The Wait Is Over – Star Trek Day Is Here + Opening Day Tidbits May 7, 2009
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Great Links, Star Trek (2009 film) , trackback
You knew that headline was coming. It is finally here. This evening fans across the country (and the world) are finally seeing Star Trek’s big return to the big screen. For today’s tidbits we have some newish photos, box office predictions, more reviews, an interesting Spock video essay, and more.
Reminder: Tickets available online (including IMAX)
As we will begin every tidbits, we remind you that you can now buy advanced tickets (including early shows) for Star Trek at Fandango. You can also get tickets for IMAX at Fandango. And by buying your tickets from Fandango, you are supporting TrekMovie.com. For locations that don’t have tickets available through Fandango, try movietickets.com.
Another Reminder: New Reader Review Page
TrekMovie has more site reviews lined up, but what about the fans? Well we have set up a page for reader reviews, so if you have seen the movie, write your own review.
SEND IN YOUR PREMIERE PHOTOS!
TrekMovie wants to see your premiere experience, so send in any interesting photos to tips [@] trekmovie [dot] com.
New(ish) pictures
We linked to some of these before, but today Paramount made the widely available and we have them in high res.
[note some captions have minor spoilers]
Click images to enlarge
Enterprise leaves Space Dock
Bones and Kirk head for space dock…and see a certain ship
Hangar at Starfleet Academy
Kirk bumps head on shuttle headed to SFA
Nero on bridge of Narada
Kirk faces his accuser (Mr. Spock)
Spock accuses Kirk of cheating
George Kirk in command of USS Kelvin bridge
Winona Kirk holds baby Jim
Box Office Predictions
The new guessing game is all about how much the movie will do in its opening weekend. JJ Abrams and Paramount are lowballing, with numbers in the $45-$50Million range. But the Derby at Box Office Mojo has the domestic opening weekend at $74.4M and BoxOffice.com is projecting Star Trek to make $70M. The only real data we have so far is that Fandango tells us that Star Trek is now accounting for 91% of their online sales and it is outpacing where Wolverine was last week. One note of caution is that online sales are not neccesarily reflective of overall sales, plus Wolverine was on about 6% more screens than Star Trek.
Review Watch – Trek a hit with the critics – WaPo issues a prayer
Star Trek remains the highest current wide release film at the two ranking sites: with 85% at Metacritic and 94% at Rotten Tomatoes. The Yahoo Movies critics summary gives the film a B+.
Some of today’s positive reviews from top critics:
- New York Times "The spirit of adventure and embrace of rationality that define the show are in full swing"
- LA Times: "sci-fi epic mind-melds Roddenberry’s vision with J.J. Abrams’ sense of entertainment: epic storytelling and ramped-up action"
- USA Today: "an energetic sci-fi extravaganza, with spectacular action sequences and nifty visuals. "
- NPR: "the point of a reboot isn’t really to tell a tale; it’s to ensure that the underlying enterprise can go on. Abrams has done that, for sure,"
- Time: "a real family film, relatively light on the violence and funny without being overly crude" [link includes video interview with JJ Abrams]
Really the only major critic was from he New Yorker, which had this (cue the torches and pitchforks) comment:
This theme of alternative reality is clumsily worked, and not a patch on its tighter, more alluring, and thus much scarier treatment in “Coraline.” Its effect here is to saddle us with two Mr. Spocks, one from the vulnerable present and one from the comforting future, and its main purpose, I suspect, is to drag in Leonard Nimoy, who these days makes Bela Lugosi look like Zac Efron, and thus insure that all the “Star Trek” scholars in the audience will have to hurry home and change their underwear.
But the most interesting review of the day comes from The Washington Post, which had their positive review in the form of a prayer, it starts off thusly:
Let us pray.
Lord of "Star Trek" and all its spinoffs, we thank thee for a movie that, against all odds, has miraculously resurrected a wheezing but beloved franchise.
We thank thee for an origin story that, unlike such recent downers featuring the Incredible Hulk and Wolverine, pays affectionate respect to its source material but never falls into the trap of slavish worship.
We thank thee for a cast of bright young actors who plunge headlong into the spirit of "Star Trek" at its most goofily straight-faced, saying some of the show’s most familiar catchphrases as if for the very first time, and capturing the gestures and physical habits of their characters.
.
Essay on Spock
L Magazine has a long, but worth checking out and very interesting video essay on Mr. Spock.
Interviews
JJ Abrams on Jimmy Fallon
Zoe Saldana on Jimmy Kimmel
John Cho on Jay Leno
Zoe in Latina (click to read interview)
Talk show list updated – Don’t forget Nimoy to do Top 10
The Trek stars are fanning across the talk shows and TV stations, here are the latest videos. Tune in for these upcoming appearances:
- Thursday 5/7: "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (ABC) – John Cho
- Thursday 5/7: "Late Show with David Letterman" (CBS) – Leonard Nimoy (doing top 10 as Spock)
- Friday 5/8: "Jimmy Kimmel Live" (ABC) – Chris Pine
- Friday 5/8: "Tavis Smiley" (PBS) – JJ Abrams
- Friday 5/8: "The View" (ABC) – Leonard Nimoy
- Friday 5/8: "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" (NBC) – Leonard Nimoy & Zachary Quinto
Also tune into the TV Guide Channel tonight at 8PM for a special on Star Trek.
Finally: Lost Parody
JJ Abrams two projects crash together:
Tidbits bits
Even more Star Trek stuff for you:
- Star Trek science advisor Carolyn Porco blogs about film, including its relation to the Cassini project
- Star Trek Promotion with UK’s Daily Telegraph with giveaways
- Newsweek uses Star Trek and Star Trek to look at Bush v Obama
Trek v Wars
Thanks to all the tipsters
Comments»
Here we go!
I honestly think we can outperform last week’s wolverine returns…
Well, I’ve seen it twice so far. Once it German and once in English.
You can read my review in the comment section of this article:
(you’ll have to scroll down a bit, it’s #267)
http://trekmovie.com/2009/05/05/jeff-bonds-review-of-star-trek/#1803219
@#1: Why the hell are so many people obsessed with being the first one to comment?
Great to see this day finally unfold…^^ Saw the movie on Wednesday in Germany. It is terrific but not perfect. Considering most aspects the best Trek movie to date.
Everybody enjoy!
Saw it last night in IMAX at a preview showing, seeing it again Saturday.
Absolutely blown away by this film. Been a trekker since the early ’70s as a young kid.
I want MORE of this Trek. Moves AND TV please.
“I’ve been waiting for this day……This is exciting”. My Wife and I have tickets for “Star Trek” at an IMAX theater on Sunday. Never been to an IMAX, I hope it will be awesome!
I saw the movie and find it the BEST Star Trek film made!!!!!
Just back home from the Imax screening across the other side of the country (it’s a small country).
I think I’m more relieved than anything else – they really didn’t make a mess of things and apart from some minor niggles that I’ve seen shared by other people, it worked for me.
The wait is not over… I want Star Trek 2.0 part 2 asap please!!
And Quinto was great I thought, I liked his take on Spock very much. Not aping Nimoy but clearly conflicted. The audience were Scottish and laughed a lot at Simon Pegg and the hubbub going out seemed to be very positive indeed.
I must check my diary for next week…
Hooray! Going to see it tomorrow night at a local old-fashioned “Movie Palace” in Brattleboro, Vermont. Looking forward to it!
Saw the film yesterday midnight, and again tonight. Going again soon. Can you tell I enjoyed it? :P
I saw it last night (I’m in Australia). It was unreal! What an awesome movie.
PLOT SPOILER
*
*
*
But I’m still sad about Vulcan. Now this isn’t a rant against canon actually, it’s just sad that Vulcan was destroyed.
Pike’s line to Nero “You just committed genocide against a peaceful people” sums up the loss perfectly.
Saw the movie tonight. Loved it.
I have to say, the new Enterprise design looked very nice on the big screen.
Minor Spoilers!
WOW! saw the movie at 6:30 at Imax in Melbourne, and there was a good vibe among the crowd even before the movie started.The star trek theme was playing before the movie, getting everyone in the mood beforehand.
The opening scene is amazing, just wished i could of seen more of Captain Robau.
Effects were spectacular, the character moments really hit home, the mannerisms and phrases of the crew all homaging the original’s performances, and there was even a slight cheer when Spock Prime appeared!
The only things that irked me were 1) The romance in the film was alluded to WAY too subtly before being slapping us in the face with it, and
2) the shaky ‘bay’ style camera work made it hard to follow the action scenes, although this could be because we are used to seeing starships always oriented the right way, and slow panning shots of the ships, not 360 views like JJ has done.
And of course, the defining moment was the monologue by spock prime, which made us realise this movie was made just to get them on the bridge, the real adventures of the enterprise are still to come, and i say BRING IT ON!
Anthony,
I just want to say that I’ve enjoyed your website immensely and will continue to do so. You have made this new Star Trek even more special by creating an international hub for a multitude of Star Trek fans. You and your staff should be very proud of your incredible accomplishments.
I can’t wait to see what trekmovie has in store for the future.
#14
Well said Chris.
I did know the headline was coming, and I can’t freakin wait!
Thanks for everything Anthony!!
Ah Newsweek. So typical. The Republicans are the evil characters and the Democrats are the heroes. Only problem is both parties want the same thing…a big spending, big government that controls the individual through regulation, taxation and the destruction of your Liberty.
It’s time to fight back! http://www.CampaignForLiberty.com
At least Newsweek picked the best Enterprise; The Constitution class refit!
Yes! The wait is over! I can not express how excited I am! The first showing starts in one hr at 7pm in my small town. But I am not going to see the movie till 12pm tomorrow. The only reason is that I was able to convince my GF to see the movie! I am also taking the day off from work to go see this. Its been a long 3yrs since the movie was first announced, and ever since the beginning I have been coming her to trekmovie to get my fix of Trek every morning. Anthony you have done an INCREDIBLE job on this site. And I continue to look forward to see what the future brings to this site and Trek itself.
“Let us pray.
“Lord of “Star Trek” and all its spinoffs, we thank thee for a movie that, against all odds, has miraculously resurrected a wheezing but beloved franchise.
“We thank thee for an origin story that, unlike such recent downers featuring the Incredible Hulk and Wolverine, pays affectionate respect to its source material but never falls into the trap of slavish worship.
“We thank thee for a cast of bright young actors who plunge headlong into the spirit of “Star Trek” at its most goofily straight-faced, saying some of the show’s most familiar catchphrases as if for the very first time, and capturing the gestures and physical habits of their characters.”
Hmmm. Not a bad liturgy, if missing the properly conjugated Edwardian verbs and wonderful vocabulary of the Book of Common Prayer.
And from the heretical Washington Post no less. Be still my heart!
Sincerely,
C.S. Lewis
D’oh! L-I-T-A-N-Y not liturgy. Double d’oh!
Humbly and apologetially,
C.S. Lewis
*highfives everybody*
Newsweek. Pfft. The weekly chronicle of satan if ever there was one. And as a card-carrying Mensan, I find their comparisons highly illogical.
Sincerely,
C.S. Lewis
oh yea !!!!! STAR TREK , HERE I COME !!!!
i just saw the movie – twice. I am speechless. It is a most phenomenal film, my expectationbs wrre high but fearful, but i came out of it amazed. Abrams and his team did a most excellent job, well deserving to be paid for to see at a theatre
Just got out of the film… And I have to say I’m pretty disappointed. Not gonna ruin it for anyone though, will post detailed comments later.
So do the nacelle caps ever turn red or what?
#26
Didn’t you know, that blue is in style this summer ? Some say it’s the new red.
And I’m the exact opposite of “disappointed in the movie.” Just walked out and thought it was fantastic. Everyone who hasn’t seen it yet make sure and go. You owe it to yourself.
Going to catch the afternoon showing tomorrow. I’m too excited, I’ll never get to sleep tonight………and I’m 48 years old! Thanks J.J., Mr. Orci and Mr. Kurtzeman (sp?) for letting me feel 12 years old again!
@8
“The wait is not over… I want Star Trek 2.0 part 2 asap please!!”
So would that make it Star Trek 2.2? jk ;)
I just seen it. My fears were unfounded. It is still Trek.
Thumbs up.
Just saw it!
Dear Orci, Kurtzman, Abrams, Lindelof, Burke, and the entire cast:
Thank you for saving the franchise.
Thank you for bringing Star Trek back to us!
#26 – no, the caps never glow red. They do however glow bright bluish-white at one point.
I just got home from seeing Star Trek. By far the best Star Trek movie. Khan is no match for the new Trek! I thought it was a perfect balance of action, comedy and heart. There really isn’t anything I found in the movie that was cliche or forced as far as the acting went. I can’t wait to see it again and again!!
It did suck about Vulcan though. :o(…
I just got home from one of the most exciting movie experiences in recent memory. It’s not perfect, but pretty damn close!
All I can say (for now *) is OMIGAWD!!!!
RUN, do not walk! Run to the nearest theatre. Do it!
*review to come after I organize my thoughts and feelings on this.
Isn’t it funny how each political party assumes Star Trek reflects it’s ideals and not those of the other party’s (see the Star Trek/Star Wars comparison above).
I’m a conservative independent, and see a LOT of my belief system in Trek, including a tolerance for diversity, yet staying true to one’s values.
I suspect my liberal friends also see their beliefs reflected in Roddenberry’s vision. As Bob Orci mentioned in another thread, we shouldn’t be so foolish as to let the mainstream media stereotype and divide us.
I suspect most conservatives and liberals have a lot more in common than many would lead us to believe.
I just saw the movie… not going to reveal anything, but I have to say it was downright amazing. Thanks Trekmovie for keeping up so well… It was indeed a great journey.
#35
just got back from my viewing too. it was amazing. yes little things could have been changed. the last nimoy scene i felt was a bit rushed, and my retinas need some retnox 5 thanks to the lense flare. but other than that it was just the star trek fix ive needed. more so even.
10 out of 10
I have not posted on this site, but I can no longer stay silent. This movie was awesome. If you truly love trek, you will love this movie
Anthony…
Bruce Greenwood will be on CBC’s popular night talk show “The Hour” tonight. It is available in Canada and U.S. border towns only.
I Just saw it… and It was way way way better than I expected! The comedy, action, suspense just blow my mind. Way to go JJ. Way to bring this to a new generation, THANK YOU.
Worst Movie Ever. This was a big middle finger to all true fans of Star Trek. By going back and changing everything, they destroyed all the other series and movies. They never happened!
It was an ok stand alone movie, but if you liked anything that ever came before, then your pretty much s.o.l
When I was in college, writing news and sports for the student newspaper, one of my colleagues who reviewed movies invited me to join him for an exclusive midnight showing of ‘Star Trek III,’ which he was reviewing for the next day’s paper. A quarter century later, he’s still at it, now writing for the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Gazette. Here’s what he had to say about the new Trek:
“There are certain things you don’t expect to find in a ‘Star Trek’ movie: joyriding teens, sky-diving, the music of the Beastie Boys. But director J.J. Abrams includes all of these — and many more surprises — in his version of ‘Star Trek,’ an ambitious, audacious and altogether fascinating revitalization of a well-known property. It’s a ‘Star Trek’ for people who think they don’t like ‘Star Trek.’” – James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Well said, James!
That pic of Obama vs. Bush/ ST vs. SW was stupid. People shouldn’t mix Sci Fi and politics.
(you know they might have compared Clinton to Kirk back in the day now look, he’s Pike all diseased and junk)
So you never know, 20 years from now Pres. Obama might be compared with Nero.
You never know.
Anthony–
Just a suggestion, maybe you should create a page as a forum for spoiler-laden talkbacks? Just to try to keep it out of the other articles?
Thanks
The wait IS over
Got home a while ago. Still digesting it all, but the magic was captured. The characters were always what was important to me and that was captured very well.
Despite no Shat, I still really liked this and look forward to more.
Well done.
I just saw it.
Evokes Star Trek the way the Lost in Space movie resembled the original.
Too much CGI.
Too much reliance on gags and devices.
Drilling rig. Yawn.
Romulan villans are worse than “Nemesis” bad.
Story= weak.
Actors=impersonators
140 million?Where?
Yuck.Hated it.
The first word that comes to mind is EPIC.
The second word that comes to mind is FAN-TASTIC!
Bob Orci, you were right. My non-Trekkie wife understood and enjoyed the movie, and, well… I was gushing from the first frame anyway, but I loved it.
Thanks again – that really was two-and-a-half years worth the wait and paid off handsomely. Looking forward to an IMAX showing sometime in the near future, the Blu-Ray release, and a sequel.
I have been a Star Trek fan for forty years and I just watched the movie earlier tonight. I must say that this is the best Trek movie ever! It has everything a good Trek movie needed. A bigger budget, great story, good acting, and lots of action, also enjoyed the handheld camera stuff.
I’m going back to see it again. Bravo!
#48 – Let us know when you’ve actually seen it ;)
Just got back from screening at IMAX theater. The movie was awesome (except when the projector went out briefly 2 minutes into the film). Even knowing what I knew, there were some surprises in the movie for me.
The crowd was a good mix of ages. I also think it was not a “fan base” crowd. Both of which bode well for general box office for the movie.
Also, I would like to add my thanks to those already being voiced by other to Anthony for all is work on TrekMovie. You’ve helped keep us in the loop through all this. Here’s hoping for continued Trek and TrekMovie.com!
I just saw the film with a couple of friends. I have to say that I went in with some trepidation, but I came out of that theater fully prepared to see the film again. Star Trek is not merely a great Star Trek film, but a great film. I won’t belabor the points that so many other reviewers have so enthusiastically made — I loved this film, from the characters to the dialogue to the underlying humanity which is the quintessence of great Trek. My mind is blown by what has been done by the cast and crew behind this newest Trek film.
Go see it.
I give it a solid B
Story: B/B- (I thought it was rather rushed, though I can’t tell whether it was because it WAS rushed or because it was my first viewing. Sometimes I find that the first time I watch a movie it seems rushed, and then it’s fine after that)
Acting: B (Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Nero, Pike all get As; Spock Prime, Sulu get Bs. Scott gets a C. Chechov gets a D)
Special Effects: A+ (wow..just…wow)
Music: C+ (a little underwhelming, but still decent)
I thought it was very, very, good. Actually – thats an understatement. Man; the sound effects were incredible. & the transporter DAMN – wow
I DO understand why some will dislike – but if you let yourself just enjoy it, and not nit-pick; its a fast paced thrill ride. I loved it.
FIRE PHASERS
I have to wait till tonight!….damn…..
I saw it earlier tonight in the UK and i thought it was an amazing film, not just a great Trek film but a great sci-fi film in general. My thanks go to Orci, JJ and the rest of the cast & crew, you all did a great job! Bring on the next one i say :)
OK. Just saw the movie and I knew that I would love it and indeed I did. But, as a sort of test, I asked my wife and two kids to go. My daughter is 16 and my son is 12.
So… now you’ve got my wife (who hates all things science fiction), my 16 year old daughter who would rather “die” than go to a “geek film” with her dad, especially that “nerdy Star Trek thing”, and my 12 year old son who’s a total Star WARS fan and said he “hates” Star Trek.
All during the movie, I’m totally aborbed in it and loving every single second. I notice that it’s awfully quiet next to me (wife and kids).
At the end of the movie, the wife and both kids LOVED what they saw. My wife said, “wait… that was 2 hrs? no way… i want more!! Are they making another one?” This, don’t forget from the woman who HATES all things science fiction… she LOVES the new Star Trek.
My 16 yr old daughter said, “wow… that was WAY better than I could even have imagined, I really liked the story and action.” Then I asked her what she liked best. She said, “Kirk… he is so hottt (notice the THREE t’s in that “hot”).. LOL
My 12 yr old son said, “wow… this was very cool, you didn’t tell me it was going to be cool like this.”.
So… now I *KNOW* that JJ Abrams and EVERY SINGLE person who worked on this movie got it right. My family is definitely the average movie goer and cross section of typical movie goers. And they liked it.. so the filmakers have a HIT.
As for me.. I loved it. I’ll go back and see it again to catch all the nuances that I missed the first time. Especially since I forgot to look at the bartender, played by Tony Guma, who I taught high school English with about 14 yrs ago.
Go SEE IT!
I saw the movie for the first time just over a fortnight ago, and again on Monday. I was really quite worried as to how this film would turn out, early images of the very young crew wear leading me to believe that it would be like High School Musical in Space… But no, it turned out to be a TRULY FANTASTIC FILM.
Sure, it completely ass-rapes the rest of the series “canon” wise, but the way I’ve come to picture it is as more of a “what if” story, rather than a deletion of the future continuity we are familiar with. Another way of phrasing it I guess would just be “an alternate timeline”.
Oh, happy day. :D
good morning here from Manila, philippines!
I’ll be leaving in an hour to watch the first screening of Star Trek in our local cinema here (theatres here open at noon). finally after three years of waiting I’ll now be seeing the whole thing.
To Anthony and the entire crew of trekmovie.com, thank you so much for giving me my regular trek fix everyday. i’ve been visiting and posting in the site since 2006, congratulations for a job well done!
just saw it :D …it was awesome for the most part… the characters were great, the ships are cool (especially the kelvin!) and the scale of everything was MASSIVE… the only flaws were that there wasn’t much to the plot…so with the pacing, it just zoomed by and you were left wondering ‘what was that?! what just happened?!’ …it’s setup wonderfully for a sequel, and there were some interesting new twists to this universe as a result of Nero’s actions… it just felt a little thin plotwise, but I suppose that’s expected being that it’s setting up a whole new universe…
I saw this film in Estonia, which is next to Russia and used to be part of the USSR.
Chekov got a round of applause from the crowd and laughter at everything he said – I asked my girlfriend why and she said that the accent was a little overdone, but I think the applause was for it being a lot more genuine than the original Chekov. The little bit of Russian he speaks got a big reaction too.
Even my wife liked it. GET YOUR GEEK ON!!!
*Screams* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really find it hard to believe that this thing we’ve been waiting for more than a year for is now here, and I’m going to see it tomorrow. It just doesn’t seem possible… like we must have passed through a temporal anomaly….
Have to wait till tomorrow, but the enthusiasm is overwhelming. YAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The worse part of the whole thing is I won’t be able to get any more tidbits and new footage. :(
Can’t Wait!!!!!!!!!!
I just saw the movie and i was mind blown. It was absolutely amazing! I thought that the main characters were amazing and the effects were mindblowing! I definately cannot waite till there is another movie like this one!
I just got back from seeing the film, and all I can is “Wow, what an incredible ride!” I’ve been a fan of Trek since I first saw repeats on an old black and white TV bacvk in the early 70’s. and while I don’t agree with every decision made in this re-imagining, my hat’s off to everyone involved with this film. It’s just an amazing tour de force of visuals and sound, and the many small character moments between the crew are wonderful. I did not expect to laugh as many times as I did. I had my doubts on how good this movie would really be, but it exceeded my expectations. It was just great fun! I already have tickets purchased to see it in IMAX next Saturday, and I am really looking forward to it. To anyone who has decided to not see this film, for whatever reason, I ask you to recosider. Do yourself a favor and give this film a chance. Go see it. Otherwise, you will be missing out on a great experience.
This movie was absolutely amazing! Thank you J.J., Bob Orci, Alex, and all who worked on this!
And thank you Anthony and TrekMovie.com for giving us, the fans, such a fantastic site to gather and converse!
I’m still drying my pants! Going tomorrow to see it again in IMAX!
So, a question. Should it be seen on Imax the first viewing, or was it too much for a screen that size? Would a second go around be preferred for the Imax experience? Still undecided.
A+ … For those of you who really appreciate TOS, this movie will blow you the f$!k away. Nuff said. Now the long wait for the next one… :(
…but a happy wait!
Ok, I’m tired of people claiming that there was no life left to the franchise and no new stories to tell and that it was stale. These people really need to talk to the creative folks at Pocket Books and have a look at the awesome work that has been coming out in print for the past almost 30 years, especially starting around the time that they began the DS9 Relaunch. There is so much life to this franchise (and its original canon) it’s scary.
That being said… New IMAX in Woodland Hills, CA. Saturday at 12:35pm. I. Cannot. Wait. I’ll make sure I’m wearing my black Star Trek The Experience t-shirt. Got my KHAAANN license plate (since ‘01), what more do I need to show my love for this awesome franchise (been a fan since I was born in 1975).
@65 I know! it’s so weird, we’ve all been waiting years for this and the movie itself is just so fast! like, ‘GROOOOAN COME OOONNN!’ and then suddenly I’m watching the movie and it was over!
…bring on the sequel!! :D
yeah, i saw it twice in a row, it just gets better and better, and whoever said the music was underwhelming, i should slap!
The king is dead. Long live the king!
Well, after all this anticipation, I just saw the movie. It is definitely not my father’s Star Trek, nor is it mine. Mine died at the end of Star Trek VI 18 years ago (can that be right, 18 years?)
Still, this is a very good film. Good on every level, but that stupid lens flare and shaky camera robbed the viewer of so much. WIthout out those distractions, a great film indeed and well worthy of the mantle Star Trek. Perhaps this will be my sons’ Star Trek.
Forget to post, but did everyone enjoy Scotty’s little buddy as much as me? He was too cool! Someone needs to make that guy in to a poster. :)
OMG. Best. Trek. Film. Ever.
Amazing movie. That’s all I can say, really. Just amazing.
#75
I thought at first I wouldn’t like the flares, but i don’t mind them, it’s a style, I loved the camera work, especially the use of what is normally boring long shots, were made into interesting moving shots. it had a very real and believable feel, and i see it as a sginature. anybody can put a camera on a tripod and shoot the same old shots as anyone else (trust me i know) but this is unique in some sense, in the end, i think it adds to the effect
Just came back from the first viewing at my Cinema, and as with ALL Trek movies a second viewing is not only needed but essential. My only major complaint is I didn’t want it to end, the 2 hrs flew by for me, I could have sat there for another 2 hrs and would never have been bored, can’t wait for the sequel. There were a few minor things that to me felt a little forced, chance meetings, fast promotions and for me a not quite enough defined villain but these are minor grumblings. As for the performances I can’t say enough about the 3 core characters Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy there performances are spot on. Nice supporting work by the rest but I may be alone in this but I needed more Scotty!!! and less of Chekov’s russian accent LOL. Production was top notch, special effects were cool and I was surprisingly not bothered by the lense flares as much as I thought I would be. Definitely a movie for the whole family with great action, very funny moments and solid performances. 8 out of 10. In my Top 3 of Star Trek movies to date. Bring on 2011!!!
Gotta toss in my praise for the movie. Just caught the 7pm showing. I can’t convey how delighted I was by it. Even my dad — a very picky guy when it comes to his Trek — stayed awake the entire time (notorious for falling asleep in flicks) and enjoyed himself greatly. To me, that’s a hell of an accomplishment. ;)
Congrats JJ, and the rest of the team. You did the impossible!
(Can I, uh, preorder tickets for the sequel? ;D *runs*)
I saw it, I loved it. My kid loved it.
Was it a great movie, well, i’d say about a 8 out of 10.
Was it a great star trek movie, well, i’d say about a 8 out of 10.
So overall it is a 3 & 1/2 star film regardless trek or not.
Regardless I enjoyed it, would love to see a sequal made or even another tv show based on what this movie established. Welcome back trek.
#62
But honestly, there are very few movies with a “thick plot” and for movies plots that are relatively simple are usually better ones to go with. A lot of people go on about movies and saying that it has a think plot, but i was entertained by it, and found it engaging and the story was good, it builds the characters up and instigates osme change in them which is what the purpose of a plot is in a movie, and this movie did do that quite beautifully. even look at something like Casablanca, some might say it has a strong plot which it does, but it is still fairly simple. I guess it all comes down to what you determine as thin plot, because if you’re gaging it by simplicity or something like that, then yes, you are bound to be dissapointed by pretty much every movie ever made
The crowd went nuts when Leonard Nimoy came on screen.
SPOILERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Just got back from the movie i loved it, i like the new spin to bring life back to trek . trek was due for a over haul. however one flew bothers me. now that vulcan is gone st cannon is thrown out the window, tovoks parents are probly dead, an ont other vulcan we here about in tos, tng,s9 or voyager. so that throws a big monley wrench in cannon unless later on the time line is corrected , the temperial directive has be violated
Just saw it in the little town Im live in. A 12 screen theater. There were only about 13 people in it so I hope that more people went in the bigger towns. It was good, but action was wayyyyyyyy to fast which is the norm these days in this MTV gen society. Hard to have a Big E beauty shot when the ship doesnt stop long enough. Although the shot of her coming out of Saturns rings was nice. I liked the cast, but have trouble with the amount of change just from Nero showing up. I’d like a backstory on how Nero destroying the Kelvin changed so many things. Ohh and Countdown didn’t really add to the story. But I hope this allows for more future Treks.
Just saw it in the little town I live in. A 12 screen theater. There were only about 13 people in it so I hope that more people went in the bigger towns. It was good, but action was wayyyyyyyy to fast which is the norm these days in this MTV gen society. Hard to have a Big E beauty shot when the ship doesnt stop long enough. Although the shot of her coming out of Saturns rings was nice. I liked the cast, but have trouble with the amount of change just from Nero showing up. I’d like a backstory on how Nero destroying the Kelvin changed so many things. Ohh and Countdown didn’t really add to the story. But I hope this allows for more future Treks.
I saw it tonight at the IMAX in Jacksonville, and except for some minor niggling points( which I cannot bring up for spoiler’s sake ), I can truly say i had a great time. Surprisingly, even that first angle of the Enterprise that we ( mostly ) all hated, actually looks kind of awesome projected on the big screen. If you get a chance to see it in IMAX, by all means do it.
Without giving anything away storywise, I want to mention a couple of nifty details I noticed:
the Kelvin crew’s communicators look nostalgically familiar as do their shuttlecrafts.
As Kirk and company head for Starfleet academy from Iowa, check out the underside of the under construction Enterprise’s hull; those four hull markings from the classic ship are clearly visible.
Just got back from the movie…. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! I’ve been waiting for a Star Trek like this forever. THIS is how you do Trek on the big screen!!!!! I will easily get over some of the tidbits that aren’t “cannon” and look forward to the new trek universe in the next movie. Cant wait to see where it goes from here!
Love it! Awesome Movie. Very powerful and emotional, will definitely see a few more times. Everything came together, story, directing, acting, music, cinemetography, special effects and emotion. The scene with elder Spock and Jim, gave me chills, it was like he was really talking to the original kirk (Will Shatner). Loved the accents, very well done, Gene R. is smiling. Female friend non trekker loved it, said it was exciting and a great film, other friend who is a mild trekker loved it also. I consider myself a TNG/TOS fan and I LOVED IT. Thank you JJ Abrams and Team for showing us what Star Trek can be, this film combines all the wonderful moments of star trek, star trek 2, 4, 6, first contact and with some elements of unitification and all good things come to a end. Think Devron System/Anamoly and the first mission of USS Enterprise D redone. A++ 10/10. Saw it in Ontario, Canada. Colossus. Woodbridge. IMAX 7pm Show.
“Leonard Nimoy, who these days makes Bela Lugosi look like Zac Efron”….ouch, jesus thats brutal
Ohhhhhhhhhhh and It reminded me of Lost in Space, but I really liked that movie.
Well, I just left the show in Abilene, Texas.
First, It felt like a three hour movie crammed into two, and that includes JJ’s directing style. Overall, it was a success, and I do await the next movie… with some trepidation though.
I know that these comments are read by JJ, Bob, and group, so I am hoping that they are able to read this comment and take it to heart some. You have succeeded in rebooting the franchise, however, please be wary of where you take it from here. This did seem to be a growing up version of the story, but please let the next one be more adult oriented in the story. I guess what I am trying to say is that you took a very difficult task, and managed to leave us in a place where it can really become something great, but it has not achieved greatness in its own right….
Less action in the next one please, or rather please contain the action to major plot scenes and not have it “sprinkled” throughout the entire plot.
I guess what I am searching for is a little more smatterring of BattleStar Galactica style drama and less constant adrenaline in the next one….These characters really seemed to work, now lets have a movie that shows that off…
You have done a spectacular job, but please be careful and don’t blow the next one by making it a “formula” movie for the marketing department…
I would have liked to see a storyline that really made a person think a little more… This story was hollow. I want 10 or more of these in the future… but having ones that don’t capture the essence of the original series will turn me off. Trek is not just action….. its people…. and people will be what gets me back into the theatre again and again and again…. Nothing better than seeing a movie 3 or 4 times, and I will do so with this one, just to give you the vote of confidence because voting with my wallet is ultimately the only way I will be heard.
I just want a more adult story…. a clean story, like this one, but a more involved and moving one.
Thank you so much for what you have done… thank you for bringing trek back from the dead of mediocrity that it had become.
BTW, the new Warp effect is awesome…. but I miss and prefer a little more “submarine” style action and presentation. The enterprise never did look large enough to me, and the photon torpedoes seemed a little hollow.
Overall, its an B+/A-
Just back from Star Trek on IMAX. First impression rating is 8 out of 10. It’s a fun, fast ride. Loved several things, liked most others. As some have mentioned there is a lot to process. I’ll go again Friday and probably once more on the weekend. Will post to the review page after those viewings.
I need to see it again. Upon first viewing the film is capable of taking your breath away. Here are a couple of things I really liked.
Pine and Nimoy’s introduction to each other on Delta Vega was incredible.
In one of the final scenes Pike has been promoted to Admiral and wears a uniform identical to Admiral Kirk from TMP
Spock and McCoy’s scene on the bridge after Spock exiles Kirk on Delta Vega.
