The new Star Trek movie is...

[SilentJay]

It makes it a big budget piece of fanfiction. Star Trek isn't just about the characters, it is about humanity. The characters are just there to be a sounding board for whatever piece of humanity is being explored.

The themes of the film, without spoilers, are:

1. How we must set aside personal and cultural differences in order to solve our problems.
2. How personal responsibility not only affects the one, it affects those around them, and that in order to succeed we need to take ownership of our lives.
3. That while cheating may seem to be the easiest and most attractive way to solve an issue, it usually leads to unexpected consequences that end up making the situation worse. (Okay, this is anti-Trek, as Kirk was all about the cheating.)

Edit: there are other themes to the film, but these are both the most obvious and the ones that don't involve spoilers.

So, in other words, the film is a sounding board for an exploration of the human condition. It also happens to be a slam-bang summer action movie.

 

[EricNoah]

Just an FYI that I am jealous of all of you who are going to get to go tonight. While I'm free, Mrs. Noah is not, and I want this to be a "date movie" so ... maybe tomorrow night, maybe a matinee on the weekend. Have fun!

 

[Pbartender]

Just an FYI that I am jealous of all of you who are going to get to go tonight. While I'm free, Mrs. Noah is not, and I want this to be a "date movie" so ... maybe tomorrow night, maybe a matinee on the weekend. Have fun!

Same here... I could be twenty minutes into the movie already, if it weren't for the fact that its a school night (the kids can't stay out that late), and my wife leaves to work the midnight shift in half an hour.

Looks like it'll probably be an early matinee on Saturday for us.

 

[Firebeetle]

Star Trek finally gets it right. In a movie that manages to surpass Wrath of Kahn, Star Trek reinvents itself for a new millennium. Everything is done perfectly, nothing is overdone. This movie does not pander to fans, yet does nothing to alienate them. It takes the strength of the long Trek history and uses that to provide a power to storytelling that is not possible otherwise. For the long term fan and for the complete Trek neophyte this is an enjoyable film.

A.) Characters are nailed first time. Performances are perfect and the characters are emotional, especially Spock as it turns out (which is somehow more in character than ever, you'll have to see it.)Uhura seems like a person for the first time.

B.) Everything makes perfect sense. Nothing is too elaborate, abstract, or unbelievable. No confusing, expository monologues to explain little plot miracles. Everything has perfect continuity within the movie.

C.) Complete surprises. Just when you think you know how it's going to go down, you don't. The movie completely pulled the rug out from under me. Failure is possible in this Star Trek, and the consequences are grievous.

D.) Bad ass. Kirk shows damage from numerous fisticuffs throughout the movie. Spock dishes a serious ass kicking, and phasers are definitely set on kill (whoa!)

E.) Incredible visuals. This movie does not try to look like a TV show. Lots of handheld shots, and you never see the bridge in a way that makes you think "soundstage". Special effects are perfect, my supersensitive CG alarm only went off once.

A must see movie. Don't wait, go now

For those griping that you don't get to see another increasingl crappy TNG movie, shovel it already you ingrates. We've just been handed back our favorite show, smack dab in our laps, and you have the singular audacity to complain. You'll have to endure new fans of all ages. Try not to be snotty or condescending to them, OK?

For non-complainers, Trek is back and ready for more. This movie rocks the house and I'm sure we can expect more. The big question for me was "What's next?"

 

[FunkBGR]

It's good.

I'm a TNG fan, but know some of the original series. I went with three guys from my gaming group, and we all thought it was pretty awesome.

We loved that it kept pace with itself, and had some really hilarious moments. The characters are amazing, and everybody really gets a chance to shine.

 

[Pbartender]

Lots of handheld shots...

That's just about the only thing that worries me... The handheld shaky-cam gimmick has its place in movies if it's used right, but it can be overdone so easily.

 

[Umbran]

Just got back from seeing a matinee. I enjoyed the movie.

However, I don't feel this will successfully "reboot the franchise", like folks are talking about. This movie was akin to the oft-seen emergency room scene, where they bring down the defibrillator paddles and shout , "Clear!"

The movie will not keep the heart of the franchise running. A series of movies will not do so, for one simple reason: inadequate screen time to develop characters.

This movie was filled with loads of fun action, and I had a ball watching it. But the characters were seen in little snippets, most of it left to implication. Old fans can fill in the gaps for themselves, I suppose. But overall, we will not come to love these new versions of the characters based on a couple hours of movie every two or three years.

We came to love the originals through 79 hour-long episodes. A three-movie deal may give us the equivalent of what? Six episodes? Spread over as many years?

That won't do it. They need to move to a weekly format, even the 13-episode season style that's starting to get some traction. Alternate seasons of TV with movies, and you have something. With movies alone, we will rapidly lose interest in the characters. Anyone can do big explosions with digital effects these days. That isn't what makes a franchise really special.

 

[EricNoah]

Very interesting points about how much media a potential audience of newbies might need to have access to in order to sustain interest.

On the other hand, Star Wars (the original trilogy) managed to do ok with three movies. This is of course a very different situation.

I wonder if other material (say, a novel line, or a graphic novel line or even a good video game) that is not filmed might help fill the time and interest during the years between films. Or does that just split the "general audience" who might not be willing to invest their time this way away from the "fan audience" who would?

How about 2 years of 1 min and 30 second "webisodes" every week? (Just kidding - Ick!)

 

[Mark]

I've watched all ST while it was on and enjoyed the movies, too (mostly). This new movie has tanscended the mire that has become the franchise and fandom double-punch of doom. It was great and I hope they make some sequels, and maybe even a high-budget, limited episode series for one of the cable movie channels. As to its moral compass and relevance, I can not think of a better way to kickstart the franchise than with a message of friendship.

 

[Brown Jenkin]

On the other hand, Star Wars (the original trilogy) managed to do ok with three movies. This is of course a very different situation.

The original Star Wars film made the equivalent of 1 billion dollars (adjusted for inflation) in just its initial run in 1977. As good of a film as this might be there is no way it will come even close to those numbers. That kind of cultural acceptance is what made Star Wars what it is today.