5 Things We Want to See in the next Movie according to PopMech

[Romulan_spy]

Article on Popular Mechanics on what they would like to see in the next Star Trek movie:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/how-to/blog/5-things-we-want-in-the-next-star-trek-movie-17192611?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1457_87094123

Except:

1. Strange New Worlds

This is kind of an obvious point (and part of the series' credo), but in truth there have been very few moments on alien surfaces. Those planets and species that have appeared tended to pop up chasing Kirk because he's different/delicious. If you're going to play to the fan base, bring in more advanced alien species, and give them some dialogue. The Romulans were a great touch, but let's throw the makeup department some extra cash and expand beyond a handful each of Romulans, Vulcans, and Klingons next time.

2. All-Out, Massive-Scale War

One small ship, one big ship has worked for most of the star fights in previous films. Let's really put the CGI to work, though, and have two armadas pound the crap out of each other, the way Return of the Jedi ended. Bigger works, especially if it's done with confidence and (most important) not in place of content. We don't want Michael Bay stuff here, just your average epic brawl.

3. Klingons

They had about ten minutes of screen time total in the last film, and appeared as the faceless threat in the 2009 film. It's an obvious plot choice: The Enterprise happens upon an exploratory armada in its deep-space travels — giving Kirk his chance to take the Kobayashi Maru test for real. Maybe they're pursued, maybe they're forced to work together against some greater threat (of which there are many in the Star Trek universe). Either way, seeding Mr. Worf's parents would be a nice nod to fans — and a chance to give Michael Dorn some work.

4. More Sexy Alien Ladies

And some muscular alien species, too, for equality purpose. But for the sake of character development, there should be more cohabitation among the Enterprise crew. Into Darkness lacked emotional connections, and the one obvious romantic flare was strained and tense. A little more sex for our young, sexy captain, and perhaps a girlfriend for Mr. Scott would be nice, people.

5. A George Takei Cameo

Active in both the Trekkie and LGBT communities, the original Sulu actor did exactly what any iconic one-role star should: wait several decades and then reappear as a witty, charming Internet presence. We'd love to see him appear the way Nimoy did in the previous two films, and it sounds like he's all for it himself.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I only agree with the first one. Wars and battles have been done to death (see what I did there?), Klingons have been way overused in Trek films, sexy time and women in their underwear have already been a feature of both new films, and Nimoy already did the original crew sendoff, so the new crew should go it alone (which is no knock on Takei; I'd say the same about Shatner or Nichols too). None of these elements would be a dealbreaker for me if they were done well, but I'd like the series to branch out a bit.

What I'd like to see is a movie about exploration and facing a foe which is like a galactic force of nature, or even not a foe at all, just a challenge for the crew to overcome. And if you can introduce more exotic aliens and environments in the process, so much the better.

Klingons and Romulans have been done. Create a new species or use a rarely seen one from the shows or a well-established one in a new light. Random example: What if the first encounter with Betazoids wasn't friendly? How would you outmanuever an adversary who can see your every move the moment you think of it? They don't have to be evil or anything, just a clash of differing philosophies or two parties trying to claim the same resources, and they can eventually set aside their differences and become allies through the efforts of the Enterprise crew.

I've got no problem with seeing other members of the crew have relationships, though I'd prefer something less casual and juvenile than some of Kirk's flings so far. Have his relationship with Carol really develop and mature, while not forgetting to develop her character and give her agency as a fully fledged member of the crew.

If the goal of bringing in Takei was to also be inclusive of the LGBT community, which I think is long overdue in Trek, then I think it can be done by introducing an openly gay character whose sexual preference is acknowledged subtly (goes to his or her quarters with their partner, shows affection for their partner while dining or in the ship's lounge, etc.) while not making their sexuality based on stereotypes or their sole defining characteristic in a way you wouldn't for the main characters.

 

[Smellmet]

Point 2 please. It doesn't have to take up a lot of the movie. 15 minutes will suffice at the end

 

[CorporalClegg]

Just say "no" to all-out massive scale wars. I don't think there's anything more fan-wanky, and they usually come off as silly and uninteresting.

Also, author calls The Voyage Home "comically awful." It's hard to take anything he writes seriously.

 

[BillJ]

Just the "strange new worlds" is the only thing I see on the list that I want.

 

[Melakon]

Just the "strange new worlds" is the only thing I see on the list that I want.

That, and Christopher Walken as Ultimate Bad Guy.

 

[F. King Daniel]

Into Darkness lacked emotional connections

What film did they watch?

 

[OpenMaw]

Into Darkness lacked emotional connections

What film did they watch?

While I think "lacked" is the wrong word, I do think at times it was a bit tenuous. It starts strong with some interesting new ground for the characters, and then....ehhhhhhhhhh..... EHhhhhhh, I'll just leave it at that. They could have done more with what they were building there, I think.


Honestly, instead of "all out war" i'd love a nice chess-match game with a Klingon Commander and his equally awesome Klingon Battle cruiser. Something I hoped/wanted them to do with at least one of the classic movies. They never did. I'm thinking something with the ferocity of "Master and Commander" mixed with character study of "Balance of Terror" from TOS.

