EXCLUSIVE: London Star Trek Gala & Press Conference Report w/ Pictures & Video + First UK Reviews April 20, 2009
by TrekMovie.com Staff , Filed under: Conventions/Events/Attractions, Star Trek (2009 film) , trackback
On Tuesday night (UK time) JJ Abrams and his cast came to the London gala premiere of Star Trek, the final stop on their global tour before coming back to the states. TrekMovie was there every step of the day and has a full report from the premiere and the press conference. Plus we have a summary of the first reviews coming from the UK.
Star Trek in the UK
by TrekMovie UK correspondents Ronan O’Flaherty and David Wineman
The tour finally has landed. After two weeks of going around the globe, the gala premiere tour reached London on Monday. JJ Abrams and his and team delivered an excellent evening of entertainment, proving that even after a tiring tour; they can still get excited about the movie. If the turn out for the premiere is any indication of how successful the movie may be, then the future really has begun. Below is a report from the big events of the day.
London Blue Carpet – VIDEO
TrekMovie had a chance to chance to talk to JJ Abrams and many of the stars on video:
- JJ Abrams talks to us about the new movie and is number 12 on the cards?
- Zachary Quinto talked about how he brought his own style to the Spock character.
- Simon Pegg, at his home premiere talks Scotty and is he up for number 12, also says ‘hell yeah’ the new Star Trek breaks the ‘odd numbered curse’
- John Cho took time to talk to us about the background to his Sulu character and his influences.
- Eric Bana talked to us about playing the bad guy and what research he had to do for the movie.
- Finally Zoe Saldana talked to us about how Nichelle Nichols played a role in her interpretation of the character.
Of course TrekMovie was not the only media outlet on the blue carpet. All the major UK players were there, here are a couple of videos from Sky.
General report
Blue Carpet
Pictures from the Blue Carpet
Slideshow of some pictures from the Blue Carpet
UK Premiere – mini-review – crowd loves it
As the film rolled the audience settled in to watch the new movie unfold. So as to not spoil the movie, let’s say that it is amazing. A stunning piece of work so well crafted and delivered by the team on both sides of the camera. As the credits rolled, the applause went up around the cinema – the crowd seemed to be taken in by every minute of the film.
UK Press conference VIDEO
Before the premiere, JJ Abrams and his team held a press conference. TrekMovie was there, but SkyTV had the exclusive video rights. However, the people at Sky were kind enough to send over the embed code for their video, here it is
UK Press conference Part 1
UK Press Conference Part 2
Lots of good stuff in the UK press conference, but, here is a bit from Simon Pegg (who admits to being a ‘nerd’ and fan of Trek since he was nine) on what is in the movie for Trek fans:
…if you are a Star Trek fan, there is a lot in it for you. There is a level of conversation between viewer and film and if you do know Star Trek you will get lots of little bits and pieces and feel spoken to and acknowledged as well. It is an important fan base. They are dedicated, they love their stuff and it is an important thing. And what JJ has miraculously managed to achieve with this — there are lots of people in the past when you try to appeal to the fanbase and a new viewership, it is a very hard balance to strike — and I think this nails it completely. You can watch this and not know anything about the existing history and love it for the sheer adventure – the human story and ideas of it. But if you do know it, and you see that the surface of Vulcan looks a little bit like Vasquez Rocks from the episode "Arena" — nerd — fantastic! It just nails it. I am very proud of it
Reviews are in – UK critics love Star Trek
The first wave of reviews have come in from the UK, and they are (almost entirely) positive about this new Star Trek. Here are some quotes:
…if anyone could have a decent crack at resurrecting Star Trek – one of television and cinema’s longest running franchises – it could be worse than self-confessed fan, Lost creator JJ Abrams.
But does he manage it?
Well, the answer is a pretty simple one. Yes. Star Trek is a decent film that does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s big, flashy and action packed with impressive special effects. Kids will enjoy it and the snappy dialogue provides enough laughs for mum and dad.
- BBC
Like many people, I yawned at the thought of yet another attempt to breathe life into a series that seemed finished, after the pompous, pointless and all too aptly named Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002.
The original cast had long gone, and the ideas had dried up. Why try to reanimate a corpse?
The short answer is that J.J. Abrams had come up with a tremendous idea, inspired no doubt by the success of Batman Begins and Casino Royale, both of which had reinvigorated tired franchises by recasting and going back to basics.
