Thoughts on the release date

[Star Treks]

So way back when it was announced that Trek XI actually wouldn't be released on Christmas, there was - unsurprisingly - a lot of dismay. I was among those who decried an additional 5 months of waiting for the new movie.

But now that the movie is almost here, my question is: do you think pushing the movie back was a good idea? It seems to me that a lot more buzz is building up than they could have gotten going if they'd gone for the original Christmas release date (no Superbowl ad, for example...). Frankly this is one of the biggest marketing campaigns I've seen for a film, ever... and though they of course would have ramped things up sooner with the earlier release, I still think they have gotten a ton more buzz because they've given more time for it to build up.

Also, what it would have to compete against is worth considering. For reference, a few of the movies in theaters on Christmas or released earlier in December: Benjamin Button, Marley and Me, The Spirit, Revolutionary Road, Valkyrie, Bedtime Stories, Yes Man, Despereaux, Seven Pounds, The Day the Earth Stood Still. There weren't any massive releases for a couple of weeks after Christmas, unless you count Paul Blart: Mall Cop.

None of these were absolute flat-out blockbusters on Christmas, but I think collectively they could have represented a fair bunch of films to go against. Star Trek would definitely have won, but I'm not sure by how much.

On May 8, the only real major movies that will have been out for a week will be X-Men Origins and (if it somehow turns out to be big) Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, along with some animated movie called Battle for Terra. I don't recognize any of the other movies set to release May 8 - Adoration, Next Day Air, and Little Ashes.

If X-Men doesn't turn out to be a monster in its second week, I think Trek has a good shot of being totally dominant for a while; May 15 only sees Angels and Demons as a really big release. May 22 poses more challenges - Terminator Salvation and Night At the Museum 2.

So, taking everything into consideration, do you think the move back was a good or a bad idea?

 

[datas_cat_spot]

Good idea. They needed the extra time to build momentum for this thing and get Abrams and co. time to get around the world to promote it.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

I really wanted to see it at Christmas, however, moving it may make it the biggest movie of the summer. (Yes, people are saying that.)

 

[dave_R_treker]

I really wanted to see it at Christmas, however, moving it may make it the biggest movie of the summer. (Yes, people are saying that.)

I agree. I would have loved to have seen it much earlier, but delaying it may give it a better chance of success. I just hope its worth the wait.

 

[shapeshifter]

I decried the decision to push it back at first but now, with the release just weeks away, I am fine with it.

 

[Grant]

Christmas was too late in the holiday season.

a thanksgiving release would have been even better than this summer.

IT was pushed back very early in the year as I recall. If the studio had moved it up to thanksgiving, shelled out a little more to get the FX done a month earlier and hyped it like hell all summer and fall of '08 it would have ruled the weak holiday '08 movie season. Which i recall didn't have too many large-scale action movies.

Now it's a avalanche of Wolverine, Terminator 4, and a boatload of other big event movies. I think it will be great and do well $-wise but in two weeks it will be pushed aside for the 'next big thing'

By the way, the big push this movie is getting started with the first trailer attached to the Bond movie in December---4 months ago.

They could have built the same momentum from August to November last year.

 

[datas_cat_spot]

They could have built the same momentum from August to November last year.

Probably not. It would have been a rush to get the film locked (you'll remember that didn't end up happening until Christmas) and ready to show early around the world like they are now. There would've been less opportunities for the trailers to work their magic in that period of time given the lack of big movies.

 

[DaveyNY]

I thought at the time, an Xmas release seemed a bit rushed.​

I remember talking about a similar situation to fellow Trek fans back before TMP came to the screen in '79. (at a CON in NYC that summer)

I've throughly enjoyed the extended build up to this movie, especially with everyone here at the TBBS. It's been a much more lively and well explored conversation.

​

BTW: Voted Good Idea​