Startrek

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:24 am

I just got back form the midnight showing... See the movie.

I had high hopes and dark fears for this movie. See, let me put this way, Star Trek is something form my childhood. My father was a trekkie and so I always had something of a sentimental investment in Star Trek doing well. I took Voyager and Enterprise a little personally because of that maybe. I am glad to announce that this movie met my hopes. It did well.

As everyone knows the movie takes us back not just to the days of TOS but before them and is not just a reboot but an utter redo. This is stated in the credits to be "based on Gene Roddenberry's Star Trek" and it is a direct child of that, but is most definitely not Roddenberry's creation and that's to the good.

Science Fiction as much as any other fictional genre, or perhaps more so then others, must remain reflexive of the times that spawned it. To be blunt, recently Trek had utterly failed to do that being mired in it's reflection of times past, refusing to change anything. That has changed with this movie. Abrams is very clearly willing to change things and has put away (ironically given the intent of this movie) the reset button. Things are utterly and totally changed.

Now as to the movie. Nero is an excellent villain, actually being allowed to suceed and be dangerous while presenting a reasonable motive for his rather unreasonable actions. In other words for very good reasons, he's fucking insane but still able to function.

Warning major spoilers.

[spoilers]HE FUCKING BLOWS UP VULCAN! AND IT STAYS BLOWN UP! And that's like his first major action! He trashes 7 Starfleet ships of the line in 3 fucking minutes or so! [/spoilers]

Starfleet for all the bullshit Pike will sling "It's a Peacekeeping and humantarian armada" is a military organization and it shows especially in the first Federation/Nero confrontation. The tech has been utterly updated, cities now look and feel like they're 200 some odd years in the future. The characters have been changed quite a bit.

[spoilers]Forget Kirk, the biggest changes are to Spock, Scotty and Uhura. Spock is more emotional, having rejected admittance to the Science Academy to join starfleet earlier in his life. Scotty is an exile for an unfortunate teleport accident with an Admiral's beagle. Uhura has been upgraded to a fucking genius... And remember the uproar about the possibility that Kirk and Uhura might bang? Everyone had focused on the wrong guy... *looks at Spock*[/spoilers]

See the movie! See the movie! See the movie!

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:07 am

I'll be seeing this movie in a little under 13 hours. At IMAX.

Post by **Dark Silver** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:27 pm

Just got back from seeing a nooner of it at the local theater.

In short, this movie was perfect. I was one of those who hated the asthetic look in the preproduction, but it simply works when seen in action - especially the design of the new Enterprise.

The pacing was a bit quick in places, but overall, everything done was done perfectly. I approve of this movie, and encourgae anyone who is slightly Trekish to go see it.

Even if your not - go see this movie.

General Havoc · Post by **General Havoc** » Fri May 08, 2009 3:01 pm

I will be goddamned. I assumed that this would be terrible. I may have to see it now.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:17 pm

It's an action movie, but it's a good Star Trek action movie.

Also, every single Starfleet captain was every inch a captain and would be a captain I would want to serve under.

LadyTevar · Post by **LadyTevar** » Fri May 08, 2009 6:56 pm

Cynical Cat wrote:Also, every single Starfleet captain was every inch a captain and would be a captain I would want to serve under.

Now that is something you can't say of TNG or the later series.

The Cleric · Post by **The Cleric** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:23 pm

I enjoyed it greatly. I liked how it felt truly EPIC; very nice feel to it.

[spoilers]I do NOT like time travel as a plot device. The story was kinda weak, and the whole "supernova consuming Romulus" was rather... odd. I did enjoy seeing Nimoy, but is that really the best they could come up with?[/spoilers]

Rukia · Post by **Rukia** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:53 pm

Every time I see the trailers I think "StarTrek Kids" You know like the scooby-doo kids cartoon. The people that are playing the crew aren't much older than me. I think it's funny. We will probably see it next week.

Post by **Dark Silver** » Fri May 08, 2009 9:26 pm

well, considering that the roles they play, aside from Bones and Spock, aren't much older than you either.....

and Chekov was originally 17 in TOS also.

