What do you diehard TOS fans think of the new movie?

[ST-One]

Haven't seen it. Brother has. Said it was brainless, shallow entertainment in the standard mold with no connection to TOS.

Haven't seen it. Brother has. Said it was brainless, shallow entertainment in the standard mold with no connection to TOS.

Your brother is wrong. There's TOS-love all over the place in that movie.

See it for yourself.

Joe, right

I trust his opinion over yours.

Gideon, thinks Joe's a moron.

So you only like what your brother likes?

Star Trek is practically a love letter to everything that was good about TOS: action, excitement, humor, good character interactions, heart and optimism despite all dire circumstances.


Oh, and no technobabble!

 

[Gov Kodos]

It was fun, much of it empty headed fun, but fun which is something Trek has lacked since TNG started as far as I'm concerned. The movie had an attitude that only TOS has had for me- these people are above and beyond the rules, they make the rules. Everyone of the cast was doing what Kirk and crew lived in TOS, they don't believe in "the no-win scenario." TNG trek never had that feel for me, but this movie does so let the future begin.

 

[Iowagirl]

Then you're missing a great movie. Let me ask you this: Did you go see Insurrection and Nemesis?

If you paid to see those two crapfests, then you should DEFINITELY go see Abram's film...this is a much, much, much better movie.

Those last two were just bad TV episodes...and NO Star Trek film has had the scope of this one.

This is something that has to be seen...and on the biggest screen you can get to.

I didn't go see Insurrection and Nemesis, 'cause I never got into TNG and just wasn't interested. Although I don't actually like the term, I guess I'm a TOS purist...

I'm sure XI is a good film regarding its scope, special effects, action, etc. and it surely is fun to watch. But as a TOS maniac, I just got pissed off by the direction they're heading. So I've decided for myself to not include it into my "personal" canon.

 

[S'kai]

It has been a journey for me, from choking the first time I saw the JJprise, to accepting the new timeline, to really enjoying seeing the film, to sitting here, barely able to wait to see it again.

There were weaknesses in the film, but the overall experience was great. And most important of all:

It is cool to be a Trekk(i)e(r) again.

There are people who, having seen the movie, are now interested in seeing TOS. Can't be anything but good.

 

[Sky]

I was really excited about the film, I mostly loved the new cast, but the bad writing and the ... I don't know, brainlessness? sort of soured it to me. I was disappointed.

 

[Warped9]

The cliché that things today are all flash and no substance is in truth usually overblown, but not here. This follows the true dumb action flick approach: cram it with stuff and run it all at breakneck speed to veil the fact that there's nothing of any sense happening.

No subtlety, Not a whit of intelligence. Not a hint of nuance. And not one measure of maturity.

Total crap.

 

[ST-One]

The cliché that things today are all flash and no substance is in truth usually overblown, but not here. This follows the true dumb action flick approach: cram it with stuff and run it all at breakneck speed to veil the fact that there's nothing of any sense happening.

No subtlety, Not a whit of intelligence. Not a hint of nuance. And not one measure of maturity.

Total crap.

Have you even seen that film yet?

 

[Cyke101]

I would have liked more TOS sound effects and more TOS motifs in the score.

Agreed on both. I sorely prefer the TOS/Kelvin Red Alert effect to the one in the new Enterprise. I do miss the TOS phaser sound but don't know where that would fit. As for the motifs, playing the Courage theme reminds me of the show's 60s-brand of grand scale whimsy adventure, something I feel the movie has in spades but the soundtrack doesn't.

Of course, a swooning score when Spock and Uhura kiss would have been very fitting.

 

[Ssosmcin]

Loved Trek since I was 4 years old, 37½ years now. I am very loyal to the old show, but not so much that I don't have room for sequels and alternate takes on the material.

I loved it, my wife and I had a fantastic time and hope to squeeze in another showing this weekend.

