Darth Groovy Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I guess you are all too scared to post a Star Trek thread in the Swamp. Usually this subject becomes a huge debate...well so be it. I will take the initiative here. I know many LFers have seen this movie, and since it is the number one movie in the USA right now, it deserves a thread! I saw the movie and it was even better than I thought it would be. I will get into details later. I have only a few requests. When discussing key points from the movie, PLEASE USE SPOILER TAGS! They ARE in your HTML editor, but if you can't find them, it is like this [noparse] blah blah blah [/noparse]. Ok? Discuss! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynk Former Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I loved it, though even with all those juicy trek references it felt more star wars than star trek at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander Obi-Wan Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I went in having not watched or really knowing anything about Star Trek. And came out quite pleased. I'd say it was definitely a good introduction to Star Trek, for me anyway. I'd probably ranked it the best movie so far this year. Taken is not far off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Groovy Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 This will not spoil anything. I was glad to see they were wearing the traditional yellow, blue, and red sweatshirts that they used in the original series. While the Crimson uniforms used in most of the previous Star Trek movies were pretty, they were in my opinion very impractical. They looked like marching band uniforms. Having served in the Navy, I must say that comfort while on duty is very important. Having served on a Helicopter carrier, most of the main officers wore color coded turtle neck shirts indicating what department they came from. The rest of us enlisted people wore either coveralls, or dungarees during active duty. It just makes more sense. Also, I was very happy with the look of engineering. I saw lots of cranks, wheels, and latches that looked very similar to a Navy vessel. Instead of the usual flashing lights and toggle switches that you saw on the original series. In my opinion, it made that ship look that much more believable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IG-64 Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 It was fantastic. The only thing I wasn't too happy about was the alternate timeline aspect. It didn't bother me too much, but I never like when alternate timelines are introduced. Once I got past that though, the rest of it was amazing. The whole cast did a great job. Very fun to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kain Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Doesn't it strike anybody as odd that they showed more action in the previews than they did in every other Star Trek movie ever.......combined? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynk Former Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 It was fantastic. The only thing I wasn't too happy about was the alternate timeline aspect. It didn't bother me too much, but I never like when alternate timelines are introduced. Once I got past that though, the rest of it was amazing. The whole cast did a great job. Very fun to watch. Makes a great excuse to explain why things are different when restarting a series though. Plus this movie is a really good bridge between the old Trek universe and this new one... kinda like how Star Trek Generations bridged the original series with the next gen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnderWiggin Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 It had a few minor issues, like all movies, but overall I liked it. It felt Trek. I took my girlfriend (admittedly someone who has never seen anything Trek) and she liked it as well, so I think that bodes well when it comes to the 'restarting the series' goal. _EW_ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 It was better than I expected. Didn't hate it... but didn't love it either. I'll probably see it again, (this weekend, in IMAX, actually) but I do have a couple of minor complaints. Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) I hated the music soundtrack. I found myself annoyed by the music more than once. They played fast and loose with the transporters. I understand this was to solve issues that they wrote into the script... but no Trek ever had transporter technology that can do what they did here. I DIDN'T like the look of engineering. Looked like the inside of a Costco to me... They never let anything sit for a second. Every scene had SOME major action going on. I could have used a breather to absorb what was happening. That's kind of a J.J. Abrams thing, I think... and which is probably why I've never been a fan of anything he's directed. Very little Enterprise screen time. Seriously... I don't think I really got a great shot of the outside ship for more than a second or 2 before something exploded. Every other Trek always had an extended glamor-shot sequence of the ship leaving Space-Dock where we could really see the exterior. I missed that this time. But I did like it. The characters were all well established without being slavish clones. They are all pretty note-perfect to the originals, and yet still unique. Tricky to pull off... and I have to give them all credit for nailing it so well. And Scotty is STILL the best character in all of Trek canon... Simon Pegg was amazing! It was fun picking up on all the Trek references. Although anybody who never saw ST II: Wrath of Khan missed out on a lot when watching this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) I hated the music soundtrack. I found myself annoyed by the music more than once. They played fast and loose with the transporters. I understand this was to solve issues that they