JJ Abrams Star Trek Movie and Beyond...

The Meek Geek · Fri 29/05/2009 19:12:22

Just when I thought Star Trek Movies were getting as boring as Data on shore leave...

JJ Abrams' Star Trek saved my respect and excitement for Star Trek!

Woo! JJ Abrams claimed he wasn't even a fan of Star Trek, but, nonetheless, the creator of Lost, Fringe and Alias presented a fresh approach to the Legendary Sci-Fi Story.

Directing, Acting, Script, Special Effects and LOADS of ACTION makes this a movie to be respected!

What are you're opinions? What did you like/dislike in this movie?

I'll be back with more to say, I'm going to my food replicator for lunch now...

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I would first like to thank everybody for your input! It's so encouraging to see Trek Fanatics like me!

I found the story quite (to quote Spock) "fascinating". The writers didn't succumb to a typical prequel movie, but

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!! developed the idea of a alternate time-line - with Nero and his Planet-Sucking-Ship, and all the main character's lives being dramatically altered. I liked how even though Kirk and Spock had terrible losses and traumas, they maintained the noble and heroic personalities we've grown to love in the original show.
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!
Also, I just simply loved how the new Star Trek was ACTION PACKED. Not overly talky like TNG, DSN, VOYAGER, ENTERPRISE. And surely, not poorly directed like Star Trek V!
!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

Me and my friends are excited about the sequel that should be coming!

Kirk out.

Darth Mandarb · Sat 30/05/2009 00:32:12

I went into the theater expecting to be disappointed and I have to say I was pleasantly suprised! I thought it was really, really, entertaining!

I think it was a brilliant way to do a "reboot" as it doesn't really just "throw away" the old stuff ... it just gives it a new start! Had I been asked to write a reboot, this is a similar way I might have done it.

There was really only one thing that I didn't like:

Spoiler

Young Spock maroons Kirk on that planet near Vulcan ... Kirk running from a [cloverfield] monster just happens to run the correct direction, fall down a steep mountain side and end up in the exact cave that old Spock just happened to be in? On this large planet they both just happen to find one another in the same cave? And then, they go to the star base and Scotty just happens to be stationed there? I hate when scripts do that kind of thing. This could have easily been solved by Kirk finding his way to the Federation outpost, finds Old Spock there (where they would both, logically, go to seek shelter from the rough weather) and then, from there, they'd team-up to find out where Scotty is and go to that place and then teleport to the Enterprise (in Warp - which was way cool!)

[close]

But that's just a minor gripe as almost all movies do things like this. And it is, after all, a movie!

Some things I thought were cool:

Spoiler

- The Red shirt that made the space-jump with them ... the expendable crew member! I love that Abrams gave a nod to that old star trek cliche.
- The useless water tubes and "crushers" in the middle of the engineering section. Another homage to the original series' tendency to put completely pointless objects into the plot
- Everybody is bitching about "red matter" but I loved it! Nobody bitches about dilithium crystals which are every bit as arbitrary as red matter in my opinion. I loved the addition.

[close]

Anyway ... bottom line, I was very impressed and really hope to see more!

I think it would be hilarious if at the start of the next on we see Kirk just screaming out "Khannnnnnnnnnnn!!" (ala Shatner in Wrath of Khan) and then Khan walks in and is like "What?" and Kirk says "Oh I thought you were farther away" and they have a friendly conversation.

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Sat 30/05/2009 01:26:50

I thought it was a horrible, plot-hole filled piece of rotten swiss cheese. I'm not surprised that it's popular though since there's an explosion or something being punched in something every 5 minutes.

Vince Twelve · Sat 30/05/2009 01:57:31

Haha! I knew old man ProgZ would hate it!

I thought it was entertaining. The best thing I can say about it was that they got together a really fantastic cast. The worst thing I could say would be to bitch about the same piece of OMG!coincidence that Darth was complaining about, which really bugged the shit out of me.

Overall, I enjoyed it though, and think it will shape up to be a pretty great new film series.

jetxl · Sat 30/05/2009 02:09:55

I liked it because it was as the old skool series which had a self rightious vibe so they could pull off a lot of crap and get away with it (it's ok to kill the natives because they are all commie savages). The later startrek was more political correct (lets accept our differences and be friend like a happy family universe- and now insert some teckno bable).
They don't kill locals but they do kill loads of romulans. Everybody knows negotiation is useless.