With countless spine-tingling action sequences, a perfect recreation of Vulcan and a script full of loving nods to its forebears, Abrams has made the continuing missions of the Starship Enterprise one that millions will be eager to follow. [rating 8/10]
Just when you thought that the Star Trek phenomenon had truly run its course, along comes J. J. Abrams’s stunning prequel to resuscitate the most enduring franchise in sci-fi history. The past five decades have produced five television series and ten films — not all of them successful — so veteran Trekkers had no right to expect such a dazzling and beautiful rebirth. [rating 5/5]
Throughout, Abrams and his writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman adhere to the three driving forces of Roddenberry’s series: action, character, and smuggled-in, high-minded morality. The pace rarely lets up, and when it does, midway through, the story starts to look thin. Everyone jabbers about falling through black holes and “red matter” until the fighting and the whipcrack dialogue crank up again.
In a way, Star Trek is this year’s Iron Man. Both were superbly cast, full of great character interaction and genuine humanity. But the pair were also seriously hampered by badly conceived storylines and humdrum action sequences (remember Tony Stark’s rubbish fight with Ironmonger at the end of the film?) that stops them joining the likes of Jaws, Star Wars and Independence Day in the annuls of truly great summer films.
The great thing about both Iron Man and Trek, however, is that they lay the groundwork for (what we hope will be) mind-blowing second installments. By the end of Star Trek, we have a (mostly) brilliantly cast crew in place on the bridge of the Enterprise. For Star Trek 2 (or should that be 12?) here’s hoping a strong new adversary returns to threaten the Federation (wouldn’t Klingons or The Borg be awesome?) — then perhaps Abrams’ promise of genuinely exciting space adventure will be fully realised. [rating 3.5/5]
- IGN UK
Bottom Line: J.J. Abrams gives the Starship Enterprise all it’s got, and it’s more than enough.
- THR (reporting from UK – first trade review of Star Trek)
Ross loves it
UK film critic and popular TV presenter Jonathan Ross was also at the premiere. He has not done a formal review but he did tweet "Best Star Trek film EVER!" and "Pegg was fantastic. Nailed it!". Ross also attended the after-party where he sent in this photo…
According to Ross, Pegg wore nothing under the Kilt
Even more UK video coverage
- BBC Simon Pegg UK Blue Carpet
- BBC: Quinto and Pine UK junket
- Press Association: Quinto, Pine, Saldana UK Junket
More TrekMovie Star Trek World Tour coverage
TrekMovie has been covering each stop on the world gala tour for JJ Abrams and his Star Trek team, with our own team on the spot when possible. Here is a summary of articles so far:
- Sydney Australia premiere [Australia fan Q&A Video]
- New Zealand premiere
- Kuwait showing to troops
- Moscow premiere
- Paris press conference
- Berlin premiere + Berlin press conference
- Madrid press conference
NEXT STOP: USA
JJ and his crew are now done with their globe trotting and headed back to the states. There will be a press junket next weekend (TrekMovie will be there) and a gala premiere on the 30th (TrekMovie will be there too). So stay tuned to the only website covering the JJ Abrams Star Trek world tour stop-by-stop.
Photos and video (except where noted) by Ronan O’Flaherty and David Wineman for TrekMovie.com
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Comments»
it’s coming home! not too long now…. (home to me anyway…West Virginia, USA)
Hopefully, I’m first!!! Anyway, the movie is coming very soon! I can’t wait!!!! Woohoo!!!
nicce
I hope its not too much like iron man, as much as everyone liked that movie, I wasnt a huge fan. Im hoping for something more of the same quality as Dark Knight, but only a little over 2 weeks, hard to believe.
I love that Simon Pegg wore a kilt.
Scotty: Zach and Pine just squeezed my arse by the way.
There is so much homoeroticism on that set. :D
Got my IMAX tix and all meetings cancelled.
Almost as excited as that cold day on December 7, 1979… At least this time, thanks to TrekMovie and the Paramount full court press, I know what a great move it is I’ll be in line for.
Engage.
What’s up with IGN UK? Independence Day? That is just insulting to the very fabric of this website. Geez!
Paramount is aiming for a younger crowd. The likes that love brainless movies with a lot of action like Transformers. And it looks like they’re in a panic…
Paramount is apparently in a wee bit of a panic about this, seeing as a recent poll indicated that only 44 percent of under-25s intend to see “Star Trek” on its May 8 opening weekend (as opposed to 67 percent who intend to see “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”).
http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/movies/2009/04/20/star_trek_aims_phasers_at_25-a.html
Trek has now turned into a kiddie action movie.
This news makes me extremely happy for all those involved with bringing us this spectacle of a motion picture. Congratulations to all of them – cast, crew, the higher-ups, etc. – for their very hard work.
