Which Kirk is more badass?

[Enterprise1981]

My vote is for Abrams-verse Kirk played by Chris Pine. Compared to all those amateurishly choreographed fights Shatner's Kirk got into back in the '60's, Pine's Kirk seems to take a lot more physical punishment in these last two movies. Another factor is that Shatner-Kirk's decisions to go against orders were usually well thought out, while Pine-Kirk has more of a spur of the moment, "Ah, screw it mentality".

 

[F. King Daniel]

NuKirk kicked the shit out of the warp core. It fixed it.

NuKirk died. He got better.

Those things are pretty badass.


Altho... Old Kirk has the JUDO CHOP, COMBAT ROLL and FLYING LEG KICK. Kirk Fu at it's finest.

 

[BillJ]

I'd say its still to early to call...

 

[iguana_tonante]

My vote is for Abrams-verse Kirk (...) Pine's Kirk seems to take a lot more physical punishment in these last two movies.

Well, under most definitions, badass means that you give more than you take. But maybe he was working under Robau's specifics of badass.

 

[CorporalClegg]

nuKirk is more badass.

But The Shat is teH awesome.

 

[YellowSubmarine]

Spoiler: STID ending

As far as fake deaths go, Star Trek into Darkness beats Generations by a mile.

 

[Belz...]

Ooh, that's a tough one. Four years ago, I would've said Shatner, because Reboot Kirk got his ass handed to him like 3 times. Now, I'm not sure.

There should have been a third "both" option.

 

[The Old Mixer]

Pine's Kirk is just a punk compared to the iconic Shat version.

 

[shapeshifter]

Pine's Kirk has gotta kick about 47 more asses before the race even gets close.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Does "iconic" mean "old," now?

oldKirk fought a gorn, I guess that has to count for something.

 

[throwback]

When we first see Kirk in TOS, he was an experienced captain. He had captained a destroyer and was considered by some, including Garth of Izar, as one of Starfleet's greatest warrior.

The new Kirk is at the beginning of his career. He has the potential to be a great captain.

 

[Belz...]

Pine has to start using Kirk Fu, though, if he wants to take the spot.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

My vote is for Abrams-verse Kirk played by Chris Pine. Compared to all those amateurishly choreographed fights Shatner's Kirk got into back in the '60's, Pine's Kirk seems to take a lot more physical punishment in these last two movies. Another factor is that Shatner-Kirk's decisions to go against orders were usually well thought out, while Pine-Kirk has more of a spur of the moment, "Ah, screw it mentality".

So, your qualifications for badassery are getting your ass kicked a lot and not thinking things through?

Okay, then I nominate Daniel-san from The Karate Kid as the ultimate badass.

 

[Commishsleer]

If being badass is about breaking the rules then its clearly Pine Kirk.
If being badass is about generally being tough and kicking ass there's clearly no contest - its definitely Shatner Kirk.
Pine Kirk cried (not that there's anything wrong with that), Shatner Kirk would never do that. He's not in touch with his feminine side

 

[CorporalClegg]

Shatner Kirk would never do that.

You Klingon bastards! You've killed my tears!

 

[throwback]

Classic Kirk said in STV:

Dammit, Bones, you're a doctor. You know that pain and guilt can't be taken away with the wave of a magic wand. They're things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are...If we lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away. I need my pain.

Has the new Kirk said anything comparable?

 

[Mr Pointy Ears]

For me it shatner.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Classic Kirk said in STV:

Dammit, Bones, you're a doctor. You know that pain and guilt can't be taken away with the wave of a magic wand. They're things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are...If we lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away. I need my pain.

Has the new Kirk said anything comparable?

You mean, anything comparably adolescent, overblown, simpleminded and self-dramatizing?

No.


"I don't want my pain taken away! I need my pain!"

 

[throwback]

I disagree with you vehemently, Admiral Buzzkill. Let us leave it at that.

 

[Sector 7]

If badass means ham-fisted overacting then Shat-Kirk wins.
If badass means going after the bad guy, then bucking StarFleet's top admiral, Pine-Kirk wins.