That said, I find Zach Quinto to be very sexy too...hence my urgent motion to have the menage-à-trois option in this poll.
Well, in that case- we've got Zach covered, too.
Ladies... * * Kirk or Spock? * * Who is sexier?
- Thread starter ALF
- Start date
Well, in that case- we've got Zach covered, too.
Well, in that case- we've got Zach covered, too.
YAY! Mr Crusher, I'm officially appointing you my personal eye-candy provider. [insert evil laugh here].
Now seriously, I thank St Gene Roddenberry for creating Star Trek and allowing for these hotties to become world-wide famous. Especially Chris Pine...how is it even possible that he stayed under the radar for so long?
Hi, Maxum; very nice to see you. Lovely post! Thank you.
Here is my favorite picture of Chris:
http://valeriewriter.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/3438969629_bc2c560c7a.jpg?w=400
...and here's a slide show I found browsing around last night:
http://chris-pine.org/imgs/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=-256&pos=0
Here is my favorite picture of Chris:
http://valeriewriter.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/3438969629_bc2c560c7a.jpg?w=400
...and here's a slide show I found browsing around last night:
http://chris-pine.org/imgs/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=-256&pos=0
Last edited:
Thank you for the welcome.
I don't particularly like cocky, arrogant, I-can-do-anything type of characters. They are a turn off. That's why I've never been a fan of the action hero because they tend to be very one-note. It's also the reason why I was delightfully surprised by what Chris Pine brought to the role. I had written a post about Chris' performance, which I'll repost here (hopefully, it's not too long).
My head turns at the sight of a gorgeous guy just like any other female, but if there’s no substance underneath, he becomes just a gorgeous guy. You know, pure fluff. Pine brought all the things I like in a performance: intelligence, humor, courage, vulnerability, fear, confusion, and determination. All of these elements and emotions were evident in his Kirk. I had a lot of favorite scenes, but these stand out:
I really like the first encounter of Kirk and Spock at his cadet hearing when the two characters see each other for the first time. Before that, we had seen Kirk as the amusing, flirty, fighting, and arrogant young man. However, in this first scene with Spock, we see Kirk’s pain. Chris Pine played that scene beautifully when Spock mentions that he should know better than anyone about no-win scenarios. You hear a murmur from the cadets in attendance, and Kirk glances back and then drops his head and says something like “I should know.” It’s the first time we see how the death of his father is really a painful thing for Kirk. The arrogance and confidence is suddenly gone, and you see the pain in his eyes and the loss. It was a moment when I saw a vulnerable Kirk, and I hadn’t really seen that before in this character. It was a really subtle choice on Pine’s part, and it worked beautifully.
No one talks much about the scene when Kirk confronts Pike on the bridge about the impending trap. Most fans discuss how funny the prior scenes were (and they WERE funny and fantastic). However, the scene when Kirk runs onto the bridge is the first time the audience sees the potential “captain” in Kirk. So far, he’s been goofy, flirty, smug, but in that scene, I saw the intelligence, the focus, and the idea that “Yeah, I’d follow this guy into battle.” Pike at first dismisses Kirk, and everyone is anxious to remove him from the bridge until he tells everyone that they are not part of a rescue mission but are, in fact, warping into a trap. The whole bridge is silenced by those words. When questioned further by Pike, Kirk lays out the facts and what he has deduced about the distress call they received. Chris Pine did a wonderful job of going from funny and goofy two scenes earlier to this focused, determined, and keenly intelligent cadet that impresses everyone. When he delivered his lines, Pine is all business. He is deadly serious, his tone, his direct eye contact. It was all excellent. When it turns out that Kirk was right, I think this was the moment when Pike realizes that Kirk is command material, and shortly thereafter makes the decision to promote him to First Officer when he leaves the Enterprise. He’s smart enough to see the potential, and to see the potential between Kirk AND Spock as a team.
