Abrams doesn't like spoilers - Defends STXI secrecy

[Carpe Occasio]

”People think they’ve experienced things before they really have.”

Now the director is shooting the new Star Trek movie, and he finds himself at odds with rabid Trekkies who want to know ”every gory detail about a movie that’s still a year away.” He respects their hunger, but is convinced they are better off waiting until May 8, 2009. ”Learning raw detail and experiencing that detail as it was intended are two totally different things,” he says. ”I would argue that not knowing those details in advance is a more refreshing way to live when it comes to entertainment.”

http://trekmovie.com/2008/06/03/abrams-decries-spoilers-defends-secrecy/

 

[Michael]

He's – to borrow a common phrase around here – Absolutely Right™.

 

[Franklin]

”People think they’ve experienced things before they really have.”

Now the director is shooting the new Star Trek movie, and he finds himself at odds with rabid Trekkies who want to know ”every gory detail about a movie that’s still a year away.” He respects their hunger, but is convinced they are better off waiting until May 8, 2009. ”Learning raw detail and experiencing that detail as it was intended are two totally different things,” he says. ”I would argue that not knowing those details in advance is a more refreshing way to live when it comes to entertainment.”

http://trekmovie.com/2008/06/03/abrams-decries-spoilers-defends-secrecy/

"Learning raw detail and experiencing that detail as it was intended are two totally different things," says Abrams. That's what folks hoped when they read the NEM script.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I completely agree with him and in fact avoid spoilers all I can - not only for this film but for pretty much any show or film I plan to see.

However, there are plenty of people out there who do not see it that way, and crave spoilers. In fact, some simply cannot get enough spoilers. And that is not likely to change.

In other words, I don't think his comments are gonna change anything in the way people behave.

 

[dougkeenan]

"Learning raw detail and experiencing that detail as it was intended are two totally different things," says Abrams. That's what folks hoped when they read the NEM script.

Yeah but that was different.

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Now the director is shooting the new Star Trek movie, and he finds himself at odds with rabid Trekkies who want to know ”every gory detail about a movie that’s still a year away.” He respects their hunger, but is convinced they are better off waiting until May 8, 2009. ”Learning raw detail and experiencing that detail as it was intended are two totally different things,” he says. ”I would argue that not knowing those details in advance is a more refreshing way to live when it comes to entertainment.”

You slipped up, Abrams! Now we finally have absolute confirmation that raw detail will be in the movie. Sucker!

Star Trek XI will be gory, raw, and refreshing. Way to keep the secrets, jackass!

(And, for the record, I knew it all along. I called it first. And I knew how much the raw, gory, refreshing details would suck before all the rest of you fanboys did!)

 

[ITL]

You slipped up, Abrams! Now we finally have absolute confirmation that raw detail will be in the movie. Sucker!

Star Trek XI will be gory, raw, and refreshing. Way to keep the secrets, jackass!

(And, for the record, I knew it all along. I called it first. And I knew how much the raw, gory, refreshing details would suck before all the rest of you fanboys did!)

I predict a slab of raw meat hanging from Kirk's teef as he rubs salt into the flayed backside of his Romulan gimp. In detail.

 

[Gepard]

Star Trek XI will be gory, raw, and refreshing. Way to keep the secrets, jackass!

I say they're ripping off BSG.

 

[M'Sharak]

I approve of the way Abrams is handling it. I'm not averse to knowing a few raw details ahead of time, but I don't want to watch a movie for the first time and be thinking "I knew that was going to happen. Yeah. Knew that, too. Yep, yep, yep."

Star Trek XI will be gory, raw, and refreshing. Way to keep the secrets, jackass!

I say they're ripping off BSG.

Will there be dirt? Someone said there was going to be dirt!

 

[Tralah]

Oh man, I am STILL laughing over those people who were CONVINCED that this movie is going to be dark and gritty like the new BSG just because of some dirt that was seen in spy photos and the fact that the teaser showed the Enterprise being constructed at night!

I have trouble understanding why people want a copy of the script to know every damn little detail, but I have no problems having a general idea of the story. I've learned all I've wanted to learn about the storyline, and I'm hoping I can resist the temptation to read any other story leaks. Once they give us some promo photos and we get a full trailer, I think I'll be entirely satisfied until May of next year rolls around.

