Star Trek Impressions (No Spoilers)

[Lokhtar]

Going into the theaters, I was excited to see this movie. Finally, a Star Trek on a budget that could do it justice. Unlike many hardcore trekkies (and I proudly count myself amongst their ranks), I did not mind the 'reboot'. That's part of the literary process, and the longer you go, the more bogged down you become in canon. So I was looking forward to see what Abrams could do with it, especially since he could really re-write canon as he saw fit.

It started off with great promise, the first scene of the movie amongst the best in the film - pure action that gets your heart racing. When the Star Trek logo came on after the first scene, I was on the edge of my seat.

Unfortunately, the excitement quickly died off. The first moment came when Pike was describing what Starfleet was - and consipicously excluded exploration from the description. An oversight perhaps? Fine.

The question is not what they did to canon, but how they fundamentally changed it. If you look at the corridors of places like NASA, and science departments across the countries, you'll find many more Trekkies than Star Wars fans. Why? Because Star Trek was about ideas, Star Wars about action. It made you think - it was not merely a utopian vision of a future, but it was cerebral. The action complemented the ideas, and it meant something.

Most reviewers are treating this as a summer action flick, which it is, and it succeeds well. You'll go, and if you're looking for action, it'll be money well spent and you'll come home happy. But it's not going to make you think at night - and that's a tragedy. There are no moral dillemas, no pushing the boundaries, nothing to make you think once the credits roll. The only thing missing was a lightsaber.

 

[Amaris]

I disagree. I have been thinking about the movie since I left the theater. It is an excellent movie, one worthy of being called Star Trek, and I can't wait for the next one. In fact, I'm seeing this one 2 more times at least.

For the record, I am an avid fan of TOS/TNG/DS9 trek. This movie belongs in that lineup.

J.

 

[Lokhtar]

I'm glad. If other hardcore trekkies enjoy it, then it might be I am missing something, and hopefully future movies will satisfy me in terms of ideas. TOS and other ST inspired people, I don't see this doing that. It literally seemed like Star Wars, but hopefully I am wrong and in the minority.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

I saw the movie yesterday and i was over the moon with it, the movie kept me glued to my seat(and everybody else in the theater) for beginning to the end, the actors were spot on, the story was great, and the visual and sound were out of this world..... StarFleet has never looked and sounded so impressive.

Star Trek is back baby, and with a bang so loud god wondered what that noise was.


Trek lives again.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

I disagree. I have been thinking about the movie since I left the theater. It is an excellent movie, one worthy of being called Star Trek, and I can't wait for the next one. In fact, I'm seeing this one 2 more times at least.

For the record, I am an avid fan of TOS/TNG/DS9 trek. This movie belongs in that lineup.

I agree, except for that last. To me, this movie represents the best elements taken from earlier Trek condensed into one (albeid action packed and somewhat shallow) movie. So it doesn't simply belong in that lineup, it conquers it.

 

[Lokhtar]

Can I ask whether you liked it as an action movie, or whether you liked it as Star Trek?

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Can I ask whether you liked it as an action movie, or whether you liked it as Star Trek?

I liked it as both.

To me, Star Trek isn't only about exploring new mysteries in space. It's about a brighter, better future. And this movie certainly had that in spades.

Of course the plot was a bit thin. How else can it be, if you also have the "let's get together plot" that also needs to be told? And yes, it had a lot more action if you compare it to, for example, Insurrection. But it did not have only action-packed sequences without any personal interactions. It was all a fast ride, but it had emotional scenes, it had no reset button (thus: consequences!) and through it all we see people who strive to better themselves and their society for everyone involved.

It gives me hope that someday, one day, we can indeed let all our stupid prejudices, wars and silly hatreds slide and create a better future for our children. It gives me hope the Human race isn't as half-ass-brained as we seem to be.

 

[Lokhtar]

Yea, what about the movie even implied any of it? There were no ideas in the film. It was Wolverine in space.

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

Yea, what about the movie even implied any of it? There were no ideas in the film. It was Wolverine in space.

Have you even seen it?

The entire movie screamed "bright, happy future" to me.

 

[Balrog]

As the movie started, I couldn't help but think that this is going to be different from what we've previously known. And from the first space shot it was true (trying to be as spoiler free as possible, so I won't say anymore).