Wow i just realized I could list many more … so I will stop here.
This film flew by at warp 9.9! I was totally absorbed. Not a dull moment. Do not get up to buy popcorn. Do not go to the restroom. J.J., start making the next film ASAP! In fact, make the next two at the same time.
Back from the first showing.
It’s coalescing in my consciousness. Mostly I liked it.
The performances were great. The effects were outstanding. The comedy actually worked for me. The dialogue was solid.
There were some pretty large plot holes.
For as much as we have been told how important Prime Spock was to the plot, he seemed shoehorned into the story. Nero’s rage at Old Spock could have been replaced with generic rage at the Federation for letting his planet die. Nero’s motivation for his angst toward Spock was thin at best. Not to say I didn’t enjoy seeing Nimoy don the ears again. And the Kirk/Prime Spock mind-meld-exposition montage was painful.
But before anyone gets pissed at me, I really did have a good time. It is a fun movie. My (non-trekie) wife liked it a lot – so mission accomplished, I guess.
I’m headed out the door to catch it again now. So it must be pretty good, right?
LL&P
I have seen this movie, and I just have one word to start with…WOW!
This is a very enjoyable movie, that makes me feel like that 9 year old boy walking into the theatre with my mom to see StarTrek on the big screen for the first tme. It has fun, humor, and a sense of adventure to it that has been missing in these movies . I think it is a very accessible movie, and really, you don’t have to be a die hard trekker to get what this mnovie is about. All the actors are well cast in their respective roles, and the ship.. well all I can say is that the toy, and some of the images just don’t do it justice, you need to see her on the big screen. I will keep this review spoiler free, but I will say that Leonard Nimoy steals this movie in some ways, affecting an emotion in me that I had not felt since Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He was poignant, and subtle, while at the same time conveying the gravity of the situation, as well as the characters.
Their will be some fans that will be upset with some of this movie, as there are parts that are different from the history we all know and love, but.. I DON’T CARE! The explanation is enough for me, and if this means we get to see more Star Trek on the movie screens and perhaps on TV as well.. then I am all for it. Believe me, I am a hardcore fan, hell I know enough to really captain a Starship in this universe, and I am saying i don’t care.
I saw people’s reactions in the theater tonight, fathers brought their little sons, guy’s brought their girlfriends, older couples came to see this movie and walked out impressed. My wife loved this movie, and she isn’t a big fan of scifi. This movie will get a whole new generation of fans, and thats a good thing, because the core values that make Star Trek so special, friendship, working together through adversity, beings of different backgrounds, species and race working together for the common good of all. These are the tenets tha Gene Roddenberry wanted to convey, and the reins have been faithfully taken up by JJ Abrams. To copy a phrase, it looks like Star Trek will indeed “live long and prosper”
Just got back from the 7PM showing.
Go see it. It’s worth it.
I’ve been a naysayer all along. I couldn’t stand that Abrams kept saying, “I didn’t make it for the fans.” I hated the new Enterprise. I couldn’t stand the new bridge.
I take it ALL back! What an incredible movie. More than just fun…it was Star Trek, through and through. Sure, like anything there are a few nits to pick, but over all, they are so small, the don’t even matter with the over all awesomeness of this movie.
Abrams lied. He DID make it for the fans.
Boborci, if you’re out there, let me say that I just saw it with a mainstream movie going crowd. They loved it. You guys hit all the right marks. Yeah, there were some weak spots in the story, but nobody cared: this thing works as a mass market movie. People applauded at the end. People cared for the characters. People cheered when the Enterprise came barreling down on the Narada in the final combat sequence to help out Spock in the Jellyfish.
I salute you and the entire staff, cast, and crew and the ILM people as well. Job well done. WOM alone will make this a huge hit.
Just to report. 7 pm was sold out in one auditorium, so they opened up a second. There was a line for the 10 o’clock showing. This thing works, and big time. You guys have made Trek accessible for the average guy.
FYI, I couldn’t spot fhe Tribble, and I couldn’t spot the cameos of the late and beloved Randy Pausch (I’m guessing he’s the one that whizzed by the captain of the Kelvin), Chris Doohan, nor New Voyages’ James Cawley.
Anyone?
This sucks… It’s the most anticipated flick in a long time for me. And because of sudden car trouble, and financial as well, as a result, I don’t know WHEN I’ll get to see it. I can’t on opening day like I had planned… Can’t use my car, can’t afford a taxi unless it’s to get the car in, which I have to wait to do until the check comes. I am so upset. Grr… >:+(
I just got back from the 7p.m. sneak preview in New Orleans. I’ve been a devout TNG disciple since the early 90s with some intermittent interest in the original series, along with DS9.
I literally forgot I was alive for 2 hours. This movie is so good that I want to see it again now! J.J. Abrams just rebirthed Star Trek, he can create 10 more movies along with a whole new TV series with this. I anticipate a whole new generation, no pun intended, of Trekkies coming from this movie.
Marvelous, eight stars, killer plot with killer effects with a unique selection of music that is not Star Trek, but, to me signified the reboot and renaissance Abrams was going for.
At this moment it’s my favorite Star Trek film, and probably the best ever made. I’m kind of hanging on to the first two – TMP and TWOK – out of sentimentality more than anything else.
Amend that: TMP isn’t in the running.
Going back to see it again tomorrow.
I haven’t waited three years for this, or seven (since “Nemesis”) – I feel like I’ve waited forty.
My full Star Trek review:
http://www.joshsanimeblog.com/2009/05/07/live-action-review-star-trek/
Back from the Imax. Holy freakin’ crap that was an awesome flick! I can’t wait to see it again.
First of all Galaxy Quest 2 is a moron straight up and is nothing but a troll.
Most of all STAR TREK IS BACK!!!! Thank you JJ for giving us our Trek back. Thank you thank you thank you!
I think Leonard Nimoy was absolutely vital in the movie and it was wonderful to see him. If Nimoy and the Spock Prime storyline hadn’t been in the movie (like a very small minority of non-Trek interested mainstream reviewers are suggesting) the film would not have worked. As it stands the movie is excellent– I love the new cast and everything about them, but getting this going needed Old Spock and the storyline created brought everything together perfectly. Because of their lack of knowledge about Star Trek, the few reviewers who are complaining about the Spock Prime plot don’t realize how vital that is because it’s the force that makes this story and the characterization in it possible. I am amazed how well the writers did with this and it was at the same time unlike any previous Trek movie and a homecoming.
STAR TREK RUSSIAN LANGUAGE DETECTOR
When Chekov manages to beam Kirk and Sulu aboard after Kirk jumps off the drill platform to save him, Chekov yells “Yo mayo!” which translates loosely as “Holy F*ck!”
Not sure if that was the intention, or if Anton Yelchin was having some fun. It’s an extremely common expression, but not exactly Emily Post.
I saw the film tonight, and my brain blew up. It was flat out awesome! Hey, Trekmovie.com, I have been following this site since the beginning and thanks for the wicked awesome journey that has brought us all this far! I look forward to the ride onto the next. Thanks!
Oh, one other nifty detail i forgot:
There ARE Klingon battlecruisers ( called warbirds, nitpickers) in the movie. although I won’t say where, it’s pretty easy to figure out and obvious in the context of the story.
so that Burger king toy does actually play into the film!
It was a religious experience. I hope personalities like Spock are more appreciated in society now.
This was Spock’s film.
For Spock…
Thank you Zoe…
Just got out of the 7:00pm showing …
I loved it.
I will admit, the pretitles sequence with the Kelvin made me cry.
A very beautiful film overall.
Just got home from seeing the movie. I give it an 8 out of 10… The action was great but they need to work on the temporal theory. JJ needs to go back to star fleet academy for a class in temporal mechanics ….. All in all a good movie love to see another movie and a new TV series…
I have seen the face of my god.
His name is Spock…
The Most Holy Trinity lives!
Fantastic
I would like to know what they use to clean the viewscreen… I want some of THAT for my BMW’s windshield!!! :)
Loved it… so well done.
Saw it, liked it … a few script niggles over the “convenience” of the whole thing and the poor plumbing on the Narada, however, well worth the $9 … and Karl Urban kicks ass.
102-Tribble was on right side of the screen in a little cage in Scotty’s first scene.
Film is going to be one of the greatest blockbusters of the year and will easily out-profit all previous Trek films.
Scope is epic – NEVER seen anything like this in Trek.
Casting perfect. Bruce Greenwood as Pike amazing.
Love the subtle nods to past Trek: The tribble, Admiral Archers Beagle
NO role mis-cast
Film needs to be seen multiple times – so much going on all the time. Constant moving, constant action.
Nimoy’s role not a cameo; very, very poignant.
Not clear if previous “Original” time line survives.
New timeline brilliant: Allows real danger: Could not believe who dies, what gets destroyed.
Nimoy as Spock cries. Spock prime from 2387. Love the new star dates: Movie takes place in 2258.
Enterprise is just fine; yes very advanced but believable. The ship works.
Writers learned from past mistakes of spending too much time with villain talking (Insurrection, Nemesis). Nero appears as needed to advance story.
Not sure how history web sites Trek will treat “history”: Best to make it its own universe.
Bridge is phenomenal. Lens flares not as bothersome as I thought.
Ben Cross as Sarek is exceptional; but I missed Mark Lenard. RIP. Sarek’s admission that he loves Amanda – powerful.
Winona Rider fine as Amanda. Would have liked to see more.
Romance between Uhura and Spock felt very natural and not forced.
Chekov brilliant – saves the day more than once.
LOVED how Kirk gets on the Enterprise.
Uhura FINALLY important team member.
Scotty mostly played for laughs, not a great deal of screen time. Accent perfect.
First minutes of movie breathtaking; NEVER seen Trek this large.
Kobayashi Maru was hilarious; Kirk’s actions (and eating an apple) nice not to Wrath of Khan.
Music awesome.
Special effects beyond belief.
Vulcan council speaks of Spock’s “disadvantage” and elaborates that he is half human. When he rejects their admission offer, his “Live long and prosper” can be translated as, “Go screw yourselves.”
Destruction of seven starships far more effective than anything scene before.
Dynamic between Pine and Quinto is comparable to Shatner and Nimoy.
Love how the view screen is a window.
Warp effect excellent.
Dedicated to Gene and Majel – very appropriate.
Beautiful to have Nimoy’s “Space the final frontier.”
Death of George Kirk heartbreaking
All set designs feel familiar – and new.
Spock to Kirk: “: out of the chair!”
Kirks’ promotion a little too quick; some events DO happen too fast but that’s OK.
Beyond perfect; beyond brilliant.
Mr. Abrams, Mr. Orci, Mr. Kurtzman, and Mr. Nimoy: THANK YOU.
Just got back from my theater’s first showing of the movie (7:00 PM) with my son. Until the previews started, he and a preteen girl were the only people under twenty in the single screening room where the film was shown tonight. (It expands to two screening rooms tomorrow). During the previews, a party of eight young people showed up who looked to be of late high school or early college age, bringing the total up to 34 people. The film did not appear to engage the audience, as they watched in silence with only the merest respectful tittles at a few of the obvious laugh lines. There was no applause or ovation or excited buzz during the closing credits. This is the first TREK film I’ve seen where the audience has been so dead. Even the reviled STV: The Final Frontier got applause when I saw it on opening night twenty years ago. To be honest, I missed Insurrection and Nemesis in theaters when they were released, so I can’t comment on the audience reaction to those two.
Just saw the movie, and it was AMAZING! JJ and the rest managed to strike a perfect balance between honoring the original while making this their own. Plenty of nods to life long Trekkers (such as myself) and plenty of comedy, too!
I won’t spoil anything, but this movie doesn’t pull any punches. They do “something” that rocks the foundation of Star Trek and the Federation to tell the audience “Anything can happen in OUR Star Trek.” and it WORKS. BRING ON THE SEQUEL
Thank you JJ and crew
P.S. (100 million easy)
I don’t know about Bela Lugosi, but with 140 million dollars to spend you think they could have given Nimoy better dentures (or at least edited out the pronounced whistles on all of his ’s’ sounds?)
Seriously, though, I just LOVED the movie! Best Trek in 10+ years, easily!
Really, really pleased. Proud to be a Trekkie!
this tops Star Wars BIG TIME
Anyone else feel like it’s Christmas Day and all the presents are opened? It’s midnight and I want to go back again NOW
Saw it, almost cried in the beginning. Who would have thought Star Trek would cause someone to cry, happily! SUCH a GREAT MOVIE!
Is it just me, or is Chapel briefly mentioned in an almost-not-audible way by Karl Urban fairly early in the film? The line seemed to have been “Where’s Chapel I need [something something]” when all heck is breaking loose.
#131: “Who would have thought Star Trek would cause someone to cry, happily!”
Many of us long-time Star Trek fans who’ve cried (both at joys and at tragedies) for many of the films and episodes?
Just as one possibility.
108, agreed. Galaxy Quest 2 just must not be able to comprehend Star Trek.
Just because there is action in this movie doesn’t make it Star Wars, or even comparable to Star Wars. Why? Star Trek blows Star Wars so far out of the water, it’s not even funny!!!!
JJ, Bob, Alex. You’ve made a masterpiece!
Just got out ofthe movie… My one word description is FUN!!! Loved it… It IS Star Trek!
In a word, this movie is awesome. Perfect, no, but JJ brought back to life something that had almost run out of life support. Is it the movie event of the summer? For me, yes. And if Wolverine is any indication of what lies ahead with other summer fare, then Star Trek may certainly be in for the long haul.
As others have stated, let the sequel come quickly!
I’m a bit worried… the theatre capacity posts on IMDb aren’t very encouraging…
I see the Movie.
History: 9
Music: 9
Special Effects: 8
Character: Dr. Mcoy: 9.50
Excelent Movie
Just caught a 7 PM Thursday showing.
Overall an excellent film – much “bigger” on screen than any previous Star Trek Movie.
Very clever and well done story – the set up of a new time-line, in which we’ll see these characters grow, develop and have adventures in is excellent and preserves the canon we all know and love. Brilliant!
All the actors were just great- very well cast.
Didn’t much care for the engine spaces of Federation starships looking like the inside of a water treatment plant though.
Also the “Apple Store” look of the bridge I didn’t much go for. I think if they would have replicated the look of the TOS bridge, but updated it with touch-panel buttons. etc. it would have been better. (a personal opinion anyway)
Some very emotional sequences too, which was very cool.
Overall, an excellent movie – and great STAR TREK!
To everyone involved in the making of this movie: Congratulations and well done!!!
137 – I don’t know about elsewhere, but I either know or are pretty sure that the first 4 of 6 screenings in our theater were sold out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the last 2 were as well.
Our theater was basically full a full half hour before the movie was supposed to start. I’ve seen some posts about theaters with only a few people, but they seem to be the exception from what I can tell and/or occur in rural areas where there might not be many people anyway.
Just came back from a 7pm showing in Annapolis. It was not sold out but the auditorium was full and thankfully, it was a DLP screening so no bad film artifacts such as scratches and fading. Not a wasted moment in the movie. The crowd, which suprisingly was older than younger enjoyed it and cheered at the end.
The film is very well paced as there is hardly a dull moment. No dead moments as in previous Trek movies.
I’m glad my wish of the closing of the movie to include a family shot, beauty shot of the Enterprise and warp out was there.
My only beef with the movie, so far, is the music. There isn’t a real theme to it. Sorely missing was Jerry Goldsmith’s TMP score. I could see it fitting in many spots especially during the many battle scenes, the Enterprise arriving to save the day and at the end. At least Alexander Courage’s TOS theme could have been used to great fanfare effect during the main title sequence which was short and would suffice with an 8 note intro. Oh well…maybe they could rework the music to have it in the DVD release? :) If not, the next movie, please.
I plan on seeing it in IMAX next since they were sold out for the times I wanted to see the movie. Boldly go everyone to your multiplex or to that single movie house near you.
This movie kicks butt! By far the best Trek movie (for me) to date. I have a hunch the next one may be even better. More later!!!
Where to begin?!… how about a very disturbed night… not being able to sleep because of the thrill of seeing Trek done so well and with such obvious love and care.
JJ, Roberto and Alex- I am SO, SO SORRY that I ever doubted you. Please forgive me!
I lost count of the times that my eyes teared up with such joy and happiness at seeing the heart of Trek- namely Kirk and Spock and the others- back where they deserved to be.
Chris- just fine as JTK. I’m more than happy with what he did in the role. Recognisable as Kirk, but with a youthful twist.
Quinto- added new layers to Spock that will be interesting to see uncovered in the next few films. ;-)
Delighted with Anton as Chekov. He made the film for me. He will be fun to watch grow.
The story hung together just right- a good blend of lightness and threat.
Only negatives? Hated the engineering ’set’, and could have done without the whole Spock/Uhura thing. Apart from that I thought i’d died and gone to heaven! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Just got home from the movie. I really liked it. I can’t say love. This, to me, has the potential to be a setup for a truly great Star Trek movie the way Spider Man set up SM2, the way Batman Begins set up the Dark Knight.
The “it’s 1982 again” analogy holds up very well. Star Trek as a franchise is back on track.
132, I heard them mention Nurse Chapel too. That was a nice reference. I missed the tribble, but I caught the Slusho reference. lol
WOW!!!! The movie was incredible… that is all I can say WOW!!
137, yea, I caught a 7pm showing and the theater was only about 20% filled. Maybe people didn’t realize it was out yet? Maybe Friday numbers will be a lot better?
I just got home from seeing the movie. I have to say that I was extremely sceptical about the movie, but at the same time extremely excited for a new Star Trek story.
If I were to give it a rating on the conventional 5 star scale, I would give it a 47 (Trek reference intended). My thanks go to all that worked on this film.
I only had one very minor complaint. In many movies that have proceeded this one, the common refrain of Alexandar Courage’s theme has been weaved into the score. I felt that it was sadly missed. Also, a few bars of the classic fight music on the drilling rig scene would have made it tie in even tighter.
Please let me join the many voices to say: BRING ON THE SEQUEL!
MTW
Star Trek: The Action Motion Picture
On the positive side, Pine was not bad as Kirk. That was my biggest fear. My problem with the movie is that it is an ACTION movie, and not really science fiction. I found myself not giving a damn about the characters. You never really got to know them because they were too busy running around. It was like TMP in the sense that you never really got to care about the characters. It did not FEEL like Star Trek. There were no philosophical ideas. Khan quoted Milton. This movie quoted original Star Trek. There were a lot of Khan parallels, but only on a superficial level.
My theater audience did not applaud. I don’t think this movie will have legs. On a scale of 1-5, I would rate it a 2.
Disappointing.
oh sorry, so much to say I forgot.. Karls Bones- what a joy to watch. Grin on my face from ear to ear.
Thank you, thank you!!!!
We did a 7PM screening in downtown Denver; the theater was less than half full but that particular theater (the oversized one – not an IMAX but a giant screen) is never anything but. We saw Iron Man in the same theater last year and the crowd size was comparable, so maybe “This Year’s Iron Man” as the commercials are currently saying, might end up with some truth to it.
There was one half-second skip in dialogue near the end of the movie, but otherwise the print seemed flawless.
Crowd was a bit sedate. I remember a few people hooting (probably the _same_ people hooting) every time someone delivered an expected character line of the i’m-a-doctor-not-a or giving-it-all-she’s-got variety. Otherwise, crowd reactions were quiet and minimal.
Walking out of the theater, faces were mostly happy in a calmly satisfied “yeah, that was a fun time; where do you want to eat?” sort of way. Here is where it greatly differed from the Iron Man crowd, which was more energized – even elated – on the way out of the theater. A few people looked neutral or thoughtful, but most seemed satisfied.
I just got back from seeing the movie. It rocked.
Star Trek was amazing.
btw, I was among those who predicted the grosses in the box office derby (which is actually still going on). I predicted an opening weekend gross of $78.3 million, but I’m really hoping it makes more than that. Personally, I’m hoping for Iron Man money… though I realize that might not happen.
#149: Spock did at least quote Sir Arthur Conan Doyle :)
Pay attention to the only female Vulcan that is saved, I’m sure she’s meant to be T’Pau, she has a very similar hairstely to T’Pau in “Amok time” and is the right age. Oh, loved it by the way, have seen it twice, will see it again three times more with different groups of friends. :-)
My 7PM IMAX theatre looked to be completely full. I arrived about an hour early and it was already two-thirds full. Audience seemed be mostly folks in their 20s, 30s and 40s. I brought my two kids, though I didn’t see many other sub-20s in the crowd. Audience was enthusiastic, though in that muted Canadian way. Applause 4 or 5 times, including the Spock Prime intro & at the end. Maybe a dozen laughs peppered thoughout the showing (in the right places), including several in response to McCoy’s signature lines. Many in the audience stayed to watch the credits.
Who’s STUPID idea was it to include the BS article Newsweek? If it was the creator of this web site, STOP IT! This isn’t about defending the Bush administration and sick of hearing how the Obama administration & Democrats are the saviors of the universe. We don’t come to this site to have bias political crap inflicted on us. We come here to discuss Start trek and find news regarding Star Trek. Most of the country is sick of our government from both Bush and Obama so leave the politics out. Thanks you and I hope everyone agrees.
154 – true, though that was more of a quote of Star Trek VI, which quoted Doyle lol
Oh, and I HATE what they did to Scotty’s character. He is a sight gag now. Very sad.
Just got back from the IMAX. It was AWESOME. Going to see it again probably this weekend.
149 – I thought some of the problems they were trying to solve was the fact that villains quoting Shakespeare was boring for everyone but hard core Trekkies
I think that you people need to be a bit less ga-ga and bit more critical. I’m not saying that the film necessarily needs to be criticized, but I do think that it should be critically reviewed (as opposed to masturbated upon, like most people are doing on this blog).
This movie was not great. It was good, and it’s nice to see ST back without an embarassing showing. But please, the story was weak. The action was great, the characters are awesome, but the story was weak. A 21-year old 3rd year cadet is made captain of a capital ship??? Pike returns to his ship after being rescued and doesn’t resume command? Instead, he abdicates his command to a 3rd year cadet? Pike makes a 3rd year cadet the first officer over every one of his, I don’t know, dozens of veteran career active duty officers? Come on. Plus, am I the only one bothered by how all the history is now wiped out by some easy, cheesy timeline plot (which, by the way, has been done a thousand times)?
I liked the movie, but as with many, it could’ve been better. Let’s call a spade a spade and then be happy with the return of the franchise.
AWESOME movie. Definitely need to see this more than once–I’m still catching my breath from the 9:45 IMAX showing at the Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Air & Space Museum annex in Northern Virginia (sold out, BTW). Audience reaction VERY positive–cheering and clapping and laughter at all the right times. I won’t spoil anything by saying that Anton Yelchin’s Chekov was an absolute hoot.
How long until the sequel?! :)
Just got back from the 830 showing. WOW. Gonna take a bit to assimilate what I saw but its good. May be a little action heavy for Trek, with little time to absorb some of the emotional scenes, but still very effective. It’s definately a reboot though and purists will have mixed feelings about a lot of the details but i’m planning a second viewing in the theater. Amazingly though there were only fifteen people, literally, in the theater, so I’m a little concerned about box office success. Hope I’m wrong to worry as I already can’t wait for the next installment.
Just got back from the theater and… WHAT A FUN MOVIE!!! I thought ALL the actors were great, the story was fine, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
I respect the nay-sayers’ opinions, and I’m sure there a few folks that won’t enjoy the movie for whatever reason. But for me is WAS STAR TREK. I’d gather 98-99% of the people who post on here will be absolutely thrilled with the movie.
I went with a bunch of younger folks who aren’t really into Trek, and they all loved it, too.
So thank you all the actors who nailed the parts, thanks to the writers (Orci & co.) for an amazing job, and most of all…
THANK YOU JJ FOR SAVING STAR TREK. TREK LIVES!!!! Woohooo!!
I saw the 7pm IMax showing here in NYC and I gotta say it was EXCELLENT!!! Nothing bad here to say, cuz it was ALL GOOD!!! Everyone played their parts well especially Karl Urban as Dr McCoy!!! He had Deforest Kelly down pat!! Thanks JJ, Roberto, Alex, the cast and crew for making me a kid again who for LOVED Trek in the 70s!!!
#166
You are so right about feeling like a kid again… it was just amazing to see a young Kirk and Spock on the big screen.
Star Trek is back! Viewing in IMAX has its advantages and this great Star Trek film works every inch of the IMAX screen. Two or three viewings are necessary…it is that stunning. The sound production is warp speed and the visuals will keep you on the edge of your seat. Congrats JJ and company, you guys and gals really pulled off a good show.
Suffice it to say, the IMAX theatre had a line out of the door and down the front of the building for the next showing. The audience was jammed packed to full capacity. Star Trek on IMAX is a MUST-SEE. Truly an EPIC this new Trek is.
I feel as if the Star Trek Universe has unfolded to give us double of what we had before and that is a great feeling. I am very excited to think of how the future sequels could be written….this is great fun for a writer…everything is possible now.
Many Kudos and Congrats!!! A Great Movie Indeed!!!
Trekwebmaster
162 – you make some valid points, however…
“A 21-year old 3rd year cadet is made captain of a capital ship???”
Yes, a 21 year old 3rd year cadet (who is actually a year ahead) who just saved Earth from destruction. If that isn’t a potent resume for captain, I’m not sure what is.
“Pike returns to his ship after being rescued and doesn’t resume command?”
Um, did Pike ever look to be in a state to resume command either once he was rescued or even when we see him at the end? (and did you notice that he was promoted to Admiral?)
“Pike makes a 3rd year cadet the first officer over every one of his,”
OK, this might be the one case where he’s stretching it. Then again, we learned earlier in the movie that Pike was more than impressed with Kirk’s aptitude tests.
“Plus, am I the only one bothered by how all the history is now wiped out by some easy, cheesy timeline plot (which, by the way, has been done a thousand times)?”
Didn’t they at least twice explain that they exist in an alternate timeline from Nero and Spock? “History” still exists…in the original timeline. This is like when they go back in time and screw things up, except this time things didn’t get magically “fixed.” And it’s not like they were pretending that it was anything other than a reboot, at least recently.
Hippodrome (another version of IMAX) in Charleston, SC, 9:45pm EST;
Whole Movie; INCREDIBLE, just before midnight,
A STANDING APPLAUSE from the WHOLE AUDIENCE!
(in my 32 years of watching movies no one has EVER applauded!)
Star Trek IS BACK!
about the crowd I viewed it with, there seemed to be moments where people were going to clap or applaud but they stopped themselves as another scene was happening and they didn’t want to miss it xD
however, I did hear a lot of comments spoken to one another, approving of the various characters and the most powerful theater moment was probably when Nimoy was reciting the famous opening lines at the end… many people around me seemed to be quietly saying the lines along with it… I felt that was just as good as any applauding or cheering :)
Spoilers throughout:
Okay, saw the movie, FINALLY, and, well, no more worries about CANON bacause it was just DESTROYED to make room for something new and hopefully exciting.
I sat in the theater riveted at the screen watching the story unfold. I took my eyes off when the credits rolled, and I was impressed.
Those purists who hold onto the canonicity of the franchise are going to cry foul. I say that it is a refreshing take on the mythos, thoufh I am disappointed at the sacrifice the Vulcan people had to make.
The vessel shots and introductions were amazing, and this movie does not click with the prequel comic too well.
Overall, I would give it a solid A-, characters were a true homage, great actors being used, and wonderful story.
Sequel?
I can’t believe the sequel is already under construction! FRAKKIN COOL!!!
These FX were out of this world! A+
157.
Great Barrier is that you :)
I do not agree.
Mr. Pascale can post whatever he chooses to on HIS site and YOU can choose to grow up or stop visiting.
I saw the movie in IMAX a few hours ago. It was alright.
In my humble opinion First Contact is still the best Trek film.
Just saw it in south Texas. Theater was 3/4 empty, and with my wife and daughter, there were a grand total of 3 women in the entire place. No energy, no applause, very few laughs. They got up and left in unison as the ending credits rolled, in relative silence.
I am hoping we aren’t just nerds with a stiffie for a new Trek and studio execs believing their own hype. The paying audience didn’t exactly stand and salute where I saw it.
And as a fan, I don’t know what to make of it yet. It might need a second viewing. I’m just not sure I’d pay good money to see it again in the theater.
169:
Kirk’s promotion to Captain is very reminiscent of the ‘unreal’ demotion Kirk received in STIV for stealing and destroying the Enterprise. he should have been arrested and incarcerated. Instead, he was demoted to Captain and given a Starship.
Also, it seems that the size of Starfleet was reduced significanty during the encounter with Nero. Thousands dead. Also, I believe Pine’s character is 28, only 4 years younger than TOS Kirk was when he achieved the captaincy.
I’ll have to watch it again. I liked the characters, acting, special effects, score. those were all great.
I didn’t like the science. The movie made the universe feel small. Transporting from Saturn and Delta Vega? Why bother with a starship if transporters are so awesome? I agree with Roger Ebert’s criticisms. Why did the Narada travel through time during the first black hole go ’round, but get destroyed the second time? The same goes for Vulcan.
Not thrilled with the plot. The concept was good, execution was so so, it needed more exposition, less action. The pace was too fast. It had the opposite problem of TMP. Also, I wish shaky cam were not in the vogue.
I absolutely loved this movie. So did my non-Trekkie wife.
I posted my review with the fan reviews.
I gave it 9.9 out of 10.
Bob Orci, you and your buddy freaking did it, dude. Unbelievable.
Thanks from deep in my heart.
Now, get to work. You’ve got a sequel to tackle. :-)
Star Trek (2009) is by far my favorite of the films.
Took my friend to it, the IMAX version, and he thought that it was refreshing to see the characters not take themselves too seriously.
He gave the movie an A, and thought it was the best Star Trek movie he had ever seen. The other ten turned him off. (He never watched Nemesis, but he burned out with Insurrection.)
See it with an open mind. You might like it.
175 – I find it odd how some people are reporting sell outs and others are reporting near empty theaters. I don’t know if this is normal or what is causing this discrepancy. It’s kind of like whole swaths of geography just didn’t know it opened to day or are just not interested in Star Trek or something. *shrugs*
i just saw the movie here in montréal and it was VERY,VERY GOOD!
can’t wait for the sequal….man that last scene is priceless…
long live star trek!!!
To everyone: Sci-Fi Channel is airing all-day STAR TREK marathons with very basic trivia about the new film and characters during commercial breaks. They’ll be showing ENT, TNG, and FIRST CONTACT. Just thought I’d let everyone. The marathon is all day today and tomorrow.
Just in case you don’t get enough Star Trek in theaters.
Cannot wait til tomorrow morning. My only complaint is that I booked my tix for IMAX Irvine Spectrum for the first showing Friday morning on Fandango 2 weeks ago then they add all of these showings starting tonight. It ruins my streak of seeing the 1st showing opening day going back to STTMP. Then the time is changed form 10:15 to 10:30 AM.Anyone going to the 10:15 IMAX at the Irvine Spectrum give a holler. I will be wearing a hand painted Enterprise sweatshirt and will be there in line by 7:30 AM. Live Long and Prosper
Wow. That’s it. Wow. Thank you and good night. See you in three years for the sequel. I will pay my $8.00 in advance.
*Sigh* Just returned from seeing it here in San Marcos.
After three years of guarded anticipation for this film, and logging onto this site on an almost daily basis to get the latest updates on it, this had to be one of the most disappointing experiences of my life. I really don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade–and, trust me, I could use much stronger language than this to convey what an empty, frivolous experience Star Trek 2009 ultimately turned out to be. For my money, it’s not even a particularly effective action movie, let alone good Star Trek, science fiction, or drama.
I need a drink.
maybe i was just in awe of the movie but was pike paralyzed by the end of the movie
David, I don’t think so, but maybe he was? It was an interesting reference to see him in the wheel chair though. Kind of like the universe course correcting maybe?
New Yorker reviewer: what a douche!
Just got back front seeing Star Trek at it’s first showing in Odessa. Theater was around three quartets full and the audience was into it, laughing in the right places, and no one left for the restroom or anything else. When over it received a good round of applause. The group I was with loved it. I give it an A+ and thank all involved for a great ride, the fastest 2hrs, 6min. I’ve had in some time.
169 – I get it, I liked the movie, but the “history” is gone (there will never be another movie that incorporates any of it, will there? I think not, It’s sad – I really want more of that, either prequel or sequel-based). And, no matter what, no 3rd year cadet (whatever his heroics or advanced capabilities) would ever be given command of a capital ship (especially the fleet’s newest one,) or made first officer on a whim. Please.
176 – Kirk was already a historic and revered figure, who happened to have 30+ years of experience (mostly in command) when he stole the Enterprise. Then, he saved the planet. I’d say that makes his “demotion” and award of a new command far more understandable than giving command of the fleet’s newest capital ship to a heroic rookie cadet with no fleet experience, even if he did save the planet. Promote him 2 grades, give him a medal and an assignment to a starship, and move on.
185, are you sure you saw Star Trek and not Mary Poppins? How you could say that about the new Star Trek, well, I’m just in disbelief. It was definitely a great action movie, and it was definitely a Trek movie too!
I was an extra on this film. I had a great time and I saw myself 5 times!
OMG: GREAT MOVIE! Saw it at the 7 PM show, and I was absolutely stunned. The casting was excellent, the SFX were not overdone, the score was incredible, and JJ truly made a Trek movie for everyone, not just us hardcore Trekkies (or if you prefer, Trekkers).