Academia Nut · Post by **Academia Nut** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:02 pm

I liked this movie, but I'm going to admit I raged at a couple of things, especially the science. Now, while Star Trek is known for having bad science, you would think that with the reboot they would you know, take the time and effort to actually get it right this time for the things we have an actual explanation for instead of getting it so completely and laughably wrong that it was cringeworthy on a couple of occasions. Especially since the bad science was the motivation for the entire plot.

Then there was the downright schizophrenic military organization of the entire affair, which just seemed... yeah. I'm sure members with actual military experience could elaborate more, but it seemed all very unmilitary in what was going on with the chain of command.

Oh yes, and disregard of Trek canon. Okay, so its a different continuity, but if the divergence point is at the start of the film then there's still a whole buttload of continuity errors for the parts unaffected by the divergence. Especially when one continuity error intersects with the bad science that motivates the main plot.

Still, that aside, it was still and enjoyable movie that is sure to entertain. Just don't go in with extensive knowledge of reality or Star Trek canon or you will have to supress the rage every once in a while.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:19 am

I thought this was quite honestly the best movie going experience I've ever had, and I would even say that it is the best Trek movie I've ever seen. 5/5

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Sat May 09, 2009 4:27 am

Then there was the downright schizophrenic military organization of the entire affair, which just seemed... yeah. I'm sure members with actual military experience could elaborate more, but it seemed all very unmilitary in what was going on with the chain of command.

If I may be blunt. This is the most military I have ever seen Trek be. As for the continuity errors... After Enterprise the continuity is a mess, it is best to just start over utterly.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:09 am

frigidmagi wrote:
Then there was the downright schizophrenic military organization of the entire affair, which just seemed... yeah. I'm sure members with actual military experience could elaborate more, but it seemed all very unmilitary in what was going on with the chain of command.
If I may be blunt. This is the most military I have ever seen Trek be.

There is a point I'd like to make, which is while StarFleet is the Federation's military service, why does it have conform to our expectations of what a military service looks and feels like? This story is set 2-300 years into the future; surely somethings will have just changed.

It's a bit like how you look back in the past and see how militaries were run and organised centuries ago; they're a hell of a lot different to today's standards. Even a few decades ago was different.

I want to back up frigid's point anyway, that this is the most military I've ever noticed Trek to be.

Post by **Dark Silver** » Sat May 09, 2009 7:33 am

Considering the mind blowing mess ups that was Enterprise.....I'm OK with the Continuity Errors present in the movie - Enterprise had it's own share of Time Jumping which could mess up the time stream to the present day.

The bad science.....it's a Trek Hallmark, and again, I'm OK with it. Red Matter was Handwavium, so was 95% of what occurs in Trek, so the bad standard science I'm fine with. It doesn't have to hold up to scientific scrutiny in order to be good sci-fi and a good film.

I do kinda wish they stuck to the original solution Kirk came up with to the KMS, but I liked this new one too. I was really very amazed at at the entire casts portrayals of their characters - Simon Pegg's Scottie would have been a little more low energy, but still "Your from the future....do they still have sandwiches there?" was hilarious.

Oh yeah - spiny phasers.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Sat May 09, 2009 10:50 am

Dark Silver wrote:well, considering that the roles they play, aside from Bones and Spock, aren't much older than you either.....

and Chekov was originally 17 in TOS also.

No, he was 23, but that was years later.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Sun May 10, 2009 1:09 am

There is a point I'd like to make, which is while StarFleet is the Federation's military service, why does it have conform to our expectations of what a military service looks and feels like? This story is set 2-300 years into the future; surely somethings will have just changed.

Some things? Sure. TNG and later didn't change some things however, it went into full force denial. Riker airy proclaiming military skills weren't all that important and Janeway dismissing the need for drills spring to mind. No creditable future military force is going to give up drills. Practice is utterly necessary no matter how advance things get.