Now I’m off to my DeLorean to go watch the movie. I’ll come back and let you know how it is :) :) :)
That man is soooooo captain kirk
#9 – That article along with the writer’s opinion is a complete hack job. He says he has never seen the show and only one movies. Need he say more?
He attributes the massive marketing with the fact that Paramount is nervous while seemingly ignoring the fact that ST has a huge hole of “uncool” to dig itself out of. Apparently, his explanation is is the only viable one.
He then concludes that he isn’t even going to review the movie. Probably because he so insecure about his coolness.
T-minus I can’t wait any longer.
Liking this more and more! I hope they get a Second Crack at the Enterprise and having more Klingons in it would be fun! I can not wait for 7PM on the 7th of May!
#5: Yes, me too. Especially since nothing comes between Mr. Pegg and his kilt.
#12, writing in response to #9, wrote:
“He then concludes that he isn’t even going to review the movie. Probably because he so insecure about his coolness.”
I have found this to be true as well. The people who fear they are uncool are most critical of Star Trek. Those who are so cool that we are comfortable with being uncool can openly, unequivocally, embrace our love for Star Trek.
The reviews are in, and it appears that, in Britain, at least, Star Trek rocks!
I’ve got my tickets for IMAX in Lacey WA. I’m ready to go. Can’t hardly wait!
Hmmm I guess so. Are we not supposed to comment on the site and engage in an open dialogue anymore? I mean I get that it is your site but really what did I do?
Wow, really excellent coverage. This site has been outdoing itself lately.
I believe this will be an excellent movie but I don’t believe it will be the best ever.
First Contact and Wrath of Khan and Undiscovered Country are 3 hard films to beat. I could also come out saying it’s the best of a new series of Trek movies.
Maybe I am too scared to prefer a film with the new cast over tha film with the lengedary originals. I guess I feel it would be disrespectful to the originals. Perhaps the changes are also keeping me thinking ths as well. I don’t know.
Nyway I stil intend to love the film, despite my disagreements over JJ’s changes at least it is keeping Trek alive.
To compare Star Trek with Independence day… Now that’s what I call blasphemy.
#9 – “Trek has now turned into a kiddie action movie.”
No. The movie, which ADULTS including those who are Trekkie base and others who have seen this so far have really responded extremely well. So obviously not whatever you said it was.
The marketing changes nothing about the movie. Get real.
#9 – “Trek has now turned into a kiddie action movie.”
I sense your fear that the movie will be over your head.
@24 hahahahahahahahahaha
I loved ID4 for what it was and that’s not Trek; critics of Trek.
Have you noticed the pattern or need to always gauge a another Sci-fi character or movie to Trek. Gee you think they get eventually?
I’m so excited for the movie, looking for to JJ & Company version.
Always wonder what Ron D Moore’s version of Voy. would have been like?
OMG!!! Zoe is so F***in’ HOTT!!! Achingly!!
…and yes, REAL MEN really do wear nothing under their kilt!!
Cheers Simon!! Tip a pint for us, Mate!!
#12? HELL YEAH!!! WOOT!!!
Good job, Ronan and David… and nice lens flare!
I’m sitting in the UK with a broken arm and little to do with my time other than watch TV.
I’m something of a news junkie and I’ve seen very little coverage. Chris and Zac were on GMTV (early morning magazine program), but other than occasional short mentions on news bulletins, very little has been said about the premiere.
I hate to say it, but Wolverine is a lot more high profile. Friends kids seem to know more about “The x-men thing” than trek.
Maybe there’ll be more today.
With this new movie, I hope the new fans get proper Trek and it gets them interested in the other 5 series and rprevious 10 films.
I hope the new fans embrace all of Trek and not just Abram’s movie
Wouldn’t this be great or do you think new fans will just stick to Abrams Trek film
ANTHONY-
I just heard the comittee members (past and present) of the local Star trek Fan Club in Australia- “AUSTREK” (2nd oldest in the world at 33 years) got a preview screening of the film last night- what do u know about these events- who decides who sees them?
This is Not a rumour a now Ex friend who didnt get me in with him saw it last night.
hairy trekker – I’m worried about that too. There were a couple of stories on the 6 o’clock news last night, an article in the paper and some stuff on the BBC website, but I haven’t seen a single tv advert yet. I’ve got the impression from US Trekmovie commenters that there have been a lot of ads on tv over there. Hopefully the advertising will pick up over here in the next couple of weeks and Jonathan Ross will make a big deal about it on the Film Programme.