I think what some people fail to realize about this movie is that it is mentioned in the movie that they could be living an alternate timeline (I believe Uhura mentions this?) So, starting with the Kelvin being destroyed, this could have effected everything that goes on, with Vulcan being destroyed and with all the Trek facts not lining up with what happened on the show. Sure, the fact that Pike promotes Kirk like that made me raise an eyebrow like Spock, but I didn’t dismiss it. As for canon, it’s perfect for what it is. Remember, this could be an alternate timeline, so not EVERYTHING has to be perfect.
Overall, A+ movie. Best I’ve seen in a long time. Probably best ever. Let’s hope it beats Wolverine’s $87M in the weekend box office!
187 that is what i was thinking exactly, i just didnt see that he was that injured and the chair being a nice surprise was completely unexpected i thought i missed something.
Loved the movie!!! The scene between Kirk and Spock Prime, “I have been and always shall be your friend” was great.
The magic of the original series is back.
I’m hoping that someone will fill in the blanks of the ENT-ST09 timeline in some sort of official capacity. We have
1. The single-nacelle 800+ crew survey vessel class into which the Kelvin falls. Extremely large primary hull with twice the compliment of the “Starship” Class.
2. The Enterprise seems to be the only “Starship” Class vehicle out there. (12 like it in the fleet?)
3. Who are the Klingons in this timeline, and can someone get us some shots of those ships?
4. Re-drawn Romulan story. Spock knows about them. Was there a war?
5. Probably a dozen other things!
Here in Northampton UK the cinema was only half full for an 8:30pm screening. Strangely, a colleague of my sister had said she’d had to book for another town (Milton Keynes) because Northampton was sold out???
As I said in another thread, I loved it. There are a fair few nitpicks plotwise, and the one thing that really didn’t work for me was the mindmeld infodump which seemed rushed and cursory. As I also mentioned in another thread, could Spock actually see Vulcan from Delta Vega??? How? But overall the whole thing was stunning, though I’d like to see an extended cut with a bit more Nero to give him some more screen time. And it’s very much a movie you want at home so you can replay bits and freeze frame :) Great work- applause for everyone involved. That last scene when Kirk is captain on the bridge, Pine had really “become” Jim Kirk, Captain of the Enterprise. Kudos to him for his performance of the boy growing into the man!
On the Newsweek haha lolz spread I also agree it shouldn’t be here. It’s a very politically divisive thing to post, and this isn’t a political website. Obviously left-wingers won’t mind poking conservatives with a stick, but it’s no more right than conservatives goading left-wingers in the same way. Trek is supposed to be about mutual understanding and tolerance. We saw that in the movie, very eloquently, with Spock’s “f*** you” live long and prosper to the Vulcan Academy at their intolerance of his “difference”, which was a very nice scene by the way.
I think my favourite line of so many gems in the script was Sarek’s “I married her because I loved her”. It brought a closure to the Sarek/Amanda relationship that had never existed previously. We had never really been given an understanding of why they married- why he married an illogical human and she would choose the arid Vulcan way. The simple clarification that Trek has always needed spelled out- that Vulcans are emotional beings living a chosen philosophy, not inherently emotionless, was finally brought closure with that one simple line. Thank you, scriptwriters. And thank you Ben Cross, for performing it so well.
Here in Northampton UK the cinema was only half full for an 8:30pm screening. Strangely, a colleague of my sister had said she’d had to book for another town (Milton Keynes) because Northampton was sold out???
As I said in another thread, I loved it. There are a fair few nitpicks plotwise, and the one thing that really didn’t work for me was the mindmeld infodump which seemed rushed and cursory. As I also mentioned in another thread, could Spock actually see Vulcan from Delta Vega??? How? But overall the whole thing was stunning, though I’d like to see an extended cut with a bit more Nero to give him some more screen time. And it’s very much a movie you want at home so you can replay bits and freeze frame :) Great work- applause for everyone involved. That last scene when Kirk is captain on the bridge, Pine had really “become” Jim Kirk, Captain of the Enterprise. Kudos to him for his performance of the boy growing into the man!
On the Newsweek haha lolz spread I also agree it shouldn’t be here. It’s a very politically divisive thing to post, and this isn’t a political website. Obviously left-wingers won’t mind poking conservatives with a stick, but it’s no more right than conservatives goading left-wingers in the same way. Trek is supposed to be about mutual understanding and tolerance. We saw that in the movie, very eloquently, with Spock’s “f*** you” live long and prosper to the Vulcan Academy at their intolerance of his “difference”, which was a very nice scene by the way.
I think my favourite line of so many gems in the script was Sarek’s “I married her because I loved her”. It brought a closure to the Sarek/Amanda relationship that had never existed previously. We had never really been given an understanding of why they married- why he married an illogical human and she would choose the arid Vulcan way. The simple clarification that Trek has always needed spelled out- that Vulcans are emotional beings living a chosen philosophy, not inherently emotionless, was finally brought closure with that one simple line. Thank you, scriptwriters. And thank you Ben Cross, for performing it so well.
196
i think the answer 2 number 2 is all those ships are far out in the galaxy on there 5 year mission and this event came out of nowhere
And they day we’ve been waiting for since 2006 is here. Im sad to see that some where disapointed, but I guess to enjoy this movie we as Trekkies do have to let some things go. These are new times, people dont care about moral lessons any more, they want a solid film which is what this was. My biggest complaint is the pace of the movie, which made it seem like the movie was only an hour in by the time it was almost over. No point putting my whole review on here, but Im pleased, mostly with the fact that Trek lives again and I think will be at least as strong was it was during the TNG days, maybe better.
177–the Narada was destroyed because the black hole erupted WITHIN the ship. Same with Vulcan.
so does that mean there is a black hole by saturn
May 7, 2009 will go down as the night that Star Trek was reborn. I was there. I saw it happen. And it was wonderful.
THE MOVIE WAS AMAZING! It’s my bday today and I dragged 15 of my friends to watch it. 6 months ago half of them went from OK we’ll go………. Then suddenly I had people asking to join because it looked so good. And in the end, they all loved it! It’s AWESOME!
So umm….
1.Red Matter….how pathetically generic can you be.
2. I do not want to see Spock in a sex scene in the sequel.
3.SLOW DOWN and explain the time travel stuff a bit better.
4. Nero should’ve been the only one with the tatoos. People I was with had a hard time telling which one he was. He didn’t stand out from his crew.
5. Great casting, fun movie, plot was a mess.
OMG vulcan is gone. Now the Vulcans feel like elves from middle earth.
Our friends live on screen again… were they ever gone?
To the demise of the canonites and their poison. To new beginnings.
Long live Trek!
where was majel barretts voice? i didnt hear her in it…..
I haven’t seen it yet… friday at 7 pm.
But skimming these comments, I can picture JJ, Orci and Kurtzman and the others anxiously reading this page, desperately wanting to know what the fan base thinks.
When I imagine myself in their places, I think I would just be overwhelmed by the response. It would have to feel pretty great! They’ve got to be on an incredible high right now. Aren’t you, guys? I’m talking to you Supreme Court! Well I for one am glad we can give something back to you since I really appreciate you personally connecting with us here. (I’ve been an ever present lurker ever since the site launched.) Anthony, you and your group have my extreme gratitude as well.
Well, that’s enough of a love fest from me. Returning to lurker status. (Though I’ll probably pop up briefly after I see the film.)
I loved the movie. Five stars from me. The cinematography was excellent, and the characters were all fantastic.
But I have a bone to pick with J.J.
How can you destroy Vulcan AND kill Amanda? One or the other would have sufficed, but to do BOTH has just upset me so much that I can’t stop thinking about how big an overkill it is.
202 – no, the Jellyfish, Narada, and Enterprise all warped away somewhere during the final battle.
I loved it. It was well worth the wait and I will be seeing this movie SEVERAL times this summer.
The audience at the theater I saw it in was enthusiastic but small. I suspect that very few people even knew that and advance screening was happening.
I admit to being skeptical of the new timeline plot and what it meant to the world I grew up with. But watching the movie, I bought it. I’m in.
The actors are great and I really started to have that feeling of familiarity with them that I had with the originals. Pine is channeling more of Shatner than anyone has admitted. And he does it well. His little cadences are done with obvious respect and even love for Shatner’s characterization. Quinto has the difficult an unenviable job afsharing screen time with Nimoy and there is an obvious difference. But when you take into account that his Spock and Nimoy’s Spock are literally orld’s apart in terms of experience, it makes sense. Pegg and Urban were underused but what they brought to the table was wonderful and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next movie. Even Cho and Yelchin were enjoyable with Anton being a real surprise. He really does convey the idea that he is a boy genius that is ahead of his peers and may be just a bit cocky because of it. I would have liked a bit more of Cho than the swashbuckler but ther is always the sequel.
The visuals were stunning and I think the soundtrack and music were great but, alas, the theater I saw it in had THE WORST AUDIO I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE. Honestly. The sounds was breaking up and it wasn’t because the speakers were being pushed too hard. The different channels were fading in and out so that at times it was only coming out of one side. Truly miserable and I let the management hear about it (no pun intended).
Do yourself a favor: Go in with an open mind and keep your hope alive. Star Trek is back.
175.
I am not surprised by your experience. I lived in south Texas for a couple of years and to say Star Trek is unpopular there would be an understatement.
#103… Hang in there, You”l see it soon I’m sure. More to look forward to? In any case, sorry to hear that.
180 – It was nearly sold out at 10:00 here in Washington, D.C. with a crowd consisting of 85% of people in their 20s.
To those who worry about the destruction of the Prime Timeline: It’s still there, I has to be there, otherwise Spock and Nero would have changed and the Jellyfish would never have been built. There is plenty of evidence in the film to back it up!
@ 176 –
GREAT POINT! Also, don’t forget about the ships that were destroyed, they will need Captains too.
The theatre (a typical arena-style) in downtown Minneapolis was about half-full for the 7PM showing. Mostly an older crowd. So let’s see if all the marketing done for it pays off. I hope that it does because the movie was good (with a few drawbacks) and I am anxious for a sequel.
Just got back from the movie in Alexandria, VA. I thought it was great! It was both dIfferent and the same – a terrific balance.
And for all the nits that had been picked…the lens flares were not a distraction…I liked the bridge and engineering…Uhura / Spock was a great idea…The Big “E” looked great on screen…no problem with how the crew got together (it’s a 2 hour movie, just get them together already)…Canon, Shmannon. They’re going to end up the same characters I’ve liked since the 60’s. Not a perfect movie, but I’d give it a 9 out of 10. It was a heck of a lot of fun! Thanks to the Supreme Court!
I think I can put my finger on why I’m not ecstatic about the movie, even though I did like it (geek admissions forthcoming): I know everything about these characters, I have been following them for 30 years, and now all that is gone, replaced by a new slate. I’m happy that the franchise is back and that people will like it, rejuvenate it, etc. But, I think the thrill is now gone for me. It was just a fun movie now, with fun sequels to come.
Does this mean I’ve grown up???
Well, many things about this film were good, but it was far from a masterpiece. I liked the tipping of the hat to the original series and also to many of the earlier movies in the form of catch phrases and other icons. However, it seems in retrospect that that was all that we got (and yet another invented alien villan who was set up to be destroyed by the end of the movie — haven’t they learned that doesn’t work yet?). If I wanted to hear common Trek catch phrases over and over, wouldn’t I just watch all the old movies again? Nothing was added of interest really.
I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the young actors, especially the guy who played Bones. (Chekhov was a little bit forced.) I think they’ll be able to continue in their respective roles well if they each decide to continue making Trek movies. The only thing missing was a “magic” moment between any two of the characters. I didn’t feel any magical moments here, like I did in the early Trek movies (even after seeing them again recently). However, I do see the potential for some magic moments in the future.
As for Nimoy’s presence, well, all I can say is that it just felt like he was there to make the reboot possible, and also to pass the torch on to the new franchise. As such, the part didn’t contribute much, and the whole explanation (with Spock senior) of the storyline took place in less than 3 minutes, which was far too fast. Without more discussion of that plot, we’re left with catch phrases, gags, and special effects, which isn’t quite enough.
I also hate shaky camera action scenes. I think they should be banned from cinema.
Overall, I think it was a 3/5. Not great on its own, but with the potential for better storytelling and chemistry between actors in future movies.
Funniest part of the movie: red shirt guy has life expectancy of 2 minutes. We were laughing the moment we saw that his suit was red. We were hysterical when he got bbq’d in the drill beam.
GREAT movie! EPIC! A tabula rasa Star Trek. It’s safe to say that with JJ Abrams, Star Trek has grown a pair. If you’re not a fan, the humor will work. If you are a fan, the humor will work even better. Great action, but yet, some good, still moments. It’s a hit, and a reboot to Star Trek.
Just saw the film at a 10pm showing. Mostly loved it, at least on first viewing. My friend, who is self-described as “easily amused,” enjoyed it about as well.
I have no real problem with the changes to Trek canon and details (delta symbol, Spock/Uhura, etc.).
I love the cast. They are great, top to bottom, front to back. I was surprised that I liked Pine so much as Kirk. Chekov was a bit off, to me–the accent sounded like he had a speech impediment on top of the accent–but mostly, Chekov felt like Chekov.
Characters: great. The ship: looks better in action.
The writing: mostly good, except the theft of the Ceti Eel scene from TWOK. (Nero and Pike…if you’ve seen it, you know what I mean.) Sorry, Bob Orci, but that SUCKED.
Most of the humor is great, and even the bar scene stuff worked pretty well.
Problems? I won’t rehash the “Kirk promoted too soon” lines, or complaints about other coincidental and/or ludicrously unbelievable events. Mostly, I didn’t care about ‘em; I was having fun.
But the filmmaking–that is, the directing and camerawork–leave a lot to be desired. The lens flares were MUCH WORSE than I feared, the shaky-cam was used almost constantly, and the action is a mush of imagery because Abrams apparently thinks everything looks better if you SHOVE THE CAMERA UP AGAINST IT.
BTW, my easily-amused friend–who loves almost any film he sees, unquestioningly–complained about the lens flares and in-your-face camerawork. I didn’t prompt him at all; he brought it up.
So the one big improvement they need to make for the sequel is a DIFFERENT DIRECTOR. Let Abrams produce, but please get a better director. Without the lens flares, with less shakycam, and with more wide-angle and steady camerawork so we can see what the hell is happening, and this would have been a home run.
It’s fun, it’s definitely Star Trek, and it’s worth your money to see it in the theater.
Oh, one more little thing: I wish they’d left it “where no MAN has gone before” for the TOS purist in me, but the feminist in me is glad they went with “no ONE.”
This is what I wanted back in ‘79–a film version of the tv show. The ages of the actors back then precluded that, and while I love TWOK and TUC, this is the first movie to actually evoke the tv show that started it all.
Is it the best? Probably. This movie had a scope that has never been attempted before, and succeeded admirably. I saw Kirk, Spock, etc. and recognized them as the same characters I loved from TOS with a bit of a new polish. Frankly I was surprised (and thrilled) with how much of TOS they kept–I’m not talking about ‘canon’ but about the heart of the show, which they got right.
just a thought…as ive seen this idea expressed here in a few previous posts.
My theater for the 9:50 show probably only had about30-40 people in it. we all probably could have fit in the three rows if we needed to.
but…if i wasnt a fan who was on the internet..more specifically trekmovie.com about 12 times a day…there would be NO WAY i would know that this movie opened tonight. all of the the mainstream advertising…at least what ive seen….still says that the movie opens on May 8th. I only know that it opened today by being glued to this website. im sure the theaters tomorrow will be much more packed.
Just saw the 7PM showing in Phoenix and the theatre was 80% full and there was a line to get into the 10PM.
Except for this site and the link to fandago, I would have not known there was a showing tonight. I don’t think it was widely advertised. I think the early buzz will be so strong, that Star Trek will have a good first and second weekend. 88mil first weekend!
Thank you for bringing Star Trek back. I can’t wait for the STXII
loved it. star trek is alive and kicking again. amen.
Thanks for a great site!
196. AJ – May 7, 2009
I’m hoping that someone will fill in the blanks of the ENT-ST09 timeline in some sort of official capacity. We have
1. The single-nacelle 800+ crew survey vessel class into which the Kelvin falls. Extremely large primary hull with twice the compliment of the “Starship” Class.
***I’m not sure what you’re asking***
2. The Enterprise seems to be the only “Starship” Class vehicle out there. (12 like it in the fleet?)
***For now, it looks like it’s the only Constiution Class Vessel***
3. Who are the Klingons in this timeline, and can someone get us some shots of those ships?
***They are still Klingons and so I don’t spoil it, they are used exactly same same way as there were in TWOK***
4. Re-drawn Romulan story. Spock knows about them. Was there a war?
***Different Timeline; anything could have happened, but weren’t they seen on ENT, which is still part of the same timeline?***
5. Probably a dozen other things!
I just got back. I’m gonna have to see it several more times just to absorb everything but at the moment I feel like my brain is about to blow up. In a good way.
I also forgot to comment on all the retcons (ahem… “re-inventions via reboot”) which pervade the movie.
Vulcan being destroyed, Amanda dying very early, Uhura falling in love with Spock (and Spock not shunning her), Pike being crippled fighting Nero… I could go on, but it’s just a bit much to take. I’ll accept it all I guess, but how much of this really contributes to a new, creative Trek universe, and how much of it was just done to mess with us? Shock value isn’t really good storytelling.
And as for Spock’s emotions — Doesn’t it somehow seem that the most emotionless characters in the Trek universe (namely, Spock, Data, and Tuvak) are always the ones who have to parade their emotions to the audience? Why can’t we just let them be emotionless for a while and leave it at that?
Argh. Wish I could write a Trek movie.
Just got back from two showing. I took two friends (a guy and a girl) who both dislike Star Trek, one to each, and they both loved it! The movie was fantastic. I’ll be seeing it in IMAX tomorrow with another group of non-Trekkie fans. Oh…and did I mention I loved the film? :)
I just got back from the movie in Rice Lake, WI with the theatre about 1/4 full for the 9:25 showing. There isn’t much for population up here, so my guess is that there will be a lot more casual movie-goers watching it this weekend.
My thoughts… Honestly, when I left the theatre, I wasn’t sure what to think. I’d had this picture built up in my mind of what the movie sounded like it was ganna be, and it didn’t quite hit what I had pictured. But, as I got home and was putting my keys on my desk, it hit me; that movie was pretty damn good! It took me a little while to digest, but honestly, I loved it!
The music was phenomenal, IMHO, the acting was superb though a bit “forced” at times. One of the things that I didn’t like was how some of Nimoy’s lines sounded… They just didn’t seem like the Spock of old to me… I loved the thing between Young Spock and Uhura though… Specially in the transporter room… I’m still chuckling about it now as I type it out.
Pine was amazing; cocky and confident. Smart, quick on his feet, and just was the essence of Kirk of old. I actually thought that Yelchin did a good job as Chekov, and that Cho played a pretty good Sulu. Zoe made a wonderful Uhura; I liked her strength and… gusto I think is the right word, that she brought to the character.
I don’t think I’m qualified by any means to talk about the special effects in detail, but I think that they were done well, looked real and believable, and fit well when they were used. The flashes can be a bit much, but I do think that they worked well when they were used, if a bit too much for my taste.
Overall Grade from me: 8.5/10 Great cast, great score, good special effects. Some points taken off for the story and for the delivery of some lines and a few other things, but it was a pretty good movie.
As a side note, I took my brother in law to the movie who is not a Trekkie in the slightest and he really enjoyed the movie as well.
Just saw the star trek movie OMG loved it, perfect, what I wanted, JJ well done! I had no problems with it, nothing to nit pick, the starships warping was very cool, the openening title is awsome, characters perfect, enterprise beauty shots were fantastic, loved it loved it loved it. I’d love to go into more detail but its 2am. Good night
i have never ever proclaimed that i LIKE JJ’s directing. (he certainly created a lot of tension on screen in MI3) I was seriously concerned while watching the previews and clips over and over again that the lens flares were going to get on my nerves or get in the way too much. NOT TRUE AT ALL. IMO anyway. The flares work fine and although i “noticed” one or two that seemed to take over the whole screen….i was not bothered or distracted at all. i think it was a good directing choice to include them. And i hate michael bay and his shaky cam directing. This movie does not suffer from “too much shaky cam” JJ has done well.
J.J., if you’re listening:
Create a television series based on the U.S.S. Kelvin. Please. I want me more Robau.
From the new yorker “This theme of alternative reality is clumsily worked, and not a patch on its tighter, more alluring, and thus much scarier treatment in “Coraline.” Its effect here is to saddle us with two Mr. Spocks, one from the vulnerable present and one from the comforting future, and its main purpose, I suspect, is to drag in Leonard Nimoy, who these days makes Bela Lugosi look like Zac Efron, and thus insure that all the “Star Trek” scholars in the audience will have to hurry home and change their underwear.”
The irony being that the writer was probably giggling like a schoolgirl as he wrote that.
Just saw it in a packed theater. Man, was it awesome!
I have to say that I loved, loved, loved Pine’s leg crossing at the end in the chair. Anyone else notice and appreciate it?
i dont know what in my mind, movie is great and best, the best!
Decloaking . . .
Well, I’ve kept my mouth shut for a while; just got back from the flick.
I entered the theater ready to be blown away; I wasn’t.
The special effects were astonishing. Of course when that’s the best thing about a film, you’re in trouble.
The 10:00 show on opening night for prior Trek films has always been packed, in my experience. Tonight there were only about 30 people there with little audience reaction.
I give this film a solid C, at the top of the lower echelon of Trek films.
It was everything I’ve feared a Trek film would become: just a big action piece with little substance. The story was paper thin.
However, within that limited framework it was well executed.
I don’t think I’ll ever believe anyone ever again when they say: “It’s a great script,” because it wasn’t.
It was a standard Orci / Kurtzman script, as insubstantial as Transformers. However, given their superb success in the marketplace (for which I stand and salute them willingly), they clearly have their finger on the pulse of the vapid American movie going audience.
One wonders: would “City on the Edge of Forever,” “Mirror, Mirror,” “Doomsday Machine,” or “Menagerie” be made today given the inability of the American public to process thought provoking material?
I was most disappointed by the gratuitous use of Leonard Nimoy. He should have been the fulcrum around which the story was built, and honestly he really wasn’t.
In fact, the film didn’t have a pivot point. It seemed like an endless barrage of rapid fire imagery and action. Like MI: III, too much action. The film lacked quiet moments in which to breathe.
Quinto I found utterly unconvincing, just Skyler with pointed ears.
To me, the best performance was given by Bruce Greenwood, and again not used enough.
I found the lack of development on the Nero character disturbing and Eric Bana deserved more screen time.
Chris Pine worked as Kirk and the rest of the cast were adequate given the limited emotional range of the script.
Karl Urban was great as McCoy, and I liked how he got named Bones.
I was bugged by the repeated Trek film habit of unnecessarily killing off characters: Kahn, Spock, David Marcus, Kirk, Data, and now Amanda Grayson. I think keeping good characters alive makes a lot more sense in the development of sequels.
But, what do I know; I’ve never sold a script.
Star Trek did get a couple of good chuckles outta me.
The one thing I really hated was the lame ass excuse of Kirk’s solution of the Kobeashi Maru problem. I got the apple eating Easter egg, fine. But, that was the best they could do for a solution by one of the greatest tactical geniuses in Star Fleet history. COME ON!??!
Ultimately, this film would have been a lot worse in less capable hands.
The one thing that really didn’t cross my mind was Canon issues. And I am a reformed mega-canonist.
And frakk, I missed the Tribble!
Bottom line: STAR TREK LIVES, and for that I’m grateful.
I sincerely hope that for Star Trek 12, Orci and Kurtzman take their script writing boldly where they never gone before.
Recloaking. }:-D>
I’ve seen the movie and I liked it. It was different for sure. I accept it as an alternate timeline and that the Trek that we all know and love is still going on. We’re just took a left turn instead of a right and now we’ll see what this road takes us to. I do have a couple nitpicks, same as most of the other people: Vulcan, Amanda, engineering, and the Spock/Uhura thing.
I thought everyone had their characters down. Loved Karl Urban and towards the end of the movie, Chris Pine showed us the Kirk we all know and love. I loved the title sequence, gave me chills!
I think what’s clear is that we need a TV series ASAP.
I cannot be happy seeing these guys every 2 1/2 years in a film format that gives them nothing to do.
The impending five-year mission means that there are at least 79 adventures coming for these men and women. Bob, Alex, Damon, JJ, etc, have a choice:
They could take an ep….let’s say “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” and make it absolutely epic. How about “Balance of Terror” or “Errand of Mercy?” Easy pickins and bonafide boxoffice.
But the “Supreme Court” already knows this. Tonight, they are thinking about the next “Trek to the stars,” and from what I’ve gleaned from Bob and Alex, they want to keep it fresh. I think Mr. Orci wants to see the next chapter as much as we all do. Problem is…he’s got to write it.
The implications of the new ‘Trek’ film are startling: 10,000 Vulcans left alive, a planet ‘found’ by Spock Prime as a new potential colony. That is series stuff. The Vulcans will also confront the Romulans with a big WTF? and could bring those races closer together in this new universe.
But it’s not fodder for a film. What’s the next story?
Just saw it. Only a few things were off here and there, but otherwise – it was f***ing awesome.
F. Ing. Awesome.
Test
Omg, just left theater… I’m speachless jj! I pray that you do sequel all those years of being a star trek nerd just made me cool! The hell with canon, I want to have that feeling again.
238, Agreed 100%
Thanks for saving me the finger strength! lol
well seriously…when is this movie on dvd? cuz i want to own it already! i wanna pop it in right now and rewatch!
It’s funny. I read the not-so-great reviews, and I’m thinking, “How can you feel that way?”
But then I remember watching Twilight and absolutely hating it, whereas most everyone loved it. Truly, de gustibus, non disputandum est.
At least those who didn’t care too much for it gave it a shot. There’s always the DVDs!
STAR TREK TAKES OVER CNN.COM
STAR TREK ON THE FRONT PAGE OF CNN.COM
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry i had to :)
I loved this movie. I have been afraid for 3 solid years now that i would hate it. Little by little my fears were worn away. First off with the news Quinto was cast as Spock.
Years ago, when i was beginning my career as a screenwriter, I began working on a “retro-Trek” script, one that told the first adventure of the Enterprise crew, and, much like JJ, I wanted to use “Superman: The Movie” as my model. I never really got far with that project. ( As any Trek fan can readily see.) But, truly, I never had to – this film is what I had in mind, and more – a whole lot more.
Not only does it tell a fitting Kirk/Spock origin story, it tells a compelling action story as well.
I’ll have to see it a few more times just to get it all in my head, but I’m entirely pleased ( Vulcan? Amanda? That sort of disturbed my inner canon-ite) and can’t wait for more.
If this is the future of Trek, story-telling-wise, I’ll have to take a long look at the projects I was working on to bring Trek back to TV, and do some serious rewrites.
Thank you Bob, Bryan, Damon, Alex and JJ!!!
http://geektrek.today.com/
Well, there are a whole bunch of things I didn’t like about this movie, and many of the things other fans have said about it are spot-on.
That said, I was having way too much fun to care. It was FUN, it looked GREAT, the music was GREAT, and the characters were AMAZING. First of all: best reboot ever. One of the reasons I enjoy Star Trek is because all the series and movies have been interconnected, and to have the writers actually tie this relaunch into the Trek we’ve experienced is fantastic. ANY differences can be tied back to the Kelvin’s destruction–and I LOVED getting that little glimpse of the genuine post-Enterprise/pre-The Cage era in the first part of the movie.
It’s not perfect, but it’s better than many of the Star Trek films, and better than most recent summer action movies. Wolverine is a mere shadow of a movie compared to this one.
One thing I’m curious about: is there really any reason to assume that Kirk took command of the Enterprise IMMEDIATELY after the Narada’s destruction? Spock seems to remember this event, so perhaps there were three or four years between the Narada’s destruction and Kirk assuming command of the Enterprise–enough time to get the ship repaired, for Pike to get promoted to Admiral (why would they promote him based on anything that happened in the movie?), for Kirk to get a little more experience under his belt, and for the events to line up with the original start of Kirk’s five year mission. Just a thought.
Mr. Orci: Thank You
1 for being so vocal in this forum!
2. For helping to make a semi-Purist LOVE this movie! Really Really love!
My god thanks again!
It was amazing! My only complaint is that this movie should have been 10 hours long!!!!!!!!!
I was so nervous for the last 2 years. I should have relaxed.
BTW THANK YOU!
ERIC
God Speed!
LOVED it. The plot devices listed in several comments above are not purely for shock value. They are an indication that the timeline detailed in TOS has changed. The characters are true to themselves, but not beholden to “that which we (as fans) know has already happened”. It was absolutely necessary to do this, in this way, so that new stories with our old friends can be told in ways that we cannot assume the outcome. Kirk COULD die in the next movie, but not in the TOS/First 6 Films universe. Spock seemed very much the character we saw in “The Cage”, battling emotionality while claiming the logical high ground. The relationship factor is interesting, plausible, and I enjoyed it. It also makes Uhura a bigger player in future films, which is GREAT on many levels. More Zoe is a good thing.
This, in many ways, is the movie we hoped for in 1979. We have our familiar crew, on a wonderful starship (LOVE LOVE LOVE the “new” E, looks great in action), ready for the next adventure. The only thing I didn’t care for: Spock’s Meld explanation to advance the plot was a bit too quick and glossy, and also, WTF was Nero doing for 25 years?! Waiting for Spock and what else. I mean, a lot of time passes between the Kelvin attack and the events later in the film. Just curious, seemed the only real gap in the writing for me.
In 1979, I wanted to finish the 5 year mission, not pick up the pieces in the aftermath. Now we get the 5 year mission, fresh, uncomplicated by what has come before, and ready to be told in exciting, modern ways. Plus we still get:
Spock: “Fascinating”
Bones: “Are you out of your Vulcan Mind?!”
Kirk: “Take her out”
Scotty: “I’m givin’ her all she’s got”
It was a great homage to the original cast, a respectful way to extricate the franchise from 40 years of stories already told. The performances were spot on, even the edgy young Kirk, who very quickly morphs into a solid, smart, talented cadet/officer. Pine delivers. Quinto’s Spock is perfect, and Karl Urban wrapped himself in the spirit of McCoy, and gave me a pitch perfect performance without ever tilting into “impersonation”.
I think it was masterfully done. Certainly there are things that could’ve have been different, better even, but on balance, an excellent start to a new story arc that I WANT to see. Can’t wait for the next film. I want to watch my crew grow up, and boldy go.
But please, don’t blow up the ship, JJ. Been there, done that, and I’m tired of buying new decals for my models.
” 4. Re-drawn Romulan story. Spock knows about them. Was there a war?
***Different Timeline; anything could have happened, but weren’t they seen on ENT, which is still part of the same timeline?***”
The arrival of Nero seems to have bumped up Starfleet’s awareness as to the true nature of the Romulans by a couple decades.
I presumed the promotion was pretty close afterwards. If there were a time lag, another captain would have been assigned to replace Pike, because we would have to read Pike in a wheelchair as him being permanently disabled. Whereas I presumed it was just a nod to us Trekkies, and this was immediately after the previous events shown, and he is just in a wheelchair convalescing. I really hope they haven’t been so stupid as to permanently cripple such a great character.
Besides all else, while that might have been barely credible 40+ years ago when they could write McCoy waiting to get “[the X-Ray] plates back from the lab”, with subsequent medical advancement the idea of somebody being permanently disabled like that 200 years from now seems ridiculous. Just as, in fact, Original Pike’s wheelchair with the “yes/no” beeps and light does. We’d do far better than that now.
To boldly go where no franchise has gone before…the destruction of Vulcan is what really preserve Star Trek Prime Canon. I can imagine now the episodes and the movies that have set Vulcan as its background being totally crystalized in Prime Canon. As Mr. Orci pointed out months earlier, quantum mechanics is the explanation for keeping canon preserved and yet, still be able to create new stories. Hey, maybe in this alternate reality, Kirk does not die. Anything is possible.
It is a great film and in the top 5 for me but it is not the best ever Star Trek film.
I gave it 8 out of 10. I thought it was excellent but had a few gripes with somethings in the film but overall it was an excellent movie and a lot better than Nemesis
it was really good. There were more than a few moments when the hair stood up on the back of my neck – and I savored what was onscreen.
The humor caught me off guard, but the laughter was genuine and well-earned.
What really surprised me was the delayed response the audience had at the end when Spock Prime and Spock parted. Best bit of humor ever – and only a die hard fan could get it. The laughter from ’selected’ audience members was enough to trigger a landslide.
This was the trek I was waiting for.
Okay, second viewing accomplished.
Really nice movie.
Some of the plot holes I referred to after watching it once were cleared up when I saw it again. I missed some dialogue.
I wish they had kept the line about the time stream trying to mend itself. It may have helped the awkwardness of Spock and Kirk being in the same cave on the same planet at the same time. Also, would have been better for the planet not to have been Delta Vega. It as like Delta Vega was now a moon of Vulcan. For me, the fun of the mentioning of a familiar was negated by how vastly out of place it was.
These are minor problems. It’s by far the best Star Trek movie in almost 20 years.
I thought Pine was virtually channeling Shatner in the final scene on the bridge. Lots of fun.
I almost forgot to mention the music… wow. I really liked the different approach. It reminded me of the ST:VI soundtrack.
I may try to make the 10:45am show in the morning.
Is it clear that the original time line still exists?
Back from the 9:50 (CDT) showing at the Rave in Montgomery AL. First, a quick scan of the audience – median couple was two slightly overweight 20-something white guys in black rock n’roll t-shirts. Nothing different there. I was there with my wife, who is very familiar with Trek lore but is not a Trekkie; she loved it. I was quite proud of myself for being escorted by a female. We did have an interesting foursome in the audience – a young man in a Darth Vader costume and another dressed as a young Obi-Wan Kenobi, each holding a rope dragging two other kids in TOS uniforms (or a reasonable facsimile) with tape over their mouths.