This movie goes the other way. Starfleet doesn't act like the USMC 1999-2003 that I get my experience from, but it acts like something I can recognize as a military or at least para-military organization. Considering Starfleet does the fighting, that makes sense.

I like this starfleet. It's exciting.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Sun May 10, 2009 6:10 am

frigidmagi wrote:
There is a point I'd like to make, which is while StarFleet is the Federation's military service, why does it have conform to our expectations of what a military service looks and feels like? This story is set 2-300 years into the future; surely somethings will have just changed.
Some things? Sure. TNG and later didn't change some things however, it went into full force denial. Riker airy proclaiming military skills weren't all that important and Janeway dismissing the need for drills spring to mind. No creditable future military force is going to give up drills. Practice is utterly necessary no matter how advance things get.

I agree with you 100% dude.

Agent Fisher · Post by **Agent Fisher** » Sun May 10, 2009 10:10 am

Went and saw it with my best friend. Both of us were trek fans of TOS, TNG, and the good parts of DS9. I had hopes, such wonderful hopes that this could remove the shit stain that was VOY and ENT. But I had dark fears. A younger cast? Teen Trek/ Trek 90210. Time Travel? Do they have to save the whales again?

But we arrived at the theatre, and by god, after intro with the Kelvin. We both could have left that theatre right then, fully satisfied with our $10.50 and intending to spend another $10.50 to see that part again. From the word go, we just had huge grins of enjoyment on our face. The Kelvin, the beastie boys and the car chase, the bar fight. BONES!!! Which by the way, was portrayed so well by Karl Urban. Kirk taking the KM Test. I would have liked to see the old solution he did, but this one was ok. The mining ship from the future was ok, Spock was cool, and Scotty was awesome.

My god, I just can't say enough good about this movie, I'm still having a 'nerg-gasm'. Oh and I liked the fact that Kirk at least knew how to use a good grip on his phaser.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Mon May 11, 2009 6:39 pm

A note on the "humanitarian and peace keeping" bit. Pike wasn't talking about Starfleet when he said that, he was talking about the Federation. Something like "You know what the Federation is, don't you? It's important. It's the greatest peacekeeping and humanitarian-" before he was interrupted. Presumably this was a lead up on how Starfleet protected the Federation and enabled all of it's good works. Of course, leaving out the contentious peace keeping issue, modern navies are often involved in humanitarian relief, including the US's.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Mon May 11, 2009 6:48 pm

Are you sure Cat?

Because I swear I heard "It's the greatest peacekeeping and humanitarian armada" Which to me suggest he means starfleet.

Still there's no problem from me in that, modern navies do peacekeeping and humanitarian aide all the time. I just think it's pretty clear that Starfleet is also very much geared to fight wars.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Mon May 11, 2009 7:20 pm

Starfleet is definitely unapologetically a military. A good guy military, but a military. As I said, I loved every captain they showed.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Mon May 11, 2009 10:22 pm

frigidmagi wrote:Are you sure Cat?

Because I swear I heard "It's the greatest peacekeeping and humanitarian armada" Which to me suggest he means starfleet.

Still there's no problem from me in that, modern navies do peacekeeping and humanitarian aide all the time. I just think it's pretty clear that Starfleet is also very much geared to fight wars.

Pike did say armada, but he specifically said Federation.

Which could mean he was talking about both; how often have we seen 'Federation' and 'Starfleet' used interchangeably?

I quite like this incarnation of Starfleet. They at least appear competent.

Rukia · Post by **Rukia** » Wed May 13, 2009 1:52 pm

Overall not a bad movie. I think the actors did an amazing job, and for someone who is far from a star trek fan, I was still thoroughly entertained. J.J Abrams did an excellent job directing.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:50 pm

Pike did say armada, but he specifically said Federation.

That would be like using Army to describe the EU government.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:57 pm

It's an unfinished paragraph, we'll never get everything in context because we never got the sentence finished, let alone the conclusion he was building too. He clearly meant that the Federation was a good thing and Starfleet was an important part of that good thing.

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