Anyone else Prefer Pine to Shatner
- Thread starter tomalak301
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I really enjoyed everyone's performances in the new movie, but it was probably Pine who impressed me most. Shatner's Kirk had his hits and misses (some episodes and movies he was top of his game, others not so much, but that's to be expected I think, given how much time he spent playing Kirk over the years), but overall I always liked the character of Kirk.
And that's the point for me, before the new movie, I only liked Kirk. Now, after the movie, after watching Chris Pine as a younger Kirk (an alternate Kirk without a father, who despite this and other changes, is still 'Kirk' as we know him at his core), I'm actually more impressed with him as a character than I ever was before.
Chris Pine's Kirk was great. He was great because he's got me rewatching TOS and appreciating Shatner's Kirk in a whole new way. Not because I think one is better than the other, no, I think both actors play the character fantastically. But Pine was able to portray Kirk without stooping to imitation. It was all in the little things. The way he walked, moved, some of the looks he gave, even some of the ways he said things, they all reminded me of Shatner's Kirk.
As a result I have a better appreciation of Kirk, both Shatner and Pine's versions.
But I wouldn't say one is better than the other. They're both great in their own ways.
And that's the point for me, before the new movie, I only liked Kirk. Now, after the movie, after watching Chris Pine as a younger Kirk (an alternate Kirk without a father, who despite this and other changes, is still 'Kirk' as we know him at his core), I'm actually more impressed with him as a character than I ever was before.
Chris Pine's Kirk was great. He was great because he's got me rewatching TOS and appreciating Shatner's Kirk in a whole new way. Not because I think one is better than the other, no, I think both actors play the character fantastically. But Pine was able to portray Kirk without stooping to imitation. It was all in the little things. The way he walked, moved, some of the looks he gave, even some of the ways he said things, they all reminded me of Shatner's Kirk.
As a result I have a better appreciation of Kirk, both Shatner and Pine's versions.
But I wouldn't say one is better than the other. They're both great in their own ways.
The reason I really like Pine's Kirk is that because he reminded me so much of the daring, risk-taking Kirk from the The Original Series.
That's why I loved the new Star Trek in it self. The entire feel of the movie was so much of what the TOS was like, only fresher and more modern. What goes for Kirk goes for all of the characters. They all reminded, and felt like, the characters from TOS.
Sure, it was different, but I felt like it was James T. Kirk. Sure it wasn't Shatner, but I didn't want to see Shatner. I wanted to see Kirk. And Spock, and McCoy. And I did! That's why I feel this Star Trek was the best Trek we've had in ages.
I know a lot of people will whine and nag about cannon and all that. Whatever. This felt like Star Trek to me. If other people feel differently, that's ok, because that's why we can have our own opinion.
PS: I saw this with a woman who's like a mother to me, and a life-long Trekkie. And with my girlfriend who's not a Trekkie at all (yet). They both loved it. My 'mom' for the exact same reason as me, and my gf because she thought it was a very entertaining movie, with entertaining and decent characters.
That's why I loved the new Star Trek in it self. The entire feel of the movie was so much of what the TOS was like, only fresher and more modern. What goes for Kirk goes for all of the characters. They all reminded, and felt like, the characters from TOS.
Sure, it was different, but I felt like it was James T. Kirk. Sure it wasn't Shatner, but I didn't want to see Shatner. I wanted to see Kirk. And Spock, and McCoy. And I did! That's why I feel this Star Trek was the best Trek we've had in ages.
I know a lot of people will whine and nag about cannon and all that. Whatever. This felt like Star Trek to me. If other people feel differently, that's ok, because that's why we can have our own opinion.
PS: I saw this with a woman who's like a mother to me, and a life-long Trekkie. And with my girlfriend who's not a Trekkie at all (yet). They both loved it. My 'mom' for the exact same reason as me, and my gf because she thought it was a very entertaining movie, with entertaining and decent characters.
I prefer early TOS Shatner, but Pine has impressed.
It's like comparing apples and oranges. At least Pine looks set to continue showing alien girls that Earth thing called kissing.
When I've seen more of Pine in Trek and other things, then I might be able to say. The Shat has done Shakespeare, I think he can summon up subtlety when required.
When I've seen more of Pine in Trek and other things, then I might be able to say. The Shat has done Shakespeare, I think he can summon up subtlety when required.
