Why are people saying the film has no messages/themes?

[DiSiLLUSiON]

I didn't want to go into this learning any life lessons. I just wanted to have fun!

Personally, I think those 2 goals are definitely not mutually exclusive.

 

[Ridcully]

It did not cut everything out cardboard style....overall a rather positive and fun movie!
I would be more than happy to see the next one...
Going again tomorrow

 

[Fireflywyo300]

Nero was not an evil baddie in the way Vader was? LOL, are you serious?

Nero was a damaged man, Vader was basically a machine with powers...dressed in all black no less. I suppose you'd have to read Countdown to get a full view of the Nero character.

RAMA

Hmm... Nero faced the loss of his wife and an entire world which pushed him over the edge. Vader, lost his mother when he was ushered into a new world as a Jedi. Then when Vader lost his wife and lost everything which distinguished him and became a machine, he lost his entire world.


In the end, while one is a machine, and the other isn't, they're both made soulless by their loss and their need to see the world burn.

There ARE commonalities there in my opinion.

 

[Vaadwaur]

One can drump those messages and/or themes with any movie. This one was simply not topical. A vanilla shoot-em up.

Exactly. I could name ten movies in the last year with those themes. There wasn't anything that made Trek different (and in my view - special) in this movie.

Please. name them

 

[Greg Cox]

The new movie has the same, essential theme that has always been the key to STAR TREK:

The future works. Humans and aliens of diverse backgrounds can work together to achieve their full potential. We're not doomed to a hellish dystopic future. The human adventure is only beginning.

Beyond that, I agree that people are overstating the importance of topical messages and themes in the old series. Sure there were some preachy episodes that touched on contemporary issues, but, let's be honest here, those were seldom the good ones.

Does anyone really prefer "And Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" to "The Trouble with Tribbles"? What's better, "A Private Little War" or "Amok Time"? "The Omega Glory" or "City on the Edge of Forever"?

STAR TREK was about colorful characters having exciting adventures in a bright and shiny future full of optimism and progress. Plus space monsters! And mini-skirts!

To my mind, the new movie perfectly captures the spirit of classic TOS . . . .

 

[Therin of Andor]

There was nothing that pushed the boundaries like real Star Trek did. No great ideas. Nothing to inspire anyone.

Speak for yourself.

 

[Therin of Andor]

Firstly, ST episodes and movies did not have "great ideas" in every show. ST II didn't.

What about Carol's radical attempt at terraforming (amzing concept!), which everyone else worries would be seen only as a weapon by the Federation's enemies?

 

[Sky]

Firstly, ST episodes and movies did not have "great ideas" in every show. ST II didn't.

What about Carol's radical attempt at terraforming (amzing concept!), which everyone else worries would be seen only as a weapon by the Federation's enemies?

For me, Star Trek II was about "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one". Sacrifice for the greater good. Friendship which endures until death. Getting older and coping with it; "those were the worst of times, those were the best of times".