Like it or not, Trek XI made an impact

[El Maestro]

While I enjoyed Trek XI very much, I can understand some (not all) of the fandom criticisms of it. But, here's a story I wanted to share with you that leads me to believe that the move might've been more successful than simply financially.

I am a college band director at a pretty major national university. Part of this job means that I'm always getting offered to conduct All-County bands in public schools around the country. I recently did one of these with kids in grades 4-6 in the NY metro area.

While I was rehearsing, I noticed that the percussion section was not in time with the rest of the band. I stopped the music and told the percussion section to watch the conductor (me) to make sure that we're all in time. I said, "[kid's name], pretend your favorite movie is playing on my forehead and watch me that closely!" He said, unprompted, "my favorite movie is Star Trek." I said, "yeah? The one that came out a little while ago?" "Yeah," he said. A bunch of other kids nodded in agreement.

That kid is in fifth grade. The movie made him a fan! Now, we can argue about whether or not he's really a Star Trek fan (I would say he is), but a whole new generation of movie-goers is getting into Trek, and frankly, I couldn't be happier about this.

Anyway, I've been thinking about it and thought I'd share.

 

[F. King Daniel]

I've noticed a few people on TBBS who came to Trek via the new movie and have stuck around.

 

[Nerd unRage]

Yes and our numbers grow strong! Fear us!!!! Or something.

Actually, that's an awesome story maybe because I'm a band geek so it makes me smile.

 

[GalaxyX]

I think a lot of people introduced to Trek via nuTrek would probably enjoy the TOS Movies, particularly TWOK and TUC.

They would probably also enjoy a lot of TNG and Voyager as well.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Now, we can argue about whether or not he's really a Star Trek fan (I would say he is), but a whole new generation of movie-goers is getting into Trek, and frankly, I couldn't be happier about this.

I agree.

Only douches would argue about what constitutes a "Star Trek fan" anyway.

 

[backstept]

Now, we can argue about whether or not he's really a Star Trek fan (I would say he is), but a whole new generation of movie-goers is getting into Trek, and frankly, I couldn't be happier about this.

I agree.

Only douches would argue about what constitutes a "Star Trek fan" anyway.

it's like ragging on fellow sports fans because they weren't a fan a few seasons ago when different players were on the team

or something

 

[Greg Cox]

That's great. A few years ago, whenever I spoke at elementary school libraries or book fairs, none of the kids knew what STAR TREK was (although they knew STAR WARS and X-MEN.) Hopefully, that has changed, thanks to the new movie.

 

[number6]

Now, we can argue about whether or not he's really a Star Trek fan (I would say he is), but a whole new generation of movie-goers is getting into Trek, and frankly, I couldn't be happier about this.

I agree.

Only douches would argue about what constitutes a "Star Trek fan" anyway.

They do. And they are!

 

[Ryan8bit]

Now, we can argue about whether or not he's really a Star Trek fan (I would say he is), but a whole new generation of movie-goers is getting into Trek, and frankly, I couldn't be happier about this.

I agree.

Only douches would argue about what constitutes a "Star Trek fan" anyway.

They do. And they are!

Weren't you the one who'd constantly be posting "fans" in quotes like that to denote that such people weren't really fans?

 

[marillion]

I found it very humorous that a lot of my high school friends on FB, who, way back when, would NEVER admit to liking Trek (or Doctor Who) for that matter, all of a sudden were all jazzed about seeing the new Trek movie and are enjoying the new DW series..

My how times have changed..

My 10 year old son can't get enough of either one.. He's ALWAYS asking to watch my DW dvds or tune them in on Netflix.. Kinda proud of him..

 

[Vance]

*laughs*

SEE?! Some fifth grader liked this movie! We're IMPORTANT NOW! We're MAINSTREAM!

Guys, honestly, it's okay to like the movie, but I seriously question this demand that some of you keep thrusting forward that you're more accepted than other fans are. Seriously, what's the point of it?

There are a number of things that I like that are mainstream, and a larger number that I would consider niche. Do you really see me going around message boards two years later demanding that everything I like makes me a better and more socially adjusted person (with the implication that if you disagree, you're somehow a lesser person).

Get over yourselves. You liked the movie, and I'm glad you got a piece of Star Trek that you liked. But this constant need for affirmation is seriously off-putting.

 

[F. King Daniel]

*laughs*

SEE?! Some fifth grader liked this movie! We're IMPORTANT NOW! We're MAINSTREAM!

