Point taken about that cliched expression, sorry but I was trying to write the letter fast. Again, my concerns focused on segments of the second half of the film. Did the movie you see include Sulu jumping and flipping over a Romulan, Jedi-style? The entire conclusion of the movie resting on an incredibly unlikely chance meeting of Kirk with Old Spock (after being ejected from the ship for no reason?) and then Scotty? And then, the conclusion resting on technobabble (beaming into a ship at warp god-knew-where)? Did you see the old hanging-from-the-ledge chestnut a couple of times? The taking out of the nefarious henchman? How Spock Prime delivers his exposition and tech know-how and then conveniently just sits this one out? Did you see Kirk being promoted from Cadet to Captain? Actually, I think we did see the same movie. And I did see the soul of it, particularly in the opening scene, the young Spock scene, and others. But I also saw a lot of what I just mentioned, and parts like those belong squarely next to Fast and Furious. Now, some might say that that's a good thing.
Open Letter to Kurtzman and Orci
- Thread starter alexofborg
- Start date
Point taken about that cliched expression, sorry but I was trying to write the letter fast. Again, my concerns focused on segments of the second half of the film. Did the movie you see include Sulu jumping and flipping over a Romulan, Jedi-style? The entire conclusion of the movie resting on an incredibly unlikely chance meeting of Kirk with Old Spock (after being ejected from the ship for no reason?) and then Scotty? And then, the conclusion resting on technobabble (beaming into a ship at warp god-knew-where)? Did you see the old hanging-from-the-ledge chestnut a couple of times? The taking out of the nefarious henchman? How Spock Prime delivers his exposition and tech know-how and then conveniently just sits this one out? Did you see Kirk being promoted from Cadet to Captain? Actually, I think we did see the same movie. And I did see the soul of it, particularly in the opening scene, the young Spock scene, and others. But I also saw a lot of what I just mentioned, and parts like those belong squarely next to Fast and Furious. Now, some might say that that's a good thing.
None of that bothered me (okay, cadet-to-captain is silly, but trivial) given the overall success of this (ahem) enterprise. And some of it, like Sulu's swordfight, was pretty cool.
The level of cliche in this movie was certainly no greater than we're used to in Trek. And the movie was wonderfully free of annoying technobabble.
The level of cliche in this movie was certainly no greater than we're used to in Trek. And the movie was wonderfully free of annoying technobabble.
I think they can REFERENCE some of the TOS episodes in the begining of the next movie perhaps ONE OR TWO during the next movie to firm up the key cannon episodes.
I think Paramount, a the sole owner of star trek, has established they can redo the who series any way they want. (interesting now the enterprise has multiple warp cores)
I think Paramount, a the sole owner of star trek, has established they can redo the who series any way they want. (interesting now the enterprise has multiple warp cores)
That was mostly humble advice for future movies, based on how the TNG films felt - to me - like episodes on a large budget. Having said that, the last two scenes of the film seemed to tidy everything up too neatly too quickly and too conveniently, the way a TOS episode might. Star Trek has the added burden, as a film franchise, to have to find every way possible to distinguish itself from its TV incarnations. Not just in budget, but in narrative structure.
By technobabble I meant, maybe incorrectly, made up tech solutions to narrative problems, like the beaming into a ship at warp that they don't even know the location of. It's lazy and it's bad drama.
During the first seven months after a person falls in love, he or she are said to be in the stage of Limerance. During that stage, you are so in love that the loved ones' attributes are exaggerated and his faults are perceived but trivialized or dismissed. I think we are in collective Limerance. And that's a good thing. We just saw an awesome movie, in our (presumably) favorite universe, and the whole world is paying attention.
You yourself mentioned the coincidences in the plot, to offer an example. You can say that that doesn't bother you, and I believe you. We're all in love. We're back from the thrill of the first dates. But they're problems, why not point them out and hopefully have a better movie next time? I don't believe this film is a homerun, based on the problems I've mentioned and also that you have mentioned.
And I hope that signature of the Nimoy quote won't be trotted out to anyone with any issue with the film. You seem too articulate and cool a guy to do that, but I can just see it from others.
Yep, pretty much the same here.
Well, if we're open lettering the producers, it's my turn.
When I was about ten years old, I saw the original series. I am now 47, and here I still am. As odd as it seems to many non-"trekkies," that show illuminated concepts of honor and truth I could not have understood at that age otherwise. My first schoolyard fight was with a bully who was picking on little girls... because it was the "Starfleet" thing to do.
Today, I got to take my ten year old son to Star Trek. He always thought I was a bit daft, with all my reproduction props under glass - old show, cheap special effects... to him, "Star Trek" was older and more out-of-touch than "Flash Gordon" was when I was his age.