But by the film ended, it seemed so eerily familiar, so right, that I couldn't wait to see it again! I think they captured the best of what made Trek great and spun it into a great new direction. I'd also describe myself as a hardcore Trekkie.

 

[Lokhtar]

Yea, what about the movie even implied any of it? There were no ideas in the film. It was Wolverine in space.

Have you even seen it?

The entire movie screamed "bright, happy future" to me.

Saw it in IMAX yesterday? What about it was bright and happy? Regardless, that is the least of what Trek is about. The part where Starfleet was apparently a peacekeeping force, instead of an exploration fleet?

Ideas. I want them in Trek. Sorry, but phaser fire and cool explosions should not be what Trek is focused on.

 

[Lokhtar]

But by the film ended, it seemed so eerily familiar, so right, that I couldn't wait to see it again! I think they captured the best of what made Trek great and spun it into a great new direction. I'd also describe myself as a hardcore Trekkie.

Hmm, so what made Trek great in your opinion?

 

[DiSiLLUSiON]

The part where Starfleet was apparently a peacekeeping force, instead of an exploration fleet?

Ideas. I want them in Trek. Sorry, but phaser fire and cool explosions should not be what Trek is focused on.

Exploration is, in my eyes, only a small part of what makes Star Trek, well, Star Trek.

Exploration is not only a journey to the stars, but a journey to your personal (and inter-character) development and the development for society as a whole, as well. We saw plenty of that. For example; it even had a morally ambiguous plot: would it be right to force someone to relinquish command, just because a time traveler said so?

Any more ideas crammed into that movie and it would've burst out of it's seams. No, this movie is not comparable to some episodes. But it isn't. It's a movie. In a movie, something's actually supposed to be happening.

If you've watched the movie, you'd know that there were actually very few space battles. It certainly wasn't comparable to a regular action-flick. The battle between Kelvin and the Nerada, the battle between the Nerada and the Enterprise... That's about it, I believe. And all they did was create a sense of real danger, they didn't sweep aside the plot or anything.

If you were so put off by the action sequences then perhaps this movie isn't for you. But then I'd expect movies like First Contact, The Wrath of Khan and even Insurrection aren't for you, either. They feature space battles too, you know.

I'm interested; if it wasn't the messages about a brighter future, nor the personal character developments, nor the societal developments, nor the moralistic plots that made Star Trek, well, Star Trek for you, then what did? Does only the exploration counts?

Star Trek hasn't always been strictly classic SciFi like the movies 'Contact' or 'A Space Oddesey'. Nor has it been purely about discovering and solving strange mysteries or discovering new, strange things. It has also always been about translating things that happened day by day into a science-fiction series and seeing people can get past what's holding them back, if they only try. If I look at all the series, especially TOS, I see more 'Space Opera' then 'SciFi'. I see messages about us, about a bright future and that we can make that happen, if we only try.

So what does Star Trek mean to you?

 

[Lokhtar]

Yes, I was put off my too many action sequences, and very few cerebral moments. And I said in my impressions is that if you want an action movie, you'll be happy. And I stand by that - it's a good action flick. Star Trek, it is not though. Maybe this is what the new generation wants from Star Trek, and if so, fair enough, and good luck to them.

FC was great, but that franchise is pretty much carried by Patrick Stewart.

There were plenty of battles in the movie. In the first twenty minutes, let's see, the beginning fight with Kirk's father, the fight when Kirk Jr. gets back, the space jumps, the ludicrous sword fight on the platform....

 

[CommanderRaytas]

I don't agree. To me, it was very much Star Trek, I've watched it twice, am going to watch it again tomorrow.... and have been thinking about it nonstop for days. It's much more than an action film. Loved it- and I'm a hardcore Trekkie, too.

You see, loads of us feel that way.

 

[Lokhtar]

Good, as I said, I am happy that Trekkies liked it. I wish I could have too. Perhaps we are looking for different things from Trek, and you were satisfied, while I was not.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

Probably. I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy it as much as I did.

 

[NCC74894A]

I've seen it twice now. It occurs to me that the Kobayashi Maru scene is a nearly perfect metaphor for what Abrams has done here: he rescued the ship/franchise by changing the rules of the game.