Now that it has been a while since Star Trek XI came out, my feelings toward it have mellowed. They did more than could be expected to pay homage to the original series, all things considered, and they did a better-than-average job of explaining the existence of the alternate universe (compared to other time travel stories like Terminator). I have become fond of the new NCC-1701 design, which is refreshing (though I hope by movie 2 they'll build a real engineering section with a matter-antimatter warp core instead of water pipes and turbines).
My biggest criticism still has to do with the plot: the implausibility and foolishness of cadets being given such great responsibility in the face of such a poorly-explained threat (lightning storm in space!?) and the impetus behind Nero's revenge are hugely significant and virtually ignored.
Although it will always feel contrived, I understand that they had to, in one movie, promote Kirk from a loser to captain of the Enterprise, while putting the rest of the original series crew in their rightful places. And Starfleet orders have a history of coming out of nowhere and making little sense. Star Trek is about how those orders are carried out, not the reasoning behind them.
Now, after studying the Star Trek Countdown comic book series, I have finally elucidated a somewhat subtle point: Nero blames the Romulan government, Vulcan government (and the Federation/Starfleet by extension), and, most especially, Spock for Romulus' destruction. Why would he blame them if Romulus was obviously destroyed by a natural disaster (the Hobus supernova)? Because they hesitated.
Spock was originally Nero's ally in spreading the warning about the impending disaster (which Nero discovered and Spock verified), but the Romulan senate didn't believe them until it was too late because they wouldn't trust Spock (for being a Vulcan) and the Vulcan government wouldn't turn over the red matter technology to Spock (because he was a Romulan ally).
Red matter, as you know from the movie, has the power to mop up spreading supernovae. It comes from decalithium (what Nero was mining) but has to be converted to red matter by Vulcan technology.
The crucial point that brought Nero's universe-splitting ire was Spock's decision to *ask* for the red matter technology instead of *stealing* it. Nero preferred that Spock use force, THEREFORE, he blames Spock for the destruction of Romulus because he hesitated.
Most unfortunately, they dumbed down this fascinating story of mistrust and blame between Romulans and Vulcans, one of Trek's most cherished themes, into a disembodied revenge plot. They made Nero look crazy and his actions baseless and confusing. They made Starfleet look like a bunch of idiots who shoot at anything that looks funny.
They could have taken one minute to hint that Nero blamed Spock for hesitating to use force to obtain red matter, and that this disaster could have been prevented if the Romulan and Vulcan governments had believed him and trusted each other. Instead, they used that time to show kid Kirk driving a Corvette and listening to Beastie Boys on his Nokia.
My biggest criticism still has to do with the plot: the implausibility and foolishness of cadets being given such great responsibility in the face of such a poorly-explained threat (lightning storm in space!?) and the impetus behind Nero's revenge are hugely significant and virtually ignored.
Although it will always feel contrived, I understand that they had to, in one movie, promote Kirk from a loser to captain of the Enterprise, while putting the rest of the original series crew in their rightful places. And Starfleet orders have a history of coming out of nowhere and making little sense. Star Trek is about how those orders are carried out, not the reasoning behind them.
Now, after studying the Star Trek Countdown comic book series, I have finally elucidated a somewhat subtle point: Nero blames the Romulan government, Vulcan government (and the Federation/Starfleet by extension), and, most especially, Spock for Romulus' destruction. Why would he blame them if Romulus was obviously destroyed by a natural disaster (the Hobus supernova)? Because they hesitated.
Spock was originally Nero's ally in spreading the warning about the impending disaster (which Nero discovered and Spock verified), but the Romulan senate didn't believe them until it was too late because they wouldn't trust Spock (for being a Vulcan) and the Vulcan government wouldn't turn over the red matter technology to Spock (because he was a Romulan ally).
Red matter, as you know from the movie, has the power to mop up spreading supernovae. It comes from decalithium (what Nero was mining) but has to be converted to red matter by Vulcan technology.
The crucial point that brought Nero's universe-splitting ire was Spock's decision to *ask* for the red matter technology instead of *stealing* it. Nero preferred that Spock use force, THEREFORE, he blames Spock for the destruction of Romulus because he hesitated.
Most unfortunately, they dumbed down this fascinating story of mistrust and blame between Romulans and Vulcans, one of Trek's most cherished themes, into a disembodied revenge plot. They made Nero look crazy and his actions baseless and confusing. They made Starfleet look like a bunch of idiots who shoot at anything that looks funny.
They could have taken one minute to hint that Nero blamed Spock for hesitating to use force to obtain red matter, and that this disaster could have been prevented if the Romulan and Vulcan governments had believed him and trusted each other. Instead, they used that time to show kid Kirk driving a Corvette and listening to Beastie Boys on his Nokia.