No. Pine did a fine job, but he did a fine job playing a role that Shatner brought to life and defined for 40 years. Go back and watch WHMHGB or The Corbomite Maneuver or Balance of Terror, and you can see why you cannot compare the two. Similarly, Mr. Urban did a great McCoy, but it is his take on the great character that De Kelley brought to life and defined for us all.
I really like Shatner's (TOS) Kirk, but right now I gotta confess I'm a little in love with Pine's Kirk 
. Surely it's too early to say anything definitive though, so let's give him a few more films to play Kirk and then we'll see whose performance is more convincing, but my guess is that Pine's a better actor.
. Surely it's too early to say anything definitive though, so let's give him a few more films to play Kirk and then we'll see whose performance is more convincing, but my guess is that Pine's a better actor.
Its really hard to decide between the two. I like each of their performances in different ways. Each actor approached the character at different stages of their lives (and the character’s lives). Each had different material, environments and eras to contend with. Initially, I liked movie Shatner more than TOS Shatner. He seemed to have settled into the role a little more by then. The overacting was an issue for me somewhat, but it is a characteristic that became intertwined with the original character.
I did really enjoy Pine’s portrayal though. There isn’t a lot of overacting going on and I like the spirit of this character.
All in all, each actor convinced me that they were James T. Kirk. That speaks well to both actors.
I did really enjoy Pine’s portrayal though. There isn’t a lot of overacting going on and I like the spirit of this character.
All in all, each actor convinced me that they were James T. Kirk. That speaks well to both actors.
there is no comparison. Shatner has made Kirk an icon... without his Kirk -- quirky and cringeworthy as he sometimes has been -- there would be no Chris Pine as Kirk. Kirk has always been one of my heroes, and that's because of the Shatman.
that said, I adore Chris Pine's Kirk. he makes me smile. he makes me laugh. he makes me nostalgic. and he makes me love Kirk even more than I did before (if that were possible).
that said, I adore Chris Pine's Kirk. he makes me smile. he makes me laugh. he makes me nostalgic. and he makes me love Kirk even more than I did before (if that were possible).
I've always loved his turn in TSFS as well.
The problem with this new film is, I don't know where to look first: Pine, Quinto, Urban.... man, all of them did an excellent job and are extremely good-looking.
The funniest part is Pine played Kirk nothing like Shatner...
While the others were closer to their TOS counterparts..
That says it all.
While the others were closer to their TOS counterparts..
That says it all.
Yes. Shat is great---and Pine should continue to look to the source, but in many ways he may do better. Instead of running in shame from its Technicolor roots--Star Trek should always have a dash of campiness--which Mr. Shatner provided. Part of the fun of this new film was it's boldness and self-deprecating humor. I LOVED the big ridiculous puffy hands---the kind of embarrassing thing the old show never shied away from.
Prefer Pine to Shatner? Not quite yet, but if & when they start to give the character more development in the next movie, thats a definite possibility. Pines Kirk simply hasnt been given all the facets that the character should have - the empathy, vulnerability, and ability to stop moving for ten seconds and sit down and think - Kirk isnt just an energizer bunny, hes also a savvy strategist.
Right now, Pines Shatner is too callow and glib. As Kirk is developed and matures, we should start to see the guy who cared too deeply for his ship, his crew and his ideals than was healthy for him. And he should keep developing that Kirkian sense of humor and quirkiness (as opposed to the campiness).
I already prefer Quinto to Nimoy (thats not something I ever thought would happen) and Saldana to Nichols (more understandable, given that Uhura has been revised to be far more dynamic and important to the story). The others are fine, except for Pegg, who is grossly miscast and needs to be replaced.
YOWTCH!
Thanks for providing the perspective.
Right now, Pines Shatner is too callow and glib. As Kirk is developed and matures, we should start to see the guy who cared too deeply for his ship, his crew and his ideals than was healthy for him. And he should keep developing that Kirkian sense of humor and quirkiness (as opposed to the campiness).
I already prefer Quinto to Nimoy (thats not something I ever thought would happen) and Saldana to Nichols (more understandable, given that Uhura has been revised to be far more dynamic and important to the story). The others are fine, except for Pegg, who is grossly miscast and needs to be replaced.
YOWTCH!
Thanks for providing the perspective.
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