Darth, the reason why Kirk bumps into old Spock is because of the reoccuring theme of destiny throughout the fiml, like Sulu being asigned as pilot because he's replacing a guy that got space-worms or something. Even though it's a different universe, Kirk and crew are destined to become part of the enterprise. Old Spock says so and his logic is never flawed.

I liked the little plot twist that spock and uhuru are romanticly involved too. They're not moving set pieces to make Kirk look cool but have their own lives too. Oh, spoiled alert.

For me the most funny part was chekov having trouble with the computer because of his accent. It reminded me of the time ozzy osbourne tried out the voice recognition in his new car. An overall strong performance by the guy that played Chekov throughout the film.

I whished Bones had some more grumpy lines towards spock.

Anteater · Sat 30/05/2009 02:35:08

I've been a Trekkie for a long time but I don't remember an episode where they kill natives because they're commie savages. What's the title?

Trent R · Sat 30/05/2009 04:03:29

I've heard there are so many confusing plot twists and holes, but an enjoyable movie nonetheless. I hope to see it in the near future...

~Trent

Stupot · Sat 30/05/2009 06:30:45

If there were any major plot holes, they weren't obvious to me. As a non-trekkie, I just went to see JJ's new film and hope to be entertained and I got just that and so much more. So far my favourite release of the year (except maybe Gran Torino - that film was great).

jetxl · Sat 30/05/2009 10:32:21

Quote from: Anteater on Sat 30/05/2009 02:35:08
I've been a Trekkie for a long time but I don't remember an episode where they kill natives because they're commie savages. What's the title?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pighpPCNPU I love this scene. I see phasers so they could have stunned them but the crew opted to dish out some head trama instead. Just look at those silly clubs, the savages didn't stand a chance. I don't remember any large brawls in the later series. It was all pussyfied.

Nacho · Sat 30/05/2009 11:19:36

I liked it!

MoodyBlues · Sat 30/05/2009 14:10:28

I thought it was pretty good, though it didn't quite make a Trekkie out of me. It did, however, make me a huge Spock fan. <3

Stupot · Sat 30/05/2009 15:27:41

Zachary Quinto is one of my favourite actors at the moment.
Sylar is the only reason I haven't given up on Heroes yet.

Mr Flibble · Sat 30/05/2009 16:00:11

The fact that this was an homage rather than an individual film in its own right makes me forgive it for things that seem overly convenient.

Darth Mandarb · Sat 30/05/2009 16:45:00

Quote from: jetxl on Sat 30/05/2009 02:09:55Darth, the reason why Kirk bumps into old Spock is because of the reoccuring theme of destiny throughout the fiml, like Sulu being asigned as pilot because he's replacing a guy that got space-worms or something. Even though it's a different universe, Kirk and crew are destined to become part of the enterprise. Old Spock says so and his logic is never flawed.

Yeah I get the destiny part ... but logic would dictate going to the man-made Federation base (shelter) and they would still [destiny-ly] meet there. Destiny would dictate that they meet, not necessarily where they meet. I don't know, I guess it's just personal preference. I think their meeting would be just as powerful/meaninful had the monster chased Kirk to the base and Spock chased it off for him there. But both of them ending up in some random cave on a large planet? Meh. I suspend disbelief when I go see a movie, but there are limits to my suspension

I loved Karl Urban's character of Bones. It was, for me, the best character in the movie. I didn't like that he made the age-old comment about "blood boiling" when you are exposed to the vacuum of space (which is just not what would happen). But this too might have been intentional on Abrams part to use an old sci-fi standard line.

Quote from: Trent R on Sat 30/05/2009 04:03:29I've heard there are so many confusing plot twists and holes, but an enjoyable movie nonetheless.

