The Even-Handed STXI Preview

[Kirk1980]

I'd like to state clearly that I hope this thread can be reasonable and not devolve into gushing or ripping. If it does, I'll be the first to ask a moderator to close the thread. I'd like this to be something where people can say what they like but be understood that everyone else's opinion is respected.

As always, these are just my opinions.

PROS:

- By all accounts, it sounds like there's going to be a few TOS musical tags and sound effects. Which is a nice touch they didn't have to do.
- The uniforms are far less redesigned than I imagined they might be and despite not being a fan of the texturing, they do look pretty sharp.
- Even though they were recently changed, the logo still has enough of the old Trek logo to give me a smile.
- The budget. Even though I don't agree with the idea that big budget means better...it is nice to see Paramount not treating Star Trek like a rented mule for a change.
- Of course.... Spock!

CONS:

- The writing team. Admittedly, Orci/Kurtzman's work on Transformers weighs most heavily on my mind but... it's a real stretch for me to imagine their work on a par with Nick Meyer's work or to go back further, Sam Peeples, Ted Sturgeon, Harlan Ellison, DC Fontana or Gene Coon.
- Some of the props/images don't work for me. The phaser looks silly with its sideways rotating barrel. The bridge is way too glaring to the eyes for me to believe that's a healthy working environment. The corridors look kinda slippery.
- The revealed plot elements. Time travel. A crazy Romulan. It just SEEMS same old and entirely too convoluted.

NOT BOTHERED BUT NOT THRILLED:

- The ship design. It's not horrible but it's nothing to write home about... well, really, just the warp engines. And how close to the leading edge of the saucer the hull registry number is.
- The actors. I know little of their work so I can't exactly judge them yet. Except for Nimoy, obviously.

Remember, keep it civil!

 

[Rii]

Balance is overrated, folks need something to rail against.

 

[Aragorn]

So which troll will storm in here to say he hates all the pros listed but likes all the cons listed?

 

[Kelso]

I'd like this to be something where people can say what they like but be understood that everyone else's opinion is respected.

Your opinion sucks.

 

[Cyke101]

About Orzi/Kurtzman:

I dunno, obviously I hope they do a good job. The thing that helps me remain hopeful is that David S. Goyer helped write the uber-fantastic Dark Knight, which is one of the most layered, nuanced, and complex stories I've ever seen in a movie. I mention him and his gem because Goyer's the same guy who gave us great movies such as Batman Begins and Dark City, but also... Blade: Trinity, Jumper, Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD, and Kickboxer 2: The Road Back.

 

[Kirk1980]

Thanks, Cyke.

Yeah, I hope I'm wrong. Hopefully this'll be akin to Goyer's coming out with the Batman movies.

 

[Cyke101]

Thanks, Cyke.

Yeah, I hope I'm wrong. Hopefully this'll be akin to Goyer's coming out with the Batman movies.

Seriously, to go from Kickboxer 2 to The Dark Knight? I don't think science has a word for that kind of rise in quality. Here's hoping, for the sake of the franchise

 

[PKTrekGirl]

I'd like this to be something where people can say what they like but be understood that everyone else's opinion is respected.

Your opinion sucks.

Now, is this really necessary?

Come on...you've been here long enough to know that this sort of remark doesn't make the grade here.

 

[Aragorn]

Thanks, Cyke.

Yeah, I hope I'm wrong. Hopefully this'll be akin to Goyer's coming out with the Batman movies.

Seriously, to go from Kickboxer 2 to The Dark Knight? I don't think science has a word for that kind of rise in quality. Here's hoping, for the sake of the franchise

Maybe if Goyer had been brought on to direct Batman Begins, Sasha Mitchell would've been his Bruce Wayne!!!

 

[Kirk1980]

In that vein, Aragorn...how about Peter Cullen as the voice of the Kelvin computer?

Working the Orci/Kurtzman connection.

