TMP: I was swept up in all the hype, and only had memories of TAS and a few TOS episodes. A friend had been to the Sydney gala premiere/preview, but it was a few weeks till it hit general release. While waiting, I picked up the novelization, not intending to read it in a weekend, and bought the soundtrack on the strength of how I felt about the story. Absolutely loved the movie, found organized fandom, then was shocked that so many original fans hated the movie.
ST II: Deeply involved in rumour detective work for our newsletter, for months leading up to the release. Lucky enough to get an invitation to an industry preview a week early. Was part of a huge group booking - 100s in full costume - at the premiere night. I still preferred TMP, but it was great that so many of my new friends actually liked this one! A great night!
ST III: More rumour detective work for our newsletter, for months leading up to the release. Helped to coordinate invitations to two industry previews a few days early. 100s in full costume at the premiere night. This film was delayed in Australia by several agonizing months, and I ended up reading the novelization early. We had high hopes and most were fulfilled.
ST IV: Compiled regular "sealed sections" for our newsletter, for months leading up to the release. Our club was invited to provide 100 members in full costume at the free gala celebrity premiere night, which was combined with the inaugural "Buspak Awards" This was a huge event, with free alcohol, disco and access to many Australian celebrities. An amazing night, and the movie was very well received. (I also got to see the "work print" version a few weeks earlier, so that four of us could help replicate Spock's robes for the Spock lookalike we were providing for the big night.) Many old time fans hated this movie and worried that ST had been "dumbed down for the masses".
ST V: Oh dear, we weren't liking what we were hearing... Again, deeply involved in rumour detective work for our newsletter, for months leading up to the release. The teaser poster asked "Why are they putting seatbelts in theatres this (US) summer?" and we wondered if it was to keep cinema-goers from leaving early. Was part of a group booking at a lower-key suburban premiere night. We expected the worst, and most of our wacky predictions came hilariously true. (Years later, we were vindicated by "Galaxy Quest"!)
ST VI: The usual detective work for our newsletter, for months leading up to the release. Was one of the first group to see the trailer, previewed at a convention. Helped to coordinate invitations to a sneak industry preview a few weeks early, and then missed the premiere night because I booked to fly to the US. Saw the film again with penpals in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Generally satisfying.
GEN: Lots of upheaval on local fan scene, but we also weren't liking what we were hearing about this movie. Wasn't as bad as I dreaded. Went to a rather subdued (by comparison) suburban premiere night. Ho hum. Really missing the good ol' 80s way of celebrating a new ST film.
FC: Usual fan rumours flying, lots of scripted scenes leaked on news nets, and various polarized reactions from fandom. Everyone seemed divided about how the film would fly, but it mainly surpassed expectations for entertainment value. The magical first-nights seemed to be a thing of the past. Local fandom now mainly made up of TNG fans.
INS: Usual fan rumours flying, lots of scripted scenes - and whole scripts - leaked on news nets, and various polarized reactions from fandom. Everyone seemed divided about how the film would fly, but it mainly seemed to disappoint. Because I'd read the script, I had no surprises whatsoever. My small theatre group saw the premiere together and we did manage to have fun.
NEM: Even greater-than-usual fan hatred flying about, and whole scripts leaked onto the Internet. Everyone online seemed certain the movie would flop dismally and it was a shock to me that American fans went to see "Maid in Manhattan" instead. Fandom almost dead in Sydney. Saw the film locally on opening night with a friend from work. There were only about 50 people in the cinema. NEM did have a healthy Australian opening weekend, though. I expected to be depressed about losing Data, but really felt the director blew it!
), so I can't say I was disappointed in 1994.