“On Tuesday night (UK time) JJ Abrams and his cast came to the London gala premiere of Star Trek”
Looks like they’ve been time traveling again because it’s still Tuesday morning here in London. ;-)
32 – unfortuantly Ross finished his Film 09 show last week until later this year…he’ll prob talk about it on his radio show this Sat though…dosnt look like any of the actors will be appearing in his Friday Night show though (bit too much of a gap between the prem and the nationwide release i suppose)
ITV1 (or itv2) usually show a premiere special of a big new film late at night and then repeated early sat morning sometime closer to the films nationwide release so check the tv schedules between now and May 8
some uk tv channel might do a star trek night closer to the films release as well…and some of the newspapers might give away a free magazine or dvd or the like
Wow!
I read the full reviews of the Uk reviews.
The reviewer of Daily Mail is usually very critical but he really loved this film.
This is the kind of reviews and attention Star Trek should be getting. I am really happy that JJ Abrams has made people realise that Star Trek is cool.
I am not happy with all that he has changed but I can forgive him for it as it seems he has got the ideals and hopefully the characters right. Although this film is new canon as it is an alternate timeline, at least it can make be a great movie.
I think can also get past the cadet to captain if the film is excellent. It still makes no sense and is a little contrived but if this film is a great as everyone is saying I believe I can overlook this, it is an alternate timeline after all.
Now I know I said this will prob not be the all time best Trek movie but I do feel it will be up there with the top ones. The top three of First Contact, Wrath of Khan and Undiscovered Country are hard to beat. I believe this will be up there with those top 3 movies. Who knows I still might come out proclaiming it’s the best but I feel it would be more right to say it will be one of the best up there with the three I mentioned.
30 – We quickly discovered after DOCTOR WHO was revived in 2005 that kids did, and do, go back to the previous TV series and look at it, having been inspired to do so by the new version. I have every confidence this will happen with TREK also. So, I presume, do CBS, hence the ‘Best of’ DVDs and Blu Ray movies.
I hope they also get into TNG as well as this is a great showq in its own right
I would love them to also see DS9, Voyager and Enterprise as these are excellent shows as well.
I think DS9 is worth the new fans watching as well
“Throughout, Abrams and his writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman adhere to the three driving forces of Roddenberry’s series: action, character, and smuggled-in, high-minded morality.”
This is the statement that makes me smile. Sums up everything a Star Trek film should be nicely. That definitely sounds like the Star Trek I’ve always enjoyed. Especially the 2nd item, “character”. Puts my mind at ease and I really look forward to seeing good Star Trek finally back on the big screen. Its been far too long. (I’m one who hasn’t been too thrilled with any of the films after ST IV. So for me that’s a looonnng time. lol )
Wow…I have to admit, I was a little skeptical, but Pine looks like he’s got the Shatner charisma…I think he’ll do a fine job in this film and the pretty much guaranteed sequels..
One of the things that I always liked about the original cast was the fact that they never took themselves too seriously…they were, at best, B or C rated actors, but they were fortunate enough to be involved in something like Trek, and at least towards the end most of them embraced it..even Shatner, the Transformed Ham, seems to have come to terms that he will always be “William Shatner, best known for his role as Captain James T. KIrk”
These young actors have the whole world watching right now, and the pressure must be daunting, plus being dragged around the world like this is never easy…Pine looks pretty worn out, but I think they’ll do the characters justice!
Bravo!
38. HesDeadJim – ‘…even Shatner, the Transformed Ham, seems to have come to terms that he will always be “William Shatner, best known for his role as Captain James T. KIrk” ‘
And Shatner has taken that hammy image and turned it into pure marketing gold. He can be annoying at times, but he is pure genius with the things he does. As a friend of mine once said, “look at this guy’s success… Captain Kirk WISHES he could be William Shatner”. :-))
The UK Times called Star Trek “the most enduring franchise in sci-fi history”?
I’d expect that from a US outlet, but from the land that brought us “Dr. Who”? I expect they’ll get some letters on that!
- Harry
I’ve been stuck on a date/time kick lately. Especially when it comes to Europian time zones, especially GMT. I know London is ahead of the US, but a full day ahead?? I think the premiere happened Monday night, UK time, as it is currently only 12:48pm on Tuesday in London right now. But I apologize in advance for being nit-picky.
;)
Unless the premiere went past midnight, but technically that would be Tuesday morning.
I don’t know…I still expect to see Spock come back to the 24th century at an alternative ending of the fim to find Shat….uh Kirk with a big cheese eating grin …got ya!!