The other scene that’s a real standout for me, and is not discussed as much in detail is Kirk’s meeting with Spock Prime. In fact, Chris Pine and Leonard Nimoy have many more scenes together than Quinto and Nimoy, and I think Pine and Nimoy actually had more chemistry. The scene is set up nicely in that Kirk and the young Spock don’t like each other, so by the time Kirk meets Spock Prime, he’s understandably confused about a supposed friendship. I like how Pine shows Kirk’s respect for Spock Prime almost immediately. He addresses him as “sir” and shows a reverence for him in a way that he would never show for younger Spock. I loved Pine’s entire performance in the scene when he explains that he is not captain. There is dejectedness in his tone as he says it, but the real killer scene is when he asks Spock Prime about his father. Again, we see that vulnerability and weakness in Kirk, and I think it just makes the character more human and even more likeable, and I like how Spock Prime informs Kirk that his father lived to proudly see him become Captain of the Enterprise. He gives his friend what he needs to hear in that moment. By the time these two men are ready to part, Kirk wants Spock Prime to come with him. “You’re coming back with us, aren’t you?” You can already see the chemistry between the Kirk and Spock dynamic, even among the “older version.” I also REALLY liked that Pine brought a real dislike at the idea of having to emotionally compromise the younger Spock. When Spock Prime tells him that Kirk must get Spock to show his emotions and get himself relieved of command, you can see on Pine’s face that he doesn’t like the idea of having to do that at all. There isn’t a “sure, no problem” reaction from him. Chris Pine speaks a lot with his eyes, and you can see that when he’s told to compromise Spock, there is a real reluctance in his eyes that come out. It’s almost like it’s a sucker punch in Kirk’s mind and he hates the idea of doing it. It was a great scene.
I also loved the scene with Pine and Quinto after they materialize on the Narada and begin working together. The chemistry between them really comes out when they are fighting side by side and then later on the jellyfish ship when Kirk tells Spock, “It’ll work.” The first spark of friendship is starting.
I could go on in detail about Chris Pine’s performance because it was that good. Many reviewers say it was a star making performance, and it truly was. Any actor can be good looking on the big screen, but it takes a really good actor to bring the layers he brought to the character. Of course, I am not immune to Chris Pine’s gorgeousness. Those eyes? Those lips? The smile? Please. Enough said. Pine’s performance is the one that stayed with me after I left the theater because it was similar but different to the James T. Kirk I remembered and love. Quinto looked like Nimoy, so I didn’t have to stretch to see the character in him. Urban sounded and acted like DeForest, so again, I didn’t have to stretch. Pine doesn’t look or sound like Shatner, so he had the greatest challenge, and he so completely nailed it. I actually saw this movie three times because of his performance (and the rest of the cast). That’s something new for me. Bravo Chris.
I don't particularly like cocky, arrogant, I-can-do-anything type of characters. They are a turn off. That's why I've never been a fan of the action hero because they tend to be very one-note. It's also the reason why I was delightfully surprised by what Chris Pine brought to the role. I had written a post about Chris' performance, which I'll repost here (hopefully, it's not too long).
My head turns at the sight of a gorgeous guy just like any other female, but if there’s no substance underneath, he becomes just a gorgeous guy. You know, pure fluff. Pine brought all the things I like in a performance: intelligence, humor, courage, vulnerability, fear, confusion, and determination. All of these elements and emotions were evident in his Kirk. I had a lot of favorite scenes, but these stand out:
I really like the first encounter of Kirk and Spock at his cadet hearing when the two characters see each other for the first time. Before that, we had seen Kirk as the amusing, flirty, fighting, and arrogant young man. However, in this first scene with Spock, we see Kirk’s pain. Chris Pine played that scene beautifully when Spock mentions that he should know better than anyone about no-win scenarios. You hear a murmur from the cadets in attendance, and Kirk glances back and then drops his head and says something like “I should know.” It’s the first time we see how the death of his father is really a painful thing for Kirk. The arrogance and confidence is suddenly gone, and you see the pain in his eyes and the loss. It was a moment when I saw a vulnerable Kirk, and I hadn’t really seen that before in this character. It was a really subtle choice on Pine’s part, and it worked beautifully.
