Is it snobbery?

[Butters]

The utter disdain of the film that is. There are exceptions ofcourse, but the general opinion of the those recieving this film negatively didn't just not enjoy it, some go as far to insult the intelligence of anyone who did.

Many of the complaints are countered rationally but that lingering criticism of the film being dumb remains.

Are action films inherently dumb? Do the minimalist special effects of TOS somehow get confused as intellectual understatement? Is there any reason to believe that TOS, given the same budget and technology available to the this film, would have given us the same scenes? Would we really have experienced complex battle strategies and spacial phenomena through Spock's analysis and microscope-esque viewer machine thing? No, course not, so why is seeing the action bad now? Why do those enjoying the fantastic visuals now attract the scorn of a vocal minority?

The same goes for remastering the later series. Enhanced effects for HD. Why should this be heracy? Why the accusations of a deficient imagination? Its not radio ffs, its meant to look good, and its should look as good as possible.

Sounds alot to me like empty posturing and unjustified snobbery.

 

[theFirebottle]

It's the "Get Off My Lawn You Damn Kids" crowd out in force. Even if some of them are younger than me...

It's rhetorically easy to throw a good movie with expensive effects into the pit of bad movies with expensive effects because superficially they look the same. It doesn't take any critical thinking or careful analysis, which are both difficult and time consuming.

I bet if you sat some of these guys down in front of a minimalist, arty science fiction film with no effects, they'd get bored and angry and leave (full disclosure: so would I). Even though they claim to disdain effects as being expensive glitter to cover up lack of substance.

 

[Trilliam]

Some people haven't learned to look past the sets, whether they be hightech CGI or cardboard and tinfoil a la 1960s Dr Who and Playschool, to the and players and story. Just my $0.02.

 

[man named Gorn]

If you go around insulting people who liked it, then, you are a moron

 

[Jolantru]

Yes, I find that snobbery does dominate the majority of the film haters, especially on this site. Now that does not mean that there hasn't been legitimate criticism of this film, because there certainly has been.

I personally am glad that the snobs don't like this film. We don't need people like that anyway.

 

[Peter the Younger]

Well, I dunno. Early on, there were some who were more honest, and admitted that it was simply a matter of taste - they couldn't accept young (and model good looking) actors in the old roles, they didn't like the faster pace, and so on. I have respect for that. But there are others who hide those gut feelings behind nitpicky arguments about plot holes and canon, when Trek is rife with plot holes, and canon is mostly an illusion.

 

[Sector 7]

When someone has legitimate criticism of the new movie, I can respect their opinion. It is not a perfect movie (although I think it IS a great movie!).
My problem is when others try to justify their unreasonable hatred of the movie by insulting those who do like it. Then it becomes sad and irritating.

 

[darkwing_duck1]

It's the "Get Off My Lawn You Damn Kids" crowd out in force.

And there are plenty of "Get The Hell out of Our Way, Old Man!" types on the other side bashing anyone who doesn't think Abrams Trek is the greatest gift of God to mankind.

Snobbery goes both ways...

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Regardless of what it is, some people will hate it.

How can people hate DS9 for instance? Yet some do.

I don't let it bother me.

they couldn't accept young (and model good looking) actors in the old roles

If the roles aren't recast, then we get no more TOS era Trek on screen, so those people are never going to get what they want anyway, assuming that is even what they want. What do they want, books and fanfic instead? Just read them then. Jeezus.

And there are no ugly people in Hollywood, so they had no choice but to cast pretty people. The only ugly person was Pegg, and notice how they had to import him especially for the movie.

 

[theFirebottle]

And there are plenty of "Get The Hell out of Our Way, Old Man!" types on the other side bashing anyone who doesn't think Abrams Trek is the greatest gift of God to mankind.

[citation needed]

Nobody on "our side" has said XI was a perfect movie. Largely because there's no such thing as a perfect movie, no matter what some fans seem to believe.

 

[startrekwatcher]

Are action films inherently dumb?

No. In fact many of Trek's better episodes that I enjoy a great deal are action adventures. Look, I don't need nor require deep writing or a social allegory. All I ever look for is to be entertained. As long as that occurs I'm satisfied. I love great expansive visual effects sequences and battle scenes. I just want the writers to have a solid story in place first where they use the luxury of big budgets and sophisticated special effects to enhance and serve their script rather than expecting the eye candy to be enough to satisfy viewers.