The theatre was about three-quarters full, and the DLP projection and sound – something Rave is known for – was outstanding. As many have said, the two hours zipped by – my wife, a former theatre manager, claims that is the best compliment a movie can recieve.
I’m not going to make some lame attempt to review the movie. Suffice it to say what I saw was great! It fits nicely into what’s expected from a big budget summer blockbuster, which is something our franchise has never been able to accomplish. Some of my earlier qualms, the iBridge being the ring leader, are dashed. I love the new bridge; it’s much cozier on the big screen. I love the new Enterprise. She is as majestic as ever (she could use a little more face time in the future). I love the juxtaposition of the sleek saucer section decks and the gnarly engineering section. I think all the characters bring a fresh take to the classic roles in a positive way – even Chekov.
By the way, Darth Vader stood and applauded as the credits began to roll.
I will admit I’m a little more whacked out about the timeline than I thought I would be. I went into the movie with an open mind, but now, I’m dwelling on things like “if Tuvok dies on Vulcan, what will happen to Voyager?” My wife, on the way home, told me to shut up… “you do know the timeline isn’t really real.” There is one thing, however, we should consider: Who’s to say now that Kirk has to be in the torpedo room on the Enterprise B when the Nexus comes by. Make way for Shat!
OMG I am sitting here just thinking of how many ways a great writer can whip up great storylines.
Vulcan, Spock^2, and don’t for get Kirk’s knowledge of both. This is intriguing. It reminds me of the Admiral Janeway paradox…it’s freaking awesome. I never knew that the old show I first saw in ‘66 at one year old, would become so much.
Now the universe unfolding with not one but TWO realities just makes me want to start writing…you guys need any dyed in the wool writers with an open mind?
Instead of the “Mirror Universe” which always seemed to me to be a little than not “overused,” the reboot pulls off an alternate reality reboot to make the “Mirror Universe” seemed “cracked” in more than a few places.
This works. I am very impressed and like very much what you guys have done…KUDOS! I just wish there were more time! I am going back Saturday night to see it again, once isn’t enough. Keep raising the bar JJ, Bob, and Alex, you guys really pushed it into warp…and we will go faster yet!
Many thanks and much respect!
Trekwebmaster
how come Starfleet didn’t ask The Xindi for their help to fight Nero???
I’m still overwhelmed to write anything coherent, but I am just blown away. Two and half years were worth every moment of waiting. I teared up several times, including the opening. Our group included my 14-year-old daughter (she’s a fan, but this was her first big-screen Trek), plus three 14-16 year old friends. The best part was hearing one friend say how “amazing” it was, and she has never seen a Trek movie in her life. We cheered and clapped from beginning to end. Leonard Nimoy got big cheers and applause, too!
Thank to you to JJ, Mr. Orci, Kurtzman, and the cast . . . this is the best I’ve ever felt to be a Trek fan. We are going back tomorrow!
wow, simply wow. What a great movie.
As a long time fan and avid viewer of Star Trek i give this movie a failing grade. It isnt true to the Star Trek universe, only in name. It was a monumental let down!!!!!!! As typical with this director, all hype and effects.
If this is the furture of what Star trek has to offer, hy have lost one o their longest fans, as I have watched it since early 70s. What a letdown totally disappointing, I had great expectations, at least of them staying true to Star Trek. Such typical BS as far as I am concerned.
OOps Im so upset typos lol
17 et al,
The comparison was made by Zachary Quinto long before Newsweek came up with the idea. Our young Mr. Spock has made his politics the worse kept secret in the galaxy:
“This is a franchise that offers hope for unity, and so does Barack Obama. When this movie comes out, and Obama is President, hopefully there will be some parallels.” – Quoted in Entertainment Weekly, October 2008
As I have tickets for tomorrow evening, I’ll reserve judgment until I actually see the movie. But there’s a reason why studio executives don’t like it when celebrities use movies and Oscar speeches to preach the gospel. It’ll only cause them (that is, the executives) a whole lot of trouble in the long run. They’re the ones who have to respond to the inevitable complaints and boycotts. Quinto’s going to get paid regardless. What does he care?
Just got back from The Arclight in Hollywood.. Every theater was packed, according to the employess…Caught the 9:20 show, mostly young people, 20’s-30’s…LOTS of laughs when there was a nod to Cannon, and just general enjoyment of the flick.
I went with 6 non-trek fans, and they LOVED it., and one is actually going with me again!
My grade- A-
with the new reality, Star Trek 2 should be about The Borg!
Well for all of the “naysayers” here speaking of “canon” and being true to something or whatever.
JJ just kicked us in our complacent behinds. When “canon” prevents good storylines, we become so “inflexible” which prevents original material and constitutes a joke.
This movie is no joke. It’s a new beginning. I for one will take it and be grateful JJ picked Star Trek. Alot of my “dye-hard” trekker friends are really “stoked” about this movie…it appeals to a far more broader audience. It resonates nicely.
I’d like to take a minute to thank J.J. Abrams, Bob Orci, Alex Kurtzman and everyone else involved for restoring this franchise that has given us so much over the years to it’s rightfull place and bringing “Star Trek” back from the brink.
You turned this franchises prolonged and unnecessary death into a fighting chance to live.
WELL DONE GUYS!!!
I’d also like to thank Anthony P for running the best fan site on the net over the last few years.
Here’s to a great night in “Star Trek” history and to a film that turned out to be a blast.
STAR TREK LIVES!!!
I really don’t understand why many people have said this movie has destroyed canon. Is it not repeated that this is a alternate universe/time line? Heck the writers themselves said that main time line is still there and it still going and this is a new one. Did nobody read that interview?
You know how most movies star all dramatic, then level off, then end with a climax. It was like this with this movie. It just kept coming, non-stop, not room to breath. You couldn’t go to the bathroom or nothing because you would miss something. That is the best part of this flick. It did NOT let up at all.
I saw James Cawley in a red uniform three rows back on the left in the Admiral Pike scene! 7pm show in the Majestic 10 in Burlington VT, full house, everybody seemed to really enjoy it, applause at the end. Great job to all! Yes there will always be nit picking but this really works as good Trek entertainment, I’m 54 and have loved Trek since the begining in ‘66, my first con in Boston ‘73. TOS is my fan fave, and this works as a fresh reboot better than I thought it would. I will see it again and again, gotta find a IMAX.
Live Long and Prosper Trek!
#271 – Is it possible that this movie or its elements are actually above some of those people’s heads? Now that’d be funny!
Holy f***ing crap this movie was fantastic!!! They absolutely nailed it as far as I’m concerned. Thank g-d! Man was i worried.
The cast was perfect. They brought new life to these characters, and without mimicking the original actors still managed to bring familiarity to them. I loved each one.
I simply loved everything about this movie. Everything. I’m going to go see it again this weekend. I have to.
To Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman, thank you endlessly. Lord, I think this was actually as good as, if not better than Kahn.
Oh yeah, they have ABSOLUTELY SAVED this franchise! I mean SAVED it!!! BRING IT ON!!! God bless you guys man, this picture was just incredible!!!
The IMAX showing I attended (Marq*E Center – Houston, TX @ 7PM) was sold out. The crowd was enthusiastic and even applauded at the end.
As I was leaving I noticed the two following showtimes were also sold out. In fact they ADDED A 3AM showtime!!! For real.
Saw the 10:30pm IMAX in New Rochelle, NY.
The movie was AMAZING. Bright, fast, fun, Bridge looks futuristic, like it should. Uniforms are cool. Visual effects were amazing.
Crowd cheered or applauded, or definitely reacted in some way at every major character reveal or catchphrase. And it didn’t seem forced at all. Those phrases and meetings all felt like they fit.
I had worried that the plot would make me upset at the whole “reboot” or that TOS/TNG and the rest are now a waste.
But then I thought that if this movie had ended with the timeline restored, I’d have been pissed off. I’d have thought, “well that’s like every other Trek movie or episode — a happy ending, neatly tied up in 60 or 120 minutes.”
I’m glad that’s not what happened here. This is new Trek, where sometimes, bad things happen. It’s not wimpy/”everyone wins.” And that seems a little more real. I don’t mind this reboot at all. It’s new and it’s exciting.
INCREDIBLE!
This is Star Trek as Star Trek should have always been.
The cinematography, the special effects, the characters. AMAZING!
I realized after dreading Wolverine, that there was a real chance that this movie could disappoint me — and I had low expectations for Wolverine. In fact I had even been distancing myself from this site for the last few months as to not get TOO excited.
I went with my friend who knows nothing about Star Trek, who LOVED it. Even called himself a Trekkie convert as we left.
When I saw Spock’s mom died it slowly started occurring to me the GENIUS of what the writers had accomplished. And as Vulcan imploded — it fully occurred to me. In having a villain from the future — they totally honored, dismissed, and altered cannon. This happened without my initial knowledge within seconds of the movie beginning.
It wasn’t a prequel at all. It’s absolutely a sequel. I ended up later drawing Doc Brown’s timeline diagram from Back to the Future 2, never knew that would have real world application.
There’s so much I could say — but I’ll leave with something trivial. The length to which the filmmakers went to give the series a real-world feeling. With the Nokia phone — and classic ringtone to a complaint I have always had with Star Trek — no modern music, and by modern I mean music of the future, which Star Trek now has.
I wasn’t a fan of Abrams before. I am now.
Cannot wait for Star Trek “2″
Oh, man, this will be the first movie I’ll be seeing in theater after a very long tiem.
Oh yeah — I don’t know if this will be a double post since this is filling up pretty fast. But having grown up with Picard, I’ve never FULLY appreciated the renowned impulsivness of Kirk. Pike referred to it as a missing “leap before you look,” quality.
Getting back to that realy did return Star Trek to what it should be, a bright, fun, flashy adventure. Not as cerebral as Picard, and ultimately in a lot of ways — a lot better.
My favorite scene — the mind meld with real Spock/flashback. Excellent.
HOW COOOOOL WAS DR McCOY? I still hate the ship but that dude seriously made the movie for me!
Seen it last night (it’s 9.20 AM, here, in Italy): great movie, great fun and even good italian overdubbing, for the first time ever (on my way to see the original version, though).
I eventually regret having read so much about it in the last months: I probably spoiled a bit of the fun, but that’s it, this site is far too good to resist!
Too bad the theater (that used to be first class) completely screwed up the show with a slightly out of focus image and even jumping off-frame a couple of minutes during big E first warp… ~10 bucks for that is a crime!
Keep it up and enjoy this movie (in good theaters!!!)
I met a stranger on the street at 2am in downtown Ottawa. He told me to go see Star Trek. I guess will have to now!!!
OOh! I just thought / theory / possible explanation! Perhaps a good way of explaining why the Enterprise looks so different in this alternate timeline would be to say that one of the designers who went on to design the original Constitution class was on the USS Kelvin when she was destroyed? Maybe? I dunno…
I’m still hoping that they’ll redesign the Enterprise by the time the next movie comes along…
@279 (JoBlo)
EXACTLY!!!
JoBlo #270 says: “When I saw Spock’s mom died it slowly started occurring to me the GENIUS of what the writers had accomplished. And as Vulcan imploded — it fully occurred to me. In having a villain from the future — they totally honored, dismissed, and altered cannon. This happened without my initial knowledge within seconds of the movie beginning.”
TOTALLY GENIUS! I agree…:)
Very satisfied (from finally seeing the movie) but going back for more (just once isn’t enough!!!)
JJ you are AWESOME!!! How in the heck did you fit all this into 2 hours? And there are alot of frames on the cutting-room floor?
I hope you are getting all those deleted scenes and putting them into a fantastic director’s cut?
I LOVED THIS FILM…I can’t say enough about it and I am not a “FANBOY,” it has been a long time since I have seen a good EPIC sci-fi…and you guys NAILED IT!
Y’ALL NAILED IT!!!
It’s good. It’s ok. I just got back from a rather modestly attended midnight screening. It’s certainly not the 5 star raves that are being bandied about by some critics. Yes, compared to the typical summer popcorn explosion laced piece of dreck, it might seem VERY good. But compared to say the best of trek, both TV and film? No. It’s average. First Contact and TWOK are MUCH better films. Many of the TOS eps. are much better.
The beginning sequence was great. Very emotional, epic and serious. But then it sort of devolved into many instances of light comedy, (I know TOS was RIFE with that), but here, after the very well executed and dramatic prologue, it felt like this would be heavy, dramatic, memorable epic TREK. But then we got very strained comic relief with Chekhov and Scotty. They are reduced to one dimensional comic relief and it’s a shame. Sulu is wasted, does virtually nothing except show off some so so “fencing” skills.
Saldana was good as Uhura. The BEST thing about the film is McCoy. He nailed it yet never felt forced whereas the poor soul playing Chekhov was just putting on a horrendously unrealistic and pained Russian accent. Almost like Koenig being satirized.
Pine was very good. Quinto had the emotions and acting down but never crossed that threshold like Urban did with McCoy in both playing the character and not looking self conscious about it. He is a a natural.
Bana was decent but a VERY one dimensional character and part. Pales in comparison to what Montalban did with Khan.
The new E looked better in motion than the stills suggest. The interiors though. The super trendy i-bridge will indeed look more dated in 10 years than the classic TOS retro bridge and that’s a shame. It never ONCE felt like a real enviornment where the crew could do their tasks. It was RIDICULOUSLY bright, (don’t get me started on the endless lens flares…) even during “red alert”. You know how in the previous films, when they went to red alert, it would get a bit darker, red tinted, so maybe, they could SEE what was on the screen? Here, there are reflections all over the WINDOW, (It’s not a screen anymore) Seems very dangerous to just have glass there…
Also engineering looking like any old industrial basement? Lame and lazy call IMHO.
There were though some GREAT moments. That really connected. Then there were some VERY strained moments where they seemed like they were just trying to shoehorn references in from TOS.
All in all. It was good. NOT great or amazing. It will probably play better with non Trek fans.
__________________
I can’t believe that countdown clock has finally finished.
Great job Anthony, thanks for the ride and two years of fun and excitement with trekmovie!
I have seen the movie yesterday. Happy to be Dutch, so the movie would premier a day before the US. I have been waiting and countdown for the movie for months now.
The first hour of the movie where so weird. Knowing and really loving Star Trek for over 10 years really is weird for seeing the movie. After seeing Leonard Nimoy I only could watch the rest of the movie with a really really big smile.
The last time some thing I watched were so great, so strange, so overwhelming, so great, so powerful, so breathtaking it where watching Star Trek for the first times. Now I had it again.
Yes, its not canon all. But, many of the Star Trek movies have part who did not comply to Star Trek canon.
Thanks JJ for making Star Trek as it where the first time I discovered it. Really thanks! Star Trek id for my a part of my live. A Part who thought me the perspective of live, the planet Earth and th universe we live in. You made it again feel so breathtaking.
A warning to all Trekkers who are going to watch. What the trailers says is true: forget everything you know!
I saw the 7pm showing in IMAX at The Bridge.
I liked the movie, but there’s a part of me that won’t let me say I loved it. Maybe I need to see it a second time? I guess the biggest thing that bugged me was the whole Spock/Uhura things. I thought that was unnecessary and could have done without it.
Visuals were incredible.
I just want to say thatnks for the ride TrekMovie.com, I have been visiting and posting to many articles over the past to years, and have read nearly everything Anthony has posted here. What a ride indeed.
I will not be returning to this website for a time–it will be difficult as it has been a practice of mine to check the site literally several times a day each for the last 2 years.
What will happen now? As for Anthony, I hope that you afford yourself the time to take a needed break from Trek for a least a week – you deserve it. I have not yet seen the movie but I am looking forward to it with every fibre. Go long true, everyone.
Until Trek XII,
I saw an 8:30 show Thurs nite. It was about 75% full. It was 50/50 male/female. It was a college-age audience. At 33, I was one of the older people there.
Yeah Fanbro, I think that’s the most accuate and balanced review of the film that I’ve read so far and certainly one that mirrors my views about it the closest. It’s always my pattern to leave the cinema goin “YAAAY GREAT” and then upon some reflection, it starts to show some of it’s faults…Bloody lens flares eh?
Isn’t “they changed everything” now how will this play out the essence of Trek+ To boldly go, folks. Anyway, I loved it…. I wish it had been longer (and of course careers advanced a bit too quickly… we could have seen Kirk and co as crew under Pike and then have the next movie explain how that progressed… but whatever, pretty minor quibble)…. but I liked it even down to the beer factory engine room, which I think worked just fine. I’m a die-hard Khan fan, but when it was on the other day I found myself fast forwarding through half the dialogue. Yes, it would have been cooler to have a bit more info about nero (which ultimately didn’t really matter)… or an acknowledgment from a character that they don’t know what the hell is going on (and was there any surprise that the Romulans looked like vulcans)…. but it worked. Hell, the sequel could be Space Seed… or really anything. The universe is no longer locked in the Berman/Braga box of boredom and bogged down by minutia. Even the jokes worked — they weren’t the stilted, hammy jokes of the movies. Hopefully the next one, as has been oft-said here — is the Dark Knight/Spiderman II, now that the origin is out of the way. Oh, and Roger Ebert’s out to lunch on this one,
Been waiting on this flick. Was mildy spoiled, what with checking in here once a day and all. Saw the great reviews. Everything was set for me to enjoy this movie. Gotta say, a bit of a let down.
There were only about 25 people in the theater. The commercials that were playing all day never mentioned sneak screenings for tonight. I’m guessing the crowds will/should be out for this tomorrow and Saturday.
Onto the flick. It looked great. The effects were top shelf. I liked the cast for the most part. Pine is a different iteration of Kirk, but he’s watchable. Urban was spot on McCoy. Quinto, well get to him later…
The plot was thin. Nero was underdeveloped. And all this talk of him being the new bad ass in town are a bit unfounded. Khan still rules, with Chang firmly in second place. Oh, and talking about Nero where was he in those ensuing 25 years? And why didn’t he age even a day?
After hearing about all the care and thought that went into Nimoy’s Spock’s function in the film I was looking forward to him showing up. Wow. So uninspired and a waste of an opportunity. He essentially serves as an exposition tool. He provides some back story and motivation for the villain then steps aside so the picture can get moving again. Oh, and Red Matter? Basically a Genesis derivative. And onto Quinto. Not great. Nimoy brought a weight to the role that Quinto just doesn’t possess. Having them both in the same movie just shows how out of his league Quinto is.
The movie was average. Kinda flat. For as loud and glossy as it was it never did anything to engage me. I’ve been a Trek fan since the mid 80’s. I was completely cool with the recast, reboot, reawakening – whatever the hell they were calling this. But, I never got fired up over what was playing on screen. It ain’t what it was. The fact that the old movies did so much more emotionally on a fraction of the budget the current team has is a testament to the old guard’s talent. I think back on Trek VI’s opening night and the explosion of cheers and applause when Kirk blew up Chang’s bird of prey. The new film just never quite hit those heights.
Re: Explaining the new Enterprise
How about this: telemetry from the Kelvin gives Starfleet a look at the Narada’s tech, which influences the development of their ships.
LOL @ 294…I noticed the Beer Factory engine room too…but it worked with the lights iridescently reflecting off the tanks…I dismissed it because it worked.
The one major thing about continuity of a film is that you can get away with things like that. Character continuity is something you can’t get away with…if you don’t preserve that, it throws people out of the movie and inhibits suspension of disbelief.
I felt comfortable that the characters were who they appeared to be. I do wish we could have gotten to know them better, but hey we have 40 years of that right? I think it works. Let’s leave all of the minor “too fast” complaints to be resolved in the next film.
After all it’s Star Trek….right? Why complain about going “WARP SPEED,” isn’t that what TREK is supposed to do?
Very pleased.
Meh. Can’t see how telemetry would make head nor tails of the Narada when my own eyes were barely able to make out exactly what it looked like. You know the creature from Alien? The Narada looked like it had thousands of tails and body parts from that creature glued together in a kinda squid shape! Bee-ZAR!
Also, for those in the UK; How much did Chekov remind you of the Meercat from the CompareTheMarket.com adverts?! LOL!
Just as a historical footnote… as I left the first performance of “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on December 6th, 1979, I saw people crying, literally crying, not because the drama was so affecting, I don’t think, but just because they were just so happy to see “Star Trek” return (and to have their love of it vindicated by the release of a theatrical film) after a 10 and a half year absence. I’ve never seen that kind of reaction to a film since.
I thought the Narada was pretty cool. More like kelp than anything but well modeled none the less.
298
well, the Narada is half Borg.
I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life, this day of reckoning……
I hope they have more of elder Spock in future films and books. I like this new direction for him.
I love this movie, it is quite possbily the best Trek ever! I can’t wait to see what else JJ does with his new timeline! I am very postive towards anything new JJ does with Trek from this point on! I am going to go see two more times this weekend!
Ok, first, loved it. Right down to brass tacks:
I too thought the engineering set was a cop-out but whatever. I have a question though – was there a (singular) warp core? They refer to it I think, then next thing we see is a bunch of little tubes being ejected. Did anyone catch that?
I loved it and thought it was very well done and an awesome addition in our Star Trek World and history!!
I certainly hope the explore the Spock and Vulcan stories in more detail.
lol…compare the meercat, dot com
Here is my take of the characters:
KIRK: Pine was good with his rendition of Kirk. A little cocky, remembers this young Kirk is not as seasoned. Pine did a good job. What really picques my interest in this character is the knowledge gained in the mind meld. How will this affect Kirk? How will he decide to reveal this if necessary to others? I like this very much. Fascinating, indeed.
SPOCK: Quinto did remarkably well, this is a different Spock with new challenges facing him. Great source material for Quinto to truly PWN the role and step into “his own.” One challenged with dealing with self doubt and emotional outbursts with complications derived from knowing about his older self. Interesting to say the least.
SPOCK PRIME: Nimoy had alot of fun playing this role. His lines when talking to his younger version is one of which we all should heed. Learn to enjoy things more. There is a time for “canon” but also a time for entertainment and enjoying life. This is coming from a Spock who has lost everything, gained it all back, and ultimately, lost it all again. He still has his sense of humor. Says alot about humanity coming from a Vulcan, or as McCoy says: “A green-blooded hobgoblin.” A post-it note reminder that we would be better-off learning to accept things as they are, not as we would have them to be.
UHURA: Zoe works this role as a “don’t mess with me” Starfleet Security Special Ops officer. She takes her work seriously as Uhura. I would like to see more of how this officer progresses, what makes her who she is. Very promising role indeed.
SULU: I think the part where sulu forgets to disengage something to get the ship going is the only embarrasing moment we will ever see again from this officer. Cho does Sulu justice but again, I want to see more of this character.
CHEKOV: I thought the accent worked. It was very Russian, even I couldn’t understand some words he was saying, perhaps this is a challenge for him at his age? I thought this character was very believable.
SCOTTY: I am not sure of Scotty’s friend. I think I would promote that character off the ship into a deskjob at Starfleet. Kinda odd. LOL. Given time Simon will season ol’ Scotty up where we will be hearing that cursing Scotsman dashing from the bridge to the engine room to fix something that has gone awry, as usual.
PIKE: I think this is one of the most appealing characters in the film. What happens to Pike next. Is he permanently disabled or will he walk again? His promotion to Admiral was to me a tip-of-the-hat to the past 40 years. Much story could be developed for this character.
McCoy: Urban got him nailed. The young doctor recently divorced propelling him into service explains alot and is a nice expositionary statement that never seemed cliche. It was totally justified. I am very curious how McCoy develops from here. Nice job indeed.
Great job of setting up a storyline for the next sequel. I can imagine how much potential for great writing the reboot offers. There is so much more we can work with. You could even decided to utilize both timelines, if necessary. Avoiding cliche would be the most dangerous part of doing this, but if done with care and careful thought, it really can work.
Great job again. I’d say it was alot to fit into two hours. Easily this could have been a longer movie. I think JJ, Bob, and Alex respected canon, threw it out at the same time, and re-invented it better than Madonna, and made it work. Fresh eyes on a fanchise this old taking on the challenge of a tremendous reboot, whilst facing down rabid “canon” frenzied hardcore fans have proven they can successfully widen Star Trek’s appeal and entertain us at the same time. This is no easy feat to do, especially with a beloved franchise as this one is. I think they did it, and they did it WELL!
In a nutshell, I liked it, looked over things that really didn’t make a difference….who knows, those beer kegs with flashy lights could be antimatter storage pods or Scotty’s secret scotch micro brewery setup?
I enjoyed it…
Saw it on IMAX in Bradford UK last night – was pretty much blown away by the film. The writers had a difficult job in reintroducing so many characters to the audience and balancing it with a decent story – by and large they pulled it off on an epic and breathtaking scale.
I think $60m stateside would be a decent opening weekend. Certainly can’t afford to take less if a sequel’s goingto be viable. Paramount’s put in a lot of money on this project and they’ll want to see major returns.
If you pay actual attention to a REAL Russian accent, Koenig’s is watered down in comparison. Anton Yelchin can actually speak Russian.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Chekhov was just putting on a horrendously unrealistic and pained Russian accent. Almost like Koenig being satirized.
No spoilers:
Wow. Really liked it. Just the right balance of action, emotion, character development, and humor. I was afraid it would have been aimed too squarely at the “Transformers demographic,” but J.J. and company are far too good to fall into that trap.
This movie has that rare combination of drama that draws the audience into the story plus the effects, music, and sound track to blow them back into their seats. Too many movies have only the “pull” or the “push” but only the best movies have both.
Looking forward to the next Orci/Kurtzman/Abrams Trek movie! Until then, Jackson Roykirk signing off.
One thing I never got when watching it was…
POSSIBLE SPOLIER QUESTION
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What does exactly happen to old Spock at the end of the movie?
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END SPOILER
Left a bit unresolved? Finishes with a whimper?
One thought I had as far as the script goes (I plan to see the film again Saturday with friends who could not gowith me tonight… then I will do my review), I would have added…
[With the film paying homage to some TV episodes and movies that came before it ("I have been, and ever shall be your friend," for example), I think Orci and Kurtzman missed a good opportunity as the film came to a close...]
If I had written the final scene, I would included this:
Chekov to Kirk: “Heading, sir?”
Kirk: (reverently) “Out there… (waves his hand) thataway.”
But in the short and skinny of it.. What a great film!!!
If you’re the type that gets all hung-up on the traditional Star Trek canon… you know who you are… let it go, you’ll enjoy this film so much more if you do. This is a reboot, not a prequel. There is a distinct difference between the two. I’ve been a Star Trek fan for about as long as anyone. I’ve every episode from all 5 series on DVD, not to mention the 10 features, so I speak from this point of view. Don’t let the old canon get in the way when watching the new film. It is absolutely spectacular, J.J. has done an incredible job in rebooting Star Trek. Hope to see this timeline continue.
I was also wondering is there more then one warp core or cores? Going to go see the movie yet again this weekend with non trek freinds this time! My My MY they have done a Wonderful job! I like the things if you were into Trek that you would get but not people who are new to it…from Archer’s Dog to Pike in the Chair where he Belongs! I love they made ENT Cannon and no one can say it isn’t anymore! Also I like the new universe where they can do just about anything they want with the story, Bring on the Sequal and new TV shows!
@314 Enough Room for the second movie ;)
re. 299
it didn’t occur to me at the time but you’re right :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0AKC3wZdw4
saw it in edinburgh yesterday. as a scotsman, i was pleasantly surprised by simon pegg’s scottish accent as what had been released prior to the movie had not sounded promising.
loved the film!!
action scenes were a bit fast
but i loved :
“i have been and always will be your friend”
went to see it with a complete newb and a mate of mine who was familiar with trek but by no means a trekkie – both of them enjoyed it. the newb liked checkov in particular (she is in her 20’s) they both followed what was going on without needing to know the minutae – if my party of three represents a range of demographics then jj et al have succeeded
Our Star Trek movie standards have been lowered by a lot of crappy movies, so when we see Trek in “normal, popular” movie-mode, it’s easy to mistake what I think is a superior Trek film as a superior film, in general.
I left the theater feeling like I did not recognize Star Trek anymore.
I went to watch Star Trek, and instead I saw Star Wars.
One really great thing – Karl Urban’s McCoy! Perfect!
No longer disappointed I didn’t get the Kirk role.
I’m going on Saturday again to watch at Imax with four anti-star trek people (ie right wing star wars fans)…should be interesting!
I just saw it twice. Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
After I saw it, I felt like I needed a cigarette, then a cigar, then a Cuban. A green lady as well… And I don’t smoke!
Star Trek IS frakkin’ Spocktacular!!!!!!!
Saw the preview yesterday, I live in Italy.
Theatre was about 60% full….not bad for a Thursday….Italians don’t care much about previews, they tend to go to the movies on Saturday.
Loved loved loved the movie. Thanks to everyone who was involved and thanks to Anthony for all he did on this website.
I’m a non Trekker….I think I saw maybe a dozen episodes in total, mostly when I was a kid (I was born in 1977), I’ve seen maybe 3-4 of the older movies, but I didn’t remember much.
I’m a big fan of Galaxy Quest and of course some things immediately sprang into my mind, LOL
But in a good way!
The script was pretty good, with much more character depth than 99% of the plastic scripts we usually get in this kind of movie. It’s good because it gave the actors something to do, other than jumping around screaming (I’m not naming movies here but I’ve seen one recently).
The performances were pretty solid, especially Zachary Quinto as Spock. I never saw much resemblance to Nimoy (duh? Yeah, he has dark hair & eyes, so what?), but now I understand why he was cast: it’s amazing what he can do with his eyes only, he oozes a quiet force that’s impossible to resist. I am impressed. I knew he was a good actor, but now I think he’ll be a Leading Man, with capital letters.
The rest of the cast was pretty good too. I expected to hate Chris Pine, but he delivered well…..I still think Kirk is a spoiled brat, but he does it with style.
Second screening this evening with a group of friends.
And the book on 40 years of rich sci-fi folklore is finally closed, to be put away and forgotten like unwanted old junk now that the flashy and new is here.
Even if the old timeline isnt erased, it’s never going to be visited again. ANd the Romulans have been eradicated.
JJ Abrams has taken a dear friend I have known all my life away from me and replaced it with flashy special effects and pretty people for the Red Bull generation. “Where no man has gone before” is replaced with “Highway to the danger zone” No one will want TOS anymore now that the flashy “new and improved” version is here.
Of course Im going to get ragged on by all the Abrams worshippers. I cant expect them to understand what Star Trek meant to me. Were I to embrace the new I would be a traitor to the decades of wonderful storytelling. Im too depressed to bother anymore. And you will all line up to beat me up for not worshipping the fruit of the infallible JJ Abrams work. Thats my lot in life.
Just in Dublin Ireland Here, i am finally getting to see the movie in about 3 hours, i cant wait , man i remember coming to this in the start , when it was all just rumours about cast and so on . man we have come a long way , i cant believe its star trek day
#162
SPOILER
I have one possible explanation for Pike’s promotion and Kirk being given command of the Enterprise. Kirk has shown the ability to handle himself in an emergency situation and Starfleet needs Pike to remain at the Academy to help speed up the process of replacing all the personnel lost at Vulcan — Captains included.
I Saw the film a month or so go and afterwards I wasn’t sure what to think or feel which is a bad sign to me when I see a film, but two of my friends loved it. Before seeing the film I was not happy about what I saw or heard about it and I voiced myself on this site. After seeing it I try to find joy about it like my two friends did, but I was just dead of feelings about it. After a week, it hit me that I did not like the film. The two friends who loved it did not like my feelings of dislike. They did not want to hear what I dislike it or why my dislike turned to hate for the film. They stop talking to me and I turned my back on them too. I still don’t understand their actions, but I was sick of them hating for me hate this film. Well, tonight I got two calls from both of them. They saw the film again and it left them with the same bad taste that I had. They both said sorry and b%$& about the movie.
Now my Review of Star Trek (2009):
Have Trek-fans lost their guts after the so-called death of Star Trek in 2005 which most Trek-fans caused themselves by ripping on Star Trek: Enterprise? The answer is yes and now enters Star Trek (2009) which says it is new, but resells the same things which got Star Trek: Enterprise canned. The different is Star Trek: Enterprise was better than most Trek-fans thought it was and was better than this nightmare called Star Trek (2009) which if it ran every week like Star Trek: Enterprise would flop in it’s first season. JJ Abrams and his writers are lucky that it is just a two hour, but even then it fails. Now, What do I feel it fails….
One: it is a TOS-era based movie which is not. Just because Nemesis was terrible does not mean TOS-era failed too. There has been NO TOS-era movie in the Star Trek film history. The TNG-Era is the one already long-dead, not TOS-era. What people have been saying a Star Trek film needs is just what TOS had, most people never put it to together. If someone took one of the worst Ep of TOS and re-filmed it with a million dollar budget, it’s story and writing would be better than this new film.
Two: The new film is highly illogical.
a.) so, Nero just happens to travel back to the day kirk is born and The Kelvin just happens to be around the area that Nero is in. Kirk’s dad just happens to be the one killed on The Kelvin. illogical!
b.) so, Alternate time-line Kirk just happens to meet all the same people who are the same main as the TOS kirk did. illogical!
c.) So, Kirk just happens to be kick out of the enterprise on the same planet that old spock was on. illogical!
d.) In TOS Time-Line, Spock did not make or take the Kobayashi Maru test. In the Alternate time-line Spock makes the Kobayashi Maru test, but it is still named Kobayashi Maru test and is still the same test. Then Alternate Kirk cheats on it just like TOS kirk. illogical!