No one talks much about the scene when Kirk confronts Pike on the bridge about the impending trap. Most fans discuss how funny the prior scenes were (and they WERE funny and fantastic). However, the scene when Kirk runs onto the bridge is the first time the audience sees the potential “captain” in Kirk. So far, he’s been goofy, flirty, smug, but in that scene, I saw the intelligence, the focus, and the idea that “Yeah, I’d follow this guy into battle.” Pike at first dismisses Kirk, and everyone is anxious to remove him from the bridge until he tells everyone that they are not part of a rescue mission but are, in fact, warping into a trap. The whole bridge is silenced by those words. When questioned further by Pike, Kirk lays out the facts and what he has deduced about the distress call they received. Chris Pine did a wonderful job of going from funny and goofy two scenes earlier to this focused, determined, and keenly intelligent cadet that impresses everyone. When he delivered his lines, Pine is all business. He is deadly serious, his tone, his direct eye contact. It was all excellent. When it turns out that Kirk was right, I think this was the moment when Pike realizes that Kirk is command material, and shortly thereafter makes the decision to promote him to First Officer when he leaves the Enterprise. He’s smart enough to see the potential, and to see the potential between Kirk AND Spock as a team.
The other scene that’s a real standout for me, and is not discussed as much in detail is Kirk’s meeting with Spock Prime. In fact, Chris Pine and Leonard Nimoy have many more scenes together than Quinto and Nimoy, and I think Pine and Nimoy actually had more chemistry. The scene is set up nicely in that Kirk and the young Spock don’t like each other, so by the time Kirk meets Spock Prime, he’s understandably confused about a supposed friendship. I like how Pine shows Kirk’s respect for Spock Prime almost immediately. He addresses him as “sir” and shows a reverence for him in a way that he would never show for younger Spock. I loved Pine’s entire performance in the scene when he explains that he is not captain. There is dejectedness in his tone as he says it, but the real killer scene is when he asks Spock Prime about his father. Again, we see that vulnerability and weakness in Kirk, and I think it just makes the character more human and even more likeable, and I like how Spock Prime informs Kirk that his father lived to proudly see him become Captain of the Enterprise. He gives his friend what he needs to hear in that moment. By the time these two men are ready to part, Kirk wants Spock Prime to come with him. “You’re coming back with us, aren’t you?” You can already see the chemistry between the Kirk and Spock dynamic, even among the “older version.” I also REALLY liked that Pine brought a real dislike at the idea of having to emotionally compromise the younger Spock. When Spock Prime tells him that Kirk must get Spock to show his emotions and get himself relieved of command, you can see on Pine’s face that he doesn’t like the idea of having to do that at all. There isn’t a “sure, no problem” reaction from him. Chris Pine speaks a lot with his eyes, and you can see that when he’s told to compromise Spock, there is a real reluctance in his eyes that come out. It’s almost like it’s a sucker punch in Kirk’s mind and he hates the idea of doing it. It was a great scene.
I also loved the scene with Pine and Quinto after they materialize on the Narada and begin working together. The chemistry between them really comes out when they are fighting side by side and then later on the jellyfish ship when Kirk tells Spock, “It’ll work.” The first spark of friendship is starting.
I could go on in detail about Chris Pine’s performance because it was that good. Many reviewers say it was a star making performance, and it truly was. Any actor can be good looking on the big screen, but it takes a really good actor to bring the layers he brought to the character. Of course, I am not immune to Chris Pine’s gorgeousness. Those eyes? Those lips? The smile? Please. Enough said. Pine’s performance is the one that stayed with me after I left the theater because it was similar but different to the James T. Kirk I remembered and love. Quinto looked like Nimoy, so I didn’t have to stretch to see the character in him. Urban sounded and acted like DeForest, so again, I didn’t have to stretch. Pine doesn’t look or sound like Shatner, so he had the greatest challenge, and he so completely nailed it. I actually saw this movie three times because of his performance (and the rest of the cast). That’s something new for me. Bravo Chris.
The scene where Kirk hails the crew and tells them to be battle ready and report back to him in 10 minutes is the moment he becomes captain of the Enterprise for me.
I find it funny that people prefer Quinto when he's Spock. I think Quinto looks better as Quinto. Normal eyebrows, normal ears. But maybe I'm just weird
Well, I guess one message of Star Trek is that what looks "normal" is a matter of perspective. If one is able to be transported into that universe and that time, and thereby leaves behind a humanocentric mindset, then it is not hard at all to find the ears and eyebrows just as normal as anything else.
Maxum, my god. are you my twin? you have read my mind. I think I told someone here these very thoughts a few weeks ago about Pine's Kirk and why I'm so taken by his portrayal. he makes Kirk complete for me. and he didn't do it by "dissing" Shatner's Kirk in ANY way.
welcome to the board, dude (or dudette). it's very nice to meet you!