Sure, LOTS of contreivances and plot holes. No sweat, I went in expecting nothing but a silly popcorn film and walked away with that and more. There was a great emotional core to the film and the performances were all really good at worst and letter perfect at best.

The original version of Trek is gone. Forever? Maybe, maybe not. But for the movies, this fast paced, hyperkinetic action fest is what we're getting. However, unlike the action forced into TNG movies, it works well here since TOS did have a lot of action. This is part of what made TOS ideal TV. It was intelligent, got important statements across and still had room for space battles, fistfights and romance.

This movie was Star Trek On Crack.

Chris Pine captured the spirit of Kirk without becoming Shatner. This worked well in this film, where it charts his growth from a jerk to Kirk. How he performs in the NEXT film is trickier, since he was the one with the most expansive character arc.

You guys pointed out all the holes (as have many others in other threads) and I won't go back into them here. Although, the anal Trek fan in me really thinks it would have been AMAZINGLY cool if the USS Kelvin were a 1966ish styled starship, with classic bridge (borrow Cawley's and put him in the background as payment LOL) and uniforms. Then have George Kirk ram the Scimitar - er I mean - Nero's ship and THEN have the timeline and the Treknology change. I would have dug that...

The question was "What do you diehard TOS fans think of the new movie?"

Answer: my family and group of friends are mostly die hard TOS fans and we all thought it was a great time at the movies, warts and all. We welcome this alternate take and think it will exist very comfortably side by side with the original series and its reunions and sequels.

 

[SummerDream]

This must be the most wrong place to say this but it made me think, give Trek a rest now.
I would have preferred that Enterprise would have continued since I really loved it. I liked the movie but it did not feel like Trek.
I hate to admit to being a trekker but TOS I have watched several times, I was the oldest guy watching the movie on Sunday (my uniform would not fit me anymore, which I knew beforehand but still had to try if it would, which was great since nobody had one there) and it was better than I expected but all the time I felt like there is a need for something new. I dont know what, but some new science fiction would be great.
Science has gone a long way since TOS. (Which I might watch once again some day.)

 

[Warped9]

The cliché that things today are all flash and no substance is in truth usually overblown, but not here. This follows the true dumb action flick approach: cram it with stuff and run it all at breakneck speed to veil the fact that there's nothing of any sense happening.

No subtlety, Not a whit of intelligence. Not a hint of nuance. And not one measure of maturity.

Total crap.

Have you even seen that film yet?

Yes. Last night.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I loved it, but then, I knew I was going to love it, based on the fact that I really appreciate JJ Abrams' (and friends') storytelling style on TV's "Lost", and the quirky hit movie "Cloverfield". I trusted that JJ knew what he was doing, the trailers looked great, the marketing and secrecy has maddened - and tantalised - diehard Trekkies everywhere, and the feedback from several sneak previews and gala premieres was so overwhelmingly positive. "Countdown", the prequel comic tie-in from IDW, also cemented in my mind that I'd enjoy the film proper.

I recently saw the movie for the third time. I have no complaints - except where were my Andorians (a cameo in dialogue only)? - and there are many, many scenes that thrilled me.

The pre-title sequence with George Kirk Sr and his wife, was excellent. Accompanied by one of the most emotional tracks on the movie soundtrack, it threatened to coerce a tear or two - and this was the opening few minutes of a film, with characters we'd never actually met before!

I loved Eric Bana as Nero the Romulan miner-turned-pirate, too. His delivery was cheeky Bana gold (dating back to his earliest Aussie TV performances). Many fans are critical of Nero's often-relaxed delivery, but I found it added to the character's quirkiness and unpredictability.

Spock's childhood evoked my memories of the animated "Yesteryear" (TAS), and Spock's retraining in "ST IV: The Voyage Home". There's a Kirk bar room brawl that never sounded too good in descriptions but everything fitted together in its context. Karl Urban was channeling DeForest Kelley as Doctor McCoy. A running gag with a spray hypo is hilarious! Scotty and Chekov got plenty of laughs, and Uhura, Sulu and Pike were also given plenty to do, and offered lots of surprises. (One of Pike's costume changes was a wonderful, unexpected salute to "The Motion Picture", the movie that made me a Star Trek fan way back in 1979.)