I can see a Klingon ship and the Enterprise encircling some strange maelstrom or black hole spitting out star stuff, each ship exchanging shots, intercut with the crew scrambling to their stations, red alert blaring. Kirk digesting information, strategising, feeding Sulu, Chekov and Spock orders. Wounded rushing into Sickbay as the ship is pounded from outside. Cutting back and forth between Kirk and the Klingon Commander strategising. Maybe even a bit of inspiration nicked from Balance of Terror. Maybe have the E outclassed because the Klingon's caught them in an ambush, and she has to move into an unexplored system to make repairs, and we get to see some adventure on a dilithium rich planet, full of new life forms, and even a civilization maybe!


...Ya know, some kind of Star Trek Movie.

 

[xavier]

In all honesty. no more homages.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

No 1, absolutely yes.

No 5 would be fun, but not necessary.

The rest are just dumb. The only one that sounds even remotely significant/interesting is no 2, but shoving a Star Trek story into all out war in just an hour and a half/45 minutes with zero setup from the previous movies? That makes no sense. This isn't a military sci-fi world where war is always lurking around every corner. A good war story in the Star Trek universe should have a truly solid grounding and lots of detail. You can't do that kind of war story in a single movie.

 

[Smellmet]

No 1, absolutely yes.

No 5 would be fun, but not necessary.

The rest are just dumb. The only one that sounds even remotely significant/interesting is no 2, but shoving a Star Trek story into all out war in just an hour and a half/45 minutes with zero setup from the previous movies? That makes no sense. This isn't a military sci-fi world where war is always lurking around every corner. A good war story in the Star Trek universe should have a truly solid grounding and lots of detail. You can't do that kind of war story in a single movie.

That's what I'm looking for, I don't want the whole movie to revolve around it, I just want to see the Enterprise in a tear-up that lasts more than a few seconds

 

[Sector 7]

No 1, absolutely yes.

No 5 would be fun, but not necessary.

The rest are just dumb. The only one that sounds even remotely significant/interesting is no 2, but shoving a Star Trek story into all out war in just an hour and a half/45 minutes with zero setup from the previous movies? That makes no sense. This isn't a military sci-fi world where war is always lurking around every corner. A good war story in the Star Trek universe should have a truly solid grounding and lots of detail. You can't do that kind of war story in a single movie.

I quite agree with you, grendelsbayne.

1- Strange New Worlds. -this above ALL else. Roberto Orci, listen to the fans. We've been saying since before the first movie came out: Strange New Worlds. The CGI is easily available to make a world exotic and strange for our crew.

Let's seek out new life and new civilizations! Let's boldly go...!

2- New ships, up close. No "all-out massive scale war" is necessary to do this. Give us fans, and newbies, some eye candy.

3- We've seen Klingons. Either use them wisely, with in-depth characterization, or do so with another race. Andorians or some new race for us to talk about after the movie.

4- No "sexy alien ladies", rather EXOTIC alien people. Kirk's balls are blue now, every time he's getting it on he's interrupted anyway. Let's see him married to his ship and crew, less a horny adolescent. If he finds a caring partner, I am all for it.

5- Takei would be good to use in a role which is important to the plot. He is an excellent Trek actor and positive role model for gay people everywhere. Perhaps his character is also gay... as has been said, "In a SUBTLE way". What if a main character, such as the adversary, is shown going to quarters with his male spouse, possibly discussing whether he can prevail, etc. The LGBT community doesn't want overkill, just inclusion.

*****
6- An adversary with a just cause which is in opposition to Federation plans. With a well developed character, the audience can identify with a dilemma with no right answer... or two right answers, which needs to be reconciled.

 

[Hypaspist]

Sounds good to me. As a fan of science fiction, I can say that there is a lot of stuff I'd like to see. Creative worlds, the interior of those worlds, all kinds of hazards that go with a new environment, tense moments inside of a space-suit...and I'm not naive enough to think that we're going to get a Star Trek movie full of it. May as well just wait and hope for Prometheus 2.

I'm all about Klingons and a war with them could be done well. I like the stories of DS9 and I'm glad it was done as well as it was, but that isn't how battles are fought in Star Trek, as I see it. Also, politics and the resulting battles are one thing that you know to expect in Trek, and I'm glad to see them. Into Darkness had a lot of problems, but the way the fighting was handled was pretty good. This on a bigger scale would be good, and I hope that the screenwriter knows how to build up to it well.

George Takei has been so good to the franchise and to the fans that I think it is totally appropriate to put him in somehow. He already got a pretty good send-off in the original movies, being a Captain of a new ship and all, but it would be good to give him some more screen time.

 

[M'Sharak]

Also, author calls The Voyage Home "comically awful." It's hard to take anything he writes seriously.

I think the blogger's list of things he doesn't want in the next movie might be more telling than the list of things he'd like to see included.

 

[bbjeg]

To be fair, Star Trek (2009) and Into Darkness had strange new worlds, just to the new fans. I'm also kinda against #1. IMHO, Enterprise didn't do too well with the Sulibon and the Xindi. Though, a large scale battle wouldn't hurt if it's done correctly. Perhaps, the Klingons could give them a hand.

