, put your little hand in mine.