As a collector of Star Trek soundtracks, I reckon Michael Giacchino's music is unmissable, and the themes grows on me with every play. Bautiful stuff from the composer of "The Incredibles", "Mission: Impossible 3" and "Lost", and plenty of little salutes to Alexander Courage (TOS theme), Jerry Goldsmith ("Ilia's Theme") and others!

At the three screenings I've been to, the audience was mesmerized. Laughing in the funny bits, sniffing in the sad bits, jumping in the scary bits, but otherwise totally engaged with the screen. I know there are a few diehards who absolutely hate what JJ has done, but hopefully the overall increase in Star Trek's popularity as a franchise will hang around for a few years more now. Fandom has needed new, young blood for a long time.

It's also heartening to see the movie getting such great professional and fan reviews. I can't wait for the next one. Maybe we'll get more than just Andorian shingles next time.

 

[Shatmandu]

Haven't seen it. Brother has. Said it was brainless, shallow entertainment in the standard mold with no connection to TOS.

Your brother is wrong. There's TOS-love all over the place in that movie.

See it for yourself.

Joe, right

I trust his opinion over yours.

Gideon, thinks Joe's a moron.

Even a moron like me can see there're TOS connections all over that movie, chum.

Your brother is simply wrong. Follow him into the lake.

Joe, GPSed

 

[Shatmandu]

The cliché that things today are all flash and no substance is in truth usually overblown, but not here. This follows the true dumb action flick approach: cram it with stuff and run it all at breakneck speed to veil the fact that there's nothing of any sense happening.

No subtlety, Not a whit of intelligence. Not a hint of nuance. And not one measure of maturity.

Total crap.

Have you even seen that film yet?

Yes. Last night.

That must have been pleasant for the people around you.

I imagine you rending your garments and gnashing your teeth during the show.

Joe, gnasty

 

[QuasarVM]

Haven't seen it. Brother has. Said it was brainless, shallow entertainment in the standard mold with no connection to TOS.

Your brother is wrong. There's TOS-love all over the place in that movie.

See it for yourself.

Joe, right

I trust his opinion over yours.

Gideon, thinks Joe's a moron.

Oh that's nice. Why call someone names?

Methinks Gideon should be a little nicer.

And you only like what your brother likes? What's up with that?

 

[QuasarVM]

Then you're missing a great movie. Let me ask you this: Did you go see Insurrection and Nemesis?

If you paid to see those two crapfests, then you should DEFINITELY go see Abram's film...this is a much, much, much better movie.

Those last two were just bad TV episodes...and NO Star Trek film has had the scope of this one.

This is something that has to be seen...and on the biggest screen you can get to.

I didn't go see Insurrection and Nemesis, 'cause I never got into TNG and just wasn't interested. Although I don't actually like the term, I guess I'm a TOS purist...

I'm sure XI is a good film regarding its scope, special effects, action, etc. and it surely is fun to watch. But as a TOS maniac, I just got pissed off by the direction they're heading. So I've decided for myself to not include it into my "personal" canon.

What about IDIC? Shouldn't you go see it for IDIC reasons?

 

[QuasarVM]

Loved Trek since I was 4 years old, 37½ years now. I am very loyal to the old show, but not so much that I don't have room for sequels and alternate takes on the material.

I loved it, my wife and I had a fantastic time and hope to squeeze in another showing this weekend.

Sure, LOTS of contreivances and plot holes. No sweat, I went in expecting nothing but a silly popcorn film and walked away with that and more. There was a great emotional core to the film and the performances were all really good at worst and letter perfect at best.

The original version of Trek is gone. Forever? Maybe, maybe not. But for the movies, this fast paced, hyperkinetic action fest is what we're getting. However, unlike the action forced into TNG movies, it works well here since TOS did have a lot of action. This is part of what made TOS ideal TV. It was intelligent, got important statements across and still had room for space battles, fistfights and romance.

