2017, A Trek For The Fans?

[BillJ]

In all honesty the two depictions of the characters couldn't be further apart. They might as well be two different characters the changes are that extensive.

But they really aren't. Both will manipulate you and pretend to be your friend as long as it suits them, then turn around and stab you in the eye with a fork.

Both were quick studies, becoming familiar enough in a short time with the Enterprise and its operations to effectively destroy the ship...

...and both were willing to do so, because in all three of his appearances one of Khan's defining characteristics was that when his will was thwarted by an enemy he was willing to destroy both them and himself in order to avenge the loss.

I thought Cumberbatch was an excellent Khan and in keeping with the character we saw in TOS.

For those that Cumberbatch's appearance really bothers, they can go read Star Trek: Khan from IDW. It spackles over the discontinuity.

 

[HIjol]

Can 48% of 25,000 Star Trek fans be wrong?

My feeling is that Khan was not best served, being played by a refined classically trained British anything!

There really wasn't a wrong answer to our most recent StarTrek.com poll. In it we asked, what was the best guest appearance in a Star Trek film? The choices included Christopher Plummer, Ricardo Montalban, Christopher Lloyd, Benedict Cumberbatch, Malcolm McDowell and Kirstie Alley. Nearly 25,000 fans voted and let's just say that anyone who played Khan dominated the results.



Ricardo Montalban (48%)


Benedict Cumberbatch (20%)


Christopher Plummer (11% - 2,730 Votes)


Christopher Lloyd (11% - 2,717 Votes)


Malcolm McDowell (6%)


Kirstie Alley (5%)


And... where did your favorite land among the results?

Source: startrek.com, 2014

 

[fireproof78]

Cumberbatch is entirely miscast in that film either through lazy casting or a tunnel vision desire to insert a star name. I wasn't disturbed by that character at all, it's old hat employing a well-spoken English guy as the villain. There's a menacing charisma with Montablan though with his thirst for vengeance on Kirk personally that puts Montalban a universe ahead of the generally lifeless performance from Cumberbatch in his Star Trek.

Montalban may have only really acted once in his career if you want to say that - but that was in TWOK and in that film he was outstanding.

Cumberbatch was actually a secondary choice, when their first choice fell through.

I thought Cumberbatch was more terrifying than Montalban, though they definitely had their own menace.

I really don't try to compare the two, because I love both of their performances. Cumberbatch comes across as a cold, calculating killer with no conscience.Montalban feels more conversational, almost like Hannibal Lector at a dinner party.

But they really aren't. Both will manipulate you and pretend to be your friend as long as it suits them, then turn around and stab you in the eye with a fork.

Both were quick studies, becoming familiar enough in a short time with the Enterprise and its operations to effectively destroy the ship...

...and both were willing to do so, because in all three of his appearances one of Khan's defining characteristics was that when his will was thwarted by an enemy he was willing to destroy both them and himself in order to avenge the loss.

I thought Cumberbatch was an excellent Khan and in keeping with the character we saw in TOS.

For those that Cumberbatch's appearance really bothers, they can go read Star Trek: Khan from IDW. It spackles over the discontinuity.

My thoughts as well

 

[Terok Nor]

In all honesty the two depictions of the characters couldn't be further apart. They might as well be two different characters the changes are that extensive.

But they really aren't. Both will manipulate you and pretend to be your friend as long as it suits them, then turn around and stab you in the eye with a fork.

That could describe any two villainous characters. I'm not knocking Cumberbatch's performance as the villain but Khan he was not (to me anyway). It's like the two versions of Zefram Cochrane. Night and day.

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Cumberbatch is a better actor than Montalban but Montalban is a better Khan.

Agreed.

 

[Mudd]

Can 48% of 25,000 Star Trek fans be wrong?

On any given day, that's the floor on trekkies being wrong. Percentage is higher depending on the "issue" under heated discussion.

 

[Greg Cox]

It's hard to compare them, since their styles are very different. They both did a good job portraying two different characters who happened to have the same same.

Exactly. You might as well try comparing Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes with Cumberbatch as Holmes.

Both great performances in their times.

 

[HIjol]

Can 48% of 25,000 Star Trek fans be wrong?

On any given day, that's the floor on trekkies being wrong. Percentage is higher depending on the "issue" under heated discussion.

Wow...then we gotta get some Midi-chlora-somethings like those other guys that always seem to "feel" rightness!

 

[Mudd]

It's hard to compare them, since their styles are very different. They both did a good job portraying two different characters who happened to have the same same.

Exactly. You might as well try comparing Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes with Cumberbatch as Holmes.