When we got out, we went immediately to Target. He needed a phaser - he bought it with his own money. And, for the next four hours it was non-stop questions about the Federation, Vulcans, black holes, antimatter, transporters...
You have him. Now... what are you going to do with him.
To paraphrase your own script,
"Roddenberry had a show for three years that literally changed millions of lives. I dare you to do better."
What will you teach My son? I trust you. Don't let me down.
When I was about ten years old, I saw the original series. I am now 47, and here I still am. As odd as it seems to many non-"trekkies," that show illuminated concepts of honor and truth I could not have understood at that age otherwise. My first schoolyard fight was with a bully who was picking on little girls... because it was the "Starfleet" thing to do.
Today, I got to take my ten year old son to Star Trek. He always thought I was a bit daft, with all my reproduction props under glass - old show, cheap special effects... to him, "Star Trek" was older and more out-of-touch than "Flash Gordon" was when I was his age.
When we got out, we went immediately to Target. He needed a phaser - he bought it with his own money. And, for the next four hours it was non-stop questions about the Federation, Vulcans, black holes, antimatter, transporters...
You have him. Now... what are you going to do with him.
To paraphrase your own script,
"Roddenberry had a show for three years that literally changed millions of lives. I dare you to do better."
What will you teach My son? I trust you. Don't let me down.
Exactly. And do you know what 85% of long haul marriages feel like? Not pretty.
Perigee, that was beautiful. I have a 9 and 7 year old children, who have seen most of TOS and Treks I-IV and like it, but a trailer for this came out while we were in the theater and it FLOORED them! They have been begging me to see it. I needed to check it out first since it was PG-13 and seemed to have a little racy stuff, but I can't wait to experience it with them! But I have to wait for their next visit (yes I'm divorced which accounts for the first sentence!). But the first thing I said to my girlfriend as we were exiting the theater was "the kids are going to s**t a brick when they see this!"
Quoted for truth. I second this whole-heartedly.
Oh, and should they read this: guys, stay the hell away from the big bad reset!
Hear hear!! Well said!
My thoughts for Kurtzman, Orci and Abrams:
Please avoid going back and revisiting plotlines from the previous movies. I'm already hearing thoughts about reworking TWOK, and I believe this would be a mistake. Be original and daring with the new timeline concept you have created, and do not go back and strip mine what has already been done. That is my wish for the now revitalized franchise.....
A good action story that is immersed in the morals and philosophy of what makes Starfleet and The Federation great would be your wisest move, and would "seal the deal" with the new audience you have managed to capture.
Please avoid going back and revisiting plotlines from the previous movies. I'm already hearing thoughts about reworking TWOK, and I believe this would be a mistake. Be original and daring with the new timeline concept you have created, and do not go back and strip mine what has already been done. That is my wish for the now revitalized franchise.....
A good action story that is immersed in the morals and philosophy of what makes Starfleet and The Federation great would be your wisest move, and would "seal the deal" with the new audience you have managed to capture.
I am a fan of Star Trek since TOS. I really like the movie, but I think the scenario was slim at moments. But I understand that this movie reflects the time we are in...
When Gene R. started ST, it was a time were taboos and prejudices were everywhere, so the need to talk about the various human aspect of life was totally justified. Today, were are flooded with information with the TV and the internet. So now we need a story that makes us feels and vibrate, to cut us from the enormous flow of information highway. That's why the Star Trek universe slowly went down with time. It wasn't about information or to start debates anymore...it's about getting out of it.
In that sens J.J. Abrams is a great choice. He knows actions and how to thrill poeples on the screens. The scenario was good, but maybe it could have some more intimate moments between the characters.
When Gene R. started ST, it was a time were taboos and prejudices were everywhere, so the need to talk about the various human aspect of life was totally justified. Today, were are flooded with information with the TV and the internet. So now we need a story that makes us feels and vibrate, to cut us from the enormous flow of information highway. That's why the Star Trek universe slowly went down with time. It wasn't about information or to start debates anymore...it's about getting out of it.
In that sens J.J. Abrams is a great choice. He knows actions and how to thrill poeples on the screens. The scenario was good, but maybe it could have some more intimate moments between the characters.
Absolutely.
I'm sure now that someone called alexofborg has weighed in with an open letter on the TrekBBS, the writers will sit up and take note.
My request for Orci & Kurtzman:-
Make me think next time.
Make me think next time.
I was thinking last night... if the producers of the film did say they would be scanning comments on forums - good luck to them.
I've been on here every day since thursday (whilst also having a night out and a date) and I still haven't been able to read all the posts
S
Stone_Cold_Sisko
Guest
Honestly I didnt realize there was a negative reaction to this film until I read some of the threads here
I'll settle for don't force me to NOT think about it to be able to enjoy it.
Yeah! Write it in Esperanto!
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