wrote into the script... but no Trek ever had transporter technology that can do what they did here. I DIDN'T like the look of engineering. Looked like the inside of a Costco to me... They never let anything sit for a second. Every scene had SOME major action going on. I could have used a breather to absorb what was happening. That's kind of a J.J. Abrams thing, I think... and which is probably why I've never been a fan of anything he's directed. Very little Enterprise screen time. Seriously... I don't think I really got a great shot of the outside ship for more than a second or 2 before something exploded. Every other Trek always had an extended glamor-shot sequence of the ship leaving Space-Dock where we could really see the exterior. I missed that this time. I should start this by saying that I am a HUGE J.J. Abrams fan. LOST is quite possibly my favorite story with my favorite characters, much less my favorite TV show, around right now. I will also add that I was never a "Trekkie", but I have seen all of the films and some of the TV show episodes. To begin, Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) I loved the music. I can't recall if it's very "Trek" or not, but it had the same music director as Lost, and I found that to be very exciting, because I love his style and the emotion you can feel in all of his work. Just letting you know, Edlib, while I can see exactly what you mean when you say that there never really was a breather, I should tell you that this is not a "J.J. Abrams thing." It may be reminiscent of Cloverfield, but one of the reasons I like J.J. Abrams and Lost is because of his ability to just sit down and do so much character and story development without having high-strung action sequences constantly. I think the reason he did have so much intense action in Star Trek was in hopes of bringing over new fans to to the series who simply wanted a nice "action flick"--I think they definitely got what they had hoped for (and more), and J.J. Abrams accomplished his goal successfully. Agreed with the lack of Enterprise screen time. Interesting when you compare that statement you made to watching the original trailer, where he took advantage of every Trek fan's desire to see those glamor shots of the Enterprise. While I did expect more of this, I wasn't displeased." Now, for some of my own notes: Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) I laughed at first when they made it obvious that they were introducing an alternative time line, but I think they pulled it off wonderfully, and if anyone can work with timelines, it's J.J. Abrams (it's a Lost thing, I won't put any Lost spoilers in here). The new Spock meeting old Spock scene was awesome. Speaking of Spock, Zachary Quinto was incredible. I was afraid that I'd only be able to see him as Sylar, and while that happened for the first couple minutes, it all got washed away as the film progressed. He was a perfect Spock. And as for the opening scene . . . that's the first time a film has caused me to nearly tear up five minutes into the movie. That's all I have to say about that. Final Review: I loved it. A++++ Would watch again. I might actually be seeing it again today on the IMAX. If any opinions change the second time around, I'll post them here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) Well... I saw part of Cloverfield, and the Mission Impossible film he directed... and I had a lot of the same issues with both films... so I assumed that was his "thing." Almost non-stop wall to wall action, and a lot of jump cuts in editing, and swoopy camera work. It wasn't a deal breaker with Trek... but a couple of quiet moments would have been nice. I have yet to see a single episode of any of his TV work, so I have no frame of reference there. I hear good things... but I'm just not that interested in watching more TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Groovy Posted May 16, 2009 Author Share Posted May 16, 2009 It was fun picking up on all the Trek references. Although anybody who never saw ST II: Wrath of Khan missed out on a lot when watching this one. Are you referring to the Kobayashi Maru? I got a kick out that as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Yeah, mainly. There was also: Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) Kirk eating an apple while he took the test. Remember he was doing the same thing while explaining it to Savvik. There's also the 'mind-control with insects' torture technique. And Spock saying "I have been and always will be your friend." A couple of other minor ones, too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coupes. Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I've never been a Star Trek fan... to be honest I don't think I've seen any of the movies in their entirety, or any of the TV episodes for that matter. I am however, familiar with the mythology and I have some general knowledge about the main characters and overall story of the series. Having said that, I really enjoyed the movie, I thought it was well directed and very well cast as well. I really liked the alternate time line twist they introduced and thought it was a clever way of rebooting the series. I'd be very interested to watch any subsequent movies they release in the series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leXX Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 I saw it the Saturday after it came out, and my eyes were transfixed to the screen for every second of this movie. I thought it was utterly fantastic. It had such a good pace to it, introducing the characters nicely, then slowly building up to the kickass non-stop action. I would have preffered for Scotty/Bones to have more screen time though, we definately did not get to see enough of them. The casting was spot on, especially Kirk and Spock. I love how all of them did their own version of the characters, instead of trying to copy them. It felt like being