OK, with genuine respect, I'm really confused now.
You say you have no problem with Sci-Fi action films, and go on to state there have been some good ones. You acknowledge the NuTrek movies work rather well in that context. As I understand it then, you're saying you don't like NuTrek essentially because it's "packaged" as Star Trek? Could I ask how you determine these movies are not "good Trek"?
All of the Trek movies I have really enjoyed (I’m specifically thinking of TWOK, TUC and FC here) have all had their high points of action, but also have a strong underlying plot that they follow and explore along the way—its not just waffle in between explosions.
In an older thread, you stated you hadn't watched TOS since you were a child, and wouldn't want to watch it again with your "adult brain".
How do you conclude then, whether Nutrek is faithful to TOS if by your own admission, you have only vague memories of it. To be clear, I am asking about STAR TREK, not Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Remembering back on TOS is a little fuzzy, but I remember there being interesting stories, moments of action, laughter and camaraderie, and campy goodness; all of which form the amalgamation of TOS—I’ve avoided going back and watching it due to what I’ve become accustomed to with special effects, acting talent and overall tone. The TOS-Movies I watch more frequently and enjoy immensely.
So to me, the core of NuTrek just feels wrong to me. NuKirk comes across as a doche (granted I’m not a fan of Shatner, but he added a layer of charm to Kirk, all NuKirk’s got going for him is that he’s hotter), NuSpock has serious anger management issues, NuMcCoy has been bumped to a secondary character and seems far mellower (the banter between him and NuSpock is also missing, or if it is there its obviously not interesting or memorable), I just can’t get a read on NuScotty (one of my favourites from TOS), NuSulu hasn’t really done enough to really comment on (another one I liked from TOS), NuUhura is just a snide bitch (probably my favourite TOS character), and NuChekov has the makings of an annoying teenage “boy wonder”. I don’t find many of the NuTrek characters just that appealing to watch. And for any film or TV series, you should at least give a damn about one of the characters to get you invested in who they are, what they are facing and if they'll survive it and come out the other end changed by the experience.
As a TOS fanatic of decades standing who continues to love and watch it regularly, I believe NuTrek to be an extremely faithful return to the entertaining action adventure roots and style of that show. I don't understand how you can make comments about it with scant knowledge of the original.
I was engrossed in TOS as a bairn and still read up on stories and backstage info now, but my sheer enjoyment of the series was in that mindset. I’d glad that you enjoyed the NuTrek films, they’re just not my cup of tea, due to poor characterisation and limp stories.
Also, I find it a little hypocritical for you to "excuse" action in your preferred iteration of Star Trek, and then frequently lambaste it in NuTrek at any and every opportunity. Honestly, Bry, I'm finding it difficult to take you seriously.
Action is a part of Trek, I do not dispute that, but action has always been as part of the whole story—with something meatier to get your teeth into and mind wrapped around. I find NuTrek to just beat you around head with it, with the films just stringing you along from one action sequence to the next without anything all that enticing or of value in between—unless you’re into scantily clad, poorly realised, female characters or headache-inducing lens flares.
If you’re finding me “difficult” to take “seriously” then kindly disregard this reply and all future posts I make regarding NuTrek—unless the third film is the best Trek film ever made, then my opinion of this element of the franchise in never going to change
. I still feel you've been somewhat self contradictory and hypocritical, and have attempted to "back peddle" here.