[...] All the news and video from yesterday. [...]
“But the pair were also seriously hampered by badly conceived storylines and humdrum action sequences … that stops them joining the likes of Jaws, Star Wars and Independence Day in the annuls of truly great summer films.”
Um… Independence Day???? He does know that Independence Day, well… sucked… right? Well, okay, it didn’t really suck, but to put it in the same leage as Jaws or the original Star Wars? Or even Iron Man? No. No, I don’t think so.
Regardless, great report! I’ll have to watch the videos later, though. But great work, seriously.
Oh, and I’m glad THR liked the movie. More positive reviews to keep the film’s Tomatometer high on RottenTomatoes! :-D
I wonder how often Rottentomatoes updates. They recently added a 7th review, but there are a lot more out there now. Its still at 100%.. i imagine it will be CERTIFIED FRESH based on the initial reviews.
44:
Chuck:
That one crossed my mind as well. Awww, heck. Give Brent Spiner his crazy 2 minutes. It’s like Colm Meaney in “Die Hard 2.” We let ‘them’ have their ‘2 minutes,’ in major action films. Denise Crosby in “48 Hours” doesn’t count. Nor does Colm Meaney’s ‘other’ huge acting career.
Also how much more did “Godzilla” make “ID4″ suck, simply by existing, than if it hadn’t been released at all?
Great report, and a great global tour on the part of the cast and crew. Just a little while longer…
“What it is is a hugely efficient, fast-paced reworking with a spry turn by Chris Pine as James T Kirk – reminiscent of cocky, pre-Angelina Brad Pitt – that has 24-carat star quality.”
The Guardian
So long story short, Star Trek IS this summer’s blockbuster
What John Cho said near the end of the Part II clip, wonderful. Go to 17:20. Sounds like he “gets it.” Dammit, I can’t wait for the movie!!
“That article along with the writer’s opinion is a complete hack job. He says he has never seen the show and only one movies. Need he say more? ”
And isn’t that exactly the audience they are aiming for? The movie-goer who has never cared to see Trek before?
i am one of the lucky one who already saw the movie (last week in berlin). this is going to be a blockbuster, no doubts about it! it´s a great fast-paced movie and most of the people will love it.
during the end titles i nearly cried, because i realised that it was time to definitely say goodbye to picard, ryker, crusher, data, sisko, dax, bashir, kyra, janeway, chakotay, belanna and all the other great characters from TNG, DS9 and VOY.
but i can´t wait to see it again, it´s time to start from scratch again and i am thrilled about what we will be in for the next years. maybe a new TV series?
BBC Radio Scotland had a brief piece on the Premiere this morning as well.
Star Trek Press Conference: The Voyage Home.
#51 – You mean insecure, d-bad kinda guys who put down ST or any other nerdy thing they see as a threat to their coolness? Those kind of guys?
You could replace the entire article with..
“Star Trek is stupid, it’s uncool. Why are they even trying. I’m too awesome to even think about seeing it, and I have to use my column to let eveyone know that. You’d think my senior editor would be mad about me wasting my column on this hack job, but not caring shows how much of a bad@ss I am. I’ m also trying to impress this new girl at Starbucks. If she knew I wrote an article about Star Trek she may think I’m uncool too.”
#55 – That’s “insecure, d-bag kinda guys” sorry.
OH YES BABY!!!! :D awesome awesome awesome. AWESOME :D :D
The Daily Mail says the film is “not only by far the best of the 11 Star Trek movies, it must rank as the outstanding prequel of all time.”
WOW.
*jumping up and down on his chair* Were there ever such great reviews? ^^ Can’t wait, just 2 Weeks *polishes his uniform and props*
Selor… all your props and uniform are no longer canon.
j/k!!
Star Trek 12/2: God no, not the f’ng Borg! (Give them a rest!)
Some fantastic reviews, there. I’m also thinking about the sequel, a bit. It’s difficult to think of a story, however. We have the same old blueprint: bad guy attacks; stop him. TVH is one of my favourite Trek films, partly because it escapes this blueprint, with the ‘bad guy’ being man’s treatment of the environment. The general blueprint is of the same kind for Trek as it is for Star Wars, Bond, etc. One idea I thought of is to have political intrigue in the Empire (or Federation) which results in a full-scale war. That would keep the new Trek fans happy. Imagine the action sequences this film would give rise to: many birds of prey darting about, which, if done properly, would provide a different kind of space battle; an epic space battle. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to keep Trek’s optimism in such a ‘story’. Moreover, the conflict might stunt character interaction; and the story would lack the intellectual depth that is quintessentially Star Trek.