The new film has many more highly illogical things in it which OK if it was not a star trek film.
I have more, but it is late.
MAY 7 2009 is the real day Star Trek died.
Today is a sad day for me as well as jubilation. I have watched Star Trek twice today and all I can say is wow. JJ Abrams delivered the goodies. Indeed, this Star Trek reboot is the best Star Trek ever.
It makes me sad cause for a moment I forgot William Shatner being Kirk.
The gang is back. All praise to JJ Abrams.
Five Stars our of Five Stars
I expected to like this STAR TREK. I went in Thanking God that someone finally got someone “seemed to” have got it right. I am glad that I was right on point. This STAR TREK is quite definetly(sp?) YOUR FATHER’S TREK… There are moments in this film that will touch the very core of your love and admiration of these characters. There are scenes in this movie that will quite literally choke you up and make some scenes that will make you cheer.
What this movie does for TREK is what no other prequel (save a few) reboots, adaptations etc. Is remember it’s source material, pay homage to it(in more ways than one) and give us something new to cherish.
I am glad to say that despite the clearly EPIC scale, This STAR TREK feels cleverly familair as well.
To those who may find fault with the time travel aspect of this movie, I must say that subject is brilliantly covered.
I hope JJ & CO. DO get to do another movie. Something tells me that ‘this is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come
I am amazed how many people think that the effects were so great in the movie. In my eye the digital effects looked, well… totally digital. And the factory locations which are supposed to be the interior of a starship (Time Lord technology? Bigger on the inside?) gave a cheap low-budget appearance to the movie. I think the visual aesthetic of the movie sucks. Were did they put all that money? Catering?
This was a big surprise to me. I had expected a movie which is very well made visually (DFX etc.) but with a ridiculous cheesy storyline. The opposite was the case – I actually liked the storyline but the movie *looks* cheap and carelessly produced.
And where the heck was the final frontier, the optimistic future, the sense of wonder? JJ made many promises that despite all the changes he is committed to Gene Roddenberry’s vision of Star Trek. I saw none of it. Seems it got lost in the chaos, explosions and metal fragments whirling around in space.
Unless a potential sequel receives a total visual overhaul, count me out on it. And a better director would not hurt as well.
My rating: Better than NEM but still considerably worse than STV.
Saw the movie last night, and there’s something that’s been bugging me about it…
Did anyone else feel the movie was poorly edited? It seemed like the scenes were just sort of slapped together… it was like the movie didn’t flow terribly smoothly.
Does that make sense to anyone? I did enjoy the movie immensely, but this is just one thing that’s been sticking in me brain.
Today is the Day Star Trek came back to life and it will live long and prosper!
I saw it yesterday afternoon in the UK. Had a fabulous time, as did my parents (my Dad started me watching Star Trek at such an early age, I can’t even remember quite where the memories begin, but it was sometime in the late 1970s). It was so nice to go to see a rebirth of Star Trek with my folks.
This is the kind of Star Trek film I’ve always wanted to see and, after feeling poisoned by Star Trek: Generations with its rubbish death of Kirk story and dumbed down treatment of TNG, I feel like I’ve been injected with an antidote and had a large can of Red Bull chucked down my throat to boot!
Three years ago, for me, Star Trek was dead and I was sad and relieved in the same way that you feel a release when a loved one who has been ravaged by disease has finally died.
It had strayed so far from what I considered Star Trek and was so old-fashioned and set in its ways that I was almost embarrassed to be a fan.
Yesterday, I saw Star Trek reborn. Perhaps best of all, for all its references to Leonard Nimoy and the future, it was very un-self-conscious. It was a thrilling adventure set in an exciting, dangerous future, rather than a preachy, pompous film, overly aware of it’s own history.
Far from seeing the future of Trek ‘destroyed’, the new versions of the crew are going to have all those adventures again. I’m intrigued to know how the events of stories such as Amok Time will turn out this time!
The great thing is, altered origins aside, what’s likely to follow is old-school TOS adventures on a broader canvas.
Alright. After letting the movie digest a little in my brain, I have the following comments.
BEWARE SPOILERS
First, I have to say that there is so much GOOD STUFF to mention, that’s been said already by others that I will dispense with mentioning it – with the following exceptions.
I loved the beginning with the Kelvin. Someone had mentioned on here, somewhere, that they got goosebumps when the baby was born. Ditto. I could literally feel the hairs on the back on my neck stand up when it got to that point in the movie. Brilliant.
Robau = cool mutha****er.
Amanda’s fate – friggin’ brilliant.
Loved the throwbacks to TOS and the movies.
All of Mccoy’s dialogue. Spock’s quote of Sherlock Holmes (?). Kirk bumping into the bulkhead ala ST5.
Nero’s tactical display of the E coming into battle paralleling the Klingon’s display of the Excelsior and E in ST6. Parallels between the E and the Excelsior in a certain scene (even the background audio). The entire Kobayashi Maru scene. The nods to TMP in various places. When Nero spots the Old Girl (or is it the New Girl now) in the the middle of the battle, that was also cool.
Only a few gripes. Tyler Perry, as much as I hate to say it, felt like he phoned in his scenes. Which sucks, because you know the guy can act. So I was a little confused about that one.
The riff on Spock’s line from TWOK felt forced and artificial to me. I love the original line. But to reference it here, years later? It was too on the nose. I would have gone with a simple, “a friend”, “your friend” or some derivation thereof.
In addition, why does Spock not worry about REPAIRING the time-line. This has always been the case whenever someone goes back in time. You know, Edith Keeler? John Christopher? Doc and Marty?
Are we content to see Spock walk away with a simple “Peace Out”?
And where the FROCK was Nero for 25 years?
The big house right? But that begs the question..where the frock was the NARADA for 25 years? I think Kirk says something like …”A Romulan ship that hasn’t been seen or heard from since”.
Weel, were they out there, chillin’ out somewhere? Were they at the local In and Out while Nero did hard time? Surely, if Nero had been imprisoned on Rura Pente, the Narada would have blown that Ish-hole to bits and rescued him in a heartbeat.
Also, how did Nero know exactly where to find the Jellyfish? Did he have a really good calculator? Maybe one of those solar ones that tell you the space time gradient associated with a red matter, black hole creation?
Also, last time I checked wikipedia, black holes crunch stuff up pretty good right? Like a planet? Into little bitty pieces. But ships – and only ships, get through unscathed? So…was the “lightning storm” the physical remains of the matter consumed by the said black hole being ejected out?
My pedestrian mind wants to know. Que paso?
Nuff said.
it is here!
The Kelvin has lens flares too? Was JJ right in that being a good thing?
I saw it last night at the 20.45 Empire Leicester Square London screening and went in tremendously hyped-up, over excited, and probably a little over-expectant! Nerds like us have been pouring over every last detail, scrap of gossip, image, remark, rumor about this movie for such a very long time it was little wonder that I found myself more than a little wound up as I sat down at the cinema. When you’re that excited about something, it’s very easy to be disappointed…..
I enjoyed this movie immensely. It was moving, visually spectacular, well-cast, well-acted, well directed. Too many goose-bump moments to count and I did find myself a little misty eyed at times. The feeling of legitimacy Abrams has spoken much about was delivered in spades – so exciting to see Trek painted on such a rich and epic canvas; the true spirit of Trek vividly depicted in a new and interesting way.
There were some disappointments. Forgive the cliche, but the film traveled at warp-speed throughout and would’ve benefited from a few less all-action and (to my mind) slightly gimmicky scenes – there was too much peril too much of the time. This in my opinion cheapened the ’set pieces’ and climax and prevented the film breathing philosophically or emotionally (a balance Meyer achieved so effectively in TWOK + TUK).
I tired slighty of the slapstick comedy. Glorious though it was to see Simon Pegg’s Scotty, I wanted to see more of him doing things seriously and not just for laughs; his Alien comedy companion was both excruciating and hilarious at the same time. The Enterprise water plant sequence is (almost) unforgivable though this is, of course, a Star Trek movie designed to appeal to the masses and I know my nephew’s going to love that one when I take him to see it tomorrow!
I couldn’t get excited about the score and wanted desperately to hear Courage’s Enterprise fanfare the first time we saw her (at least), though there were a few original-series goose-bump inducing Enterprise music ques there if you listened for them. Speaking of the Enterprise, she looks wonderful; an excellent hybrid of the TOS/Refit design…..
Anyway. Enough ramblings from me! I can’t wait to see the movie again. 4*
theater was not full, but it rained yesterday and the DC rush hour was horrific.
Saw it last night – blummin awesome !!
Picture it….
Do their star charts look like our star charts?
What if Vulcan is NOT Vulcan?
One man knows where it is…
James T. Kirk
“I know where it is! We will find it! So say we all!”
–Admiral Kirk
Battlestar Vulcan
with Katie Sachoff as Lt. Yar, Security Chief
Summer Glau as the Vulcan prototype android “Data”
[It's always Summertime on Vulcan!]
And Caprica Six as medical android “Crusher”
OH I LOVE STAR TREKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow.
This is my brain on Trek!
I guess I’m not the only one puzzled by the multiple warp cores…
I still find that beaming from a planet to a warp-travelling vessel (imagine the distance, weren’t transporters limited to 40000km?) a violation of Star Trek’s “laws of physics”. This “reboot” was supposed only to alter the timeline, unless of course Kelvin’s destruction led to different, rapid development of transporter technology? ;)
Yeah, I admit, that Kelvin scene almost made me cry. There’s one problem with that scene though – it raises the bar very high for the rest of the movie, and the movie doesn’t manage to keep up with it! Even the finale scenes aren’t as good!
My mother also saw it and has been raving about it ever since — this is a woman who grew up with the original series and the films. She’s a purist with everything from her mashed potatoes to her Star Trek; she loves TOS and TNG, but the other spin offs never did much for her.
I had a hard time convincing her not to stay in the theater for the next screening. She was totally enraptured by the film, which she compared to Raiders of the Lost Ark in terms of its high-stakes adventure and fun. We agreed that the Original Series has never had a better or truer representation in film. It is truly Trek as it has deserved to be: epic, glorious, intelligent, and optimistic. I can’t wait to see it again on Saturday.
I’d say it wasn’t perfect (my mother would disagree) — Scotty’s buddy Keenser was a little bit much for me at times, and I could’ve done without the water pipe scene, but I see how that would appeal to audiences who aren’t familiar with Trek. There were certain convenient plot turns. I would explain those as being the result of the ripples and eddies in time that Spock describes in “The City on the Edge of Forever.” It’s not some half-baked notion of predestination. It’s almost like a temporal muscle memory, with the timeline straining to restore itself to its former position. In my opinion, it’s a good deal less convenient than the Mirror Universe being precisely parallel despite its differences.
People have been calling this an immature Trek with a 90210-type cast… and I see no grounds for that argument. Yes, there’s a good deal of (stunning) action. Yes, there’s peril. Yes, there’s humor (sometimes not 100% effective). Yes, there’s some sexiness. Yes, the cast is young. But it’s all Star Trek. It’s adventure. It’s got the “boldly go” nailed.
And for the sequel, we’ll see Trek go “where no one has gone before.”
hi to everyone from the tiny country of cyprus.
just saw the premiere last night after much anticipation and i must say i was not dissapointed. the story was great, the acting was smooth and the action breathtaking.
-spoilers below-
i think they should have a least explained a bit what happened in the 25 years nero was waiting for prime spock to appear and how he got his ear bitten off.
other than that and a few tidbits here and there (beaming onto ships with their shields raised and communicating with kirk, sulu and redshirt on mining platform while everything was scrambled) all else was just brilliant.
looking forward for the second installment.
I didn’t think you were supposed to go to warp inside the solar system?
of course you can warp while inside a star system, plenty of space for that.
got a crew to see the show tonight in cleveland, cant wait!
saw first contact again last night, a great trek movie, i hope this new one is at least as good…
Okay–I saw it last night.
Congratulations you guys. You got it right. I loved it. Worth the wait for sure. The cast was just awesome. I hope it goes through the roof!
#347
You are correct, as a rule starships do not engage warp drive while in a solar system.
It has been stated in TMP and shown in countless TNG episodes where they slow to impulse on entering a system.
I don’t ever recall an explanation for it though :) My guess is because warp drive distorts the space/time continuum and all that stuff. You would not want to do that near planets and stars would you?
However this rule was thrown out of the window for TVH where they went into warp while within Earth’s atmosphere no less! Would have thought that would be ‘bye-bye’ atmosphere, but what do I know? :)
Saw the film last night at Imax in Brmingham England. The wait is over and all I can say is “go go go!!”
Excellent film. Congratulations to cast and crew.
For everyone complaining about Kirk and Spock Prime both “magically” ending up on Delta Vega, remember that Nero PURPOSEFULLY placed Spock there because of its close proximity to Vulcan. He wanted Spock to have a front-row seat to the destruction of his home world. Young Spock marooned Kirk on the planet because they were already in the Vulcan solar system, and it just happened to be the closest location at hand. I don’t see what the issue is?
Also, Spock Prime makes it clear that he’s joining the Vulcan Council to help rebuild what’s left of Vulcan’s tattered cultural history at the end of the film. So he and young Spock will co-exist in the same timeline.
Great Movie – Loved it !
BUT
Too many “little” problems such as:
THEY DESTROYED VULCAN AND ROMULUS!!!! ARE CRAZY!!!
The writers just wanted to change history so next movies will be OK with canon – they just erased it.
Transporter at warp from site(planet) to site(ship at warp)?
How many warp cores did the enterprise had?
The Ice planet was stupid. How did Spock knew to wait for kirk? Why did he waited in the cave and not in the base. too odd….and the scene with animal on the planet is stupid….
#271: “I really don’t understand why many people have said this movie has destroyed canon. Is it not repeated that this is a alternate universe/time line? Heck the writers themselves said that main time line is still there and it still going and this is a new one. Did nobody read that interview?”
I had been under the impression that before the time travel, this was a universe identical to the Prime one. However, since Nero didn’t seem to play much of a role for his first quarter century there other than destroying the Kelvin, many of the differences don’t really seem attributable to time travel. This leaves us with a few possibilities possibilities. 1) They ARE attributable to the time travel, but not in ways that are clear. 2) This universe wasn’t so identical to begin with as we thought. 3) These aren’t supposed to be taken as differences, and thus while showing a different universe would be retcons to the Prime universe as well. 4) We’re just not supposed to think too hard about it.
The movie was OK, not great. Get real, people.
THANK YOU JJ! THANK YOU BOB ORCI! THANK YOU EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS PROJECT!!!!!!
I cant explain how much I loved this film! Saw it last night at IMAX and LOVED it!!!! Cant wait to go back with my friends saturday night to see it again!!
I have been waiting for this film, like most of you, for over 2 years now, and expected it back in December!! When a movie you have waited on for years meets and BEATS all your expectations, you know you have one hell of a movie on your hands!!!
And Mr. Orci, who would visit and chat with the trek fans here, deserves our special appreciation. He wrote an outstanding film and JJ directed it to perfection. Orci knows his Trek! This is not Transformers people!! This movie has action AND characters!!!
Overall, from 1-10, this film is about a 105, maybe 106.
355 – that is YOUR opinion. I thought it was better then great, amazing is probably the better word :)
Hey guys,
I saw the film last night and it was amazing! The theatre was packed with Star Trek fans both young and old. There were several point in the movie that got applause. And when the credits rolled at the end of the film, the line in memory of Gene Roddenberry and Majel Barrett Roddenberry, the theatre broke out into a standing ovation.
It was very emotional for most people in the audience to hear familiar lines of dialogue from the original show and movies. I personally found the scene with the two Spocks to be very moving.
I am so glad that the Star Trek we all love is back with a bang. I was also excited to see so many kids there. A whole new generation will now fall in love with Star Trek all over again.
I don’t know about the rest of you people but, I really missed the classic crew and for the love of God why can’t Paramount stay with the Trek history! I don’t have a problem really with them getting new actors to play the cast but cmon, stop changing the history and DONT change the hardware. They could’ve told the same story with the classic ship and gadets.
This is a good Scifi action flick no doubt but, it’s not the Star Trek we all obviously love.
Scenes that brought me to tears:
1) Opening sequence (George Kirk’s farewell to his newborn son)
2) Uhura comforting Spock in the elevator
3) Spock’s face when he realizes he was unable to save his mother
4) The meeting of the Spocks at the end
Quinto absolutely stole the show. I loved him SO MUCH in the role…
353-Another “little” problem. Where does Spock go during ponn farr? Although Uhura apparently would be happy to help him with that. That was unnerving, like seeing your siblings kiss. I think that is the point where I was lost.
Two words:
Fork Lift
Who has a brand new modern day fork lift in use at a star base that far in the future?
This kind of represented the half handed attempt at a true representation of what that reality would be like – what trek never had a problem with before.
Why reboot with stupidity, when you could have used all that great production power to compliment the genre, instead of rebooting it?
Basically, if you took out all the trek references, and the basic ship designs, this could be any new scifi movie…
C+ Movie for shameful product plugs, canon sacrilege, and lack of vision regarding the scope of trek’s future reality. Great imagery and action.
IMAX viewing of the film is a must, its made for it.
//Where does Spock go during ponn farr?//
The new Vulcan colony Spock Prime is helping to organize with the surviving Vulcan Council?
#355 Good idea, “get real people” opinions, rather than that of a sockpuppetty troll! Looks like it’s still way above 90% on rotten tomatoes, and way above 90% on metacritic. Unbelievably superb on all levels. As they say of course… “you can’t please everyone.”
Good thing you still got your DVDs. As JJ noted, the BluRays come out soon. ;)
It was an okay summer movie for today’s audience, but I was disappointed overall. It seemed like they were trying to pack too much into the movie all at once. it was unnecessary to have Uhura and Spock snuggling, and to destroy Vulcan, and have Kirk get to be captain of the supposed new ship Enterprise all so quickly. I was hoping that JJ would’ve done his homework and if the Enterprise warped away from a black hole, have a chance to destory Nero before he destroyed Vulcan, or his destruction completely reset the alternate timeline so it could go back to the real Trek timeline. The new Trek may be interesting to hook new people on Trek, but I wanted more depth and thought from the movie. Explosions and action are good for the ADD among us who can’t stand thoughtful movies, but for those who still have some intelligence left expect more from a movie.
And the Orion girl’s makeup wasn’t well done. Her lips looked human pink.
The movie rocked. My only peeve is the conceit that someone can go from 3rd year academy cadet to one rank below Rear Admiral in an instant due to the work on one mission. Even in the future, you would think that people would have to work hard and earn a rank.
Here’s a question for those who’ve seen it: Did you ever hear any mention of exploration? Any comment about Starfleet exploring space? Anyone? Anyone?
Aside from the very last lines in the movie, which we’ve all heard a billion times, there is no mention of exploration anywhere in the film–at least, not as far as I can remember.
Along with forgetting that the Federation is a government, not an armada, they seemed to have forgotten that exploration was the point, not merely space patrol.
just saw it.hmmm not bad liked the story.but the 21st century set locations were glaringly obvious.kinda ruined it.but the upside down buildings and green woman blew my mind…woohoo!!!
Did I miss something? Seems to me that, in the alternate universe, Romulus has not been destroyed. In fact, Pike mentions this to Nero.
And a few other things:
Why the He** does the engineering section of the most advanced ship in the fleet look like a stuffy factory? I had trouble suspending disbelief in that portion of the movie.
Where is Number One, Gary Mitchell, Finnegan, Carol Marcus, etc.? And why doesn’t the Narada look anything like a Romulan ship? Why’s it so cavernous and empty inside? Why no railings? Why no crew habitable portion like nearly every other ship has had? Seems very poor ship design, and looks like a huge squid/octopus just so it can look big.
Some of you fans are so dam picky, I dont think you would have liked this movie if you directed it yourself.
369. Clinton – May 8, 2009
Did I miss something? Seems to me that, in the alternate universe, Romulus has not been destroyed. In fact, Pike mentions this to Nero.
-SPOILER-
Romulus was destroyed in ‘Nero’s’ time….the future…in the original universe and not Pikes.
” 365. James Johnson – May 8, 2009
And the Orion girl’s makeup wasn’t well done. Her lips looked human pink.”
It’s called lipstick
They destroyed Vulcan, killed Amanda and I STILL LOVED THE MOVIE!
Holy Crap, pass me the Prozac!
#367: I believe Christopher Pike says something to Jim Kirk early on when he is trying to recruit him to the effect that Starfleet ’s mission is one of exploration or something along those lines.
#370: your question about the Romulan ship; the comic book Countdown alludes to Nero’s ship being outfitted with stolen Borg Technology prior to it entering the black hole and entering the alternate universe or going back in time or whatever explanation they are trying to feed us.
54- Chekov gets a D from you but Sulu a B? Cho did NOTHING like Sulu!!! He didnt seem like Sulu at all!!!! If he didnt say his name and wasnt asian, you would have had NO CLUE he was Sulu and you know it!!
Chekov was hilarious!!! everything he said was funny and he played the young naive boy genius perfectly!! A + for Chekov, C for Cho!!
A+++++ overall!!!!!
Note to Bob Orci
Before you write the next one, please print out the following in large type, and hang it above your keyboard;
“Scotty is an engineering genius. He is a cool and competent starship commander when required. He is NOT, repeat NOT, a comedian. I must treat his character with respect.”
Now go cross out all those stupid slapstick moments you’ve already pencilled in for him, and go and watch ‘A Taste of Armageddon’, ‘the galileo seven’ and the bridge scenes from ‘Friday’s Child’ and ‘Metamorphosis’.
And if you STILL don’t ‘get’ the character, then for God’s sake go and talk to the Reeves-Stevens, or Julie Ecklar (of ‘Kobayashi Maru’ fame). Because THEY GET IT RIGHT.
To the point of a lot of the questions that are popping up here about the storyline: does anyone agree with me that there wasn’t sufficient exposition in the movie about Nero’s backstory? It seems to me that they should have found some way to include more of the details from the “countdown” comic book which preceded the release of the film. Was it understood that Nero came back from a time well after the events of Nemesis? That Spock and Nero actually met in that timeline and were working together to save Romulus, and that’s why Nero felt betrayed? That being said, I’m not sure how JJ could have revealed more than what he did, I guess: the middle part of the movie really seemed to start dragging as it was.
3 cheers for JJ. I highly recommend seeing it on IMAX. What a great twist at the end! One of the best movies I have ever seen, plus it’s loyal to the so called “trek lore”. Not only great for old fans, but also for individuals with no knowlefge of Star Trek. I can’t wait to see what the sequal will be! Wrath of Khan? Alternate universes are cool.
Saw the movie last night and my God it was amazing! The actors didnt pulled off all the little ticks that made their characters in the first place. Chris Pine nailed Kirk, Quinto nailed a young conflicted Spock, and Zoe made me love Uhura more than I did before now (didnt think that was even possible). The opening sequence blew me away and the Enterprise…wow…the shot of her around Saturn almost brought a tear to my eye. And Amanda…I REALLY didnt expect that at all, but it was actually smart of the writers to do, I mean we really dont have a clue of what to expect in this new “ultimate universe” (if you read comics then you totally get that). Oh and one more thing, chill out about the engineering room. It actually worked when you think about what would be powering this gigantic ship…granted I’d hate to be a starfleet engineer and have to find my way out during a core breach but it worked in the movie. George Lucas, take note if you ever want to do anything right with Star Wars again!
For those that contend that some posters are being too picky: you can’t ignore certain aspects of 40 years worth of story-telling, create something in your own vision, slap the name “Star Trek” on it, and not expect it to come under intense, microscopic scrutiny. Particularly on a board called Trekmovie.com. This isn’t “Sex and the City”, for gosh sakes; it’s a beloved institution. And for all those who are going to ultimately say that the true fans need to let go of the past: if it wasn’t for the efforts of the true fans we probably wouldn’t have gotten to this point where you as newcomers to this franchise could even enjoy this film.
@378. K. Thatcher – May 8, 2009
As I experienced it, Spock and Nero only met in battle when both of them were sucked into another universe by the black hole.
BTW, thats the whole point of the new movie. There is no alternative timeline. It’s an alternative universe. Therefore it doesn’t destroy the canon. Now there is a new canon.
‘Got minor complaints the day after, but I’d be a fool to express them – really, it would be quite idiotic and childish. This is what the franchise needed to survive and for that ALONE we should be welcoming of this film and trusting of the filmmakers’ instincts the next time around. Trust me, there WILL be a next time – I got to the first showing of the evening a half-hour early and just BARELY got a good seat. Also, I hardly ever go to the cinema for movies that aren’t sci-fi or horror, the kind that usually get loud audiences, and this was the loudest yet, but in the best possible way – and it was mostly older people!
The new movie sucked. Period.
It was a generic action movie that they slapped a “Star Trek” label on. I’m not buying it.
Capttravis, I hate to admit it but this was one of the things I was most concerned about. He’s famous, presumably very well-off, and this denture-speak thing has been going on for YEARS – he couldn’t at least get it fixed for THIS???
” 127. Capttravis – May 7, 2009
“”"I don’t know about Bela Lugosi, but with 140 million dollars to spend you think they could have given Nimoy better dentures (or at least edited out the pronounced whistles on all of his ’s’ sounds?)”"”
Damn.
#367 as for your exploration comment, did they ever go exploring in star trek 2? or 3 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 10? no they didnt. when there’s a galactic threat and you’re on the enterprise you dont say “oh sorry starfleet but we dont want to go take care of that, we’re going to turn the ship around and go exploring right now.” seriously, exploring is something that can be done in a television series but theres a lot that you just cant do in a film that you can flesh out and do in a tv series. so your argument makes no sense here.
I’ll be seeing the film shortly , for the first time mind you, maybe I shouldn’t have read all the spoilerific comments! LOL!
Thanks for all your hard work Anthony to keep us informed with everything pertaining to Star Trek news .
Since the before the demise of http://www.startrek.com , http://www.trekmovie.com has been my choice for the most comprehensive and in depth coverage of everything pertaining to the trek universe .
I look forward to seeing coverage of future happenings in the Star Trek world here .
#374
I think that about sums it all up quite nicely. My thoughts exactly. :)
**** Spoilers alpenty ****
OK what the heck.. Am I the only one who didn’t like this movie? I mean come on.. Spock gets marooned on a “baron waste-heap”.. which just happens to have some starfleet peeps on it.. one of which just happens to be Scotty? And when Mr. Scott gets on the Enterprise he just goes right to head of Engineering?!?!?! WTF!!
Since when did black holes create a time rift?
Putting a creature into the body to control the mind.. its been done = HACK
You know.. kiling of the red-shirts isn’t cannon.. its just silly.. and they went out of the way to tell us it was going to happen (oh look on the viewer we’ve gone ahead and color codded it for you so everyone can see this dude is about to eat it..)
What’s up with spock hinting that he wouldn’t mind killing all the romulans on nero’s ship.. very un spock-ish.. not to mention the making out on the transporter pad.. yuck.. does everybody just leave their post whenever they want to? My god checkov should get all the credit in that movie.. he was the one in charge most of the time and the only one who seemed to know what the hell he was doing..
whats up with with kirk’s horrible horrible take on the kobayashi maru? If he’s going to cheat it has to look like he beat the program fair and square.. Definitely not sitting there eating an apple looking like an ass.. my god they turned Kirks great koybashi maru test into a prank.. now in TWOK when he talks to saavik it just sounds pompous..
when did they have time to repair the drill? who repaired it? why is a mining vessel stock full of cluster bombs? oh wait I think I remember somebody referring to them as missiles.. ugh.. wait all they had to do was cut the cord on the drill? a shuttle couldn’t do that? I mean.. its not a warship its a mining ship.. try putting a current day mining ship against a fleet of WWI attack ships (in their prime) and see who wins..
Besides the OBVIOUS spock flaws the characters were good..
What’s up with the timeline not being SEVERELY altered.. how in the hell does Kirk end up with the Enterprise if his dad was a major player… oh wait you’re gonna tell me that these things have a way of working themselves out in a fate-like fashion.. tell that to the vulcans on vulcan because it worked out so well for them..
you know at the end I found myself feeling sorry for nero.. his end was sort of a metaphor for the end of the early trekkers.. his universe destroyed… his timeline betrayed.. killed off by a flippant kirk and vengeful spock..
I thought mccoy was good though..
After reading other peoples comments, I feel better about this movie. I commented way back in the 200’s. I too was thinking about the Ponn Farr issue, but the fact a new colonly will be created, eased my displeasure of losing Vulcan. Tuvok can still be born as all the other Vulcans we will come to know.
Some things I didn’t mention last night:
The theater I was at probably only had 30 or so people. Again, not knowing the movie opened last night, makes sense. It was a pretty quiet crowd.
I loved the E. Badass.
I caught Chris Doohans scene with Scotty when they got Kirk and Spock back on board. There’s a sceond there, where Chris looks just like his dad!
I did catch the crossing of the legs from Kirk. Nice touch. The scene where Spock nearly chokes Kirk, Pine really looked like Shatner IMO.
I liked McCoys mention of the divorce!
A little bit of trivia. I was reading Star Trek magazine, the one Paramount offically endorsed from several years ago. this particular issue had Scotty’s bio. In it , it stated that Scotty spent time on Delta Vega. I’m sure it’s mention in the ST Encyclopedia.
I just will always know that there will always be my Trek. The show that started it all!
My question now is which direction will the books take?
Epic
Lens Flares -too many
Emotion- not enough
Action- too frantic
Good not great
382. starbase135 – May 8, 2009
The four-part comic movie “prequel” called “Countdown” goes into a detailed background on Nero and Spock’s backstory. Nero and his mining crew actually discover that the Star in a system close to Romulus is going to go supernova and he realizes that it threatens his home’s existence. At the same time, Ambassador Spock, who is on Romulus at the time, discovers the same thing. Both Spock and Nero find themselves appealing to the Romulan high council to evacuate the planet, but the Council ignore the two men’s claims (in a nod to Jor-el and Krypton). Nero and Spock devise a plan to inject Red Matter into the dying star to stop it from going nova, and are aided along the way by Ambassador Jean-Luc Picard, the commander of the Enterprise, Captain Data, and the designer of Spock’s jellyfish ship, Geordi LaForge. We are now to the part of the story where the movie picks up, in which Nero and Spocks’ plan ultimately fails and Romulus is destroyed (killing Nero’s Wife and Unborn Child, who he promised to return to). What the movie doesn’t describe is Nero outfitting the Narada with stolen Borg technology, murdering the Romulan Council (who actually did evacuate Romulus), and engaging and destroying General Worf’s Klingon fleet. All before being sucked into the black hole.
Saw the show last night…gave it 4 stars out of 5. Excellent storyline & special effects.
What about the future of “Prime Spock”? He’s stuck in the past looking to colonize a “New Volcan”. Perhaps he could mentor young Capt. Kirk and warn him to avoid the “Nexus”????
Will we see Prime Spock in the sequel?
Saw it last night @7m in Washington state, to a crowd of only 10-12 people! I was so expecting a huge crowd. Anyway. The actors were fine. The re-boot of the much loved established characters, has me at odds.
From a general scifi blockbuster, the film is adequate and worth the ticket price. I enjoyed it mostly. Has the new cast worked it’s way into my heart, no, not yet. Perhaps the sequel will bring me over the edge of the fence.
I felt the plot worked to a point but was predictable.
I was miffed elements of Nemesis and TWOK were used.
The engineering 20 century public water works room didn’t work for me.
I was hoping elder Spock had more screen time.
I tried to listen for Majel’s voice of the computer, but didn’t discern it from the sound track. I stayed till the very end credit roll for the dedication of her & Gene Roddenberry. Loved the film score.
I am seeing it again tonight in IMAX and again this weekend in a regular theater, so maybe I need more viewing to absorb this Trek-light. I guess it’s a different take on familar Trek films, and a different sensibility I have to get used to. Not sure if I am embracing this reboot just yet.
The audience such as it was in the theater neither laughed, cheered or applauded. Maybe it wasn’t a Trekker crowd?
#386
PJ, totally agreed about the exploration argument. Also, in the Trek universe, “exploration” has a wider meaning. It includes the exploration of feelings, relationships, ways of life, infinite diversities. Unveiling a mistery and facing a menace… this is “exploring” as well, in my opinion.
389 – some counters
“And when Mr. Scott gets on the Enterprise he just goes right to head of Engineering?!?!?!”
Since the chief engineer got fried and Scott was genius, maybe?
“Since when did black holes create a time rift?”
Please, you’re a Trek fan and you’re complaining about THIS?
“Putting a creature into the body to control the mind.. its been done = HACK”
Because Star Trek has never repeated themes.
“You know.. kiling of the red-shirts isn’t cannon.. its just silly.. and they went out of the way to tell us it was going to happen (oh look on the viewer we’ve gone ahead and color codded it for you so everyone can see this dude is about to eat it..)”
This is different from the TOS….how?
“my god they turned Kirks great koybashi maru test into a prank.. now in TWOK when he talks to saavik it just sounds pompous.. ”
You just now noticed that?
“when did they have time to repair the drill? who repaired it?”
Um…I assume they repaired it on the way to Earth. As for who repaired it…does it really matter?
“wait all they had to do was cut the cord on the drill? a shuttle couldn’t do that?
I had thought of this at one point, then I thought that they’d probably just blow it up on the way, so that’s probably why. The entire Starfleet was obviously not much of a match for Nero’s ship, much less a single shuttlecraft.
The scene of Spock and Uhura in the transporter seemed off too. I would think Spock would’ve lept this a little more on the downlow. I kinda hope they drop it in the next film. I felt the same way about the kid in Superman Returns.