introduced to them all over again, which gave the movie such a fresh feeling it was great. I did think the story could have been slightly better, but for the most part it was good. I did have the advantage of reading the Star Trek Countdown graphic novel before I saw it, so I was pretty clued up on the whole Nero plotline already. I think J.J. Abrams is the man. I love everything he has done so far. Lost and Fringe are two of my favourite TV Shows, and Cloverfield was a great movie. I really hope that a TV Series is made off the back of this movie's success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swphreak Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I've actually seen it twice. The second time was at an IMAX, and it was pretty awesome. I enjoyed the movie. Lots of action and pretty special effects. Plus Sylar as Spock, I actually can't wait til the next Trek film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Groovy Posted May 17, 2009 Author Share Posted May 17, 2009 I got a free ticket from Fandango.com. I may go again today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totenkopf Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Also, I was very happy with the look of engineering. I saw lots of cranks, wheels, and latches that looked very similar to a Navy vessel. Instead of the usual flashing lights and toggle switches that you saw on the original series. In my opinion, it made that ship look that much more believable! Yeah, that did give it a whole different feel. I'll probably see this one again before the end of the summer. Despite the violations of ST canon, it was a fast pace and fun movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I thought it was awesome, I'm probably with Commander Obi-wan that it's the best movie I've seen this year. Was not previously a huge trekkie, I have only seen one of the movies and barely any of TOS, plenty of TNG though. Definitely looking forward to a next movie or even a TV series with this cast would be amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Just watched ST II (Khan) again... and I'm still convinced that is the superior movie... at least in terms of emotional impact. The last 15 minutes of that one still choke me up to this day... and I've seen that film dozens of times. The new one was very good (I'm probably going to see it in IMAX tomorrow night...) but I'm convinced that 2 is still a bit better. And I consider it ESSENTIAL viewing to anyone who liked the new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totenkopf Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Just watched ST II (Khan) again... and I'm still convinced that is the superior movie... at least in terms of emotional impact. The new one was very good but I'm convinced that 2 is still a bit better. And I consider it ESSENTIAL viewing to anyone who liked the new one. Truer words are rarely spoken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
narfblat Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 I would have voted for "Khan" if it was spelled correctly. You're lucky this is LF; a Trek forum would have skinned you alive for that. I have to agree with those who've said Zachary Quinto truly became Spock for this, not a pointy-eared Sylar. Now for spoilerish stuff Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) some fun moments: The Kobayashi Maru test. Scotty's excitement for being on the ship. When old spock says to young Spock "My standard farewell would seem self-gratifying, so I will simply say, Good Luck." Odd thoughts: While events are quite different, the main crew of the enterprise came together. Is history doing what it can to right itself? V'ger and the whale-seeking ship will still come, will that be shown in movies? Will old Spock help any, or assume this timeline will work out the solutions? Red matter? So, the essence of Communism collapses everything? So, this alternate timeline went politically correct early? "...To boldly go where no-one has gone before." (and that still has a split infinitive!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edlib Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I saw it in IMAX tonight. I liked it a bit better the 2nd time... probably because I could pay closer attention to all the little Trek in-jokes and details that escaped me on first viewing. The main thing I noticed: Bones has all the best lines in this movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommycat Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 The main thing I noticed: Bones has all the best lines in this movie. Yeah kinda reminded me of the old series... Though I would say it was a kind of split... between Bones and Scotty. Show spoiler (hidden content - requires Javascript to show) I have to say that I too was tearing up during the first 5 minutes. Not many movies will I admit to that on. Bones describing how his wife took everything except his bones haha... Jim Kirk Swagger. He nailed it.. Kobayashi Maru First time we've seen how Kirk cheated it. I was actually happy that they didn't show a lot of the enterprise...I just felt the exterior design lacked grace. I don't even mind that it wasn't MY Enterprise. It just looked gaudy. I was a bit surprised by the Uhura Spock thing. But all in all. That was pretty well done I thought the idea for how to reboot the series worked well... otherwise teh Canon Lawyers would be ALL OVER this movie. Aside from the ship, I could easily see myself watching NEW REVAMPED REBOOTED Star Trek in weekly installments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jae Onasi Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 Totally agree with edlib and Tommycat--great movie, Wrath of Khan still wins in my book, but this is a very, very close second. @narfblat: I happen to really like split infinitives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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