All I can say is that I wish the ‘Supreme Court’ well in their attempts to write Trek 12, if and when they do write Trek 12.
#9
His statement about them being ‘in a panic’ is pure embellishment. If you read the original Variety article, you can see he’s subjected it to his own interpretation. Plus, he writes like an 18 year old despite claims that he’s north of 25.
Thinking about who Kirk and crew should take on next? I would really love to see Kirk have a go at Q. In this new direction I think Q vs Kirk would really be fun and could tie these different shows in really well. Who knows Q could even pull Picard and company in for the adventure.
I am 25 and can’t wait lol
No Q, and nothing from Next Gen era. Everything from TOS is fair game now.
In other words, there is no argument. It must be a two part KHAN epic.
[...] more London coverage head over to Trekmovie, as [...]
@66…
maybe a Vesarius storyline, in which Bayley takes control of the ship and destroys whole star systems…
NEWS
http://www.youtube.com/user/mklvnd
#9 – Star trek hasn’t been turned into a kiddie action movie because they are worried about Wolverine … it’s a bit too late for them to remake and dumb down the film.
The only way it will be kiddie is if it was made that way from the beginning, and according to the reviews, it hasn’t.
BIG NEWS IT’s A ROMULAN PADD!
http://www.youtube.com/user/mklvnd
Does Jonathan Ross still count as a ‘popular TV presenter’ after the Andrew Sachs debacle? Have any of the broadsheets reviewed it yet? I’m more interested in their opinion, to be honest. Also, first paragraph of article says premiere was Tuesday night, but the second paragraph says Monday night.
#72
Yes, I posted this on Saturday from the Daily Telegraph, though it was updated yesterday.
Only minor spoilery
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturecritics/markmonahan/5170975/Star-Trek-screening-report.html
IMAX in GLASGOW Scotland – Got my tickets for 8th April 6.30pm showing…. Whoo hoooo! me my wife and my 2 daughters 16 and 18yrs old cant wait!
No. 74 – Sorry i meant May not April! LOL!
The BBC review of the film made it seem like Star Trek is nothing but a mindless action movie. I hope that isn’t the case.
#9 sez “Trek has now turned into a kiddie action movie.”
The BBC critic seems to agree with you :(
Here’s hoping it isn’t so …
#73—Yep. Yet another good review.
#76—-”The BBC review of the film made it seem like Star Trek is nothing but a mindless action movie. ”
I didn’t get that at all. The BBC review is quite complimentary, and nothing in it at all suggests that ST09 is “mindless”. What part of that review did you interpret this way, or was there something you were looking for in it that wasn’t there?
Still yet to see a poor review. Even the more critical ones are encouraging and favorable. I’m honestly a bit surprised that there isn’t a single person out there ripping it apart. I’m sure that the reviews will probably come down to Earth a bit once it’s released to the general public—-but still—-the feedback has been genuinely impressive. At least a thousand people have seen it by now—-and they (fans and non-fans alike) are almost uniformly touting it as something worth seeing.
I still don’t know how it will perform at the box-office though, as I think there are still alot of preconceived notions about Trek to overcome in the mainstream. But none of this “buzz” is hurting its chances.
#77—”The BBC critic seems to agree with you”
Are you two guys reading a different BBC review?
#39 Shatner is a genius, no doubt about it…the man has turned mediocre acting into a marketable skill, but I don’t like him for his success, I like him because he’s taken what God or nature or whatever gave him and made something of it…that’s why he’ll ALWAYS be cool…imagine that, a Canadian living out the American dream!
#52 You have confirmed what I have been thinking all along…ST09 begins in the TNG era universe, jumps back in time to the TOS universe, and alters it to the point where the afforementioned TNG universe no longer exists as we know it….
Sad? Yes, in a way…but at the same time, this opens a lot of doors…there have been so many times when I have written, say, and essay and had to go back and correct it or shorten it because it was too lengthy…I hate it when I cannot include EVERYTHING that I want to say, but sometimes relieving some of that baggage helps…
This movie really will boldly go where the others have not or could not
Hey guys I was at this premiere and all I can say was that it was…VERY fast paced!
Absolutely breathtaking effects though and the cast all perform very well.
Bana and Nimoy sadly don’t really contribute as much to the plot as they should.
The crowd went crazy though as Nimoy made his first appearance on screen…and similarly at the end of the movie, everyone was on their feet!
On first watch i’m giving it a 8/10.
This is not the trek you know, however, it is definetly the trek you WANT to know!!