“I tried to listen for Majel’s voice of the computer, but didn’t discern it from the sound track. I stayed till the very end credit roll for the dedication of her & Gene Roddenberry. Loved the film score.”
-small spoilers below-
Majel’s voice can clearly be heard when Kirk’s escape pod crashes into the ice planet. The computer advises him on the location of the starfleet outpost.
Anyway I saw it on thursday and loved it.
Saw the movie last night. LOVED EVERY MOMENT OF IT!!
More Please.
Seen it twice now. I recommend seeing it a second time as I loved it more the second time. What an incredible film, just what Star Trek needed. Star Trek is cool. The people that are saying it’s not Star Trek, did we watch the same film? It was sooo Star Trek, and will continue to be.
J.J well done mate. You’ve just made me so happy.
I’m a huge TOS fan and I thought this movie was great. Yes, its very different from the old Trek, but thats what the franchise needed. This movie will give it new life, and we can all look forward to new movies and hopefully a TV series!!
I hope all the people that didn’t like it because it’s too different can embrace the change. I don’t think the old Star Trek would sell in todays world, thats why this film is the way it is. And its amazing.
384-I almost feel like this was an action movie that you could plug any characters into and it would have been the same experience.
And one word: Uhora. Nichelle Nichols’ character would never have thrown herself at Spock or anyone else for that matter.
I saw the movie last night and loved it… more than I was expecting. The best I can describe the experience is “A New Hope”, but with more character development (do you remember the experience, the sheer satisfaction after seeing A New Hope for the first time?). Just like A New Hope, it’s thrilling, light, upbeat, positive, family fun movie, and I think the producers made the right decision going this direction. Before people can care about ST again, they need to care about the characters first, and this movie certainly accomplish that. My wife hates ST with all her soul, but she loved this movie. She loved and had so much fun that by the end of the show she said she wanted to see it again. And she never ever wants to see movies twice…
The movie isn’t especially deep, but again, just like A New Hope, I think they will have plenty of time to get deeper in the sequels. For now I think this movie accomplished what it was suppose to do: make us fall in love with these characters all again. Excellent.
#384 – Sounds like you’ve never watched any bit of Star Trek. You wouldn’t have come to that conclusion had you actually seen some episodes.
#396
Just because you’re a genius doesn’t make you the head of engineering..
yes I’m complaining about making a black hole into a time rift.. they didn’t make the black hole to crap out all the energy from the nova into an alternate timeline.. that would have probably just destroyed the romulas of that timeline..
I would have been impressed if the redshirt didn’t die.. nobody would have expected it..
A proper Kobayashi maryu cheat would have been a subtle change in the program .. like a long chess game where one pawn moves this way instead of that way.. allowing for kirk to win in the long run.. he has to make it look like he beat it on the up-and-up.. they made kirk into a hack..
yes it DOES matter who repaired it.. because it got shot to hell in the last scene I saw it in.. its called good story-telling.. but as long as there are fans that say “does it really matter” then we will continue to have to eat it..
a single shuttle craft? there have to be HUNDREDS of shuttle craft on earth yo.. and ONE ship piloted by spock got the job done.. oh yeah I guess you’re gonna tell me it was sooooooo advanced right? please..
397. mntrekfan – May 8, 2009
That is a very apt metaphor; I had a very post – “Superman Returns” feeling upon leaving this film also.
The complaints im reading are pathetic. Im sorry. Vulcan was destroyed, well boo hoo, God forbid you dont know what could happen next in a movie… and im sooo sorry you cant transport at warp speed and thats sooo upseting to so many of you… so JJ and co. make an amazing movie, but since you cant transport at warp speed its a failure… spock cant have feelings for uhura ummm why not? you do know this is young half human spock, and you do know spock does have emotions, and you do know… oh what the hell… who cares… this movie will make 200 million + and we will likely see at least two more films like this, good for us trek fans who love the original but can accept something new, sucks for trek fans stuck in the past who wont be happy until we can CGI the original crew.
K Thatcher I will agree with you on one point however, they could have done more story in spock primes time to better understand the situation. Cameo’s from picard riker etc. would have been awesome, maybe a few words about Kirk, or a hall of fame so to speak of outstanding captains? I dont know but yes they could have done a lot in spock primes universe and they didnt visit it once. But who cares, the movie ruled.
Now if off to see it again. While I respect all your opinions, I just dont get how a real fan of TOS couldnt like this film. I smiled and laughed so much at the familiar catch phrases situations mannerisms etc… it was just great.. the girl i went with had never seen trek, she said, you were laughing a lot at parts i didnt get the joke… and i had to explain how if you saw TOS you would understand (Pike in the wheelchair at the end of the film, for example)
Major Spoilers!!!!!!
I saw the movie last wednesday for the first time and I want to see it a second time. Not because it is such a great movie, but because the pacing was much to fast. You couldn’t see al the details of the movie. This is a pitty, especially with the great and spectaculair SFX. Wow, what a beauty.
Because of the rollercoaster speed of the movie, some element’s didn’t have the effect that it should have. The destruction of Vulcan for example didn’t feel like 6 billion people died, but maybe that’s because Vulcans don’t show their emotions.
Second, please remove the stupid engineering set from the Enterprise. My god, it’s the 23rd century not the 20th!
Third, please use another set effect for the weapons of the Enterprise, it’s not the ship from Space Intruders!
And at last, JJ and the rest of the crew: thank you for the great cast (they don’t need people from the old cast), the rest of the wonderfull sets (except engineering), the SFX (wow!), the nice (but sadly to short) story and the new warp sound (love THX).
I’m looking forward to the next movie. Hopefully it will be less rollercoaster and have a little more plot changes in it.
Sorry, I can’t accept storytelling advice or scientific interpretation from someone who confuses ‘barren’ with ‘baron’
Anyway, I have never been a big Easter egg fan, those kinds of things didn’t really matter to me, but now I find they are neat little ways to acknowledge what came before and provide a little link to the past. Kirk eating the apple during his test, etc. I presume the drill falling right where the Klingon ship sank in STIV was conscious? Chekov mentioning Titan, aka Riker’s ship?
And Delta Vega is a nice touch tying in the episode with the first appearance of Captain Kirk to the first apperance (in the form of this movie) of the “new” Captain Kirk.
Spoilers:
Ideas: Genesis can be used to colonize a new vulcan. 25yrs into the future Nero and Planet Vulcan can re appear from the blackhole/vortex created by the red matter, including Spocks Mom. Does V’ger, Khan, Spock Deaths, Whales, God, Peace with Klingons, Nexus, Borg, still occur in this new time line or some variation of it? We know V’ger is out there waiting, Whales need saving, God needs a space ship and Klingons need peace and the Borg wants to assimilate man kind. Whatever happens looking forward to the future films!
#405
“Just because you’re a genius doesn’t make you the head of engineering.. ”
That and actually having no head of engineering definitely helps with that.
“yes I’m complaining about making a black hole into a time rift.. they didn’t make the black hole to crap out all the energy from the nova into an alternate timeline.. that would have probably just destroyed the romulas of that timeline..”
Again, scientific consistency has NEVER, i repeat NEVER been a huge part of Trek. If you’re complaining about this, then you just as well diss the entire franchise for the same reason. The best explanation is that either things in which the block hole is created don’t go back in time, and/or it was just a freak occurrence.
“I would have been impressed if the redshirt didn’t die.. nobody would have expected it.. ”
I like how you are complaining about an obvious shout out to the original fans of the series.
“A proper Kobayashi maryu cheat would have been a subtle change in the program .. like a long chess game where one pawn moves this way instead of that way.. allowing for kirk to win in the long run.. he has to make it look like he beat it on the up-and-up.. they made kirk into a hack.. ”
I don’t know what you were expecting. Star Trek II made it clear that he cheated, and Kirk was obvious pompous at the time recalling it. We have no clues or details about HOW he cheated or HOW he changed the conditions of the test. Sure, I’m sure different people have different preferences about how it could have been done, but I don’t think there is necessarily any wrong way to do it.
“yes it DOES matter who repaired it.. because it got shot to hell in the last scene I saw it in.. its called good story-telling.. but as long as there are fans that say “does it really matter” then we will continue to have to eat it..”
I assume you’re going to demand who fixed the water plant in engineering as well. Do we really need a scene with some Romulan engineer going “damn, we need to fix this!” I mean, really?
“and ONE ship piloted by spock got the job done.. oh yeah I guess you’re gonna tell me it was sooooooo advanced right? please..”
Actually yes, the fact that it was from the future can’t exactly just be put aside as irrelevant.
Overall, it seems that 90% loved this movie and considering this is a tough bunch, that says alot. Those of us that read these boards, are long time fans and know all the history and canon. For JJ and his team to make most of us shout woo hoo, means he did his job and did it well.
Thanks again for bringing back Trek with a roar and bringing in new fans.
405 -
I suggest you read countdown – explains self-repairing tech of the narada as well as the specs on the Jellyfish.
Plus this is a different Kirk remember…the old James T. might have worked it that way, but this guy is more of a wisea$$.
405- i would hate to watch a movie with you. I imagine you sitting in the theatre with pen and pad taking notes of all the “plot holes” you see that you, yourself, cant understand.
We have no chief engineer. We are in an emergency situation. What, whats that you say, your an engineering genius? Oh no, no you cant go to engineering, ensign joe thinks thats too quick of a promotion. Were gonna leave that post empty, you just stay in your room. Yeah, we are good right now on an engineer.
Give me a break. Your other complaints are just as shallow and nitpicky. When Nimoy said in his interview stay home and be angry, he was talking to people like you. You shouldnt have bothered to see the film. Put your pen and pad away and learn to just enjoy something for what it is.
Oh, and no, it doesnt f****** matter who repaired the drill. If they spent 5 minutes showing you some workers fixing it, you would complain how pointless the scene was and how boring it was. And you can suspend your disbelief while you watch spaceships fly at “warp” speed but you get upset at a black hole creating a time rift? ooooooooooo, k. I hate to tell you this, but a lot of things that happen in movies wouldnt happen in real life. Oh, and santa isnt real.
Overall, I enjoyed the film, but the fact that the transporter seems more powerful than it’s ever been before in Trek does bug me a little.
383
Here here!! Keeping my fingers crossed for a blowing box office.
Genesis? Genesis allowed is not! Is planet forbidden!
Um, I don’t think they can use Genesis to create a new planet Vulcan. Do we not remember how Genesis turned out? Have the poor Vulcans not been through enough already?
Oh, and the young man who created the device doesn’t exist,, at least not yet.
Darn, why did I start reading some of these comments before watching the film? (which I still haven’t seen) I think I have a few ideas of what happens, but whatever. This film will be epic anyway. :D
Also, not to steal a rationale from the Vulcan people, but it is logical to come to this website after seeing the movie because you enjoyed the movie and want to discuss it, or read about it.
It is not logical to come to this website to bitch about a movie you didn’t like. Not that you don’t have that right, I guess, but why would you want to? Why “contribute” and I use that word advisedly to a website about a movie you don’t like?
407 Andy D: “good for us trek fans who love the original but can accept something new, sucks for trek fans stuck in the past who wont be happy until we can CGI the original crew.”
I’m a Trek fan, love TOS and can accept something new. I just don’t accept ANYTHING new, and I don’t accept something just because it’s new.
And in my opinion this movie sucks, and that’s not because the original actors are replaced or because canon is violated but simply because I think the movie is poorly executed, like so many contemporary mainstream blockbusters, and because the original has been deformed beyond recognition and because there’s absolutely no food for thought in it. In my view, of course.
“The complaints im reading are pathetic.”
At least many of the critical voices specify what they don’t like. I find most of the cheers pathetic, all the undifferentiated “Wahoo! This is amazing!” outbursts.
SPOILER DISCUSSION>>>
Regarding Scotty and the Transporter: SpockPrime never said “when” ScottyPrime came up with the TransWarp beaming formula. Hell, it could have been 10 years after Picard kicked him off the ship in his own shuttle, who knows? I have the feeling now all ships will be running with shields up to prevent it’s unauthorized use, as it would be a great surprise to find your bridge suddenly flooded with Klingons or something.
407. Andy D – May 8, 2009
I wouldn’t say that I am a fan stuck in the past who can’t except something new, as you describe. I certainly could except a revitalization of the franchise. Can I accept changing some of the basic tenants of the franchise just so the story will be more appealing to the mass audience? No. My opinion is that JJ Abrams and Co. were stymied in their attempt to tell the commonly accepted story of how Kirk, Spock, and McCoy et. al. came together and invented the Nero / Time Travel / Alternate Timeline MacGuffin in order to work around the story they couldn’t tell. I don’t care what anyone says, I will always believe this. Somewhere, someone (movie studio) decided that Kirk would appeal more to the masses if he was a brash, under-achieving rebel (not a walking stack of books) who leapt before he looked. Gosh – how do we do that? I know, if we set this story in an alternate universe, we can explain away the inconsistencies in our story very tidily. We need a forbidden romance – how about Spock and Uhura? What!?! That’s ludicrous! Not in an alternate timeline, it’s not. Writing is supposed to be a challenge; working within the constraints of the story is supposed to be hard. Its called the creative process. This is the best they could come up with? tell the darn story of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy as its supposed to be! You can’t get enough drama out of that? Or why even bother – why not move forward with a truly new Trek? Data as Captain of the Enterprise, perhaps? Deal with contemporary issues in a future setting equivalent in time to the future portrayed in TOS and TNG?
#402 That was a pretty lame comment. Didnt look like she was throwing herself at Spock, she looked like a pretty concerned girlfriend. Sorry man, but if my planet was just destroyed and my MOM along with it, I wouldnt be concerned about keeping my relationship on the DL, I’d want her comfort. I think you kinda missed the point to that scene anyway, Amanda’s gone, Spock’s big tie to his human half, its only natural that the emotions he’s been trying to subdue would come out and he’d turn to his woman. She obviously gets the privilage of seeing his “emotional” side. There was an obvious love there, it wasnt a lame attempt at romance on the writers’ part (i.e. Lois & Superman in superman returns or Padme and Skywalker in the SW 2&3).
Just got back from watching the movie in Kunsan City, South Korea. I loved it. Hated the engine room set, but other then that it rocked. I’m going to watch it again when it comes to the Kunsan AB movie theater next weekend.
419
I don’t mind people who have some minor beefs with the movie. I mean, I have some minor beefs. But yeah, the people who seemed to have decided that they were going to hate the movie going in and now are finding any little thing to nitpick to justify their hate are very annoying.
You can in an emergency. I believe this qualified.
Holger,
I have no issue with someone not liking the film. We all have our own taste. If its not for you, its not for you. Obviously we both like TOS and cant agree on this movie. Thats fine. But most of the posts are nitpicking small, stupid, insignificant things, like who fixed a drill, and why was a red shirt killed. I mean common!
You seem to have a LOGICAL reason for disliking the film as a trek fan. You wanted to see them explore, you wanted to see deeper meaning, and I understand that point. This isnt voyage home. I get it.
My complaint is to the nitpickers who couldnt enjoy the movie because the science of a black hole didnt work for them, but im sure flying past the sun to go back in time in Trek IV made perfect sense to them.
You get me?
http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/movies/1563301,star-trek-movie-review-roeper-050709.article
I LOVED the movie, but I agree with Roeper.
It was Great fun. Looking forward to the next and to reading the novelization.
Lots of flaws and plenty of spot on work.
386. PJ – May 8, 2009
#367 as for your exploration comment, did they ever go exploring in star trek 2? or 3 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 10? no they didnt. when there’s a galactic threat and you’re on the enterprise you dont say “oh sorry starfleet but we dont want to go take care of that, we’re going to turn the ship around and go exploring right now.” seriously, exploring is something that can be done in a television series but theres a lot that you just cant do in a film that you can flesh out and do in a tv series. so your argument makes no sense here.
***********
I didn’t offer an “argument,” I asked a question and made an observation. And yes, if the movies are based on a tv series that was about exploration, you should be able to do exploration in the movies. There’ve been movies about explorers and exploration since the dawn of filmmaking.
But, like I said, all I did was ASK if anyone heard reference to exploration. And it does matter because–well, just listen to the intro of TOS and TNG and you’ll understand.
************
395. Paulaner – May 8, 2009
PJ, totally agreed about the exploration argument. Also, in the Trek universe, “exploration” has a wider meaning. It includes the exploration of feelings, relationships, ways of life, infinite diversities. Unveiling a mistery and facing a menace… this is “exploring” as well, in my opinion.
****
Um, yeah, that’s all “exploration,” but…okay, how simple can I make this, folks? Go listen to or read the intro of TOS and TNG. Does it say, “to explore strange new feelings, to seek out new relationships and new ways of life…” No, it talks of exploring new WORLDs, new CIVILIZATIONS, and GOING where no one has gone.
Not exploring our inner feelings about it. GOING to new places.
So, if something is going to be called “Star Trek” it should at least pay passing notice to its own mission statement. I’m fine with the movie being a big save-the-planet spectacle, but it would have been nice to get a sense that exploration was still part of the game for these folks.
But like I’ve said a couple of times, my post at 367 was a QUESTION about this, not an argument or a big complaint.
427 Andy D: I get you. And you got me, it seems.
Such occasions are rare, aren’t they? ;-)
I’m starting to feel like I’m doing research for a psychology experiment while reading these comments. This, of course, is stuff that has been studied over the years, but these reviews seem to solidify previous studies.
Group A – Went to a showing of Star Trek at a theater that was packed with people who genuinely enjoyed the film. That group’s reaction to the film seems to be extremely positive.
Group B – Went to a showing of Star Trek at a theater that was packed with people who mildly enjoyed the film and the audience showed little to no reaction. That group’s reaction to the film is positive, but seemingly questionable as to the final verdict on the film.
Group C – Went to a showing of Star Trek at a theater that was sparsely populated but enjoyed the film. The group’s reaction to the film is positive, but seemingly questionable as to the final verdict on the film.
Group D – Went to a showing of Star Trek at a theater that was sparsely populated and the audience showed little to no reaction. That group’s reaction to the film is moderate to negative, and there seems to have been more focus on the problems of the film than the enjoyment of the experience.
Group E – Went to an Imax showing of the film. Regardless of population, the group’s reaction is primarily positive having been overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the experience.
For the record, I was in Group A. I think this is an interesting response from a sample population being subjected to the same primary stimulus but with the variable being the audience.
The point of all this: I would make no firm judgement based on a single viewing. Hence the reason I’m going back myself to make a final judgement. And I encourage everyone else – especially the ones with a negative reaction – to do the same.
All that said, from what I’m seeing here, I’m pretty sure Star Trek lives!
Thatcher,
In what ways do you believe they changed the basic tenants of the franchise? Because Kirk was an underachieving rebel in his youth? How are we to know he wasnt? Why cant spock and uhura have dated in their youth? What basic tenant would preclude this from occuring?
431 Jtrekker: You really think there were sparsely populated theaters on opening day?
Haven’t seen it yet, only Sunday. Just wanted to say a giant thank you to Anthony!
Very rare indeed Holger, very rare indeed!
433 – there were some reports, I think mostly in rural areas it sounded like, of near empty theaters, but it sounded like the exception
I don’t have a problem with people complaining, I just don’t understand why anyone would want to spend their time doing that.
Also, while it’s true that the makers of this film have been known to visit this site, it is a little silly for people to think that comments made directly or indirectly to them on this site are going to have a direct impact on the development of the next film. If those comments are part of an overwhelming majority of fans, sure. But those unhappy with this film seem to be very loud but very small minority, and as J.J. said, those folks can stay home and be angry.
> I think I have a few ideas of what happens, but whatever.
Yeah, Trinity dies, and so on.
I think what some of the Posters on this board, like myself, are trying to say is that we don’t have a problem with the movie itself. It was a good popcorn movie – thrilling visual effects, nice to see the Enterprise onscreen again, things blowing up, etc. I can appreciate all those things – for that kind of effort I easily give this movie an A. I felt the same about Transformers. What I have a problem with is what this movie represents. I feel its a slap in the face to those who have enjoyed Star Trek for 40 years the way it was, to enjoy the principles it was built upon – to say that the only way the franchise is going to flourish is to abandon all that, dumb it down so that it appeals to the masses. That’s not what I’m into Star Trek for.
This movie is going to be a blockbuster – my guess is 60 – 80 mil opening easy. And probably better this than Wolverine raking it in. But like all of these types of movies, it will run its course by the third film (Spider-man III, anyone? Batman Forever?) Then, where will the franchise go?
Is anyone else madly refreshing boxofficemojo and similar sites waiting for the Thursday box office numbers? One place I read suggested that Thursday numbers would be about 1/8 to 1/10th of the expected weekend total probably.
So if Trek made, say $8 million on Thursday, we’re probably looking at between $65 million and $80 million total.
All right, to all those who didn’t like this movie. You are not allowed to watch any potential sequel since you’re so disheartened and appalled by this movie.
What? You’re going to watch it anyway? Oh I see how it is.
You can rip away at ANY of the Star Trek movies, but does that really make you feel better? Do you realize that Star Trek is written and has been by probably hundreds of different people at this point? Why do you nitpick so hard when there’s so much ground to cover? If you wanted a strictly canon piece it would be a piece of crap of a movie where they would sit around discussing diplomacy for an hour.
Grow up and learn that this is not YOUR baby, this is OUR baby.
433 – I realize that out of the 400 or so comments listed here, there aren’t many mentions of sparsely populated theaters, but there are mentions of a few. And the reaction of those viewers does seem to be different than the majority of comments from people in packed theaters.
The main point to me is that I’m not hearing about as many theaters being completely “Sold Out” as what I remember seeing with Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. Those movies went on to become the box office champions of the year, but they also started out with theaters packed to the brim, and fans who had to wait a whole weekend to see the films because they couldn’t buy tickets. I just hope that the amount of people seeing the film goes up over the next two days. Because, as I mentioned with my previous post, the more packed the theater, the better the reviews. The better the reviews, the more people who will ultimately see the movie. It’s the whole Iron Man effect from last year. People who had no interest in seeing that movie ended up going because everybody and there brother kept raving about it. That’s what I want Star Trek to be…
The pictures are not “widely available”, at least not in the webmaster program.
OK what the hell, I feel like jumping in on the complaint train!! While I give this movie 5 stars on a 1-4 star scale, and a solid 11 on a 1-10 scale, I did have one problem:
I thought John Cho’s Sulu was awful. Not awful in the way he acted, awful in that it didnt remind me of Sulu AT ALL!!!! Honestly trek fans, if the character didnt say his name was Sulu and he wasnt asian, would anyone know who the heck he was?? I know he said he couldnt do the voice, but cmon John, at least act A LITTLE like Sulu!!!
ok, thats my only complaint. Cho, go back and watch more episodes of TOS and next time try to act A LITTLE like Sulu at least!!!
I´ve seen it twice so far (I live in Germany, on Monday I´m going to see it in English). It´s really a big, fantastic movie. It´s true, as said in one of the TV-spots, it is not the STAR TREK of your fathers. One can discuss later, if that is positive or negative. But for the moment, I can only say to the folks which haven´t seen it yet: You are going to enjoy this movie.
SPOILER SAUSAGE!!!!! WARNING
If Prime Spock knew of the Federation outpost on Delta Vega (mere miles from his ice shack) why didn’t he visit it earlier? He could have easily contacted vulcan from the outpost while spending some quality time with Mr. Scott. Delta Vega could have been a moon of Vulcan it was so close.
Any thoughts?
Great movie. I wish it would have been longer!
First my disclaimer: I liked the movie a lot.
But did anyone else have trouble with Checkov being able to beam up Kirk and Sulu while they were plummeting to Vulcan at hundreds of miles per hour but couldn’t pull out Spocks mother?
Kind of inconsistent.
Planning my third trip to the theatre now.
LL&P
Loved it, loved it, loved it.
And I want to see it again immediately!
Some of you people who are complaining about the realism of some things really make me scratch my head.
We’re talking about a world of fiction that involves humans traveling beyond the speed of light (or warping/bending space); successfully transporting molecules from one point to another; traveling through time; humanoid salt vampires; the manufacturing of items in our thoughts; alternate positive/negative universes; universal linguistic translators; deflector shields; human-like alien species interspersed throughout the universe; inertial dampeners/artificial gravity; the creation of whole planets (Genesis) and corresponding biodiversity; etc., etc.
I’m not saying that some of these things are not possible at some point in our future – but at this time, they ALL require a level of acceptance for the sake of the Star Trek universe. The entire Star Trek universe requires suspension of disbelief. That doesn’t mean that we accept a bad story in our suspension, but I do think some of the fans go way overboard and pick nits off of nits.
I thought the movie was fantastic and was without doubt the best Star Trek movie ever. There’s no way that anyone else could have done better than Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman did with this flick. I never thought I would live to see the day when a Star Trek movie would receive such glorious critical acclaim. The praise just keeps coming.
The local radio stations are buzzing about it; the local newspapers are buzzing about it. There were three separate stories about the movie in this morning’s newspaper.
Trek is back with a vengeance!
446 – Hmm, good point and one of the first major *possible* legitimate problems that I’ve heard. However, one might be able to explain it as him wanting to “stay out of history’s way” as Picard put it in First Contact, though he obviously had a change of heart on that topic by the end of the movie.
I also didn’t like the inconsistency of the Chekov beaming a moving target but unable to beam Spock’s mother.
My theater was maybe half full.
447, 450 –
I think the difference was the time. It took him several moments to lock onto Kirk and Sulu when they were falling, but Spock’s mother fell off just as they were beaming, so he had little or not time to compensate. At least that’s my explanation for it.
4446~ there was also a fair ammount of fire wood on a barren ice planet :)
I’m not surprised that there are reports of not-quite-full theaters on a *Thursday.* A lot of people had no idea the movie was showing yesterday – all the marketing says May 8. A lot of people, myself included, won’t be going until today.
Nice to see Newsweek is as irrelevant and moronic as ever. And they wonder why sales continue to drop.
On serious note, several friend’s and I have had our tickets for a week. Psyched and ready!
450, 451-
I thought it most likely had to do with the singularity at the planet’s core. It sounded to me as though the black hole’s gravitational influence was increasing exponentially. Any motion at that point might have made the fateful difference.
My theater was about two thirds full, but there were three screens showing it at the same time… and it was not well publicized that the film was being shown before midnight. I could also mention the thunderstorms or the fact that it was 7:00 on a Thursday night in a suburban CT town, but I wouldn’t want to make it too easy to justify a few empty seats. : )
Good action sequences… extremely weak screenplay (almost juvenile)… You can’t slap the label Star Trek on a generic sci-fi film and think it will work… should have been called Space Adademy or something, Simply not Star Trek… when you have to created altenative timeline to keep a 40 year old universe going, you’re in trouble…
The Spock we have come to know over these past 4 decades would not make miscalculations and mistakes that would lead to he destruction of an entire race… and then go on happy in an alternate timeline while rebooting the now almost extinct Vulcan race. Who ever wrote this did now the first thing about what makes Spock tick… or Scotty for that matter…
again good teenager aimed aci-fi action film… but not Star Trek by any stretch of the imagination…
Star Trek
1966-2009
What a fine day it is. Been watching this site for 2 yrs, and all the posts and comments and debates have been worth it. In the end, a fun, fine film. A big shot in the arm, and the franchise lives on!
The reception here in Champaign, Illinois was strong. Clapping at the end, cheering at the right moments. good stuff.
Howdy everyone, I’ve been a reader of this fantastic website for 3 years, and just finally had the nerve to actually post (because, after all, today is a special day). It’s been an awesome ride seeing Trek rise from the ashes to the big day, and it has been a pleasure reading all of the articles by the Trekmovie team and all of your thoughts and opinions each day.
Now for my two cents: After 6 and a half years since the ultimate commercial and critical disappointment that was Star Trek Nemesis, this new movie rocks in every way. It is a wonderful thrill ride that hits the characters quite well and gives a great vision of the Star Trek universe. I hope you see the movie and enjoy it in one way or another. Because, as someone who has been watching these characters since I was a kid, this movie was a lot of fun, and a welcome return.
And let’s all take this great film as another reason not to believe in the no-win scenario!
I LOVE NEWSWEEK’s PIECE!
Dead on!
OMG the movie was awesome in every way!! Some people need to get over all the nitpicking and enjoy the movie. We Trekkies have waited a long time for a new Star Trek movie!!!!!!
Live Long and Prosper
Yes we have… the problem is that this is NOT a ST movie…
It’s something else… sometimes interesting… but not Trek…
Local newspaper confirmed that Thurs 7PM IMAX showing here was sold out. I checked online and the Friday 7PM IMAX showing is also sold out. Anxious to see the BO numbers for the full weekend.
One more nit-picky thing…
I thought it was out of character for Kirk to destroy Nero at the end. Yes he offered to help, but then fired everything. Seemed cold blooded for our heroes. I know Nero is a dirty bastard that killed mmoy and daddy and all those Vulcans but it still seemed a little un-Trek and a little like we gotta wrap this up. I figured Starfleet would want to try and bring them to justice or something. Never seen JT just say “f_ck it kill ‘em.” He was even trying to beam the Kahn’s Reliant survivors aboard at the end of WOK.
Might have been less harsh if Nero’s ship had been crushed by the anomaly or red matter- black hole machine thing instead of Kirk and Spock being judge, jury, prosecutor and executioner.
Probably just me.
Still a fun ride.
#463
No, not just you :)
Haters suck!
Saw the movie last night and gave it 4 stars out of 5. Excellent storyline and special effects.
Since “Prime Spock” is stuck in the past, I assume this opens the door for him to mentor young Kirk & Spock in a sequel.
456 – I guess you should try to pick up the pieces and move on with your life. The rest of us will enjoy the new adventures to come.
Saw it last night. For 2 years or more since I’d heard about the film I’ve slowly been putting it on a higher and higher pedestal until its release. I can safely say I was not disappointed, Star Trek was fantastic in every way. I can see this being the film of the year, never mind the summer
463 – Didn’t you notice that NERO refused help and opened fire? (I think he opened fire…but he definitely gave Kirk the proverbial finger about helping.)
So, no, it wasn’t cold-blooded murder. Nero had wiped out a planet, wiped out a bunch of Starfleet ships and personnel, killed Kirk’s dad–and then he refused Kirk’s final attempt to help. Kirk did what had to be done, period.
It’s a bit like TSFS and Kirk’s final moments with Kruge. He tried to help Kruge, but Kruge refused, so Kirk finished him and moved on.
Sorry, but I don’t think this is a really legitimate complaint. And it was nice to see Spock’s reaction to Kirk’s offer to help Nero. Shows that Spock really has changed, and might be more human than Vulcan at times. Nice touch.
#461 people like you made Trek dissapear – now it’s your turn.
456 — While I agree with some of your issues with the movie, I think you are being just a wee bit melodramatic.
And as a 35-year+ Trekkie, I strongly disagree: this film was DEFINITELY Star Trek, and not just in name and costumes. Just like TOS, the plot was sketchy, the science was idiotic (even within the Trek universe), but the characters were fun. Every character had great moments that were totally in character and consistent with 40 years of Trek.
I sympathize with your feelings. After giving TNG 3 seasons and then giving up on it, I felt that Star Trek was dead. TNG never felt like Trek to me, but the vast majority of fandom eventually embraced it (to some extent, anyway). To me, “real” Star Trek has been gone since the end of TVH–or even earlier, with the destruction of Enterprise in TSFS.
Now, for the first time in 20 years, I enjoyed watching a Trek film that felt like Trek…even if the ship’s once-high-tech engineering systems have been replaced with 1915-era pipes and plumbing. :)
Please help: Who is the composer of the music featured in the 2nd theatrical trailer??? Ty
469. Paul B. – May 8, 2009
“463 – Didn’t you notice that NERO refused help and opened fire? (I think he opened fire…but he definitely gave Kirk the proverbial finger about helping.)”
I don’t recall them firing. But I could be wrong.
469. Paul B. – May 8, 2009 “And it was nice to see Spock’s reaction to Kirk’s offer to help Nero. Shows that Spock really has changed, and might be more human than Vulcan at times.”
I wasn’t going to mention that part, but it didn’t work for me. It wasn’t dramatic, instead was played for laughs. If Spock is pissed and wanting revenge I better get a chill not a chuckle.
Again, fellow travelers, I dig the flick. Just wanting to talk about it will all of you.
These are smaller issues. Some of these things may have been fixed if it weren’t for the Writer’s Strike that essentially froze the script as they went into production.
LL&P
One thing I thought was unintentinally hilarious: When Kirk is hanging from the platform and Sulu rescues him — I recalled the same scene with Kruge from Star Trek III: imagine that with Bill Shatner and George Takei — Takei says, “Give me your hand” and Shatner grabs his foot and knocks him down, and Takei yells, “Stealing our screen time, being a jerk to us… I… have had… enough.. of YOU!” and kicks him to his death.
As the oracle in the Matrix says, “This will bake your noodle:”
Assuming that the new time line has the same history as the original, then did Picard and company stop the borg and allow first contact in 2063? If yes they came from a future that no longer exists? OR–it was the same universe until nero showed up and then “Split.” personally I like that theory better.
I suspect that the Vulcans are so damn clever that they’ll sort the catastrophic loss of their world inside of a generation or two.
They’ll start terraforming the colony almost at once, use drugs to trigger the Pon-Farr far more quickly in the men so female Vulcans can start breeding kids at the rate of one per year.
