Star Trek vs Star Wars

[Skywalker]

Now, let me be clear: I loved the classic Star Wars. They're dang good films--always will be. And the first prequel--and even the second--are enjoyable for young viewers.

But to suggest somehow that Star Wars is of such quality that it rivals DS9, or that Revenge is this great awesome film which will stand up to the average Trek film is, quite frankly, laughable!

Actually, you suggested that. I never mentioned DS9 in my post, nor did I say anything about the quality of the prequel films (it seems our opinions differ on those anyway; ROTS is my favorite of the three, followed by TPM, with AOTC in a very distant third). DS9 is by far my favorite Star Trek series, and I certainly would put it ahead of Star Wars. Well, some of it. The first two prequels, certainly.

If you want to debate, then debate. But putting words in people's mouths is not debating.

Didn't put words in your mouth, mate. I didn't say you said it. I simpy used your words as a bridge to lead into a broader debate.

I apologize for any misconception.

No worries. Sorry if I got a little defensive, there, normally I try to keep a level head in discussions like these, but as you can tell by my name I have a bit of an interest in the subject.

I never got the whole Trek/Wars rivalry, to be honest. There's plenty of room in the universe for both.

 

[Itisnotlogical]

I still believe arguing on the internet is stupid, but I can't help myself...

The Star Wars franchise has been running in circles like it's ass was on fire since The Phantom Menace. I haven't seen a single Star Wars production possessed of good acting, believable characters or an interesting plot since Return of the Jedi (that goes for videogames too). Had they actually picked competent actors and not written it like the sort of thing a 4-year-old would stay up late watching again and again, the prequel trilogy would have kicked ass.

Star Trek, on the other hand, continues to be written for a somewhat intellectual audience while maintaining some excitement for those who just like pretty colors on their bolts of burning death. Star Trek has admittedly had it's ups & downs, but it's had a lot of ups on the up-&-down-o-meter, a lot more than Star Wars has.

 

[indolover]

"However, art also is about the exploration of deeper issues, allegories of other topics, metaphors of current phenomena, etc."

The Star Wars Trilogy is about a young man coming of age, becoming politically aware and taking direct action against an unjust government, manipulated into fighting by an older generation, and rejecting that older generation's advice so that he can seek rapprochement with their enemy. The metaphor becomes a bit muddled--is the Empire the Nixon administration or the Soviet Union or Vietnam?--but it's there. Too close a correspondence would've strayed into allegory, and allegory is boring and unhip.

"It is about relating to topics of life that people experience on a daily basis."

So we both agree that Jackson Pollack didn't make art. I mean, all he did is provoke strong feelings in people, earn the respect of the creative community, and inspire the curious to study his work. That's not art. He should've painted pictures of every day experiences, like picking up the groceries or mowing the lawn, things I can relate to.

Art is meant to represent feeling, emotion, opinion or just the imagination. That doesn't preclude Jackson Pollack's work at all.

I concede that Star Wars is art, that cannot be disputed. But Star Trek does go deeper and explores issues in greater depth. In that sense it is more artistic.

 

[Rush Limborg]

What is that old saying again? It went something like this:

Star Trek fans grew up to become scientists, astronauts & doctors. Star Wars fans simply grew up to become bigger Star Wars fans.

Not word for word, but it was something like that. I always liked that one. Not that it's accurate. Entirely.

Well, personally, I'd say it like so:

Star Trek fans, in general, grow up to become scientists, astronauts & doctors. Star Wars fans, in general, grow up to become sports jocks and the like.

More accurate, but not perfect.

You got any hard data on that. I've known a few Star Wars fans who "grew up" on the franchise. Only a few played sports. Some were hard core nerds into comics and gaming. Same for Star Trek fans. I find your attempt to broadly stereotype both fanbases odd.

Personal experience. I've known quite a few Star Wars fans who thought it bizzare that I had the audacity to think Star Trek was cool.

They ALL loved sports.

My point is, Star Wars is hard-core action-adventure, and thus it would appeal to more action-oriented folks.

Trek is more of a drama, and thus it would appeal to those of more intellectual interests.

It was simply a theory I cooked up from that experience.

I still believe arguing on the internet is stupid, but I can't help myself...

The Star Wars franchise has been running in circles like it's ass was on fire since The Phantom Menace. I haven't seen a single Star Wars production possessed of good acting, believable characters or an interesting plot since Return of the Jedi (that goes for videogames too).

Not neccesarily. I think Force Unleashed had a DANG good storyline--and the characterization of Starkiller was a LOT better than that of Anakin. The actor was better, too.

Had they actually picked competent actors and not written it like the sort of thing a 4-year-old would stay up late watching again and again, the prequel trilogy would have kicked ass.

Agreed.