 

[darkwing_duck1]

And there are plenty of "Get The Hell out of Our Way, Old Man!" types on the other side bashing anyone who doesn't think Abrams Trek is the greatest gift of God to mankind.

[citation needed]

Nobody on "our side" has said XI was a perfect movie. Largely because there's no such thing as a perfect movie, no matter what some fans seem to believe.

Starship Polaris and Plumster come to mind off the top of my head. Esp the "trek Jihad" thread.

 

[Sharr Khan]

they couldn't accept young (and model good looking) actors in the old roles,

Oddest thing to say EVER given Hollywood has never been into the business of casting average looking people in anything. I mean its not like ToS didn't do this either.

Sharr

 

[FalTorPan]

The utter disdain of the film that is. There are exceptions ofcourse, but the general opinion of the those recieving this film negatively didn't just not enjoy it, some go as far to insult the intelligence of anyone who did.

Many of the complaints are countered rationally but that lingering criticism of the film being dumb remains.

One could make a similarly reasonable argument about many people who defend the film at all costs and question the intellect and taste of people who genuinely did not enjoy the film.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

It's no different than the irrational hatred spewed against various forms of "new" Trek since TNG premiered - it's loud and annoying and, for the most part, represents a very, very small sliver of Trek fandom.

Most fans who criticize any post-TOS Trek will make a coherent argument about why they don't like the new show/movie/whatever. And typically, once they make the argument, they move on with their lives and are done with the debate.

But a very, very small group of obsessive fans takes it to an insane level, not only trashing the new Trek, but insisting that anyone who likes it is a moron, or "not a true Trek fan," or "you're what's wrong with Trek today" etc etc etc. And they won't let it go, invading virtually every discussion thread to trash the fans and reiterate for the 10,000th time that they don't like it.

We've seen this type of behavior for decades now. It's not snobbery - it's just people being jerks.

And I'll reiterate that it represents only a tiny, tiny fraction of Trek fandom. The vast majority of people are perfectly capable of presenting a reasonable critique that also respects the tastes of other fans. Yes, even in this forum, most of the folks who don't particularly like Trek XI have gone out of their way to be respectful of those who do. Unfortunately, they're sometimes drowned out by the louder voices.

 

[Dar70]

I really dont see how what you guys are saying even applies to this film. I didnt like it but Im not insulting the one who did. Yes some are but it works the other way around as well. There are far more people that liked this film than those who didnt. Im not really sure why so many are continuing to believe the opposite.

 

[Trilliam]

Dar70, I'm fine with you not liking it. It so happens that I do like it. Then again I don't see why/how people could enjoy "Gone with the Wind" (bored me to tears), any of the "Lord of the Rings" movies or "Star Wars" (any of them).

 

[Trekarama]

No, I don't believe it is snobbery..only rudeness, and lack of respect for others opinions.

I am becoming more philosophical the older I get. I don't try to sway others opinions nor do I allow mine to be influenced by outside forces. If I enjoy something that's all that matters to me. I for one greatly enjoyed the new Trek film. I thought it was a breath of fresh air, regardless if some thought it was dumbed down or too action oriented. We all are individuals with different likes/dislikes. We won't always see eye to eye or agree, but that is fine. If we all thought the same it would become quite boring.

Unfortunately, some folks can't rationalize that not everybody will feel the same as they do about something. The only way they can deal with disagreement is to call the other person stupid, ignorant, uninformed, etc.. They close their minds to any opinion, but their own. This leads to the eventual alienation of even like minded people, because even like minded individuals will disagree at some point; it's human nature. One can only hope that they learn to control their emotions and respect others opinions the same as they wish theirs to be respected.

Let's all just be happy that Star Trek is still alive and doing well after all these years!

 

[Mr. Adventure]

It's the "Get Off My Lawn You Damn Kids" crowd out in force.

And there are plenty of "Get The Hell out of Our Way, Old Man!" types on the other side bashing anyone who doesn't think Abrams Trek is the greatest gift of God to mankind.

Snobbery goes both ways...

I gotta agree there.

 

[stonester1]

I bet if you sat some of these guys down in front of a minimalist, arty science fiction film with no effects, they'd get bored and angry and leave (full disclosure: so would I). Even though they claim to disdain effects as being expensive glitter to cover up lack of substance.

I personally wouldn't. A good thoughtful story is a good thoughtful story. The Man From Earth ROCKED.