What are your top 3 Star Trek films?

[Falconer]

The premise for TUC, that the Klingon Empire was brought to its knees because one planet had an environmental disaster, seems illogical, even if it the capital. That’s bad Star Wars logic, most egregiously used in TLJ (that because Hosnian Prime was destroyed in TFA, the New Republic ceased to exist). The Klingon Empire was supposed to be roughly the same size and scope as the Federation — 1,000 planets. But in TUC it is apparently basically a single planet just on the other side of the Neutral Zone (which is how Excelsior can “feel the shock wave”).

None of this really inhibits my enjoyment of TUC, but it is illogical and therefore makes it hard to take the movie seriously. What does inhibit my enjoyment is the whole conspiracy aspect, in which the motivations seem poor. Also it doesn’t seem fair that the script treats Kirk and his crew like bigots, when they had always been anything but.

It’s still one of the more watchable movies, probably a distant #3 for me after The Voyage Home and The Motion Picture.

 

[fireproof78]

The premise for TUC, that the Klingon Empire was brought to its knees because one planet had an environmental disaster, seems illogical, even if it the capital. That’s bad Star Wars logic, most egregiously used in TLJ (that because Hosnian Prime was destroyed in TFA, the New Republic ceased to exist). The Klingon Empire was supposed to be roughly the same size and scope as the Federation — 1,000 planets. But in TUC it is apparently basically a single planet just on the other side of the Neutral Zone (which is how Excelsior can “feel the shock wave”).

Not exactly. Even in TOS the Klingons have resource poor worlds, as Kirk describes, and so are driven by a constant need to expand. Kor doesn't even rebuff Kirk's claims, as he notes that they are "the stronger." What is noted in TUC is that Praxis was their major industrial source, resulting in a crippling shortage of resources that would lead to their eventual demise.

As for TFA, that's a complete misreading of what is presented in the text but that's not Trek related

 

[Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos]

The premise for TUC, that the Klingon Empire was brought to its knees because one planet had an environmental disaster, seems illogical, even if it the capital. That’s bad Star Wars logic, most egregiously used in TLJ (that because Hosnian Prime was destroyed in TFA, the New Republic ceased to exist). The Klingon Empire was supposed to be roughly the same size and scope as the Federation — 1,000 planets. But in TUC it is apparently basically a single planet just on the other side of the Neutral Zone (which is how Excelsior can “feel the shock wave”).

What is your source that the planets in the Klingon Empire approached 1000 at that time? Most planets are dead and are would probably be subsidized by the few planets that can produce significant resources. It doesn't seem too far fetched to me that a major energy producing moon in the fictional Klingon empire could have an adverse impact on the fictional Klingon economy. It seems like the balance in a multi-planet "empire" could be delicate in that regard.

 

[Admiral Archer]

1. TMP
2. First Contact
3. Into Darkness

With the exception of Nemesis and Beyond, I love all the Star Trek films, but these three are pure distilled Star Trek at its very best.

 

[Damian]

Really the only two Star Trek films I just don't like, period, are TMP

Don't like TMP. Aw man, and you were one of my favorite moderators here

Ok, just kidding. I know TMP is not for everyone. It just has a special place for me because for whatever reason it was after I watched that film I became a Trekkie. It will forever be my favorite film (though I do admit it has it's flaws--I love the directors edition because that seemed to fix one flaw, the pacing). After seeing that movie I saw Star Trek in a whole new light and couldn't wait to see the rest that was out there (which at the time I saw it Star Trek was just up to TVH).

None of this really inhibits my enjoyment of TUC, but it is illogical and therefore makes it hard to take the movie seriously. What does inhibit my enjoyment is the whole conspiracy aspect, in which the motivations seem poor. Also it doesn’t seem fair that the script treats Kirk and his crew like bigots, when they had always been anything but.

That probably summarizes my view of TUC as well. I still enjoy it, it's fun to watch. And I know Chang gets knocked around a bit, but I like what Plummer did with the role. Perhaps it was a bit caricatured, but Plummer does raise it a notch by his acting skills. One of the novels a few years back dove a little deeper into the conspiracy and made it a Section 31 plot, and in retrospect I can see that (though obviously there was no Section 31 yet at the time so it is something that could only be retroactively added). That actually helped make the conspiracy a little more believable. But the bigotry aspect is just hard for me to swallow. Kirk? Yes, that was one I could buy, but the rest of the command crew, it just never seemed right to me. I can understand mistrust, hesitation. Sure, they were sworn enemies of the Federation. I can buy them being cautious. But hopeful also. It's something that bothers me more as time has passed.

