My parents opinions on ST IX

[EJA]

Okay, so my mother and father both watched the movie for the first time yesterday after I bought the DVD. Neither of them has ever really been hardcore fans of Trek, but they have nearly always enjoyed and appreciated it in all its past forms over the decades. They both like good, deep sci-fi very much. After watching Abrams' movie, they said they thought it was "okay" at best, but there were a number of things I think they found a bit disconcerting.

One was Kirk. They thought his characterisation in the film was too obnoxious and he was a bit too much of a "yob" (A common British term used to describe a young person of a disreputable nature) and, frankly, not the sort of person they'd cheer for.

They found the inclusion of rock/pop music and crude sex jokes a tad offensive, and to an extent I kind of know how they feel; it did seem out of place.

While they liked some of the characters, e.g. Scotty and to a lesser extent McCoy, they also thought some characterisations weren't mature enough, and at the end of the day it was little more than a movie about a bunch of kids saving the day by blowing stuff up. They missed the depth and emotion of early Trek films like The Search for Spock (Yes, we're fans of that one) and The Voyage Home. And again, a part of me does kind of agree.

 

[Jeyl]

One was Kirk. They thought his characterisation in the film was too obnoxious and he was a bit too much of a "yob" (A common British term used to describe a young person of a disreputable nature) and, frankly, not the sort of person they'd cheer for.

Well halle-FREAKING-lujah! And here I thought that I was missing something about Kirk. I couldn't stand that arrogant son of a bi***. At least the original Kirk had flaws that he had to confront. This story takes those same flaws and glorifies them.

They found the inclusion of rock/pop music and crude sex jokes a tad offensive, and to an extent I kind of know how they feel; it did seem out of place.

If you note, Kirk only has sex in the original series at least three times. Not every time he meets a woman. But the writers do love to over generalize certain aspects that people usually think of Kirk. Oh sure, they'll say this is his younger days, but I'll say Carol Marcus said "Weren't we together? Were we going to be..." to which I still humbly think that was the girl Mitchell brought up.

The Search for Spock (Yes, we're fans of that one)

So am I! At least that Kirk still believed in the Federation and, along with his crew, decided to face the consequences for their actions rather than run from it or fight it. He didn't ask for any forgiveness after saving Earth and he was still technically punished for it. He didn't even ask for a flagship. "A ship is a ship" was fine enough for him.

You think this NuKirk is going to say he's read Milton?

 

[Icemizer]

This movie will not age well....

 

[Jeri]

Maybe we should just give them this thread to play with.

 

[Borgminister]

Like Father (and Mother), like Son, huh?

 

[seigezunt]

Sex, and Rock music, OH NO!!!

 

[KiraDax]

I think they call this a generation gap...

No, seriously, I agree with some (actually, most) of the points, but again, this movie wasn't made to cater to an older audience or even the original fanbase. This movie was made to make Trek exciting and relevant enough for the younger set to like it.

I actually feared it would be a lot worse than it was.

And arguably, Pine's Kirk is more realistic than Shatner's...XI made no bones about the fact that nuKirk is what most people would deem an a-hole who needs to get his act together. Saving the day got him brownie points, yes, but I don't think it fundamentally altered anyone's perception of his character and flaws. Now they just know he's capable of doing better and hopefully will push for it all the harder. TOS Kirk tended to get an 'oh, you' head shake because gee, he's the cutie and the hero and those types can do no real wrong.

As for the sex and loudness...well, again, generation gap. I could do without random shots of braless girls, but I actually like that Trek is louder and more in your face. Slow pace and 'quiet' was what bored general audiences to death before. Time for a shake-up.

My biggest bone of contention is the darned lens flares.

 

[Islander]

You just got Star Trek: Insurrection?

 

[Jeyl]

Like Father (and Mother), like Son, huh?

At least the mother is involved here, unlike this movie.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Like Father (and Mother), like Son, huh?

At least the mother is involved here, unlike this movie.

You must hate Disney cartoons.

 

[Shazam!]

You just got Star Trek: Insurrection?

LOL

 

[EJA]

NuKirk isn't exactly my favourite character in the film either. When he called Pike "man" in the diner....ugh.

 

[Sector 7]

Maybe we should just give them this thread to play with.