It’s funny that so many fans complained about Uhura getting too much attention—and yet the BBC review states that she is “underwritten”. Lol.
#82 I’d say Chekov and Sulu don’t get as much air time as they should of!
83 have they ever?? I mean, really?
WIth all this talk about reboots, I’m starting to wonder if Original Spock fails in his mission and then starts to dissapear from existence, and then hops up on stage and starts playing “Earth Angel” until his dad kisses his mom and knocks out Biff…
I mean, one of the cuts from the soundtrack DOES have McFly in it…
Don’t scare me like this…
I agree. They make the movie what it is too!!
The UK premiere is by far the best IMHO. I am thrilled that my soon to be adopted country (my husband and I are relocating there in June) has embraced Star Trek. I have been up all night watching video from the premiere that my husband and other family members have been emailing me. I am sleep deprived but boy was it worth it! I am so excited for May 8th.
I love that Simon wore a kilt! I know the original Scotty wore a kilt as part of his dress uniform in TOS. I hope Simon wears one in the sequel. He is such a geek! His comments had me laughing.
I have friends and family in the US and UK that are already buying tickets for May 7th and 8th. I brought our tickets for the 7:00 show at the AMC-24-Aventura Mall.
FYI, you can read the entirety of Paul Pope’s 6 page Spock comic story on Wired’s website: http://www.wired.com/special_multimedia/2009/whenWorldsCollide
@#64. Brilliant…..I would love to see that,especially if Data and Spock interacted.
Well, apparently IGN didn’t understand the story…that’s okay though, I never credited IGN with an overabundance of brains anyways.
#84, exactly they haven’t but they did have one or two moments to shine!
To all UK fans dont panic I live in Dundee and nearly crashed my car today cos i was driving down the road and passed one of those JCDecaux advertising boards, Had a big poster. was paying more attention to it than the road! Woops!
Sulu certainly doesn’t shine in TWOK. I really think he was more or less out of place. Why wouldn’t a less senior but capable helmsman be aboard the Enterprise for the “training mission”. At least Chekov’s place in the story made more sense, as he has been promoted and serves aboard another ship.
What the heck is Sulu doing hanging around the Enterprise? Or Uhura for that matter?
Spock’s position makes sense. Even Scotty’s….and I can always buy that “Bones” is only still in Starfleet so that he can position his head up Kirk’s posterior—-but Sulu, Uhura, and Chekov should have been furthering their careers, and only the latter seemed to be doing so.
I always thought that the people in charge of Trek’s creative direction at the time tried too hard to keep the minor characters around despite their age and length of service, and I felt it was a missed opportunity to introduce more new characters in their places.
off topic – but regarding the Trek issue of WIRED
The UK may issue of Wired has no Trek article?? (and it dosnt look like the June issue will either as there was no mention of Trek on the ‘coming next issue’ page)
Anyone know what the deal is in the UK or will we have to get the US version from eBay?
#75 Allistair Gourlay
U aren’t the same Ally Gourlay who supports the Mighty Raith?
Great coverage Ronan and David!!
An awesome movie, fantastic :-D
I am sure that others have commented on this (yet again, invisible comments until I post), but don’t those lens flares in the video interviews make it all seem so incredibly realistic? You would swear that there were actual real people interviewing and being interviewed!
Another thing was that someone shouted something like I THOUGHT THIS WA SSTAR WARS halfway through the film…
he made a retard of himself.
#95 Fraid not my friend! But greetings from Dullatur nr. Cumbernauld!
Im the Allister Gourlay that hates football with a vengeance!
BTW not seen any poster around the Glasgow area as yet?
I certainly hope that you’re wrong, HesDeadJim (#80). I thought that the whole point of this story was that a new timeline is created that’s separate from the original one; consequently, the old universe, with the TNG characters, etc., continues, unaffected, in the original timeline.
If Nero destroys the original universe, however, then Nero kills everyone we know (and don’t know) who’s still alive in that universe: Picard, Riker, Sisko, Janeway, etc. That wouldn’t AT ALL be respecting Trek continuity or canon. And I thought such things were, largely, to be respected. I also thought that Bob said that there is a possibility of more TNG…This would seem to suggest that Picard and co are fine in their timeline. I’m ok with a reboot. But I would be very disappointed if 40 years’ worth of Trek was just killed-off in one film.
#100 It definetly is an alternate timeline. 100% confirmed.
Hence why the Enterprises look different, as well as a few other things you’ll pick up from the movie.
#100—I think it had run its course anyway (I hope you weren’t really holding your breath for more TNG), but it’s not as if it has been erased from canon.
