The summation:
So, JJ was handed the keys to the franchise and he and his team sat down and came up with several tenets for the new film. 1) Revitalize a franchise which had gone stale 2) Bring in a new and enthusiastic audience while pleasing the old guard 3) Tread on canon as lightly as possible 4) Provide a tent pole for the studio that ensured sequels, etc. 5) Make it real and make it good.
After much debate it was then decided: 1) They would go back to the beginning and use the beloved characters of TOS 2) They would use a new cast to tell an origin story 3) They would create a plot device that allowed for a wholly original take, would not erase the forty years of canon that came before, and yet would allow the origin story to have a life of its own without being saddled by that canon.
The film was cast with great fanfare and most of the filming to this point has been done in secret to whet our appetite. The teaser trailer showed the hint of realism and how Trek plays into our future. Positive buzz abounds.
But how will JJ accomplish the larger goals set for the film?
The assumptions:
The only way to have their cake and eat it too would be to create an alternate timeline to what we know about Trek. Rumor has it that Orci and Kurtzman’s draft centers on the use of Spock from the 24th century and his need to protect the past. Although it would involve well-worn time travel, it would be done in a way that is unique and once in the past, the main plot would center on a series of 23rd century historical vignettes that allowed for the origin story of TOS characters to be told under the watchful eyes of 24th century Spock. An all-knowing villain from the future (the Romulan, Nero) has been created to thread the stories together as he makes assassination attempts and disruptions in Trek’s past with hopefully clear motivation. As Spock tries to out duel Nero in the battle for history, the main narrative would allow us the chance to see Kirk’s birth, Kirk and Spock’s youth, the Academy days, the KM incident, Pike’s Enterprise, the first mission under Kirk, etc.
The analysis:
I think that alternate Trek as created in this movie could be a brilliant move. Nero’s interference or even Spock’s desire to set things right could start a chain reaction in the timeline that would set the filmmakers free to create stylistically any scenario they could imagine while still keeping to the main truisms of the show that we all care for. It would certainly allow for any changes in physical traits or personality traits that could be interpreted through new actors as well as in set design, costumes, effects, etc. And the potential for sequels is enormous – anything could happen in the new timeline.
I realize that many of you do not care for time travel, the use of the old cast, changes in canon etc. But if you think about it, everyone is getting what they want with this film; it is a mix of new and nostalgia and the best hope for our franchise in a long time. Agreed?
So, JJ was handed the keys to the franchise and he and his team sat down and came up with several tenets for the new film. 1) Revitalize a franchise which had gone stale 2) Bring in a new and enthusiastic audience while pleasing the old guard 3) Tread on canon as lightly as possible 4) Provide a tent pole for the studio that ensured sequels, etc. 5) Make it real and make it good.
After much debate it was then decided: 1) They would go back to the beginning and use the beloved characters of TOS 2) They would use a new cast to tell an origin story 3) They would create a plot device that allowed for a wholly original take, would not erase the forty years of canon that came before, and yet would allow the origin story to have a life of its own without being saddled by that canon.
The film was cast with great fanfare and most of the filming to this point has been done in secret to whet our appetite. The teaser trailer showed the hint of realism and how Trek plays into our future. Positive buzz abounds.
But how will JJ accomplish the larger goals set for the film?
The assumptions:
The only way to have their cake and eat it too would be to create an alternate timeline to what we know about Trek. Rumor has it that Orci and Kurtzman’s draft centers on the use of Spock from the 24th century and his need to protect the past. Although it would involve well-worn time travel, it would be done in a way that is unique and once in the past, the main plot would center on a series of 23rd century historical vignettes that allowed for the origin story of TOS characters to be told under the watchful eyes of 24th century Spock. An all-knowing villain from the future (the Romulan, Nero) has been created to thread the stories together as he makes assassination attempts and disruptions in Trek’s past with hopefully clear motivation. As Spock tries to out duel Nero in the battle for history, the main narrative would allow us the chance to see Kirk’s birth, Kirk and Spock’s youth, the Academy days, the KM incident, Pike’s Enterprise, the first mission under Kirk, etc.
The analysis:
I think that alternate Trek as created in this movie could be a brilliant move. Nero’s interference or even Spock’s desire to set things right could start a chain reaction in the timeline that would set the filmmakers free to create stylistically any scenario they could imagine while still keeping to the main truisms of the show that we all care for. It would certainly allow for any changes in physical traits or personality traits that could be interpreted through new actors as well as in set design, costumes, effects, etc. And the potential for sequels is enormous – anything could happen in the new timeline.
I realize that many of you do not care for time travel, the use of the old cast, changes in canon etc. But if you think about it, everyone is getting what they want with this film; it is a mix of new and nostalgia and the best hope for our franchise in a long time. Agreed?
I was looking forward to you combining The Gallic Wars with J.J. Abrams publicity material. Alack, alas!