 

[M'Sharak]

I have trouble understanding why people want a copy of the script to know every damn little detail, but I have no problems having a general idea of the story. I've learned all I've wanted to learn about the storyline, and I'm hoping I can resist the temptation to read any other story leaks. Once they give us some promo photos and we get a full trailer, I think I'll be entirely satisfied until May of next year rolls around.

So, you're not going to the premiere with a clipboard and checklist, then?

 

[Tralah]

Well, if I do it will go like this:

[ ] Gratuitous scene where Pine gets his shirt torn in the midst of fisticuffs.
[ ] Gratuitous scene where we get to see Quinto without a shirt.

[ ] Another look at the planet Vulcan and insights into Spock's childhood.

[ ] Cool graphics showing us the Enterprise kicking ass.

[ ] Seeing my favorite actor, Leonard Nimoy, play Spock again.

[ ] Romulans as awesome villians.

[ ] A wonderful music score that contains elements of Courage's original score and other TOS music elements.

I think my checklist is quite reasonable although when it comes to the first two, I may have to only settle for Pine getting his shirt torn in battle, but I can live with that (I just know they're not going to be able to resist doing that as a homage). Oh and don't let my first two items make you think I'm a fan of slash, for I'm NOT at all, but have no problem if other people enjoy that sort of thing.

 

[M'Sharak]

That all sounds entirely reasonable.

And of course, you're not; I'd never imply such a thing.

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

I completely agree with him and in fact avoid spoilers all I can - not only for this film but for pretty much any show or film I plan to see....

Heck, I don't even read the bookflap or back cover of a book I plan on reading anyway.

 

[Gepard]

Heck, I don't even read the bookflap or back cover of a book I plan on reading anyway.

*blinks* Then how do you know what book to read in the first place?

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

^
^^From recommendations from friends; Authors I like; The "next" book in a series; etc. I still do pick "new" books and authors by glancing at the back cover.

I 100% plan on seeing this film -- unless it gets a "7%" from rottentomatoes.com, so there really is no reason for me to find out things about the plot...I don't need to be "sold" on the film -- I'll be there (almost) no matter what in May.

 

[TOS Purist]

Screw Abrams. I want to know as much about this film as possible before I see it! TrekMovie.com makes a wonderful analogy when it compares "spoilers" to consumer reports. We fans want to know the product that we're getting, and a lot of talk means nothing. What does Abrams have to fear? I think it would be a good idea to release more stuff to WILLING recipients; even as a TOS Purist, I find myself more encouraged about this film (and "sold" on it) when I see spy pictures of the sets and costumes, which seem fairly adherent to "The Cage" styles and tech.

 

[MisterPL]

”I would argue that not knowing those details in advance is a more refreshing way to live when it comes to entertainment.”

"Entertainment?" This is not ENTERTAINMENT! It's a god-damned LIFESTYLE! Clearly Abrams doesn't have a clue how to handle this property.

I'm bringing tribbles to the theatre and if I am the least bit dissatisfied with what I see, I'm tossing them at the screen.

JJ Abrams, prepare to be tribbled.

 

[God Magnus]

I'm bringing tribbles to the theatre and if I am the least bit dissatisfied with what I see, I'm tossing them at the screen.

Seriously, I see his point. The funny part for me is that I'm very into spoilers and I do go into movies with a mental checklist of sorts. However, it's not to put down the movie or anything. Rather, I use spoilers to build up a certain level of anticipation and usually it's quite satisfying (such as the last last last scene in "Iron Man").

That said, I actually like the secrecy around this film because it reminds me of how little information I had as a kid with the TOS movies. When a trailer would finally come out it was so awesome I thought I'd burst. Finally seeing the movie was alway a pleasure...ok, maybe except for ST V...

 

[Tralah]

Screw Abrams. I want to know as much about this film as possible before I see it! TrekMovie.com makes a wonderful analogy when it compares "spoilers" to consumer reports. We fans want to know the product that we're getting, and a lot of talk means nothing. What does Abrams have to fear? I think it would be a good idea to release more stuff to WILLING recipients; even as a TOS Purist, I find myself more encouraged about this film (and "sold" on it) when I see spy pictures of the sets and costumes, which seem fairly adherent to "The Cage" styles and tech.

You know, you don't have to see the movie on opening day. You can wait until it's released and then learn EVERYTHING about it you want to know and decide after that if you want to see it.