Guys, honestly, it's okay to like the movie, but I seriously question this demand that some of you keep thrusting forward that you're more accepted than other fans are. Seriously, what's the point of it?

There are a number of things that I like that are mainstream, and a larger number that I would consider niche. Do you really see me going around message boards two years later demanding that everything I like makes me a better and more socially adjusted person (with the implication that if you disagree, you're somehow a lesser person).

Get over yourselves. You liked the movie, and I'm glad you got a piece of Star Trek that you liked. But this constant need for affirmation is seriously off-putting.

You're inventing implications and projecting your own insecurities onto the OP.

The OP was pleased some kids liked the film. That is all.

 

[JarodRussell]

I found it very humorous that a lot of my high school friends on FB, who, way back when, would NEVER admit to liking Trek (or Doctor Who) for that matter, all of a sudden were all jazzed about seeing the new Trek movie and are enjoying the new DW series..

My how times have changed..

My 10 year old son can't get enough of either one.. He's ALWAYS asking to watch my DW dvds or tune them in on Netflix.. Kinda proud of him..

Are they now admitting to liking Trek (TOS, TNG, whatever)?

 

[Vance]

The OP was pleased some kids liked the film. That is all.

I call 'bullshit'.

Re: Like it or not, Trek XI made an impact

That's the proof. "Like it or not" is a challenge to those who, for one reason or another, don't like it. Hardly projection when it's the damn thread's headline, now is it?

 

[Dukhat]

The OP was pleased some kids liked the film. That is all.

I call 'bullshit'.

Leave it to you to ruin a nice anecdote because it doesn't jibe with your own opinions about the film.

Re: Like it or not, Trek XI made an impact

That's the proof. "Like it or not" is a challenge to those who, for one reason or another, don't like it. Hardly projection when it's the damn thread's headline, now is it?

I didn't get the impression that the OP's thread title was meant as argumentative. Like KingDaniel said, that's just you projecting your own biased context into it.

 

[F. King Daniel]

The OP was pleased some kids liked the film. That is all.

I call 'bullshit'.

Re: Like it or not, Trek XI made an impact

That's the proof. "Like it or not" is a challenge to those who, for one reason or another, don't like it. Hardly projection when it's the damn thread's headline, now is it?

The OP pointed out that STXI has gotten a new generation interested in Star Trek, despite some fans' dislike of it. There's a *huge* difference between that and:

Do you see me going around message boards two years later, demanding that everything I like makes me a better and more socially adjusted person (with the implication that if you disagree, you're somehow a lesser person).

I can't find the words to express how messed up and out of place that is on this thread. It's paranoid.

 

[number6]

I agree.

Only douches would argue about what constitutes a "Star Trek fan" anyway.

They do. And they are!

Weren't you the one who'd constantly be posting "fans" in quotes like that to denote that such people weren't really fans?

I put "fans" in quotes to denote those folk who say they are fans but seem to hate everything Trek is about.
And I'm not a douche. I'm an asshole.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

The OP was pleased some kids liked the film. That is all.

I call 'bullshit'.

And so what?

You're not required to haunt topics about a movie that you simply disliked and haven't had anything relevant to say about for quite a while.

 

[El Maestro]

The OP was pleased some kids liked the film. That is all.

I call 'bullshit'.

Re: Like it or not, Trek XI made an impact

That's the proof. "Like it or not" is a challenge to those who, for one reason or another, don't like it. Hardly projection when it's the damn thread's headline, now is it?

Well, I suppose I could *perhaps* see why Vance might've found the thread title to be inflammatory, but that's not what I was going for; it was more of a rhetorical use...

Onto the larger point, one I feel the other posters made quite well: I posted this simply because I was just thrilled to see another generation of people getting into something I've liked since I myself was a kid. That a fifth grader liked the movie is not proof that critics are wrong; I'm not actually looking for any. I enjoyed the movie and if someone didn't, well, there's plenty of Trek out there for them to enjoy too.

Also, I don't think anyone is clamoring for approval or vindication, but even though it comes with certain baggage I truly believe that Trek being in the mainstream cultural consciousness as something other than a punchline is just fine with me.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

OP I know quite a few teens who loved the movie who had never seen Star Trek (very easy to never see it in this country). One of them is watching ENT now because of the movie (he's kind of a visual snob and ENT looks better than the rest of them). He's also wanting to see some of the other movies.

This makes me happy. A whole lot happier than my adult friends who saw it and want to argue with me about why there is sound in space