Given the extended lifespans of Vulcans, in the space of 100 years, 5,000 Vulcan women could pump out something like 500,000 children who could have children of their own within the space of about 16 years. They could probably use artificial wombs to create test tube children too. Also, there might be blood and tissue samples available of some Vulcans who were lost which could allow cloning and, perhaps, the fal tor pan to be used with any Vulcans who melded with their parents.
Additionally, it’s likely that Spock Prime will formally mind meld with Sarek (which he never got to do, according to Unification) and the new Vulcan High Council, so they can work with the knowledge of events from the original timeline.
Vulcans are indomitable!
On the topic of theater crowds and reactions:
I saw the film at 10pm with a half-full theater. The conversations beforehand included the four twentysomethings in front of me, each of whom took turns telling the others why they aren’t really Trek fans and have only seen a few films. At the other end of their row was a couple who had a similar conversation about not being really into Trek. Aside from two guys in the lobby talking TNG details, nobody sounded like diehards.
Lots of laughter, some gasps, and very little chatter during the film.
As the credits rolled, most of the audience applauded, and rather strongly. I was surprised, since so many were self-avowed non-Trekkies–yet they clapped for this film.
I’d say Abrams might have managed his goal: reach new audience, keep most Trekkies onboard for the ride.
#470-spocks brain – people like you made Trek dissapear – now it’s your turn.
classy comment that one
475 – I think it’s pretty clear that this is a timeline that has split off from the one that currently exists in the movies and series, but I had thought about that implication as well.
One possibility is that, once we finally get 80 years in the future, the changes in the timeline will be so minimized that most everything that happens in TNG pretty much happens as is.
On the other hand, maybe the change in the timeline so radically changed what the future looks like that TNG doesn’t happen at all like we’ve seen it. Who knows the answer to that, and we may never know the answer to that.
I can’t believe what I’m reading here. What’s wrong with you people? Several people have said something along the lines of, “this isn’t Star Trek.” If one of you could please explain to me how this isn’t Star Trek. You might not like it, but it is Star Trek. I didn’t like Nemesis, but I don’t say it isn’t Star Trek. You naysayers are looking at this all wrong. Now, we all know that Star Trek isn’t real, but to really enjoy all the incarnations of it and get the full effect, you have to watch it as though it’s almost a documentary about the future. You might not like some of the things that happens, but that’s life. I didn’t want to get fired from my job, but I was. I wish Benedict Arnold hadn’t defected, but he did. I didn’t want Vulcan to be destroyed, but it was.
I gripped and complained endlessly about Enterprise and it was a huge mistake. Looking back, I should have been thankful to have any new Trek. I won’t make that mistake again.
Just one more thing. I’ve seen several negative reviews from people who have been bashing the movie for months, and in some cases, years before the release. I have a question…why did you guys go see the film? Were you confused about what movie it was or something? It’s like campaigning for Obama all year then voting for McCain on election day.
Oh, and I’m willing to bet it’s not too much of a stretch to say that the folks who really hated this movie are the same folks who get so up in arms about Newsweek comparing Spock to Obama. But of course, these are Republicans I’m talking about and enjoyment is a human emotion so there was no chance they’d have liked this film even if they’d directed it themselves.
Sorry about the politics. Just go enjoy the movie and be glad you’re watching new Trek. It’s been a long time coming and you guys by God aren’t going to ruin for me.
Maybe in the alternate timeline TNG movies Data doesn’t have those annoying B-stories.
Every generation gets their version of Star Trek. I can think of at least three iterations (and one could argue there are more) of the venerable franchise – namely the original series (1966-67), the feature films (1978-91) and the Next Generation (the series, the films and the 3 spinoff shows, 1989-2004). Each had its own vibe, its own plusses, and its own pitfalls. But each was a re-imagining in its own way. It is easy to cite “Wrath of Khan” as the greatest of the films (and surely it is), and it is credited with reinvigorating the spirit of the original series, but the reality is that it added so much to the canon, taking it in a new direction (Meyer’s vision of mankind as essentially unchanged, in terms of his basic passions, was in direct opposition to Roddenberry’s utopian vision). Next Generation was as cheesy and set in its context, the 1990s, as the original series was in the 60s (instead of go-go boots, beehive hairdos, and miniskirts we got technobabble, “synthohol”, and a psychiatric counselor on the bridge). Yet it all now fits into the canon we know as “Star Trek”.
This is all a way of saying that I was prepared to give JJ Abrams and the teenagers he’d hired (who look like they’ve wandered off the set of Disney’s “High School Musical”) to fill these iconic roles, a fair amount of leeway. After all there are three types of reinvigorations of beloved franchises: a reunion (often a 4th film tagged onto an existing trilogy, years later for the purposes of squeezing a little more money out of fans – think the horrendous 4th films in the “Indiana Jones”, “Lethal Weapon”, or “Die Hard” series); a parody of said franchise (think “Starsky & Hutch” or “Charlie’s Angels”, or the upcoming “Magnum” movie); or a new look at the series, with new people involved, who are able to bring a fresh approach, but hopefully not mess too much with the things people loved about it in the first place. JJ Abrams oft reported that Trek would be the third of these. He’d keep the things people loved (the characters and canon, as much as was possible), while updating things that needed to be updated (ie, state of the art effects and modern sensibilities). When it works it looks something like “Batman Begins” or “Casino Royale” which seem to be the gold standard for reboots (boy is that term overused in film reviews).
Let me then cut to the chase and say that Abrams’ “Star Trek” is good. In fact, it’s very good. And if it isn’t quite MY Star Trek, let me say that it does bear a much stronger resemblance to my Star Trek than I would have thought. Let me go one step farther and say that it probably is exactly the Star Trek that Gene Roddenberry would make if he were starting his franchise in 2009. I have facetiously referred to this film as “iTrek” – Apple, Gap, Nokiu, and Facebook tie-ins seem to abound, even when they’re not obvious. The cast do look like teenagers to me (although a later complaint of the original series is that they hired actors in their late 30s, which became a problem when the series was still going strong 25 years later), and the frenetic editing, effects and camera work makes even the exciting “Wrath of Khan” seem like a Masterpiece Theatre stageplay by comparison. But don’t compare quick editing with pacing – as far as moving a story along briskly, the prize still goes to Jonathan Frakes, with “First Contact” and “Insurrection”. This new Star Trek drags a little in places, not least of all because there are one or two gratuitous action sequences. These scenes fail to impress us, because we’ve seen it all before. CGI’s unintended consequence is that no one asks “how did they do that??” anymore. These sequences could have been trimmed with no impact on the story – think of Kirk’s landing on the ice planet, and encounter with two of its denizens. On the other hand, one setpiece – the freefall onto the mining platform – is genuinely thrilling.
But that is a minor quibble – what matters is story and characterizations, and Abrams gets a B+ on the first and an A+ on the second. The story is necessarily convoluted. The writers, Kurtzman and Orci (and these are the guys who have not had a stellar resume to date. “Transformers” anyone?) needed to figure out a way to reset the timeline, which would allow them to change the canon, but keep the characters essentially intact. This leads to a plot which frankly, has been done to death in Trek (especially in the series, post TNG), and is a bit silly. But it brings us Leonard Nimoy as Spock, which is a fabulous move. And the plots of most Treks (especially when you throw time travel into the mix) cast some logic and plausibility out the window. We can overlook those, because there is plenty of drama, humour, and a good adventure story to follow. And this is where Abrams surprises me. Trek has been known to recycle its ideas before. “The Voyage Home” was basically a remake of “The Motion Picture”, which was a remake of the original series episode, “The Changeling”. “Nemesis” and “First Contact” were inspired by “Wrath of Khan” which was, itself a sequel to the original series episode “Space Seed”. Abrams goes back to the Khan well yet again – sometimes slyly, and sometimes overtly (one of the best sequences actually shows Kirk beating the Kobayashu Maru test, while simultaneously explaining why Spock never took it). Oddly, the villain, Nero, and his ridiculous spaceship were stolen from “Nemesis”, which is probably the worst of the films to date. The fact that it works here is more a testament to the story/characters surrounding it, then to say it was a good idea. We can easily forgive these things if we think of this movie as a “best of” compilation.
Where this film really soars is in its casting and understanding of the characters. There really isn’t a misstep here, in my opinion, with the possible exception of Chekov (used primarily for lame comic relief). Quinto not only looks like Spock but he plays him to perfection. Pine’s Kirk could have been a punk, and yet we find ourselves rooting for him and sensing the future greatness he embodies. Those two needed to be done right, and they are – possibly because they aren’t playing the characters we knew even from the original series – they are playing those characters as they would have been 10 years before that. So Kirk is more cocky, and unburdened from the responsibilities of leadership; Spock is more emotional, as he wrestles with his dual nature. Karl Urban is the only one who seems to do a straight imitation, of DeForest Kelley as McCoy, but that seems to be okay. It’s reminiscent of Ewan McGregor’s take on Alec Guinness in the Star Wars trilogy. Pine copying Shatner’s mannerisms would have been ridiculous, but copying Kelley’s seems to work just fine. This McCoy brings warmth and compassion to the screen, despite not having a whole lot to do. The other standout is Uhura, who is given more to do here, and she comes across as ethereal, sexy, and mysterious. It may be a mild spoiler alert to hint at her relationship with Spock, but it works too – it’s very much in keeping with the teasing that she sometimes gave Spock in the original series. We always sensed there was some sort of connection there. Here we see it. Sulu and Scotty are both fine in their roles. I actually can’t think of a single casting decision I’d change. Geenwood is great as Pike (and more importantly puts a Canadian in the cast), and if Tyler Perry as a Federation leader seems like an inappropriate choice, let me just say that it doesn’t impact me, because I have no idea who Tyler Perry is (as opposed to the Christian Slater embarrassment in Trek VI). And Nimoy could play Spock well into his 90s if he chose, as the character just gets more and more interesting.
It is a shade less cerebral perhaps than some of the films, certainly. But this is meant to be a popcorn picture. And where the original Trek series and films quoted liberally from the works of Melville and Shakespeare, this film is actually quoting earlier Trek. Which has become literature at this point, right? The biggest moments come from hearing new actors in familiar roles uttering those catchphrases we have come to love. But it’s done honestly. When Scotty yells, “I canna give ye any more, Captain!” it happens in the heat of the battle, and seems as authentic as when Doohan said it, long before it became parodied. When McCoy says, “Dammit, I’m a doctor, not a physicist”, we can’t help but smile.
Largely on the strength of the actors, the film works. Abrams knows how to hit all the high notes. He draws on Star Trek’s fabled past much more than I thought he would. If you never liked Star Trek but find yourself liking this movie, you’ve unwittingly bought into the myth that it’s better because it’s hip and young (you’re also probably the type that can’t watch black and white movies because they’re in black and white). Original series Trek never got old and tired. The final film with the original cast was one of the best. This new Trek is actually very much like the Trek that has gone boldly before. It didn’t exactly feel like my Star Trek, but it came pretty darn close.
When asked, after the film how I felt, I responded, in Kirk-like fashion: “I feel…..young.”. The teenagers did all right.
Haters aren’t cannon!
480. Riker’sDad – May 8, 2009
I can’t believe what I’m reading here…Several people have said something along the lines of, “this isn’t Star Trek.” … I didn’t like Nemesis, but I don’t say it isn’t Star Trek.”
It is Star Trek, but unfortunately, Nemesis was barley a movie. It was really a loosely stringed together series of action sequences. Nemesis may be worse than Insurrection. For me they are tied for the worst Trek flicks.
Yes, even worse than Sybock’s Wild Ride to Sha-Ka-Re. For me anyway.
LL&P
i just saw the movie last night and i have to say it was freaking awesome i loved it and the characters really hinted the previous original crew mostly kirk(at the end) spock and bones
*398….Yea, I do recall Kirk in the escape pod calling up the computer to get his location and hearing the voice of computer voice….but it did not AT ALL sound like Majel’s voice at all, either in plain voice or electronically enhanced. I’m seeing the film 2 more times and will try to listen w/ more intensity to hear it with more clarity.
What I had been lead to believe from other articles on this site and others, was Majel’s computer voice would be used a bit more than that one scene? For us purists, this film will be either dismissed from all that came before, or take longer for those that don’t hold the past stories already told, to jetison the old for the new.
I’m keeping an open mind, and again, will see film again 2 more times this weekend. Did the film seem more like eye candy SW ala Trek, yes.
Was it based in science, have a deep plot or driven by actors we have long term emotional ties too? Nope. But seeing as we’re being reintroduced to the familar which isn’t yet gelled, it’s a stretch to get 100% of the fan base 100% onboard ASAP. Did I long for more screen time for Nimoy, yes!
Was the bridge lit up like a Shaper Image store ala supernova fluoresecent movie premiere search light?…..why?
Half the ships power was used for lighting! HA! I almost expected the lights to dim if someone used a food replicator!
I’m joking..lighten up men!
479 — The idea that TNG might not happen at all is one of the BEST outcomes of this new timeline! IMHO. :)
Anyone else think it was awesome that at the end, Pike looked like he was wearing a type of TMP uniform?
I thought that was a nice touch. I hope Pike keeps showing up.
@ 377
Apparently you haven’t seen TVH. Scotty had some pretty memorable slapstick scenes in that one. Of course that movie had more comedy overall, but my point is that these characters are allowed to be funny. Scotty was still a genius, and I thought the character worked decently well.
Where is Closettrekker? I’m eager to hear his take…
#482: “Haters aren’t cannon.”
All right, crew… phasers on stun! Fire!
Get out your dictionary, kiddies! …. canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon canon
Here’s a question I may have missed the answer to.
I thought that stuff like the Enterprise being built in Iowa instead of SF and the vastly more high tech ship were going to be explained by Nero’s arrival.
I recall Bob Orci saying that any “cannon violations” are explained by the alternate timeline, including the stuff with the ship.
Did I miss something?
482. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
Haters aren’t cannon!
___________
Yes, they are *cannon*. Always shooting off their mouths, ruining everyone’s fun.
487 – Great point! I’d almost forgotten about Pike’s gray-and-white uniform. Nice TMP connection, and he looked sharp in it.
Also cool that he was in a chair, though not as bad as before. A sign that this timeline might echo the original in fun little ways.
Wow, I saw the movie last night. As a long time Star Trek fan, I am impressed and amazed! They made a sequel/prequel/reboot, and it works! Most of all, they had such great respect for what came before, so many tidbits to kindly tell the audience “Hey we know that you love Star Trek, and that there was plenty of it that came before us that was great…now hold on, we’re going to make something new with what you love”.
Anyone can either like it or dislike what it turned out as, but man…what I saw was such profound respect for Trek fans, and also doing the job they were told to do by the execs, which was create a “fresh, younger, and exciting” big money summer blockbuster. In the world of Hollywood summer movies, and micro-managed storytelling…we are incredibly lucky to have gotten the writers, actors, director, producers, and crew that created new Star Trek.
And to see Leonard Nimoy play Spock again was a real treat, to say the very least. He’s so comfortable in that role, such a great actor…I think he brought a legitimacy to the story that could not have been there without him. That alone tells how much the creators wanted to pay respect to what’s come before.
And Anthony, I hardly post comments here, but have been following your blog since the early rumors of Star Trek XI. Great job running what has become not just another fan site, but a truly respectable source of news with a respectable community of people. I haven’t been this excited to see a movie in a long time, and much of it was due to the anticipation gained from following your posts. I think it’s awesome that you became the official/unofficial news outlet to the fans! Thanks!
490. MC1 Doug – May 8, 2009
LOL!
You’re right.
“canon violations.”
Grammar is important.
491 – hmm, I thought of that too. Maybe it was left on the editing room’s floor, I don’t know. I guess it’s something to ask the next time he pops in.
Best Star Trek Movie Since ST VI.
THX Paramount&J.J. Abrams
496. Josh – May 8, 2009
“491 – hmm, I thought of that too. Maybe it was left on the editing room’s floor”
I think there was a lot left on that floor.
the next movie should be about the TNG crew trying to get Spock back to his own reality. that should provide a pretty badass crossover.
saw the movie last night by the way.
unbefrakkinleavable.
492. Jorg Sacul
LOL! True. So true.
496. Josh – May 8, 2009
“I guess it’s something to ask the next time he [Bob Orci] pops in.”
You’ll have to do it. Orci thinks I’m a prick.
He’s probably right.
LL&P
498 – true. I think someone described it above as a 3 hour movie shown in 2 hours, and I kind of feel that is right. Probably the pacing is my biggest beef with the movie, though it was still a pretty good movie.
I saw the movie last night in IMAX in Las Vegas, the theater was packed and everybody cheered, laughed at the right parts and applauded at the end. Really good movie. I enjoyed it a lot. Taking the kids to see it again this weekend. I thought Quinto and Urban nailed it. Pine was great too. I’ll have to see it again to fully grasp the whole experience. Great fun. They did a good job with it.
I saw the movie last night (Thursday 9:45 at the IMAX,) and my god was I impressed. I was sitting about halfway up so you would have to turn your head left or right to see what is on the screen, although it did give a feeling of being in the movie, next time I see it I need to sit higher up to have the entire screen in my view not just my peripherals, simply because there is so much going on that you tend to miss things if you don’t look quick enough. Walking out of the movie theatre I was not jumping around or giddy, I guess I was digesting what I just saw, I was just so blown away and impressed it left me speechless. Its funny there is only one stupid little small trivial thing that bothered me, and its so small and so stupid, but in one scene when Robau is walking onto the bridge of the Kelvin and he is not wearing his Starfleet delta shield logo, c’mon how do you forget something like that, unless it was to poke fun at home many times that has happened before in trek history lol. Oh god I loved everything about this movie, as a canon trekkie I have NO quarrels with anything! I graciously accepted this movie for all that is it is and all that is offers. I love the fast passed action, the sounds, the music, the CG FX, the federation vessels looked great, although I would have liked to see more of them and more battle scenes like the dominion wars, but again, we knew of the ships confronting Nero but we did not see it, only the Enterprise dropping out of warp when all the ships were destroyed and the oh so familiar one on one battles, but that’s ok for a first run of this new Star Trek. I was exhilarated the way the ships jump to warp and the transporter effects looked, both felt very industrial, powerful, and very real when compared to previous trek films. I did not have a problem with the industrial look of engineering, before I saw the movie I had a problem with it, just like any fan we nit pick until we are told to sit down, shut up, and watch the movie. Watching the movie something any little issue I had with it seemed so trivial in the grand scheme of things and does not really matter, everything just fit in so well. I especially love the opening with that grand music, the letters coming up, and the delta shield logo it was a very powerful opening as well as the beauty shots of the Enterprise. I was pleasantly surprised at how much comedy was in the film; it was refreshing and very welcomed. I had so many good laughs, like out loud from the belly laughs, especially during the kobayashi maru test, Kirk’s numb tongue and swollen hands, and oh so many more, this movie was genuinely funny. I was so impressed with the story and the acting, every second I was just blown away. I mean there is no such thing as a perfect movie, and to say that this was not a perfect movie would be unfair, you can say that for every movie, everything can be improved upon that’s the whole reason to strive for something. Granted I wanted a little more but I am not sure of what, since I can’t justify it I will not proceed to dissect it, I was more than satisfied with this movie. JJ, Alex, Robert, and EVERYONE involved you made a fantastic movie, a wonderful thrill ride with heart and emotion. Everyone from writers, to directors, producers, actors, set design, artists, makeup artists, all your talents are clearly visible in this movie, you should all be very proud of this movie. I had no quarrels with the Uhura and Spock romance, or the way the story folded, it is canon, IT IS Star Trek! I have never been a fan of critics, although we are all critics, this movie is A+, 10 out of 10, five stars. Since its possible to give more than 100% I expect the next movie will blow this one out of the water and that is so hard to imagine because this movie is so good. Every movie can be more and better, but that is what a sequel is for, this movie for it was….was simply perfect. As a trekkie waiting seven years for a new movie, I am beyond exhilarated, beyond happy, and beyond satisfied. I could go on forever praising this movie but then the point is missed. We all know how great this movie is; we all know the parts we like. I can’t thank Paramount executives enough for taking another chance on Star Trek, because it worked, you all went with your gut feeling and lead with your hearts. Star Trek may go into hibernation, which is fine, but it will never die, this movie just proved that.
Watching Man Trap right now. Uhura is flirting with Spock pretty hard. Looks like she’s always had a thing for our pointy eared hobgoblin.
I seen the Movie and its the best since Trek 2 and maybe even better. Wow What can i say. Nimoy was just superb as always and Pine and Quinto and Urban nailed there roles. When it came to urban i thought i was seeing Deforest Kelly as Bones. The action was incredable and this movie made me laugh and i even shed a tear. Incredable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
490. MC1 Doug
Chill, bro…it’s just an extra “N”….Simple speed typing error…No need to pull rank with your spelling bee award!
HATERS AREN’T CANON!
Is that better?
;-)
If you’re in the Washington, D.C. area the Washington Post is reporting that the Avalon Theater on Connecticut Ave. NW in D.C. is serving plomeek soup and Klingon bloodwine at the concession stand.
Haven’t seen the film yet — darn this whole “employment” and “paycheck” idea.
Just saw it myself. I wouldn’t go so far as “awesome” tho. Somewhere between “allright” and “good”.
Visually, this film is a feast or eyes hungry for such a space epic. JJ did a good job in his direction and conveyance of a more textured, more grity and more believable future of starships. However, as skilled and talented as the guys behind the computers at ILM have proven themselves to be, they have shown light years more skill and talent than the 2 guys behind the computers that penned this script and story.
I found myself getting motion sickness during this film- not because of any shaky cameras or lense flares (which, btw I LOVED)… but because of how many times I found myself rolling my eyes at something stupid. Not to dwell on how many times I uttered “oh please” to myself, but I have to ask: how many times can you finish this sentence?
“Well, it’s a darn lucky thing that….. was there to save him.”
The acting was o.k. Saldana, Quinto, Urban and Pegg filled the shoes of their predecessors decently. Yelchin, Pine and maybe Cho should be recast.
Not to let JJ completely off the hook either… I didn’t care for the art design in this flick. Some of it was o.k., but I wouldn’t expect starships to be run by steampipes and boilers with large hand valves. Oh- and I guess starfleet likes its chrome.
At best, this was a fun little popcorn flick… not really to be taken all that serious. Will I get the DVD? Perhaps. Or maybe I’ll wait patiently (easily) for a Directors cut that restores cut footage in hopes that things won’t be as lame. Maybe this reboot needs a reboot.
3 out of 5 stars.
Hey, what was it exactly that Nimoy mumbled at the end as he was watching Kirk’s accomodation at the academy? Something like “thrusters ahead” or something like that?
I thought they could have come up with something more profound for him to say… but the crowd was so wild I couldn’t hear much dialogue in the movie anyway. (BTW, IMAX Indianapolis South Side sold out last night 10PM – a very enthusiastic crowd.)
Reunification one step closer now?
Sorry, I mean commendation.
507. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
While we’re picking on grammar, an ellipses consists of three dots. Not four, not two, not sixteen.
“it’s just an extra ‘N’…” Not “it’s just an extra ‘N’….
lol ;-)
I couldn’t possibly read all the posts, so I just want to say this:
I saw it last night in IMAX at 7pm. I went in with very high expectations and they were surpassed! It was truly awesome and I’m probably going to see it again tomorrow. Then, at least once more before it comes out on DVD.
While we wait for the BO numbers (I believe they should be out at any minute), I’ve seen virtually nothing but praise for it on Twitter (and it’s getting about 70 to 80 tweets a minute too)
As a diehard canon trekkie I am saying NO! No more TNG movies, no DS9 movie, no Voyager movie, it would have been nice but their time has come and gone. TV movie sure, motion picture NO! I want to see more of this crew and not tarnish it with trying to tie it into TNG.
@ 491 Orci never said they would literally be explained word for word he said they are explained by the alternate timeline. The movie is not going to discuses every little choice Starfleet command made because of certain circumstances, everyone should graciously accept this movie.
@ 456 you and many others are soooo bloody cynical. This movie IS STAR TREK!!!! It’s not for teenagers just because you don’t like the new style? I loved this movie and I am 26 so I guess I am a teenager? How do you justify what your saying? As Spock would say you are highly illogical. Do you always eat the same food at the same restaurant? Give me a break. I was born in 83, I am 26 and I grew up with TNG and TOS reruns, as a teenager I had DS9, Voyager, in my early 20’s I had Enterprise, not to mention 10….now 11 movies! I was privileged to have had so many versions of Star Trek growing up and influencing me. I know enough about star trek (as I am sure you do) to have to right to say that this is Star Trek. Anyone else complaining…its just upsetting and you do it for the sake of argument, which just further alienates you and pushes you into the typical stereotype of geeks and nerds who cant, accept something COOL! Its like you want to find flaws and ways to put it down, and long as people complain and cry about it, the Trekkie stereotype will always be true, luckily there are some of us who can take a leap of faith with regards to something radically different and say “Yes I like it, yes this is Star Trek.” You know when its not Star Trek?…is when Sulu holds a light saber, Spock uses the force, and the Enterprise can make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs…otherwise this IS STAR TREK, no if ands or buts about it, its canon and it will sit proudly on the shelf with the other Star Trek movie and TV series.
Fans of Star Trek should be proud!
Im not sure if this is one of the best Trek movies so far. I saw it last night and thought the film seemed kind of klunky. It reminded me of kids in space like young people made this film. It wasn’t taylored in presentation like the older original Trek movies were. I still liked the film and will see it again to make sure it just wasn’t a first viewing thing.
@ 513. richpit HELL YEA!!!
Its funny too…it was out a while ago but I just bough the Original Series season 1 on blu-ray, I just had too. I am debating about the movies on blu-ray, I really want the Directors cuts, better yet..UN CUT!!!!!
#507 – While we’re picking on grammar
Please don’t pick on Kelsey Grammar. Captain Bateson (sp) has been removed from the new time line. :)
Well that’s interesting, we have Thursday numbers of just about everything BUT Star Trek now:
http://www.showbizdata.com/dailybox.cfm
Wolverine is now over $100 million in any case (no shock as it was at $99 million after yesterday)
In relation to the whole cannon issue. This film is now cannon so get used to it. Any film that is called Star Trek is now part of the cannon.
SPOILER ALERT! DON’T READ ANY FURTHER, IF YOU WANT NOT TO BE SPOILED!
First 20 minutes good. All Kelvin-stuff are outstanding great, the very best I’ve ever seen in Star Trek – movie or tv! It has the far best special effects from the entire movie and the Kelvin-scenes created very effective and on a very touching way drama, action and suspense.
I also liked all the child-stuff with Kirk and Spock. The Academy-things was for most parts good, but I thought Kirk’s behaviour during the Kobayashi Maru was ridiculous. Everyone could have seen that he had done something with the test and no one do something? But I like the apple-eating and at least it seems the designers have done the K’t'inga-Class Cruisers right.
But IMO the movie went down after the battle on the rig. The movie was really great (Kelvin) to good (Kirk’s youth. barfight, academy, Vulcan-emergency-call). But after the battle on the rig (the only bigger action-sequenze in the movie) it lost everything. Speed, action, drama, suspense and credibility:
Killing Amanda was lame and make me angry – and I don’t blame Nero for that (except he wrote that part of the screenplay). Beside that, Amanda had only few minutes screentime and only one scene before her death. Not enough to warm up with her and feel the loss left by her death.
Destroying Vulcan was far too easy and too fast. There was no visible battle (the Enterprise just get hit two times if I count it right), no big drama (except for 20 seconds in the caves). If JJ and Company should have invested a bigger part from the 140 mil. $ budget, it should have been invested here. They destroyed Vulcan during five minutes and that with bad physiks as well. I just thought blackholes would not only suck up all matter and engery, but also influencing time and gravity as well. Nothing of that was shown. The closer the Enterprise is to Vulcan the more time it should have to evacuate the inhabitants. Beside that: What happend with the huge Vulcan starfleet from the Enterprise-era? Are there no fast ships or shuttles on Vulcan? There really life only some 10000 Vulcans on the colonies?
But okay, it’s an alternate universe and if this kind of Redmatter-blackhole works the same way as with the Jellyfish and the Narada, Vulcan is now present in an alternate universe. In this universe there are two Vulcans now. Man, that are happy people there.
The iceplanet-stuff (BTW, Delta-Vega is now a planet not any longer far from earth, but even in the same star-system with Vulcan. You can see Vulcan’s destruction in the sky! My guess is, the computer from the escape pod is confused after the crash) ist stuipid at all and the two monsters remind me much from Episode 1. I waited for a third monster, bigger than the other two, who saves Kirk by accident, but it was Spock-Prime with nothing more than a torch!
It was nice to see Nimoy again and to learn more from old Spock and the fate of Romulus and why Nero attacks everyone. But I thought his “Friend”-comment don’t fit for the situation. The meeting with Scotty was insane and again stuipid. It don’t bought that.
So, we come to the climax. The idea of hiding in Titan’s cloud I can’t understand. How does little Checkov know, the sensors from the Narada won’t pick them up? Is he a 24th century engineer or has he the force? And what cames after that? A gunfight, so fast, that you hardly could make out who is shooting on who. Then finally the confrontion with Nero. 30 seconds. Not longer, no dialog-battle between the heros like with Kahn or General Chang, not even a good fight. The great jellyfish-show was the final, not very spectacular and the Enterprise played just an asisting role in that battle. Bah! Lame! After the Narada is in trouble, destroyed and trapped in a black hole, Kirk offers Nero help. Of course Nero has to refuse. But instead of still rescuing the doomed Romulans (and they feared death, try to run for their lives, esception: Nero) Kirk order to fire on the trapped, damaged, armless Narada. As far as I understand that, this was murder. The last few moments of the movie don’t need to be commented. They were unspectacular and boring as everything else that came after the rig-fight.
ABOUT THE CHARACTERS:
KIRK: Chris Pine played a good Han-Solo-style Kirk. He was okay, but not outstanding.
SPOCK: Quinto’s Spock was a character I canÄt warm up with. I thought his problems with his human part was good, but I don’t like the romance with Uhura. That feels not right. To much Sylar in some scenes, to few Spock.
BONES: Urban’s Dr. McCoy is the only character, that was nailed down right. Every comment from him fits perfect with the character. Sad that Bones hat lesser screentime than Uhura. Urban was far the best man on the screen.
UHURA: I found Saldana’s Uhura too aggressiv and partly too arrogant. She don’t mirrored Nichelle Nichols’ Uhura in one single scene. I really don’t like how this character was portrayed.
SULU: Good. I like him, nothing to complain. But I think it was stuipid that he can’t bring the ship up to warp speed. Man, what a lame joke!
CHEKOV: Oh my god, how much I shrinkend in my seat, when Pavel Chekov opend his mouth. I haven’t understand half the words. Jedi-Chekov (for his 24th century insights) was a lousy character, a young joke but nothing near the old Chekov. Transfer him into another department, but away from the bridge.
SCOTTY: A running joke, allways good to make a joke out of him. Nothing like the allways looking concerend and very serious and very competend Scotty. This Scotty was insane, a madman if you ask me.
PIKE: Pike was good, remind me a bit of Picard. Happy that he survived the movie.
NERO: Not to say much about him. I thought he was a good combination of Dr. Soran, Shinzon and a little bit of Khan. A weak villain IMO with just 10 minutes of screentime. Sad, because Eric Bana is a real great actor – if you give him time to show it.
OTHER CHARACTERS: I don’t like the members of the Vulcan-council and I also don’t like the members of the Starfleet Academy-hearing. Gaila, the hot Orion slave girl was an absolute waste of time. Not even funny. Ayel was a weak and useless henchman. But Sarek was really great. Ben Cross nailed the essence of his character right.
ABOUT THE INTERIOR:
BRIDGE AND TRANSPORTER-ROOM: I really had difficulties to seperate the two rooms first. The design of the bridge is very confusing. Thank of the never-resting camera and it’s quick moves, I way barly able to make out the exact positions of the crewmembers.
ENGINEERING: The most worst set ever in Star Trek. Pipes everywhere, wheels everywhere and five warpcores that look like big tanks full with beer. No, no, no! Please never do that again, JJ!
NARADA INTERIOR: Shinzon’s Scimitar Mk. 2. Many empty places, plattforms with no visible purpose. Bad!
JELLYFISH INTERIOR: Very futuristic and I rellay liked the big red ball (ahh… redmattter of course). A great set, better that anything aboard the Enterprise or the Narada. But I think it would have been nice to use the LCARS-system from TNG in the interior to make clear from what universe the Jellyfish really is.
KELVIN-INTERIOR: Looks good, bridge far better than the one aboard the Enterprise. But I don’t get behind the sense of this plastic-curtains aboard the shuttle…
conclusion: Better as Nemesis, the worst one. Perhaps as “good” as Generations. I give it 5 out of 10, because I reallly liked the first minutes. But for the moment, I haven’t any desire to see it a second time.
522. Josh – May 8, 2009
“Wolverine is now over $100 million in any case”
Proof that people will go see almost anything. Wolverine is one bad movie.
I think ST will beat it at the box office.
# 524
Perhaps I should have posted that in the review-section…
#524 Oh dear
Got my IMAX tickets for tonight. After all these years . . . . . .
#328:
a.) so, Nero just happens to travel back to the day kirk is born and The Kelvin just happens to be around the area that Nero is in. Kirk’s dad just happens to be the one killed on The Kelvin. illogical!
– Nero did not plan on traveling through time; Kelvin went to investigate lightning storm.
b.) so, Alternate time-line Kirk just happens to meet all the same people who are the same main as the TOS kirk did. illogical!
– Why?
c.) So, Kirk just happens to be kick out of the enterprise on the same planet that old spock was on. illogical!
