Authors-- Your opinions please
- Thread starter Randor
- Start date
I was lukewarm on it. It was serviceable, but I wasn't as blown away as a lot of people were. It wasn't the worst Trek I've ever seen, but it wasn't the best, either. Some of those plot holes were so big you could fly the Enterprise through them.
Then again, my favorite TOS character is Saavik, so there you go. I was mostly in it to see Karl Urban and Paul McGillion, rather than anything having to do with the plot (as it was).
Then again, my favorite TOS character is Saavik, so there you go. I was mostly in it to see Karl Urban and Paul McGillion, rather than anything having to do with the plot (as it was).
It was fun.
Does it have problems? Yes, as do all the Trek movies. But, I didn't care at the time, because I was having fun, something I've not been able to do with a Trek film at the theater in a long, long time.
Does it have problems? Yes, as do all the Trek movies. But, I didn't care at the time, because I was having fun, something I've not been able to do with a Trek film at the theater in a long, long time.
8.5/10 - looks fab, hugely entertaining, feels right, does a great job of introducing this stuff all new, but does have a massively underdeveloped villain (he lost any hope of being menacing as soon as he brightly said "Hi Chris, I'm Nero"), and plot holes you could drive the Narada through.
I think it basically does for Star Trek what the 2005 Dr Who premiere episode "Rose" did for DW
I think it basically does for Star Trek what the 2005 Dr Who premiere episode "Rose" did for DW
So far as the plot holes are concerned, if you can enjoy Wrath of Khan despite the entire story hinging on the fact that nobody on the Reliant can count to 6, then you can roll with the stuff in this flick.
Just sayin'.
Just sayin'.
I liked it. Whatever its plot holes, it's a good, reasonably faithful revival, and if it makes Star Trek popular and successful again, that's a good thing. The cast is remarkably good, and there were moments I felt they really channeled the originals. The visual and directorial style restores the kind of naturalism that was part of Roddenberry's original intent for the show but which has gotten lost over the years. The effects were superb, and the music was excellent though somewhat repetitive. And most of the story flaws can be attributed to the demands of modern blockbuster filmmaking, where pacing trumps complexity and depth. It would've been hard to make a better Star Trek story in the feature-film format.
(I do think a few story tweaks would've helped, though. For instance, instead of having the attack on Vulcan immediately follow the Kobayashi Maru, they could've had Kirk clash with Spock over the KM and get kept off the Enterprise as a result, then jump forward a few years and have a more experienced Lieutenant Commander Kirk finally come aboard the ship shortly before the attack, with the story proceeding pretty much identically from there. And maybe Spock Prime could've intentionally tracked Kirk down or drawn his attention somehow rather than stumbling across him by chance.)
And it's a new Trek universe to play around in, a new continuity to explore. I think that could be quite an opportunity for tie-in authors.
(I do think a few story tweaks would've helped, though. For instance, instead of having the attack on Vulcan immediately follow the Kobayashi Maru, they could've had Kirk clash with Spock over the KM and get kept off the Enterprise as a result, then jump forward a few years and have a more experienced Lieutenant Commander Kirk finally come aboard the ship shortly before the attack, with the story proceeding pretty much identically from there. And maybe Spock Prime could've intentionally tracked Kirk down or drawn his attention somehow rather than stumbling across him by chance.)
And it's a new Trek universe to play around in, a new continuity to explore. I think that could be quite an opportunity for tie-in authors.
I posted my rambling reaction on my LiveJournal blog.
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One thing: It's a quarry, not a canyon. No canyon has walls that straight. And yes, they do have quarries in Iowa.
Randor
Lieutenant Commander
Being from Iowa can attest to this.
I thought it was great fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing it again, probably in Imax this time.
And I can tell you, when I first heard "original crew, new actors, Academy", I shuddered. They completely exceeded my expectations.
Karl Urban as McCoy was my favorite thing about the film.
And I can tell you, when I first heard "original crew, new actors, Academy", I shuddered. They completely exceeded my expectations.
Karl Urban as McCoy was my favorite thing about the film.
I thought it was great fun, despite its sins against logic. It might not always work cerebrally, but I think it frequently works very well on an emotional level.
I've been all over the "Star Trek XI" boards, preaching the gospel of the new movie, so I'm not sure I have much more to say about it. (And I just fired off a short piece on the movie to STAR TREK magazine.) But, in a nutshell, I thought the movie did a great job of recapturing the energy, humor, adventure, and vitality of TOS, which was always my favorite incarnation of the franchise. With all due respect to TNG, DS9, VOYAGER, and ENTERPRISE, this is the STAR TREK I grew up on. And I couldn't be happier to see Trek get back in touch with its pulp space opera roots.
And, needless to say, the casting was sublime.
And, needless to say, the casting was sublime.
I loved it. It took everything I liked about the original series, gave it a fresh polish and/or a tweak, looked stupendous, sounded great AND didn't invalidate "everything you know."
I grew up loving DC Comics, so the concept of Trek Earth 1 and Trek Earth 2 is not only acceptable, but sublime.
I grew up loving DC Comics, so the concept of Trek Earth 1 and Trek Earth 2 is not only acceptable, but sublime.
I'm with most of the other scribes. I just had a major blast and thought it was thoroughly entertaining. I successfully avoided almost every spoiler out there and went in blind. And I'm really glad I did. I'm glad the cast signed up for three, in case they make them.
--Ted
--Ted
I liked it. Sure, I had my issues; there's a fair few places where the plot logic is thin and the flash of it glosses over some gaping holes, but this is Star Trek - it's not like we haven't seen that sort of thing before!
But I enjoyed the ride and I came out happy. I'm not ashamed to say I got a lump in my throat at that last moment where the Enterprise rose into frame and the old TOS theme swelled...
I'll add that anyone who enjoyed the film ought to check out the Countdown comics - some of the backstory skated over in the movie gets filled in there.
But I enjoyed the ride and I came out happy. I'm not ashamed to say I got a lump in my throat at that last moment where the Enterprise rose into frame and the old TOS theme swelled...
I'll add that anyone who enjoyed the film ought to check out the Countdown comics - some of the backstory skated over in the movie gets filled in there.
I put my review on my blog.
Short version: good performances, dumb script, fun way to kill a couple hours.
Short version: good performances, dumb script, fun way to kill a couple hours.
No disrespect to be taken here. However, I think this quote puts things in perspective. I cannot imagine any author completely taking a crap on the movie as it represents the opportunity for further work. I agree with David that the logic/plot holes in it are no different than the ones that exist on previous movies.
I for one liked it, like many have said, it was a great way to pass away a Saturday afternoon. Hopefully they will not drive it into the ground or ruin it in some other way. A friend of mine, who really could not care much for Star Trek previously stated he loved it because it invalidated everything that came before and turned it upside down. I think his response was more driven by the fact that his parents are big Trek fans and it was yet another way to "rebel". I dont think he realizes that alternate timelines and universes are a staple of Star Trek
Well, after the first time I watched it - I was happy it didn't suck.
After the second time I watched it, I decided it was a big fun summer popcorn movie that was quite enjoyable.
Like everyone else, I have my quibbles, but most of all, I'm still just happy it didn't suck.
js
After the second time I watched it, I decided it was a big fun summer popcorn movie that was quite enjoyable.
Like everyone else, I have my quibbles, but most of all, I'm still just happy it didn't suck.
js
If you're implying that I'm being dishonest about my opinion of the movie because I might have a professional interest in not slamming it, I resent that. If there's a case where my professional interests might preclude me from publicly criticizing something I dislike, I'll just avoid commenting on it. I'm not a liar.
