Kirk's Body Language

[ZapBrannigan]

William Shatner gave Kirk an athletic grace nobody else seemed to have. The way he moved was always cool. When he did his own stunts, he looked fantastic, whether it was something simple like vaulting over a rock in "Who Mourns...", or launching his whole body into a flying drop kick.

Even simpler, he walked like a guy in charge. He had a kind of swagger, light on his feet and ready for action. I taught myself the Unnecessary Shoulder Roll and actually used it once, to retrieve a ball that had gone over a low fence. Kids were impressed, and they knew it was a Kirk thing. Good times.

The series is full of examples where Kirk just... moved like Kirk and nobody else. Nicholas Meyer talking about TWOK may have derided this aspect of Shatner's repertoire as "posing," but Original Series Kirk really had something.

 

[evilchumlee]

Shatner just in general has a sort of larger than life aura. The way he moves, the way he talks, it's all so unique.

 

[Metryq]

Shatner just in general has a sort of larger than life aura. The way he moves, the way he talks, it's all so unique.

He's Denny Crane, and you're not!

 

[Frontis]

As even Janeway said with some admiration, Kirk was from a time they quite often used fists to solve problems

 

[JonnyQuest037]

As even Janeway said with some admiration, Kirk was from a time they quite often used fists to solve problems

Spoken like somebody who only heard about TOS but never actually watched it.

(To clarify, I'm criticizing Janeway and the VOY writers, not you.)

 

[Frontis]

Ok but do you really deny that Kirk had more fist fights than any other captain?
And I'm not complaining about it, that's Kirk. But this doesn't exlude the fact that he was also very inteligent, a brilliant srategist and diplomant.

 

[1001001]

Ok but do you really deny that Kirk had more fist fights than any other captain?
And I'm not complaining about it, that's Kirk. But this doesn't exlude the fact that he was also very inteligent, a brilliant srategist and diplomant.

I don’t know the exact numbers, but Michael Burnham had a ton of fights!

 

[BillJ]

I still think Shatner is the best actor the franchise ever had.

 

[Frontis]

He was brilliant but for me Nimoy was even better.

 

[BillJ]

He was brilliant but for me Nimoy was even better.

My number two Trek actor. He did a brilliant job with Spock.

 

[urbandefault]

"Classical Training" explains a lot of Shatner's style.

 

[Trekkie Girl]

I still think Shatner is the best actor the franchise ever had.

I agree with you there. I'm glad to see people appreciate the Shat's acting. I've seen so many people make fun of it over the years and I've genuinely always found him to be brilliant. Rewatching TOS is always a joy because him, Nimoy, and Kelley give it their all.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

Ok but do you really deny that Kirk had more fist fights than any other captain?

I just have a problem with the stereotype of Kirk as a "thinks with his fists" or "shoots first and asks questions later" sort of Captain, since he wasn't that at all.

But this doesn't exlude the fact that he was also very inteligent, a brilliant srategist and diplomant.

Exactly. But the pop culture stereotype of Kirk forgets all those other aspects of his character.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I agree with you there. I'm glad to see people appreciate the Shat's acting. I've seen so many people make fun of it over the years and I've genuinely always found him to be brilliant. Rewatching TOS is always a joy because him, Nimoy, and Kelley give it their all.

"No tower...

WHY THE HELL AREN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE THINGS?!?"

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[Trekkie Girl]

"No tower...

WHY THE HELL AREN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE THINGS?!?"

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LOL

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I don’t know the exact numbers, but Michael Burnham had a ton of fights!

Some with her own SELF, no less.

 

[C.E. Evans]

There were quite a few times I've caught myself doing Shatner's "Kirk walk"--head held high, shoulders squared, back straight, hands in loose fists, and enter a room like you mean business and damn well own the place.,,

 

[DonIago]

There were quite a few times I've caught myself doing Shatner's "Kirk walk"--head held high, shoulders squared, back straight, hands in loose fists, and enter a room like you mean business and damn well own the place.,,

Is that better or worse than doing the Boimler walk?

 

[publiusr]

I think he may have been emulating Brando’s Mark Antony…the most “Kirk-like” character I recall pre-TOS.

Bill just dialed it up to 11

1953 Brando and 1966 Shatner look like brothers.

Billy Zane as a 1970’s Brando is even spookier, but some of that is make-up.

They all understood “low-boil.”

 

[flandry84]

Cue “Moves like Shatner” remix.