Star Trek, on the other hand, continues to be written for a somewhat intellectual audience while maintaining some excitement for those who just like pretty colors on their bolts of burning death. Star Trek has admittedly had it's ups & downs, but it's had a lot of ups on the up-&-down-o-meter, a lot more than Star Wars has.

AGREED!

Albeit...there is a lot less Star Wars than Star Trek out there. The classic trilogy were "ups", the prequels..."way downs"!

 

[Misfit Toy]

More importantly, why was this thread even dredged back up? No good can come of it, esp if the Troll Horde over at SD.Net catch wind of it.

If that happens, it will be dealt with. Don't worry about it.

 

[Nerys Myk]

My point is, Star Wars is hard-core action-adventure, and thus it would appeal to more action-oriented folks.

Trek is more of a drama, and thus it would appeal to those of more intellectual interests

Ah, yes we Trek fans are so much smarter than everyone else. And TOS fans are smarter than VOY fans. And fans of Season One TOS are smarter than fans of Season Three. And fans of the first two pilots are smarter than fans of the regular episodes.
In my experience, Star Wars Fans are more into the arts than Trek fans. Therefore all Star Wars fans artsy types.

 

[Rush Limborg]

You'd be suprised.

 

[Nerys Myk]

You'd be suprised.

Probably not.

 

[I am not Spock]

Both franchises have had their ups and downs, but I have more respect for Trek because it at least usually tries to make me think. I mean, there are exceptions to this. Most of the Trek movies are not particularly deep. Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back are great films, but it all started becoming too kiddy around the time of Return of the Jedi. The prequels had their moments, but they weren't on the same level as the originals.

The way I see it, Trek has more to offer everyone. There's action adventure and thought provoking drama. Star Wars started with this universal appeal, but each installment has become more and more kid-focused. Now Lucas is writing pretty much specifically for the kids with the Clone Wars series.

But any series that has Jar Jar Binks really can't have a go at Trek.

 

[Jm419]

I've spent some time reading through this thread, and frankly, I'm nauseated.

I'm a fan of both Star Wars and Star Trek - and for the life of me, I cannot see why people insist on posting topics like these. I've always had my own preference, but that doesn't mean I should tell others they're wrong about theirs.

I've been a fan of Star Wars ever since I was little. Watching the Dagobah training scene of Empire Strikes Back in the basement of my grandparent's basement really was what got me hooked. I've always liked everything about Star Wars - the lightsabers, the space-ships, even most of the characters. I saved up my money to buy a Luke Skywalker action figure, or a plastic lightsaber to play with. I enjoyed The Phantom Menace when it came out in 1999. I liked Attack of the Clones in 2002, though it was a little slow. I liked AOTC enough that 2005 couldn't come fast enough for Revenge of the Sith. Star Wars was a great saga, and I still lean towards it, however slightly.

After ROTS, my dad and I sat down to watch The Wrath of Khan. I thought, "Oh no, not Star Trek..." but I enjoyed it enough to watch all nine of the other movies. I enjoyed most of them - there were exceptions - but on the whole, Star Trek was pretty cool. Sure, both series have their problems - Jar Jar and a whiny Anakin on one hand, Generations and Nemesis on the other. I liked Star Trek enough to go get a model Enterprise for my desk, and while looking for one to buy online, I came across this forum. I didn't register right away, I watched and read and learned. However, when I saw this thread, I was like, "Oh, here we go again."

It's beyond me why we keep having this discussion. Neither series is any better than the other, they're just different. And I was heartened to see that most members here have the same opinion. "I enjoy Star (insert choice A here) more, but Star (insert choice B here) is cool too."

However, I was disappointed to see several members - including the OP - are ignorant of how to behave in polite society. In the case of one poster in particular - who apparently thinks it's appropriate to provide commentary on the relative intelligences of Star Trek fans versus Star Wars fans - I was completely astonished. It's beyond me why someone would even come up with the heinous over-generalization that Star Trek fans are going to be doctors and lawyers, and Star Wars fans are going to be athletes. What's even more disturbing than this turn of events is that this poster is actually callous enough to defend his unbelievably stupid point of view. I find such comments rude, offensive, foolish, incredibly idiotic, infantile - and on another level, pathetic and even pitiable. It's beyond me why some people choose to engage in this type of activity - it comes across as moronic and portrays the poster as an imbecile.

Since when has it become appropriate to insult a rival's intelligence and potential to succeed simply because of what movie they choose to watch? Such comments are infantile, and worthy of the worst breed of politicians - which is appropriate, given the poster's username. If you really have to make such juvenile, infinitely stupid comments, type up your little witticisms in a word-processor, and keep them offline. That way, you can at least appear to be intelligent.

At least most people on these boards have their heads on straight. Live and let live. I have both an Enterprise model and a replica lightsaber in my room - and they have no problems with one another. Why should we?