Plot holes? I don't think so. But anytime you deal with time-travel plots there's always going to be those that find some kind of hole. As far as confusing ... I must admit it took some thinking on my part to put it all together (again because of the time-travel aspect). However ... I like movies that make me actually use my brain rather than a lot of the drivel hollywood puts out every month accommodating the brain-dead masses who only want Michael Bay brainless crap films. ** shrugs **

Quote from: Mr Flibble on Sat 30/05/2009 16:00:11The fact that this was an homage rather than an individual film in its own right makes me forgive it for things that seem overly convenient.

Hmmm I think it is a film that stands on it's own as well as being an homage. Just my personal opinion

Trent R · Sun 31/05/2009 00:51:55

Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Sat 30/05/2009 16:45:00
Quote from: jetxl on Sat 30/05/2009 02:09:55Darth, the reason why Kirk bumps into old
Quote from: Trent R on Sat 30/05/2009 04:03:29I've heard there are so many confusing plot twists and holes, but an enjoyable movie nonetheless.

Plot holes? I don't think so. But anytime you deal with time-travel plots there's always going to be those that find some kind of hole. As far as confusing ... I must admit it took some thinking on my part to put it all together (again because of the time-travel aspect). However ... I like movies that make me actually use my brain rather than a lot of the drivel hollywood puts out every month accommodating the brain-dead masses who only want Michael Bay brainless crap films. ** shrugs **
I misspoke, I don't mean plot holes, but my friends were indeed confused.

~Trent

Paper Carnival · Sun 31/05/2009 01:32:57

Quote from: jetxl on Sat 30/05/2009 02:09:55Darth, the reason why Kirk bumps into old Spock is because of the reoccuring theme of destiny throughout the fiml, like Sulu being asigned as pilot because he's replacing a guy that got space-worms or something. Even though it's a different universe, Kirk and crew are destined to become part of the enterprise. Old Spock says so and his logic is never flawed.

I suppose that the Enterprise is a damn awesome ship and that Kirk and Spock are the most important people in the universe. Because, apparently, none of the millions of Vulcans who died had a destiny to fulfill.

Anyway, I liked the movie and I was never a Trek fan. In fact, this was my first contact with Star Trek.

Matti · Sun 31/05/2009 03:36:27

Quote from: jetxl on Sat 30/05/2009 10:32:21
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pighpPCNPU I love this scene. I see phasers so they could have stunned them but the crew opted to dish out some head trama instead. Just look at those silly clubs, the savages didn't stand a chance. I don't remember any large brawls in the later series. It was all pussyfied.

You might like this most hilarious fight scene ever too.

Just great.

Michigami · Fri 05/06/2009 07:30:58

my rule on sequels/remakes has always been "it could be worse, and if it is, we break out the MST3K puppets and have a moment of fun."

to put it all simply, it's a little fanficcy, but it's fun to watch. they retconned the entire old universe into oblivion, but they did it in a way that makes me curious to see what they'll do next, like any good AU fanfic should. it's not the best movie ever made, but it's enjoyable, and shiny, and has enough in-jokes to keep the old-schools fans attention.

on a side note, on the way out of the theater, the idea occurred to me and some friends that with all of the planet vulcan gone, Spock+Uhura=Tuvoc.

well, he has to come from somewhere, now doesn't he?

TerranRich · Tue 09/06/2009 19:42:15

It's heartening to see many non-Trek fans enjoy this movie, while at the same time it's depressing because too many Trek fans are snubbing this film. It was a great action movie, a good Trek movie, and may have quite possibly revived a franchise thought to have died with the cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise in 2005. I, for one, am simply thrilled to see Star Trek resurrected in some manner. Sure, it's not the Star Trek we all know (and perhaps love), but things must evolve and adapt in order to survive, and movies/series are no exception. If this is what Trek must become (an alternate timeline with slight differences that please some and piss off others), then so be it. I'm happy.

Matti · Wed 10/06/2009 00:57:45

Quote from: ProgZmax on Sat 30/05/2009 01:26:50
I thought it was a horrible, plot-hole filled piece of rotten swiss cheese. I'm not surprised that it's popular though since there's an explosion or something being punched in something every 5 minutes.

Ha, agreed!

There's a weird pirate-like Romulan who wants revenge, there's a giant ship and there's a superweapon... and a crew of pathetic teenage dreamers... that was so stupid and boring..