"NERO must be stopped...no matter the cost."

 

[Cyke101]

In that vein, Aragorn...how about Peter Cullen as the voice of the Kelvin computer?

Working the Orci/Kurtzman connection.

"NERO must be stopped...no matter the cost."

Oh, geeze, is it too late to recast?

 

[Kirk1980]

I don't know, I don't know, man, it's a wild and crazy out there idea, man!

 

[Amaris]

I see that as a balanced viewpoint. Now, I'm a touch optimistic, and am looking forward to the movie. I'll say this much, that either way if it succeeds or fails, it won't be because J.J. didn't try hard enough. That man and everyone on his team have poured their heart and soul into this project. That, to me, is crucial.

J.

 

[Nardpuncher]

Y'see, this thread will probably devolve just from people saying things in a joking tone that will just aggravate the 'other side' anyway.

 

[Outpost4]

Rather than even-handed, I like to think of myself as open-minded. Sure, I have opinions, positive and negative, over what we've seen so far, but I feel confident I'll be able to walk into the theater in May and drop those when the credits roll.

We've all learned, or at least should have learned, to have a willing suspension of disbelief when it comes to movies. For the most part, you can turn your critical facilities off for a few hours and go along for the ride with what's happening on screen. It's the only way a fantasy movie can be enjoyable, for example.

I think I can tap into that same mechanism for ST:XI and simply enjoy the movie. There will be plenty of time afterward for judgments.

 

[Kirk1980]

Nardpuncher - probably if people keep mentioning it.

Outpost4 - well, without opinions (positive or negative as you say) there is no basis for discussion before the movie comes out. And sure, if this was fantasy, there would be less basis for discussion, absolutely. But until I'm told otherwise, Star Trek is SCIENCE fiction which usually means it has to be based on science which can be analyzed.

I'd be curious in your negative and positive opinions. What do you think about what you've seen and heard so far?

 

[SalvorHardin]

Honestly, I don't care at this point to do a pros and cons analysis. We've more or less been through this process as bits and pieces of information came out these past few months.

Lets just say I like many things I've seen or heard (the ships, the uniforms, the cast and crew for example) , I'm skeptical about some things (time travel use, Nero for example) but overall I have a positive and optimistic feeling about the movie.

If it will be a good one or a bad one remains to be seen and I'll be fine to accept either choice once I see it.
But don't expect me to go on long rants and hate filled posts if a failure comes, in any case.

I'd like this to be something where people can say what they like but be understood that everyone else's opinion is respected.

Everyone's right to have an opinion and express it freely is to be respected and should be respected.
The opinion itself doesn't necessarily have to get respect. Some opinions do deserve respect others deserve harsh criticism or even mockery and dismissal.
And anyone who posts in a public forum should expect to have his opinion challenged and criticized.

I'm talking in general here and not about the OP's or anyone else's post in this thread.

 

[Plumster]

And anyone who posts in a public forum should expect to have his opinion challenged and criticized.

Or their thread shut down?

I hope the film is good, I hope it sends the franchise off in a new direction both commercially and for creative reasons.

I REALLY hope it brings some new fans in.

 

[SalvorHardin]

And anyone who posts in a public forum should expect to have his opinion challenged and criticized.

Or their thread shut down?

Sure. If that's what the thread deserves.

I hope the film is good, I hope it sends the franchise off in a new direction both commercially and for creative reasons.

I REALLY hope it brings some new fans in.

Me too.

 

[Plumster]

And anyone who posts in a public forum should expect to have his opinion challenged and criticized.

Or their thread shut down?

Sure. If that's what the thread deserves.

I hope the film is good, I hope it sends the franchise off in a new direction both commercially and for creative reasons.

I REALLY hope it brings some new fans in.

Me too.

Then, we are agreed.

Zealots to be binned for the new creative and commercial force that is JJ Abrams version of Star Trek.

All hail to Abrams.