...
5- Takei would be good to use in a role which is important to the plot. He is an excellent Trek actor and positive role model for gay people everywhere. Perhaps his character is also gay... as has been said, "In a SUBTLE way"...

Bi maybe. He has a kid before Kirk was "lost" in Generations.

 

[Hypaspist]

To be fair, Star Trek (2009) and Into Darkness had strange new worlds, just to the new fans. I'm also kinda against #1. IMHO, Enterprise didn't do too well with the Sulibon and the Xindi. Though, a large scale battle wouldn't hurt if it's done correctly. Perhaps, the Klingons could give them a hand.

I think the beginning of Into Darkness does a good job of establishing a strange new world. I think it would be hard to focus an entire movie on it. It would have to be balanced between that and some sort of conflict in the plot. Maybe something that revisits the Organian incident would work. But for pure exploration and plots that are really out there, it is best to do those in a television series.

Honestly I never understood how people liked The Voyage Home so much. I don't have a problem with the comedy, it's just that the whole movie is awful to me. I would rather they resolved some sort of conflict without trying to reinvent the wheel and make it the biggest thing ever. Nemesis was not good for a lot of reasons, but Khan was great because it kept things simple and focused on the characters and a simple contest. Genesis wasn't central to the story, it just made for greater consequences.

 

[BillJ]

Honestly I never understood how people liked The Voyage Home so much.

Because it represented a change of pace after three fairly somber films. The Voyage Home isn't my favorite or least liked Trek film. On some levels it works and others it seems like it tried to hard.

The worst thing about The Voyage Home was the fallout from it being the most successful Trek film to date. The studio thought that people wanted comedy in Trek and we ended up with the ill-advised The Final Frontier.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

To be fair, Star Trek (2009) and Into Darkness had strange new worlds, just to the new fans. I'm also kinda against #1. IMHO, Enterprise didn't do too well with the Sulibon and the Xindi. Though, a large scale battle wouldn't hurt if it's done correctly. Perhaps, the Klingons could give them a hand.

...
5- Takei would be good to use in a role which is important to the plot. He is an excellent Trek actor and positive role model for gay people everywhere. Perhaps his character is also gay... as has been said, "In a SUBTLE way"...

Bi maybe. He has a kid before Kirk was "lost" in Generations.

I think the basic assumption there was that Takei would play an original character, not Prime Sulu. Pulling another prime character into the nuverse would not be a good thing, imo.

 

[BigJake]

If you're going to play to the fan base, bring in more advanced alien species, and give them some dialogue. The Romulans were a great touch, but let's throw the makeup department some extra cash and expand beyond a handful each of Romulans, Vulcans, and Klingons next time.

Play to the fan base? Doesn't he know the fans are irrelevant now that Paramount are swimming in that once-elusive "general audience" cheddar or something of that sort? This guy needs to read him some TBBS.

Let's really put the CGI to work, though, and have two armadas pound the crap out of each other, the way Return of the Jedi ended. Bigger works, especially if it's done with confidence and (most important) not in place of content. We don't want Michael Bay stuff here, just your average epic brawl.

Your "average" epic brawl which will take place "not in place of content," huh? Good luck with that. (And isn't "average epic brawl" something of an oxymoron?)

Either way, seeding Mr. Worf's parents would be a nice nod to fans — and a chance to give Michael Dorn some work.

Yeah. The "nod to fans" I'd be more interested in seeing is an actually decent storyline.

4. More Sexy Alien Ladies

Well I'm pro-Sexy Ladies, alien or otherwise, but not just salted into the plot to provide Teh Boyz with somebody to bone. It'd be more interesting to see More Interesting Ladies who get to do stuff. The more active, in-your-face Uhura is one of NuTrek's best innovations; by contrast, the reason people noticed the Carol Marcus underwear scene so much is because the character was so useless for anything else. More of that we don't need.

5. A George Takei Cameo

Active in both the Trekkie and LGBT communities, the original Sulu actor did exactly what any iconic one-role star should: wait several decades and then reappear as a witty, charming Internet presence. We'd love to see him appear the way Nimoy did in the previous two films, and it sounds like he's all for it himself.

Oh myyyy.

 

[Franklin]

Meh. I just don't know why so many want to see an all out guts and glory battle. And the blogger wants to see armadas of ships (which would supposedly mean Starfleet ships on one side). OK, but out in deep space where the Enterprise is supposedly "where no one has gone, before?" What? How?

Did anyone else catch how the blogger wants "strange, new worlds" and to see them "expand beyond ... Klingons this time," then goes on to say he wants to see Klingons play a prominent role in the movie? Even Kirk v. an armada of Klingon ships.

To that end, no war with the Klingons. Please. STID ended on a high note, let's not see Admiral Marcus was right in the end. Although if Kirk gets to address his crew before battle and say, "Well, boys, I reckon this is it. Interplanetary combat, toe to toe with the Klingons," then I'd be all for it.

(For what it's worth, I get so damn tired of people employing the royal we, as in the blogger writing, "... here's what we want to see ...." You and who else living in your head, Mr. Whittaker? Or maybe you have a mouse in your pocket?)