IT'S OFFICIAL - STAR TREK OPENS IN AUSTRALIA!!!!

[Therin of Andor]

Trek movies have never particularly gone over well with Aussies.

Where are you pulling this stuff from? ST:TMP ran in Sydney's CBD cinema, the Paramount, from December 1979 until at least after the May school holidays of 1980 (I went regularly), suburban theatres the next August, then began to tour country cinemas (and temporarily-converted school holiday screenings in suburban town halls) throughout 1980 and 1981.

ST II - IV had very healthy runs Down Under - ST IV had a huge celebrity gala premiere event in Sydney that was a very big deal - and "Generations" and "First Contact" also did well. "Nemesis" won its opening weekend in Australia, something it couldn't even do in USA several weeks earlier.

 

[Australis]

I'm off to get ready now. I'll,catch a 6:00pm session, or if it's full, 6:45. I'm on the Central Coast, so it probably won't be an issue, I live among Philistines.

Finally. Here and now.

 

[Logopolis]

MY REVIEW:


*****LIGHT SPOILERS*******



I thought the film was terrific. It didn't run too long or too short - the length was appropriate for the story that they were telling. The sound and visuals were of course second to none with some of the most impressive battle sequences ever seen in a Star Trek film. Leonard Nemoy's appearance was also handled quite well as they did not milk his presence on screen nor did they make any reference to the universe he came from. However, I felt that a lot of potential was lost for Simon Pegg's Scotty as we're only introduced to him in the last 45 minutes of the film.

As for the performances, generally they were pretty solid. A special mention goes to Zachary Quinto who made the role of Spock his own, meanwhile, Kirk is also well played (I missed the actors name here). Ulhura was also terrific here. Finally, the role of Captain Pine was played perfectly. However, some of the performances didn't go without the cringe factor. The Chekov character felt quite forced and comedic (at best). Doctor McCoy was hit and miss but certainly didn't go without some memorable moments. Meanwhile, Simon Pegg's Scotty (as mentioned) never really had his full potential realised. I felt Eric Bana (for the most part) did a really good job as Nero, though, like McCoy, his performance didn't go without the lesser moments.

As for the story, it's terrific. It's straight forward, action packed and a lot of fun. There were a couple (literally) of plot holes that I wish to address but I won't discuss them until more people have seen the film. There is also one major plot device that will change the face of Star Trek for quite some time and will no doubt anger long term fans - this is for you to discover!

I also must say I did enjoy a lot of the modern elements of the film such as a young Kirk speeding along a highway listening to the Beastie Boys while answering his Nokia communicator. At the same time, some of it can be a little forced with the testosterone induced fist fights that Kirk seems to involve himself in with fellow officers, not to mention the bitchier side of the Vulcans being exposed. Throw in some sexy college dorm shenanigans, the film (at times) can feel a little dumbed down. But is definitely doesn't let the film down in anyway. The modernisation is much needed after the stiffness of the latter Trek from 2000-2003.

Overall, a terrific film with some minor flaws and a promising new beginning!
4 out of 5

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

At my 10:30am showing there were about 15 people in the cinema. I hope it's full tonight. Some other observations:

There was one person wearing a ST:TNG jacket.

I think I was quite likely the youngest person in the audience not counting my kid (I am 46). There were quite a few very elderly people there.

Everyone stayed to the end of the credits except Mr. ST:TNG jacket who got up and left the instant the credits started (hopefully not in disgust).

Unlike the usual cinema behavior here everyone carried their rubbish out rather than leaving it on the floor.

 

[Logopolis]

The session I was in didn't go without the cringe factor from some members of the audience. One person clapped when Leonard Nemoy made his first on screen appearance, another person scoffed at a line spoken by Quinto's Spock. I felt like interjecting "it's a film!" But I didn't bother, I didn't want to ruin the experience of enjoying the film for myself or others. Just let the fussy ones be I say, after all, a lot of them are the ones that have kept the franchise going and you can't curse at them for that.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Just let the fussy ones be I say, after all, a lot of them are the ones that have kept the franchise going and you can't curse at them for that.

Yes, old people should be respected.

