The Wrath of Revenge

How come the three Kelvinverse movies were all about somebody getting revenge for something?

 

Because one of the most popular Trek movies, The Wrath of Khan, features such a theme. So it keeps getting repeated again and again throughout the franchise.

Kor

 

What about popular episodes? You're telling me "Obsession" or "The Doomsday Machine" doesn't have movie potential? https://www.trekbbs.com/threads/obsession-question.300488/page-3

(Although, to be fair, that's a kind of revenge-y thing too.)

 

Khan was trying to protect his people above all else, and only went in to Revenge Mode™ when he thought they were dead. I thought the movie was about how far people are willing to go to protect their loved ones. Khan killed and killed again to protect his people, Kirk gave his life to protect his.

Revenge is a staple in blockbuster movies because it's relatable. Everyone has been pissed at someone or felt they've been wronged by someone at one time or another.

 

Most of the TNG movies were about revenge, too. First Contact was about Picard getting revenge against the Borg (and the Borg queen getting revenge against Picard). Insurrection was about Ru'afo getting revenge against the Ba'ku. And Nemesis was about Shinzon trying to get revenge against the Romulans by, um, destroying Earth. Because that makes sense.

 

So annoying when you stop to think about it. Is there any box-office worthy plot (aside from TVH) that doesn't rely on someone wanting to get back at someone?

 

"Hey, let's hijack the Enterprise and look for God . . . "

Never mind.

 

cuz revenge = loadsa 'splosions and fings go pew pew boom!

 

this is such a surface read on these films.

 

Indeed. Each character's revenge is driven from a different place.

Revenge is a rather fundamental human reaction, one that has been explored in Trek numerous times. It's a part of the human condition.

 

Let's have a movie about emo angst instead.

Kor

 

If you think about it, TVH was actually about Cylindricals taking revenge on Earthlings for extinction of Whales.

 

Ok.

 

I prefer the phrase "The Wrath of Wrathiness."

 

The problem isn't "revenge. "

The problem is the studio and writers believing that the only marketable plot must involve a villain.

Star Trek has always been "sci-if adventure," but sci-if has definitely taken an almost invisible back seat in the film franchise. If they'd re-emphasize sci-if a little bit, they'd realize that the generic villain isn't always necessary

 

When these movies with these plots make the most money the studios are not going to change anything.

 

You could have an antagonist who is motivated by fear of a future threat, not getting back against a former foe. Maybe even one who learns that they're wrong and becomes an ally.

 

Didn't exactly work out for beyond though did it? (though I don't think that 343m is that bad)

 

Star Trek: Braxton?

 

Because it's one of the most popular themes through literature and theater throughout human history.