Everything you know from ENT-NEM happens. It has to happen before the timeline incursion. The 5 series and 10 previous films depict events which form the timeline that leads the story to this point. Add to that the fact that the potential for the creation of an alternate timeline due to interference with the past is in itself canon. Canon is both respected and kept intact. In fact, it is essential to this story, particularly since both Nero and Nimoy’s Spock are products of that very timeline.
But make no mistake. It seems quite clear that the future (at least the forseeable future) is in this altered 23rd Century. There will be plenty of new stories to tell with Starfleet’s greatest heroes on the bridge of the Enterprise.
FINALLY SOME UNBIASED REVIEWS.
Two of these reviews indicate the story is weak and thin and the movie only works because of the hyped-up effects. This is exactly what many of us have suspected all along as the story began to coalesce. How well this movie does depends solely on how distracted the audience is by the flash and slight of hand. It definitely sounds now like it is the Summer popcorn movie many here thought it was going to be. No wonder they moved it away from the more serious, thinking movie season in December.
Here’s the deal about the British reviews. They allow the all-important and deeply influential Sunday New York Times reveiwer to give the movie a pass to “better than average”, which is all Paramount wants from the Times. The NYT was probably looking to the British press, especially the Times and the Daily Telegraph for some guidance, although they would have seen the final product by now.
I think this thing gets out by word of mouth in a big way. I also think this thing has legs and does monster numbers for Paramount, enough to make Abrams his own man in Hollywood. Probably enough to put a huge dent in the Lucas Franchise. I’m not worried about the kids. They’ll come. WOMA will bring them.
I wonder if this thing gets a TIME cover.
101. Commander K ; 102. Closettrekker:
My issue isn’t whether the concept of alternative timelines is canon. And I understand how what has happened is necessary for this film to take place. My concern is with what some posters have suggested or what I have (perhaps wrongly) interpreted them as suggesting. Namely, that the new timeline, or someone’s actions in the new timeline, somehow erases or overwrites the original timeline. I thought Bob explained that the new timeline doesn’t impact upon the original timeline such that what happens in the new timeline has no significant consequences for the original timeline. It’s just that people, such as Nero and Spock, can travel from one timeline to the other. I understand that there is probably never going to be any more TNG or DS9, etc. But I would be really disappointed to discover that Nero and co somehow erase the original timeline (and so kill Picard, Riker, Sisko, Janeway,etc.). I’m glad that the new film is an origin story and that we can start afresh in this new timeline. But there’s no need to delete the original timeline. Let it runs its course. Let’s just have our stories in this new timeline.
103. RD
You’ve made it clear through your posts that ever since this project came to fruition, it would not have your support. Now, the movie has been seen by many. It currently has a 100% rating on the rotten tomatoes tomatometer and has been very, very well received by the toughest of the tough film critics. And yet here you are still trying to convince us that this movie is going to suck. You have pointed out a small constructive criticism and bent and enlarged it to make it sound bad. The said reviewer pointed out that for a moment or so in the middle of the movie, certain elements made the plot “appear” to be thin. But the reviewer also said that overall, this was not the case. So come on man. No one said you had to like it, but the extreme biases that are eeking through your posts towards this movie are borderline ridiculous.
Governator, dont worry about RD. I’ve seen the film, and its certainly not a shallow story. Alot of people are ranting, let them rant. They have no clue how truly awesome this movie is. Most pessimists are going to have to eat humble pie come 8th May.
Simon Pegg is On Friday With Jonathan Ross this Friday so they WILL of course talk Star Trek…!
103. RD – April 21, 2009
FINALLY SOME UNBIASED REVIEWS.
Two of these reviews indicate the story is weak and thin and the movie only works because of the hyped-up effects. This is exactly what many of us have suspected all along as the story began to coalesce.
Pffff. Won’t expect to get any unbiased reviews from you.
One tiny comment and you blow it out of the water. So ALL of the positive reviews are biased? Give me a flipping break.
So many reviews, so many “Scotty provides comic relief” comments. And every time I read that, my heart sinks a little further.
Could someone who has seen this film please assure me that my fave character has not been totally screwed, before I waste two hours of my life, and my hard-earned dosh on this thing?
- A second TREK movie full with klingons it’s a great ideea…
Saw the premier – Scotty fantastic! rest assured all is well ;-D
you forgot the Belgian and Holland Star Trek Press Conference
This movie really knew how to bring a tear to the audiences eye after making them chuckle the minutes before. Now thats a good movie..one that can tug the heartstrings!