 

[Tulin]

The session I was in didn't go without the cringe factor from some members of the audience. One person clapped when Leonard Nemoy made his first on screen appearance, another person scoffed at a line spoken by Quinto's Spock. I felt like interjecting "it's a film!" But I didn't bother, I didn't want to ruin the experience of enjoying the film for myself or others. Just let the fussy ones be I say, after all, a lot of them are the ones that have kept the franchise going and you can't curse at them for that.

LOL!!!!

I have this image of 75 year old people shuffling into the cinema, wearing their range of old communicator pins like ANZAC medals, their old ST II movie uniform jackets proudly velcroed up but a bit tattered at the seams, while the familiar "Dah dah DAAHHHH" ST theme intones from the speakers.

LOL - kids are funny!!!!

 

[Logopolis]

hahahah it's funny how everyone made the connection between "fussy fan" and "old aged" then assumed my youth. I have to admit, you are correct on all of those things but I was trying to be subtle in an attempt not to offend anyone

 

[Tulin]

Thanks mate.

Now get me a cup of tea and a lap rug before I tell you neverending stories about the first Romulan War!!!

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

While I was fruitlessly searching a whole shopping center for Trek byproducts I saw an endless selection of Clone Wars stuff. Back packs, lunch boxes, t shirts, mugs, bedding.. it was everywhere.

I want this for Trek too! I want the kids to absolutely fall for it.

 

[Logopolis]

No need, already in love with the film over here!

 

[Orac Zen]

Seen it.

One or two minor issues aside, enjoyed the hell out of it.

 

[donners22]

ST II - IV had very healthy runs Down Under - ST IV had a huge celebrity gala premiere event in Sydney that was a very big deal - and "Generations" and "First Contact" also did well. "Nemesis" won its opening weekend in Australia, something it couldn't even do in USA several weeks earlier.

First Contact did extremely well, from memory. Did that take over $10 million here?

Nemesis was top on opening week, but against no new releases, and dropped out of the top ten the following week.

Everyone stayed to the end of the credits except Mr. ST:TNG jacket who got up and left the instant the credits started (hopefully not in disgust).

Really? Almost everyone at the midnight screening left as soon as the credits began. Then again, perhaps they were like me and had to work in a few hours!

 

[Frodo Lives]

Just got back, saw my flatmate (who went to the midnight screening last night) and we both said: "Wolverine can suck it!"

This movie was made of awesome.

Yeah, and while there's quite a few things that made me as a Trek fan go 'huh?', they were more than made up for by the sheer brilliance of the whole thing.

"Get down from there!"

 

[donners22]

Any tips for the opening week box office here? I think Insurrection had $1.9 million and Nemesis had $1.3. I'd be expecting about $3 million.

 

[porthos4captain]

I hope that it earns a 7-8 million opening week. That would really make it huge for Star Trek and give us a good indication of whether Trek has gone mainstream blockbuster or not. IMAX will help out big time. 3-4 million on the weekend would be massive. Best place to keep track of it is here: http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/boxoffice.asp

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Really? Almost everyone at the midnight screening left as soon as the credits began. Then again, perhaps they were like me and had to work in a few hours!

For your next viewing I recommend staying until the end, for musical surprises

 

[Orac Zen]

^
Indeed.

Staying 'til the end also reveals a very nice touch on the part of the producers. IMO, anyway.

 

[chrisspringob]

This thing that bugged me the most was like: Okay, first Spock abandons Kirk on some ice planet that is close enough to Vulcan to see it hanging in the sky like the moon... that bugged me. But then he randomly runs into Spock there? That SUPER bugged me! What are the odds they would be dumped in the same spot on this odd planet, and that that spot would be with 14km of a starfleet outpost?

Stretched credulity if you ask me.

Yeah, I thought the movie was great, but that part was rather ridiculous. Also, how long has Spock been there, on that planet? And there just happens to be this Starfleet base with Scotty on the same planet, and it's within walking distance? Oh well. Best just not to think to hard about that part of the movie, I guess.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Yeah, I thought the movie was great, but that part was rather ridiculous. Also, how long has Spock been there, on that planet? And there just happens to be this Starfleet base with Scotty on the same planet, and it's within walking distance? Oh well. Best just not to think to hard about that part of the movie, I guess.

Dude. It was destiny.