Should Star Trek 2009 been more dark and gritty?

[neozeks]

Well, though i think Trek should definitely not be as dark as BSG, i have very mixed feelings on this subject regarding the movie.
I'm rather bothered by this - if this was a lighthearted, optimistic movie, why put in it probably the greatest disaster in the history of Trek? 6 billion Vulcans die, their whole civilisation vanished, sucked in a black hole and we barely see a reaction. Why do you put something as dark as that in a 'fun, optimistic' movie where you cannot possibly do it justice?

 

[ShimmeringFacet]

NO. I generally avoid dark and gritty movies and tv shows as I find they aren't helpful for me personally. I can always just drive around on the freeway if I want dark and gritty or watch the local news and experience that for free.
And there is just. too.much.of it. as others have stated. It's nice to have another type of option. Honestly, if ST were really visually bloody and dark I'd avoid it as well.

 

[clint g]

Well, though i think Trek should definitely not be as dark as BSG, i have very mixed feelings on this subject regarding the movie.
I'm rather bothered by this - if this was a lighthearted, optimistic movie, why put in it probably the greatest disaster in the history of Trek? 6 billion Vulcans die, their whole civilisation vanished, sucked in a black hole and we barely see a reaction. Why do you put something as dark as that in a 'fun, optimistic' movie where you cannot possibly do it justice?

Hope is needed the most when disaster strikes. Even though Vulcan was lost, Spock over came it, his race will rebuild and the Federation will live on...and in the mean time the characters haven't turned into disgusting bitchy shadows of there former selves like a certain other sci-fi show out there

 

[Supreme Admiral]

The answer is no. The movie of our times shouldn't been more dark and gritty. In all seriousness, star trek must remain of brightness and fun. It wouldn't be looking good if it has gone too serious and darker story plot. I don't need bloody storyline, thank you very much!

 

[Mad Jack Wolfe]

Absolutely not. Star Trek is a story of resiliency in the face of unimaginable disaster. If I want to see people wallowing in their own misery, I'll watch one of the myriad 'reality' shows.

This new movie is an excellent character study. Properly defined characters in a rich environment will practically write their own story.

 

[24thcenstfan]

No. I was very happy with the mood of the current film.

 

[PiperMaru22]

I love dark and gritty stuff, by all means. My favorite movie last year was The Dark Knight. Reimagined BSG was one of my favorite tv shows in the last decade or so. And in regards to Trek, I didn't really begin to enjoy DS9 until it got darker.

BUT, as good and entertaining as 'dark' and 'gritty' can be -it can also get real old real fast. In my case, it can get tiring and depressing, and yeah there was an element of hope in TDK and nuBSG, and I loved them, don't get me wrong, but I just was tired of it by the end.

Good realistic art doesn't have to necessarily be dark and gritty. Life is just as full of optimism and hope as it is pessimism and loss. Star Trek, for me, reflects the optimism of life, the celebration of it. I watch Star Trek and feel hopeful about the future of humanity (as sappy as that might sound). I'm normally suspicious and slightly paranoid about technology, man's use of it, and the future of mankind in general sometimes -but Star Trek gives me that sense of optimism that makes me dial all of that back. It makes me feel like that as a people, we have a chance. We can overcome our intolerances, our differences, all the bitter things that divide us, and find a common ground, and that we can eventually work together for a greater good.

That's what I get from Star Trek, especially TOS and even TNG (the show more than the movies). This new movie restored that to Trek. Or at least it did for me.