Still a fun movie to watch. Overall it's competently made, the special effects were mostly good, it has a good battle scene and good pacing for the most part. And yes, at the end of the day it does a good job saying good bye to the original series and by the end of the movie the crew has learned a lesson about their bigotry and are back to their more familiar selves. But it's just a middle of the road film for me these days.

 

[Damian]

As an aside, some of these polls are fascinating to see because you see there is rarely consensus among Star Trek fans as to what is the best and what is the worst.

And in a way that might be a good thing. We all have different tastes and things we like. Almost like a Trekkie's IDIC. As long as nobody calls out anyone for their tastes it's all good. I mean, there's nothing wrong with critiquing the work, as long as we're not critiquing the person posting for what they like or don't like.

Some people love TMP, some hate it, some are meh. Some love TUC, some are meh. I myself go against the grain sometimes in that I liked Nemesis, and Beyond is my favorite Abrams film. And some love Star Trek (2009), and I did too at the time, but I've noticed it has not aged well for me, I like it a bit less as time goes on. Honestly at one time I probably had it in my top 5, now it's getting closer to my bottom 5. I don't know why but I just don't seem to like it as much as I get older. STID has stayed about the same for me, a middle of the road film IMO. Ditto for TSFS, TVH, Generations and Nemesis. All fluctuate around the middle depending on my mood.

 

[fireproof78]

For me it comes down to what do I want to revisit the most. TUC is a film that is the most flawed of our protagonists and makes them more relatable for what I had experienced at the time. Perhaps the shine will come off a bit but I prefer flawed, though perhaps the bigotry stands out more now than before as I get older. Not sure.

ST 09 will always be that film that hits me at right time and ID follows through on that further. I cannot not cry at the opening of 09 and with Kirk's sacrifice at the end. Those moments make those films such strong character pieces as Kirk develops from an undisciplined rebel without a cause to an impulsive leader to a true leader. The strong themes of fatherhood, growth and development hit me at just right point in my life. This may fade but for now it is why it ranks so highly.

 

[XCV330]

TWOK, FC, BEYOND

 

[Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos]

As an aside, some of these polls are fascinating to see because you see there is rarely consensus among Star Trek fans as to what is the best and what is the worst.

And in a way that might be a good thing. We all have different tastes and things we like. Almost like a Trekkie's IDIC. As long as nobody calls out anyone for their tastes it's all good. I mean, there's nothing wrong with critiquing the work, as long as we're not critiquing the person posting for what they like or don't like.

Some people love TMP, some hate it, some are meh. Some love TUC, some are meh. I myself go against the grain sometimes in that I liked Nemesis, and Beyond is my favorite Abrams film. And some love Star Trek (2009), and I did too at the time, but I've noticed it has not aged well for me, I like it a bit less as time goes on. Honestly at one time I probably had it in my top 5, now it's getting closer to my bottom 5. I don't know why but I just don't seem to like it as much as I get older. STID has stayed about the same for me, a middle of the road film IMO. Ditto for TSFS, TVH, Generations and Nemesis. All fluctuate around the middle depending on my mood.

There does seem to be an overall leaning towards 4 different films though.

For me it comes down to what do I want to revisit the most. TUC is a film that is the most flawed of our protagonists and makes them more relatable for what I had experienced at the time. Perhaps the shine will come off a bit but I prefer flawed, though perhaps the bigotry stands out more now than before as I get older. Not sure.

ST 09 will always be that film that hits me at right time and ID follows through on that further. I cannot not cry at the opening of 09 and with Kirk's sacrifice at the end. Those moments make those films such strong character pieces as Kirk develops from an undisciplined rebel without a cause to an impulsive leader to a true leader. The strong themes of fatherhood, growth and development hit me at just right point in my life. This may fade but for now it is why it ranks so highly.

I don't recall Kirk's sacrifice at the end of '09. I do recall him making a sacrifice at the end of "Into Darkness," which struck me as a cheap knock off of a sacrifice once made by Spock.

 

[Falconer]

What is your source that the planets in the Klingon Empire approached 1000 at that time?

Kirk’s statement in Metamorphosis that “We’re on a thousand planets and spreading out.” The Klingon Empire is not necessarily as big as the UFP, but surely the same order of magnitude.

As for TFA, that's a complete misreading of what is presented in the text

You misread me, sir! My quarrel is not with TFA but rather with TLJ.

 

[STEPhon IT]

What are your top 3 Star Trek films?

THE VOYAGE HOME my fav of TOS movies, and I felt was closet in capturing the spirit of the series.