This movie was Star Trek On Crack.

Chris Pine captured the spirit of Kirk without becoming Shatner. This worked well in this film, where it charts his growth from a jerk to Kirk. How he performs in the NEXT film is trickier, since he was the one with the most expansive character arc.

You guys pointed out all the holes (as have many others in other threads) and I won't go back into them here. Although, the anal Trek fan in me really thinks it would have been AMAZINGLY cool if the USS Kelvin were a 1966ish styled starship, with classic bridge (borrow Cawley's and put him in the background as payment LOL) and uniforms. Then have George Kirk ram the Scimitar - er I mean - Nero's ship and THEN have the timeline and the Treknology change. I would have dug that...

The question was "What do you diehard TOS fans think of the new movie?"

Answer: my family and group of friends are mostly die hard TOS fans and we all thought it was a great time at the movies, warts and all. We welcome this alternate take and think it will exist very comfortably side by side with the original series and its reunions and sequels.

SS, man, your Trekker background seems to pretty much parallel mine. I agree, that would have been cool to see a 1966 style ship in the film.

In fact, the whole film could have been shot "retro" and it wouldn't have bothered me one bit. Retro with regard to sets and design; current with regard to FX technology and cinematography.

I never thought they would have done that, but it still would have been interesting.

Well, we do have Cawley's Trek for that...

 

[Warped9]

Have you even seen that film yet?

Yes. Last night.

That must have been pleasant for the people around you.

I imagine you rending your garments and gnashing your teeth during the show.

Joe, gnasty

I watched it alone and suffered in relative silence.

 

[ST-One]

Yes. Last night.

That must have been pleasant for the people around you.

I imagine you rending your garments and gnashing your teeth during the show.

Joe, gnasty

I watched it alone and suffered in relative silence.

'... by the glow of computer monitor and the hiss of a CPU-cooler.'

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

SPOILERS FOLLOW

James T. Dean is promoted from Cadet to captain in one day? That's really hard to swallow. I am still trying to figure out why Spock was given no promotion but Kirk was immediately leapfrogged to Captain of the Flagship of the Federation? Also, are we really supposed to admire these kids who habitually show a complete lack of respect for authority and chain of command? Nero was a laughable character "HAR HAR I HATE SPOCK FOR A FLIMSY REASON AND I WILL ALSO ATTACK EARTH WITH MY DEATHSTAR FOR EVEN FLIMSIER REASONS!! GGRRAAWRRR!!" Nero also clearly had his ship designed with plenty of cool cliffs and scaffolding so as to increase the dramatic effect of the fist fights he would have with all the people he blamed for Romulus' demise...which was apparently anyone in sight. "I'M HIKARU SULU AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO MY JOB FOR SOME REASON!" Chris Pike "KIRK YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE...SO I'M PROMOTING YOU TO FIRST OFFICER." Delta Vega is no longer Gary Mitchell's Eden, now its the de-facto planet where you maroon people you are mad at. Spock shoots Kirk out of the side of the ship in a pod (??????). Scotty is hanging out with Creature From the Black Lagoon why? Uhura and Spock's relationship added what to the movie exactly other than two very forced scenes? Sarek's character was totally changed why? Seems like the original Sarek would have fit in nicely with the "AUTHORITY FIGURES ARE DUMB AND NEED TO BE BUCKED" theme of this moive.

On the plus side it looked nice, its fun, and the pacing is so fast that you don't really have enough time to think about all the absurdities you're seeing (and yes in this movie's case, that's a serious plus). They readily admit its an alternate timeline so we don't have to stroke out over TOS being washed away forever. It was good to see Nimoy again and, to me, he seemed right at home in his signature role. The cast is solid enough to make a good TOS crew, but they do need some decent writing to realize their full potential.

Did you notice the "Three years Later" Card?