Both great performances in their times.

Meh...

Cumberbatch is better.

At everything.

 

[Greg Cox]

It's hard to compare them, since their styles are very different. They both did a good job portraying two different characters who happened to have the same same.

Exactly. You might as well try comparing Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes with Cumberbatch as Holmes.

Both great performances in their times.

Meh...

Cumberbatch is better.

At everything.

Actually, I figure the Jeremy Brett fans will be chiming in at any minute . . ..

And shall we compare Cumberbatch's Dr. Frankenstein to Peter Cushing's?

 

[Mudd]

No, just to Johnny Lee Miller's.

 

[ancient]

Trek fans are never wrong, brothers. Do not listen to the sinful words of the non-believers.

 

[Ryan8bit]

In all honesty the two depictions of the characters couldn't be further apart. They might as well be two different characters the changes are that extensive.

But they really aren't. Both will manipulate you and pretend to be your friend as long as it suits them, then turn around and stab you in the eye with a fork.

That could describe any two villainous characters.

Not really. Sometimes villains don't care too much for deception and are just straightforward evil.

I think Cumberbatch is a great actor and was great in STID, but I can't really picture him as Khan in Space Seed or TWOK.

 

[HIjol]

Trek fans are never wrong, brothers. Do not listen to the sinful words of the non-believers.

Thank you, Oh Green One! I shall heed and take comfort in the words of the Ancient...um,....ancient!

But, is it possible for...The Man to be wr-...wwwrr-...wrooo-...not exactly right?

 

[Trekkin]

I liked them both.

It's difficult for me to say that I know enough about Khan's (made up) personality to say somethings 'out of character'. All up he probably only had half an hour of screen time in the entire franchise, and he was meant to be uncharacteristically insane for at least half of that. His EU appearences even prior to STID tended to have him as a cold, brooding bastard when he was plotting, so maybe that's coloured my view a bit.

I could see the similarities in moments. I could picture Montalban doing the mocking 'Captain...' line, mainly because I think it was a call back to his sarcastic 'Admiral...' And his 'I am better' monologue was a paraphrase of Space Seed's 'You are inferior...'. It's just in the latter, the different situation meant he was less annoyed and more smug.

 

[Nerys Myk]

STID Khan is much more like Space Seed Khan than TWOK Khan. I don't think TWOK Khan and Space Seed Khan have much in common other than being played by the same actor.

 

[fireproof78]

STID Khan is much more like Space Seed Khan than TWOK Khan. I don't think TWOK Khan and Space Seed Khan have much in common other than being played by the same actor.

GR thought of TWOK Khan in a similar way.

I personally think that Montalban is a fantastic actor, but TWOK's Khan was not enjoyable for me, save for some choice moments. When he is squared off against Kirk, it all flows out in a very hateful, driven, passion. I enjoy his verbal sparring with Kirk, but it is very in your face kind of passion.

Cumberbatch feels very sinister and aloof, that he is above it all and is deigning to speak with others beneath him. Like Montalban, he is a fantastic actor, but comes across as far more dangerous and psychotic.

I think the insistence that one is better than the other is a matter of taste. Like asking me which actor playing the Phantom I prefer.

 

[Nerys Myk]

STID Khan is much more like Space Seed Khan than TWOK Khan. I don't think TWOK Khan and Space Seed Khan have much in common other than being played by the same actor.

GR thought of TWOK Khan in a similar way.

I personally think that Montalban is a fantastic actor, but TWOK's Khan was not enjoyable for me, save for some choice moments. When he is squared off against Kirk, it all flows out in a very hateful, driven, passion. I enjoy his verbal sparring with Kirk, but it is very in your face kind of passion.

Cumberbatch feels very sinister and aloof, that he is above it all and is deigning to speak with others beneath him. Like Montalban, he is a fantastic actor, but comes across as far more dangerous and psychotic.

I think the insistence that one is better than the other is a matter of taste. Like asking me which actor playing the Phantom I prefer.

STID Khan and TOS Khan have this controlled and calm type of "Crazy" that TWOK Khan lacks. They are charming but you sense the menace behind the smile. TWOK Khan is a termite on meth buzzing through the scenery.

 

[Trekkin]

Except for the five seconds where he decided to beat the shit out of Kirk for shooting him in the back. Snapping Carols leg and murdering Marcus was controlled and deliberate, hitting Kirk repeatedly in a rage came across as some of the screws slipping.

That, and an ironic echo of what Kirk did earlier.

 

[IronMaiden]

The fans will watch regardless - hence, FANS.

I won't watch if it is based on the new star trek.