Maxum, I want to add one more scene to that oeuvre of yours:
the scene where Uhura tells Kirk: I hope you know what you're doing, Captain.
watch Pine's reaction shot and words. watch his eyes. he sealed it for me with that one. this is not a Kirk who's just an action hero/pretty boy. this Kirk has as much depth and seriousness to him as Shatner's Kirk had, perhaps more. I am looking forward to his portrayal with an eagerness that more than matches the trepidation I was feeling before I saw this movie. bravo!
and On Topic: this is the reason I can't vote in this poll. I refuse to choose between these two characters.
the scene where Uhura tells Kirk: I hope you know what you're doing, Captain.
watch Pine's reaction shot and words. watch his eyes. he sealed it for me with that one. this is not a Kirk who's just an action hero/pretty boy. this Kirk has as much depth and seriousness to him as Shatner's Kirk had, perhaps more. I am looking forward to his portrayal with an eagerness that more than matches the trepidation I was feeling before I saw this movie. bravo!
and On Topic: this is the reason I can't vote in this poll. I refuse to choose between these two characters.
I agree. In that scene, he's actually nervous. He knows he could be making the wrong call, and he acknowledges that fact. There is no bravado or arrogance in his remarks to Uhura. He is about to take the ship and all of its crew into harms way based on what he believes is the right call. He is putting his skills and his intelligence into action, but he's not arrogant about it. I also love how Kirk wants everyone's input when they put their plan into action. He doesn't just dictate what he wants everyone to do. He listens to them all and then makes a command decision based on their input.
I also love the scene in the transporter room when he tells Sulu to fire on the Narada if he feels he has a strategic shot, even if he and Spock are still on board. It demonstrates to everyone on the bridge that Kirk will die for them and the greater good. Love his portrayal of this character
Thanks for the kind words, and it's dudette. That's why the drool factor for Chris is so high.
oh gawd yes!
"Attention crew, this is James Kirk..."
it sent shivers up my spine and brought on a huge smile.
Thanks for the kind words, and it's dudette. That's why the drool factor for Chris is so high.
I'm a dudette, too. But I fish like a dude.
Dudette? Nice word.
I voted Kirk. Someone here (in another thread) wrote about how Spock seems to have PMS during a lot of the movie, and that really struck me as being an apt description of his attitude. Hey, don't get me wrong, I think Quinto did a great job, but Pine--he really was Kirk. He didn't imitate, didn't mimic, didn't play the hambone, he just played this expansive, charismatic, screw-up-and-keep-going guy. I loved it.
You mean our bites don't leave permanent damage.... most of the time.
Man, for a perpetual sixteen-year old I'm too perverted. I wonder if I'll still be sixteen when I'm 36.
Man, for a perpetual sixteen-year old I'm too perverted. I wonder if I'll still be sixteen when I'm 36.
It has been said in the past that the whole pon farr thing is a tongue in cheek wink to women and PMS.
As to the topic, I'll take both to go, with sugar and cherries on top.
For me, Quinto delivered a performance that I expected. I expected Spock to be coolly logical and stoic. I expected Spock to be a good fighter and to be methodical in his thinking. There weren't a lot of surprises in his performance, although I did really enjoy the closeness he had with his mother. That was a nice surprise, but there really weren't any surprising moments for me. That doesn't mean that I didn't love his performance. He was great, and I thought he had great chemistry with Pine and the rest of the cast. I just didn't get a "wow" factor from him.
Pine, on the other hand, really surprised me. I wasn't expecting vulnerability, fear, and really funny humor in his portrayal. I was expecting a flirty, cocky, and courageous Kirk, but I wasn't expecting the other dimensions he brought to the character. Chris Pine really speaks alot with his eyes. He doesn't need the dialogue to convey his emotions, and sometimes those types of scenes are even more powerful. I left the theater after Star Trek was over saying "Who WAS that guy?" Then had to quickly go back two more times to find out.
well, I'm quite a bit older than you and I'm STILL a perv
I'm quite a bit older than myself, too. It runs in the family; my sister's been 18 for ten years now.
Nothing wrong with being a perv, anyway, not from where I'm standing.
