My only disappointment is that the powers-that-be hadn't found a way to make the original bridge look good on the big screen with just the tweaks necessary to make it look modern. But to be fair, I'm not sure that's even possible. I love the original bridge, but ... a main viewer with the aspect ratio of a 1960's color television? Slideshows on the workstation overhead displays (at best)? One turbo-lift? Clunky toggle and rocker switches and rotary digital displays and jelly-bean indicator lights?
None of that makes sense for a view of the future today. It'd have to be changed to avoid the new movie becoming a joke to the average movie-goer, and frankly, I think it'd be a joke to modern, rational fans too.
The viewer needs to be at least 16:9, preferably wider, and possibly ringed with other displays. The clunky '60s tech needs to be upgraded, but I'm not convinced a flat, touch-sensitive console is the way to go ... that little TNG innovation has always bothered me as a touch-typist. Still, it's iconographic of a futuristic interface. The slideshows should be replaced by interactive, animated displays. Instead of being built from painted wood, I'd expect the bridge to look like it's made from metals and plastics and maybe ceramics with more curves and the suggestion that the materials used have properties unmatched by stuff used today. So I'd probably make each workstation smoothly curved instead of angular as it was originally.
When I'm done, is my bridge any worse than Abrams' at conveying the tone of the orignal after an update?
I love Abrams' revised captain's chair. That nailed the design ethos I was hoping for. I like his overhead displays, although I'm not sure about the manner in which information is presented. I don't like the spotlights that point out at people instead of surfaces. And the podium must go. It sure looks too bright on the new bridge, but I don't want it dark, either.