I am reminded of Picard's answer to Lily in FC, "NO! The line must be drawn hyah!!"
My brother has teased me for being a 'trekkie' since the 1970s. He purchased the Blu-Ray yesterday with plans for us to watch it together this weekend. Last night he was just skimming it and decided to watch the whole movie. At 10:30 p.m. he called to tell me how really good this movie is! (This from a guy who is always in bed by 9:30 p.m. for over 30 years!)
My response was a guarded, "Not as bad as you thought?"
His reply, "Hell, I think it's a great movie! I wish we'd seen it in the theater or IMAX." WOW! His response really surprised me. He also said he is looking forward to watching it with me agian this weekend, also not something he would normally do.

[In his defense, he had back surgery and could not go when the movie was at the theaters.]

 

[Praxius]

I know that the new Kirk did come off more of an arrogant hot shot then the original Kirk, but let's not forget that this is still in their young years and Kirk still needs to mature in the movies to come.

At the same time, I could clearly see the old traits of the original Kirk showing through in the new character. To me, everything seemed Kirkish, just a little younger in attitude and approach and not as experienced.

I'm sure we'll see his character eventually evolve more closer to the old Kirk we all grew up knowing.

I think the tipping point for me when I saw the connection from old to new kirk was when he took over from Spock's command after their little tussel..... he took control, gave the orders as he always did.... sat in his chair, opened the ships com, informed the crew what was about to happen and what he expected and then the classic "Kirk Out."

Right then and there I thought "ok.... I finally see the Kirk.... there is hope." and after the second and third time watching it through, more and more of Kirk's old traits were more apparent.

Added:

The same applied for McCoy.... Took me a bit to connect, but his head movements, the eyes popping out from time to time while explaining something, the detailed attitude of what can kill you, etc..... all there. Done pretty well too I might add.

The only character I have been having problem with relating to, believe it or not, was Spock. His look, his voice in how he speaks, the relationship thing? I feel it's difficult for me to jive with it..... but I'm sure, like the other characters, they'll evolve.

 

[Gojira]

I think they call this a generation gap...

No, seriously, I agree with some (actually, most) of the points, but again, this movie wasn't made to cater to an older audience or even the original fanbase. This movie was made to make Trek exciting and relevant enough for the younger set to like it.

I actually feared it would be a lot worse than it was.

And arguably, Pine's Kirk is more realistic than Shatner's...XI made no bones about the fact that nuKirk is what most people would deem an a-hole who needs to get his act together. Saving the day got him brownie points, yes, but I don't think it fundamentally altered anyone's perception of his character and flaws. Now they just know he's capable of doing better and hopefully will push for it all the harder. TOS Kirk tended to get an 'oh, you' head shake because gee, he's the cutie and the hero and those types can do no real wrong.

As for the sex and loudness...well, again, generation gap. I could do without random shots of braless girls, but I actually like that Trek is louder and more in your face. Slow pace and 'quiet' was what bored general audiences to death before. Time for a shake-up.

My biggest bone of contention is the darned lens flares.

I don't know about the generation gap. I am 46 and have been a fan since I was 10 and I simply loved the movie as did my 22 year old daughter.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

It could be a generational thing, or it could also just be some people don't adapt to something that's changed after it's been established. This I don't mean in a bad way, it's just how people can be.

My parents, in their 70s and saw the show the night it premiered in 1966 both loved this movie. In fact, we took them, and at the end credits, as soon as the TOS theme started, my dad slapped the arm of the theatre seat, and said, "Yes! That's Star Trek, dammit!"

 

[startrekrcks]

I think it is because this Kirk is younger, less experienced but don't worry he will get there and mature

 

[seigezunt]

once again need to quash the generational BS. I am 43, a fa since '72, and quite enjoyed this movie.

 

[SalvorHardin]

once again need to quash the generational BS. I am 43, a fa since '72, and quite enjoyed this movie.

I don't think the generation BS is total BS.

It just isn't an explanation applicable to every single case, as it is to be expected of course.

 

[Jeri]

Well, it's total BS around here. There was a poll done of us old timers during the first week of the movie release, and it wasn't even close. It was like 78% of the old timers here liked it or loved it.