THE WRATH OF KHAN an epic movie which today still give me chills watching it, I also have fun sharing this movie to non-trek friends and they get all of the themes and moments of the piece.

THE MOTION PICTURE this one took me some time to digest to understand what the picture was. It was not a movie, but film to capture something very different for a growing audience who may have wanted more than just the action adventure themes done in TOS 1st 2 seasons. The characters may have been swept under the rug for a visceral experience and was a mistake but scenes have become stronger for as I intake the message the film was trying to convey.

 

[fireproof78]

You misread me, sir! My quarrel is not with TFA but rather with TLJ.

But, as stated in TFA, the First Order would be eliminating their fleet as well. The New Republic's influence would be difficult for them to wield due to the loss of central leadership..

 

[Damian]

THE VOYAGE HOME my fav of TOS movies, and I felt was closet in capturing he spirit of the series.

While I have it as an upper middle film (maybe between 4th and 5th place) it was the perfect film at the perfect time.

We just had two weighty Star Trek films in TWOK and TSFS, both very emotional for different reasons. I think Star Trek needed a TVH-type movie to release some of that tension. It still has a serious story, but it's handled in a much light-hearted manner that allowed our characters to let their hair down a little bit.

It's a well made movie with a good storyline. And it's just what the doctor ordered at this point in the films.

THE MOTION PICTURE this one took me some time to digest to understand what the picture was. It was not a movie, but film to capture something very different for a growing audience who may have wanted more than just the action adventure themes done in TOS 1st 2 seasons.

I've always found TMP to be the 'purest' of the Star Trek films. Pure sci-fi, everything Roddenberry wanted Star Trek to be. It felt futuristic, grand, and optimistic, despite the threat to Earth. I also love the aesthetic of the Enterprise and the ship design itself. It looks clean, pristine, bright. I'm glad I got to finally see it in the theater a few years back. It was amazing to see on the big screen (and believe it or not, that was actually the first time I saw the original theatrical version, I had only ever seen the Special Longer Version on VHS and the Directors Edition from around 2001).

It does seem in more recent years this film gets a bit more recognition. At one time it seemed Paramount wanted to forget about it, but I think nowadays there is a bit more appreciation for this film. Even some of its detractors sometimes even offer appreciation for what it at least tried to do, even if it didn't succeed for them.

 

[1001001]

Don't like TMP. Aw man, and you were one of my favorite moderators here

Be serious.

I'm no one's favorite moderator.

 

[There Be Whales Here]

Being old school Trek, mine will also be the 2-4 trilogy films. Given they were a continuation, there was that anticipation back in the day of waiting for the next one to be released in theaters to find out what was going to happen with Spock and his continuing fate. And yes, I was one of the first ones lining up for the initial showing. Unlike the other movies and even the TOS series, there also seemed to be more advancement in the characters and their stories (especially the old age angle) and it was almost like learning new things about a crew I thought I knew so well.

TMP I thought was good at the time only because after so many years without a new Trek, it was the only game in town; although in the years since I've grown somewhat less critical of it's faults.

TUC was a great send off to the original crew but I somewhat disliked the whole Starfleet conspiracy premise and the amping up on the gore factor. TFF is better left unsaid.

Of the Next Gen movies, FC was my favorite and Generations the least, while the others occupied a middle ground.

J.J. Trek I don't count, because why I found at least the first two somewhat entertaining for what they were; but ultimately they are just one man's interpretation and much like the CBS pay-shows, not real Star Trek to me.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

My top 3:

1) The Motion Picture
2) Star Trek (09)
3) Star Trek Beyond

In that exact order.

 

[Trelane_Squire_of_Gothos]

Kirk’s statement in Metamorphosis that “We’re on a thousand planets and spreading out.” The Klingon Empire is not necessarily as big as the UFP, but surely the same order of magnitude.

It sounds like you are conjecturing there and don't really know. I don't think TUC was such a stretch.

 

[Trek Survivor]

III - The Search for Spock, IV- The Voyage Home, First Contact

 

[STEPhon IT]

My top 3:

1) The Motion Picture
2) Star Trek (09)
3) Star Trek Beyond

In that exact order.

I really liked the JJ Abrams directed Star Trek movies, it had a George Lucas feel to them while bringing Star Trek to my generation.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I really liked the JJ Abrams directed Star Trek movies, it had a George Lucas feel to them while bringing Star Trek to my generation.

I've always said that Abrams brought a little Star Wars to Star Trek and for all the better. Whereas Rian Johnson brought a little Star Trek to Star Wars and for all the better.

YMMV, of course.