– They WERE in the vicinity of Vulcan (as was Spock Prime).
d.) In TOS Time-Line, Spock did not make or take the Kobayashi Maru test. In the Alternate time-line Spock makes the Kobayashi Maru test, but it is still named Kobayashi Maru test and is still the same test. Then Alternate Kirk cheats on it just like TOS kirk. illogical!
- TWOK established that Spock never took the test; NEVER said he didn’t invent it.
328, 529 – actually they didn’t even say Spock made the test in the movie. I believe they just said that Spock “maintained” or whatever the test for the past 4 years. My impression is that Spock was in charge of administering the test, making changes to it when necessary during that time.
512. 750 Mang
OMG! I wasn’t expecting the Spanish Inquisition!
(Enter Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones.)
Spelling and grammar police aren’t canon, either!
When is the trailer for Star Trek 12 coming out :)
532 – I hope Abrams pulls out the Gorn and Tholians for ST12
I have been reading fan comments on IMDB, CNN and Fandago and people love this movie. What is so amazing is, how many folks start out with ‘I hate Star Trek or I am not a Sci-Fi fan and I loved this movie”. I am so excited that this movie is a success and that Star Trek is back. This movie will break 100 mil. Between the non trek fans and all those that watch it again, the numbers will have Paramount Dancing in the streets.
I hope they bring Bruce Greenwood back as Pike. He was brilliant in that role and I would love for him to have a bigger part in the next film. Gosh, I love saying that…”the next film”.
I’ve already seen it twice and will be seeing it again with my Mother and Brother on Mother’s Day and then again the following day on IMAX! :)
#490—”Where is Closettrekker? I’m eager to hear his take…”
I’m here, but I won’t see it for the first time until 6:45pm tonight. I would have went to a late showing on Thursday if there had been one in my neighborhood, but driving into the city last night (school night for the kids) would have been a bit much.
I’m seeing it tonight at Katy Mills, and probably Sunday afternoon at the Edwards IMAX.
In case anyone is interested, here’s a link to a review from CNN.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/08/review.star.trek/index.html
510 “Yelchin, Pine and maybe Cho should be recast.”
Wow. I’ve heard criticism of Yelchin, and to a lesser extent Cho, but Chris Pine?
I thought Pine was great, and I would hope that most folks on here agree.
Did anyone posting here go to the IMAX showing last night in NYC at 65th street? I’m going to the 11pm showing tonight. Do I need to get in line sooner than an hour before to get a good seat. Thanks for your help.
I have just come back from having seen it in Staines, here in the UK… I have to say… SUPERB.. I have loved every form of Startrek, yes including Enterprise… and I loved it.. This film does not do “away” with everything that has happened, it continues the adventure..
People who hate this, quite honestly would never be pleased, no matter what the story.
A fantastic film, a triumph.. I laughed, and yes I cried…. a LOT!
SWEET JESUS
Not 24 hours after Spock made me cry by reciting one of Star Trek’s most emotional lines, and the haters, “make the next one about the tribbles”, and the “they shouldas” have just flooded this post.
531. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
LO… L!
531. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
“OMG! I wasn’t expecting the Spanish Inquisition!
(Enter Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones.)”
There really should be a comma after Terry Gilliam.
And another one from MSNBC, whom I normally disdain:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30586786/
#541 I agree… having just come back from seeing it.. it guts me to see the hatters posting their BILE on here…
So awesome!
I feel like there’s a warp-core breach in my mouth, and everybody’s invited!
#532
You can watch ST12 teaser here
http://trekkie.pl/index.php/2009/03/31/bedzie-sequel-again-with-the-klingons/
I loved the movie. I’m going to see it again.
I didn’t like Chekov or numb tongue.
That’s it.
I hate feeling empty when I come out of a movie. This was NOT the case with Star Trek. It was a fast thrill-ride with romance, comedy, suspence, drama, action, and a sense of scope rarely seen in movies today.
I got misty-eyed during the opening, then was overwhelmed with Giachinno’s music during the main title. Forget that this was a Star Trek film. It was a GREAT film. Period.
My favorite scene was the David Lean-like crane shot of people running out of the Academy – revealing the scope of the Golden Gate Bridge and 23rd century San Francisco.
I left any problems I might have with plot and science at the door. I wanted to be entertained; indeed, it surpassed my expectations. The packed IMAX theater resounded with laughter and applause, and I am very proud of Paramount’s and J.J.’s efforts.
I look forward to seeing Trek a few more times. I hope the general public will give it a chance. And to the Trek fans who hate the film, I should think you would be grateful that the chance for more films and T.V. series has increased greatly.
My one regret – I didn’t have anyone to take with me.
Okay, after many posts defending the film, I have to admit, I have one gripe.
The whole giant hands thing was dumb and completely out of place in what should be a dramatic moment.
What the haters don’t know is that this website secretly doubles as a Star Trek fan opinion tracker.
Paramount & CBS now know who the fans are that nitpick and hate everything (which studies show, stems from deep self-loathing) and they will be issuing excommunication letters to these individuals, notifying them that they are no longer welcome in the church of Star Trek.
They will no longer be given admittance to Star Trek conventions or the upcoming Star Trek Experience II, in Las Vegas, they won’t be allowed to purchase any new Star Trek DVD’s, action figures or any other merchandise until they REPENT their heinous words of distraction and defamation at this time of great victory for our much beloved franchise…for it has risen from the dead, this day! And our hopes of the future of Star Trek have been reborn.
OK, that’s enough.
For me.. the large hands, numb tounge moment.. was what Startrek is best at.. injecting humor into serious moments…and helping it to carry through the humility of the scenarios
552. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
“They will no longer be given admittance to Star Trek conventions or the upcoming Star Trek Experience II, in Las Vegas, they won’t be allowed to purchase any new Star Trek DVD’s, action figures or any other merchandise until they REPENT”
Or until they open their wallet.
I think there should be a rule when posting comments on this site (especially when people are being critical of the writing on this film).
Here it is:
If people are going to post a long review/opinion about the writing of a particular story they MUST use spell check and review their grammar before posting. It’s really hard to appreciate a critical review/opinion from someone when they themselves can’t write one coherent sentence.
“It dont’ mayk sinse!”
555. Chain of Command – May 8, 2009
I second.
**MAJOR SPOILERS**
Jay El Jays honest review of the new Star Trek
Last night at 11:30pm myself (21) my mate (20) and my other mate (30) all sat in a packed northern English IMAX cinema to watch STAR TREK: The IMAX Experience. It was an incredible experience with the screen being so large you felt you were inside the movie and the sound so loud it shook our seats, the popcorn was sweet and my Fanta was fizzy and surupy, everything was set up for an immense experience. Soon the girl gave an announcement and ended with “Live long and prosper” and we were off, the film began and I settled into my seat prepared to be blown away… and for a while I was…. but only for a while.
I understand that the three of us are fairly young in comparison to the average TOS fan and to be perfectly honest all three of us were more TNG, VOY, DS9 and ENT fans with one of my mates (21) not really a big fan, but more of a casual viewer, but myself and my older mate do love Kirk Spock and the gang and have seen all the best TOS episodes and all of the TOS films, but nevertheless we emerged from the viewing feeling abit conned to be perfectly honest. Let me break it down into subheadings:
The look:
As a film and a spectacle, Star Trek is awesome, the cgi is amazing and the camera style worked really well. The beginning of the movie was as a review in the Guardian stated: “Better than the last three Star Wars films put together”, (but lets be brutally honest, this isn’t hard) The Kelvin looked (inside and out) like a proper old Star Trek federation vessel and the Narada was perfectly menacing and the camera angles gave an amazing look at just how differently sized the 2 ships are, very reminicent of the Scimitar and the Ent-E in Nemesis. The battle between the two ships was amazing and shot really well, it was incredibly modern and very realistic (I particularly loved the shot outside the Kelvin where the sound cuts out and we just see floating bodies and debris) Another plus were the transporter sound and effect and the AMAZING new warp effect!
The various other scenes throughout the movie follow this trend of being extremely modern and realistic, you feel asthough it could actually happen and as JJ said, it feels tangible and you get to see some of the workings that have never really been shown before. However, I cant help feeling that alot of the movie is all style and very little substance.
The Crew:
Kirk:
Chris Pine is a very talented actor and definately has the look and subtle mannerisms of Kirk, but in my honest opinion, he is not Kirk, and this is mostly down to the script, which I have to say was one of the poorest things this movie had to offer. (No offense to Mr Orci, I’m sure I could not have done a better job, but its just my opinion)
Rating: 7/10
Spock:
Spock was great, but not the best character. Quinto pulls the characters battle with emotion off well enough (if not a little wooden) He was difinately ‘Spock’ but it did feel a little forced, and I am confident that Mr Quinto will really stand out as one of the better performers in Star Trek 12.
Rating: 8/10
McCoy:
By far the best character. Urban is McCoy and there can be no argument there, every scene we see McCoy in, he steals the scene, and it was so nice to see Deforest Kelley so perfectly incarnated without feeling like a skit.
Rating: 10/10
Scotty:
Scotty was ok, but seriously underused. The accent was very questionable and his scene in the Engine room where he delivers “Im givin all shes got!!” felt really forced and just thrown in there for the fans. Mr Orci… Can we please also kill the little sidekick??
Rating: 5/10
Uhura:
Uhura was a big surprise and I really loved her as a character, definately nice to see an underused character in the original series get a little more purpose in this movie. But I cant get over the love affair with Spock… what about Scotty??
Rating: 8/10
Sulu:
Not alot to say about Sulu, except he was NOT Sulu, except for when he is using he fencing skills on the platform. On the bridge, that is NOT sulu, why would Sulu leave the handbrake on?? Lame.
Rating: 3/10
Checkov:
The worst of the bunch, the accent was rubbish and he didn’t appear very Checkovy IMO.
Rating: 1/10
Spock Prime:
Nimoy demonstrated his supreme class again with another great performance. It was emotional and great to see him back for prehaps the last time.
Rating: 9/10
Pike:
Another great character and very true to the original. He acted as a father figure and a true captain of the Enterprise.
Rating: 8/10
Robau:
Badass and underused!
Rating: 9/10
Nero:
People often say “leave the best till last” hahaha not in this case. Nero is the worst villain in the history of Star Trek, he makes Sybok, Vger and even Shinzon look “Badass”. He is extremely 1 dimensional and only made me “fear his wrath” when he impaled Robau…
Rating: 1/10
Overall:
a good effort, but it didnt feel like star trek, instead it felt like a very good film, with a star trek tag. I was most annoyed with how pointless Nero was in the film and he definately needed to be utilised more. I also felt that Nero was a little bit too much like Shinzon for my liking, and in many ways Shinzon was scarier!
The whole film felt like a big build up to the next film, a film that I will definately go and see to see whether the kinks have been rolled out and to see how the characters have developed.
Although it appears that I have slated the film and the characters, I must congratulate JJ and co for one thing, and that is that they had the balls to take this leap and make Star Trek cool, ive found that alot of non star trek fans have really loved this reboot and hopefully the next two movies wont seem like hopefull punts to try and get people on board and I wish the team very good luck with that.
Overall, I give Star Trek 6/10 it was a good effort but certainly not your fathers star trek, a star trek we all love.
**End of Spoilers**
I’m gutted! I was supposed to go and see it tonight, but I’ve got the shits and can’t leave the house!!! My housemate is going to see it instead, can’t wait to hear what he thinks about it!!!!!
556. 750 Mang – May 8, 2009
555. Chain of Command – May 8, 2009
I second.
This, coming from one of the critics, mind you.
~557.. Fair enough comment, but just goes to show how opinion is subjective.. for me.. this film was very much Startrek, from start to finish..
PS… I thought Checkov was great… played the part spot on.. for me, I could not fault any of the casting.
558. Uncle Peter – May 8, 2009
I’m gutted! I was supposed to go and see it tonight, but I’ve got the shits and can’t leave the house!!!
Dude, have someone get you some Imodium AD!
It was such a mad 10 that I went to see it again! That’s right, Paramount has my $20.50 for the 7 and 9:30 p.m. showings last night, and the movie was worth every last slip of latinum. This is a huge triumph for the great J.J. Abrams and company. Spot-on casting, excellent performances, kickin’ VFX, imaginative production designs … an instantly lovable classic. Star Trek 2009 is everything TMP should have been in 1979, and then some. I’ll have a lot more praise to heap on this kick-ass flick … please check out:
lordedzo.blogspot.com
562. thenewk2 – May 8, 2009
Mate, don’t you think I’ve tried that! I even considered wearing a diaper so I could watch the movie (er, actually, only kidding but you know what I mean!!!!!!)
564. Uncle Peter – May 8, 2009
Mate, don’t you think I’ve tried that! I even considered wearing a diaper so I could watch the movie (er, actually, only kidding but you know what I mean!!!!!!)
How about a cork?
562 – Maybe you’re having some Pre-Star Trek movie intestinal anxiety?? But yea, you should wait. The movie is so good, you’ll definitely crap your pants! I know I did (well, just a ‘lil bit came out). LOL, kidding.
Great Movie, better than I was expecting it to be. It gave me goosebumps everytime I saw the dear ol’ enterprise.
—-*SPOILERS*—-
The sad thing was Vulcan destruction, I can’t swallow that yet. If it is part to a sequel then yes, no problem, just like Wrath of Khan to Search of Spock. I just hope to hear a sequel soon or I’ll suffer eternally for Vulcan!
Vulcan!! please Come Back!!!!!! Tuvok… nooo… Voyager needs you!
Please… I want Vulcan!
I am loving the various, varied and intelligent posts. Many have said, “Don’t have time to read them all.” Make the time, definitely worth it.
Also, would love to see a new post for the easter-eggs, in-jokes, cameos, etc. Anthony, can you set that up? Where was Cawley, did anyone else recognize Greg on the car phone, etc…
Newsarama says Star Trek made $7 million Thursday night:
http://www.newsarama.com/film/090508-star-trek-box-office.html
That means my guess is that we’re looking at between about $55 and $70 million for the weekend, probably.
555: Amen! We all make little spelling errors (canon, anyone?) but when an interesting post has multiplelll issuues it MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT!!!!!!!!! for everyone to read it and then we? get frusttrated and don’tt read your words so please use good grammar and spell check.
So say we all!
May I also say again:
Anthony: THANK YOU.
Look at how many EXCLUSIVES this site got from TPTB, how many interviews, clips, etc. THIS was the site to watch.
Well done Sir!
Also, would love to see a new post for the easter-eggs, in-jokes, cameos, etc. Anthony, can you set that up? Where was Cawley, did anyone else recognize Greg on the car phone, etc…
402
You just don’t get it. Also try actually spelling the character’s name right. If you’re a real fan you would be able to.
good movie…not so sure i like where it fits in the universe
POSSIBLE SPOILERS
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Maybe it’s the cynic in me, but part of me thinks that JJ and company made the alternate universe so they can make sequels and make more money. Personally I think I’m stuck in a causality loop…if “we” know that Nero came back bc Romulus was destroyed by a supernova Spock will be able to prevent it thereby preventing Nero from going back into time and wreaking havoc on the timeline which then causes romulus to be destroyed and the timeline to be altered. Which means it’s not a parallel, alternate universe but our own universe has been ruined. Everything that followed, that we knew and loved will never happen the way it happened because things have been changed…
And really, isn’t anyone from the 24th century going to start wondering where Ambassador Spock went?
565. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
Crap, I never thought of that! But wouldn’t I kind of like balloon-up if all the erm, ’stuff’ couldn’t evacuate? Would probably be in the newspapers!
“Man at Star Trek premiere explodes and sprays movie-watchers with shit!!!!!’
Lol……
575. Uncle Peter – May 8, 2009
LOL!!!
It would be historic!
To everyone nit-picking the #### out of this movie, just repeat to yourself “It’s just a show, I should really just relax…”
574: Well said.
One of the most interesting points is that the original time line is preserved. But how? I read the article here by Bob orci about quantum mechanics, but in a all previous trek cases, someone goes back in time changes THE timeline and it needs to be fixed:
1-CIty/Forever
2-DS9 episode with Gabrial Bell
3-Ent Shockwave
4- yesterday’s Enterprise
5-St8 (First Contact)
6-Generations (prevent destruction of star)
1/2 the episodes of Voyager.
The new movie seems to take its cue from ST;TNG Parallels” and I’m fine with that.
I GET that it’s a movie, I get it’s not real but given the love of Trek would have liked a line of dialogue that said Original time line still existed and this was an alternate universe, but I can live with it.
577. Tom S. – May 8, 2009
“It’s just a show, I should really just relax…”
Good MST3K reference!
But MST3K isn’t canon!
545: I agree… having just come back from seeing it.. it guts me to see the hatters posting their BILE on here”
Really?
I’ve seen nobody peddling hats or stomach acid around here.
Someone way up there had mentioned Scotty being reduced to comic relief in this film. Which I agree. I was waiting for Pegg to show his worth. His role had pretty much been reduced to a clown. Even his formula had to be double checked and initiated by Spock.
Anyway, if his function was to ease the tension then there was such a missed opportunity when Scotty beamed everyone back to the ship during the climax. He yelled out something about beaming three people from 2 locations. Why the hell did the man not also declare “I think that calls for a drink!” Come on guys! A little tip of the cap to the engineer’s not so secret alcoholism would have been nice!
576. thenewK2 – May 8, 2009
It would be historic, but messy; I would pity the clean-up crew, lol!!!!
Nah, I’ll let my mate have my ticket and he can give me a review when he gets home. I’m a (mature) student at a UK university, and the whole college is buzzin’ with Star Trek; even 18 year-olds who don’t remember the 60’s Star Trek are totally hyped about this movie.
If it gets a new generation in to ‘Trek, it’s fine by me!!!!
Lost toys were amazing.
Been pretty hard to read this site and avoid the spoilers. When I see the posts that look like Papal Encyclicals (i.e. “really long”, for you non-Catholics) I scroll down!
Never thought I’d have this feeling of anticipation for a Trek movie again. That alone is a nice gift. It is the Big 80’s again! Can. Not. Wait.
Question for those of you who have seen it: How unsuitable is the content for a young child? It has a PG-13 rating, so I am wondering if there are disturbingly frightening images, or is it just cartoony space violence. For instance, I would never let my 5 1/2 year old son see Khan yet, because of the Ceti eels scene. He really wants to see Trek, and he has seen the Star Wars movies (the original three).
Saw it last night in Imax.
Make no mistake…
Star Trek is back… and better than ever.
That is all.
I thought Chekov was great!! I guess im one of the few. He seemed to get LOT of laughs at the IMAX I attended. Great movie!
@328
–Two: The new film is highly illogical.
–a.) so, Nero just happens to travel back to the day kirk is born and The –Kelvin just happens to be around the area that Nero is in. Kirk’s dad just –happens to be the one killed on The Kelvin. illogical!
I think you are mixing up the words “illogical” and “improbable.” It is improbable that sequence of events took place as it did, but it is not impossible, nor illogical. On the contrary, it is quite logical that Kirk was killed on the Kelvin… He was the acting captain, and he did what he needed to to save the lives of everyone else, like a captain does.
–b.) so, Alternate time-line Kirk just happens to meet all the same people –who are the same main as the TOS kirk did. illogical!
Again, logic and probability are two different things. Logically, he could have met those people just as easy, if not easier, at the academy than in space. The probability of doing so however is up to speculation, however. Logically, it is sound.
–c.) So, Kirk just happens to be kick out of the enterprise on the same –planet that old spock was on. illogical!
Improbable and unlikely, but not illogical. What I found as illogical was that the monster was scared of a little fire on a stick waved by Spock. But, that was the only part of that sequence I found slightly illogical. There are many, many improbabilities in this film, but they all *could* happen, and they obviously did.
–d.) In TOS Time-Line, Spock did not make or take the Kobayashi Maru –test. In the Alternate time-line Spock makes the Kobayashi Maru test, –but it is still named Kobayashi Maru test and is still the same test. Then –Alternate Kirk cheats on it just like TOS kirk. illogical!
In the original timeline, Jim Kirk is still named Jim Kirk. In the original timeline, McCoy has a nickname Bones. There are more, but the point I am trying to make is that, even though it is an alternate timeline, not everything has to be different. Spock was an excellent computer programmer according to TOS, so why is it illogical that he programmed the Kobayashi Maru test in this timeline? So what if it’s still named the Kobayashi Maru test? Jim Kirk is still Jim Kirk, that didn’t change… And he’s quite the same person in the alternate timeline that he is in the original, so how is it illogical that his actions would be the same in that situation…?
You are mixing up logic and probability. None of those things are illogical, in fact, most are quite logical. They are, however, improbable. I seem to remember a line… What was it… Oh yea… “When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Also, you have the Vulcan philosophy of IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations); logically, anything could have happened at any one of those events to give us a different outcome (some would theorize that they did happen, each causing it’s own separate timeline, making an infinite number of timelines as well, but I digress…), we just saw one “scenario” being played out.
And I’ve gone on too much :P I plan on seeing the movie again either tonight or tomorrow, this time just sit back and enjoy it, not really trying to look at every little detail and pick it apart and compare it to my vision of what it should be and what I had build up in my mind from the reviews. I’ll watch it for what it is: Star Trek.
Anthony, this is the best fan site since Gray Charles.
#496: “Grammar is important.”
Yes. It is.
When I read a review, be it professional or otherwise, my faith in their opinions is woefully shaken when the grammar, spelling or facts are incorrect or suspect.
I look for an informed and enlightened opinion. Let me give you an example. Yesterday, I read a professional review and the article called the Romulan Nero ‘Nemo.’ Okay, okay, so I have to ask what movie was he watching? “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” or “Finding Nemo” perhaps?
My interest in the review then went from 10 to zero, just based on that error.
#543: “There really should be a comma after Terry Gilliam.”
Not necessarily. If a writer uses a sequence it is not improper to drop the last comma… IF that writer is consistent in that style throughout their document. It is only incorrect if the writer switches back and forth.
That’s it for my lesson today… (grin)
#531: “Spelling and grammar police aren’t canon, either!”
Perhaps not.
Call me a snob, but if you want us, the reader, to take you seriously, please take the time to get it right. Believe me, I expect others to hold me to the same standard–and I don’t claim perfection myself as I am guilty of typos on occasion.
As to my noting the error on ‘canon vs. cannon.’ This has been an issue brought up (by me and others as well) almost since day one when Anthony erected this great site so I have to ask why does it still keep happening?
But I digress… back to your comments on the movie… everyone has their opinion and I enjoy reading them–whether I agree with you or not… best of all, I enjoy it when someone raises a point I hadn’t considered.
It’s a hit! I’m a lifelong Star Trek fan going back to the classic original series of the 60’s and I’m very happy with this movie, looking forward to the next one and more I hope, plus a new t.v. series with these actors? ( And hopefully a chance to bring Kirk, Mr. Shatner, back? Anyway, fantastic movie!!! I’m going back to see it again and also want the DVD!!!
524. CaptainRickover…
The worst grammar ever.
557 – Fair comment, I for one and the majority loved it and give it 10/10, I know we disagree on Chekov and loved his accent and his take on the character. You forgot to grade George Kirk, Kirks mom, Spocks father/mom and the red shirt guy. This movie is not about the Kelvin’s captain, it’s about the enterprise crew and how they came together. Nero was simply a device used to move the plot forward and give reason for the crew to come together despite the change in the time line. Pity you failed to see the film for the sheer joy of being a roller coaster ride. I know I want to see this again, cheers. BTW don’t drink coke and eat popcorn, I had to run to the washroom and release 5mins worth of liquid and missed 5mins of the film spoiler (when pike was tied down on the Narada to when I returned Kirk being on the ice planet…)
#588: “opinions is”
oops… and to prove my point
should have read …opinions are…
wiping egg off my face (grin)
I wonder if we will see “Giant Kirk Hands” for sale in Walmart and Toys R Us, that kids can wear? :)
This film melts faces.
”Bones!”
502. 750 Mang – May 8, 2009
496. Josh – May 8, 2009
“I guess it’s something to ask the next time he [Bob Orci] pops in.”
You’ll have to do it. Orci thinks I’m a prick.
_______
I don’t think anyone one who cares enough to post about Trek is a P%!@K.
The clues are in there… beginning with the Kelvin salt shaker in the diner.
It just struck me that they were sitting at the transporter controls, not standing. Which I’m fine with, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this become a minor controversy.
BOB – Thanks for dropping by. Amazing job!!!!!!!! I saw it a second time and realized how much I missed the first time. You really put alot of thought into every detail of the movie. I am so happy the fans love this movie. You should be very proud of the job you and the rest of the team did.
596. boborci – May 8, 2009
LOL! Get to know me!
Nice job on the movie. I had a great time.
LL&P
Bob,
Great job!
By the way do you have any thoughts on J.J.’s comment to Anthony that Shatner in the sequel is a possibility?
588. MC1 Doug – May 8, 2009
“Call me a snob”
Sounds like you did that yourself, already.
I guess all the info that Anthony and all the other contributing writers on this site, over the years, have really been a big disappointment to you, because I can go back and read just about any article or interview that has been posted on this site and find typos and errors in grammar, put there by the editors and webmasters of this site. IMost people just go around them and don’t think they are a reflection of someone’s credibility or intelligence.
“Yesterday, I read a professional review and the article called the Romulan Nero ‘Nemo.’ Okay, okay, so I have to ask what movie was he watching? “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” or “Finding Nemo” perhaps?”
You’re saying that you honestly didn’t know what movie he was reviewing because of a one letter mistake?
“My interest in the review then went from 10 to zero, just based on that error.”
That’s pretty harsh, man. I’d call that being a snob, alright.
For someone who is a fan of Star Trek, it sounds as if our basic human foibles really discourage you. Mistakes are human. It sounds like you are saying that when you see a mistake, it allows your mind to put another on a lower plane than you? For a typo? That is not very Star Trek-like of you!
It’s hard to believe how many closed minded people, who absolutely cannot accept change, call themselves ‘Star Trek fans’. It’s an oxymoron to be a Star Trek fan and be against change. This must be the stereotype that the media and the culture exploit at the expense of the rest of the “normal” Star Trek fans, to the point that Star Trek almost died…FOR GOOD!
Star Trek is ABOUT change and the future and new possibilities…and yes, about spelling errors and bad grammar. It’s called, humanity. Accept it. Or find something new to fixate and obsess on.
#596 – boborci, I can’t figure the clues out. Tell us, please, what’s the deal with E built in Iowa?
Also, does the Enterprise indeed have *multiple* warp cores and how come the transporters can operate on much larger distances (the Delta Vega-Enterprise beaming thing)
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves…. let’s wait for the weekend numbers before proclaiming the film is a big success (even though we pretty much know that).
AND
For all these postings clamoring for Shatner to appear in the next film… let’s think about this. By the time Star Trek 2.2 goes before the cameras both Shatner and Nimoy will be pushing 80 years old.
I love William Shatner. I do. BUT I do not think it good idea to bring him back unless their is a 100% truly valid reason to do so (and just saying fans want it is NOT a good excuse).
Say we do see Shatner in the next film, do you expect to see him running, jumping or in hand-to-hand combat with someone the likes of Nero?
Let’s face it, William Shatner, if he were to do it, would not be content to taking a bystander role… it’s just not in his nature.
C’mon, let’s let this young new crew take the reins and run with it… and boldly go…
603. MC1 Doug – May 8, 2009
“Say we do see Shatner in the next film, do you expect to see him running, jumping or in hand-to-hand combat with someone the likes of Nero?”
He could take Nero. Just not Malcolm McDowell.
Star Trek is back.
9.5/10
Bob Orci, please write a book on your creative process…
Seen it twice today, boborci you’ve done a great job, i loved and my eight year old daughter loved it (I’m 43 and a Trek fan since i was six or seven).
My biggest gripe is that I’m going to have to wait for two more years for the next one! at least (I hope) that Anthony and his fantastic team will carry on the good work and give me a place to visit many times per day until the next movie is released.
OK, so there’s a few jumps here but I can live with that, what would be interesting would be a longer Directors cut similer to the lord of the rings, it might loose some of the pace but might flesh out some of the plot points that could do with a bit more explanation.
..it would also be cool to find out what happend to Nero during the missing years (Klingons, hint hint).
otherwise 10/10, Trek is back!!!
596 Mr. Orci
Please never stop writing trek movies. No seriously, keep going til your dead. That movie was freakin amazing! And I had some doubts going in. Thank you!!!!
And I laughed my a** off when I heard McCoy’s first impression of Spock, “I like him!” haha you could look around the theatre and figure out who was a trekkie by who lauged!
BOB – I think you should film the next 2 sequels at the same time like Lord of the Rings did. This way, we can see the second movie in 2011 and the third in 2012. Waiting 2 years between movies is painful.
596 (bob orci): The clues are in there… beginning with the Kelvin salt shaker in the diner.
First Bob, THANK YOU!!
This clue is SO obvious:
“OK, The clues are in there… beginning with the Kelvin salt shaker in the diner.”
SALT = NaCl
Or NACELLE!
ALL the answers are in NACELLES MONTHLY!!!!!!!
Seeing it tonight. Hard to believe it’s HERE!
So much to read- all those interviews!
Bob Orci- This purist now knows you guys had it together all along.
(Next time though, nix the barcode scanners;)
I loved the beginning. Loved the sound track, especially now that I imagine pictures to go with it. Especially Labor of Love and Enterprising Young Man. I love that scene with the shuttles escaping the Narada with the sun in the background. Amazing. The beginning was great.
Transwarp beaming though? I almost want to say, why bother with a Starship.
I agree that there are plot holes. On the issue of the Kobayashi Maru, I took Spock’s position to be that of a proctor. For a test like the MCAT, its existed for years but it gets updated every year. I thought Spock’s position was to be in charge of the “updating.”
This is a GREAT film. I loved it. My non-Trekkie girlfriend loved it. We both got teary-eyed in all the same places, laughed together and sat on the edge of our seats together. This is not just a good film. It really is a GREAT film…
Can’t wait to see it again!
Two and half hours to my first screening.
My wait is ‘almost’ over.
Hi Bob!
Seeing it again with family at 9:45 PM EST!
Question for Bob Orci:
Nero is pissed and wants revenge.
Nero destroys Vulcan.
Nero wants to destroy the Federation planets so thet the Romulan Empire will survive and thrive and his wife will live.
But- Red Matter is only found on Vulcan.
Since he blew up Vulcan, his wife will endure the same fate in the future.
Can this issue be resolved?
Hi Everyone:
I have following this site nearly since it came out. I’ve posted a few times, but rather infrequently. So much has been said and written about the movie before its release, and so much is going to be written after it’s release both here and elsewhere. I myself am a long-time ST fan, been watching the episodes since the early 70’s syndication. Believe it or not, I’ve enjoyed each incarnation amongst the TV shows, some more than others. I’ve enjoyed all the movies, I’ve seen each one on opening night since ST:II, and again, as far as enjoyment is concerned, some more than others. I will agree with most of my fellow fans, Nemesis is probably my least favorite. In any case, here are my 2 cents on “Star Trek”. There will probably be a few SPOILERS, so don’t read any further if you haven’t seen it yet.
Overall, I really enjoyed the film and give it a 4 out of 5 stars. It should make buckets of money, and could potentially pass ST:IV as being the biggest box-office maker of the ST films. Personally, whether or not you agree with some of the revisionist things that occurred (more on that later), I feel that for Paramount to continue to consider Star Trek a viable property, it needed a win at the box office, and this film should accomplish that. In fact, I feel I can say with certainty that this film should appeal to both fans and non-fans alike. For the fans, there a lot of great Trek moments in this movie. Kudos to JJ and company for including them! IMHO, Karl Urban’s portrayal of McCoy was SPOT-ON, and he pulled it off without being cheesey or trying to parody the character. It was excellent. I think De would be pleased. I’d heard some criticiism of Simon Pegg’s portrayal of Scotty prior to the film’s released, but again, I feel he did a great job. Definitely not enough screen time for our favorite engineer. Hope to see more of him in the next movie. Pine as Kirk was believable and he did a great job of making the role his own and not Shatnerising it. The last action scene on Nero’s ship, with Kirk and Spock together, definitely vintage Trek! And Scotty pulling a miracle out of his hat to save the day, just awesome! I feel that JJ and company delivered a lot of what fans were looking for with this film.
Now to the things that were a bit troubling to me, but again, these are not things that are enough reason to just pan or dismiss the movie:
The romance between Uhura and Spock: Disagreed with this plot point, but not because of Canon issues, but more along the lines of it being out of character for Spock. Spock was an instructor at the Academy, in his 3rd year as such if I reacall correctly. This means, obviously, that Uhura was one of his students. I do not believe Spock would have become involved with one of his cadets. I realize we are dealing with an alternate reality here, but even in alternate realities, there are some things that just don’t change, and in this movie the changes really are subtle, but the character traits of the characters remain the same. As to that alternate reality, someone posted earlier that they felt the plot was very thin. I don’t think the whole plot was thin, but this idea of the alternate reality could have been better explained by the writers. The thing is, we don’t know why Nero’s coming to the past changed the things that were changed. Consider these points:
Obviously, the destruction of the USS Kelvin wasn’t supposed to happen, George Kirk wasn’t supposed to die, along with all the other crew members, so reality was altered there. But not necessarily enough in my opinion to affect future history: Though he grows up as a rebel, Kirk still goes to the Academy, still excels, still re-program’s the Kobyashi Maru simulation and eventually ends-up on Enterprise, allbeit at a substantially accelerated rate. Spock still is half-human, still rejects the Vulcan Science Academy in favor of Starfleet Academy and still ends up on Enterprise. Nero’s reasons for what he is doing and directing his rage at Spock in particular is pretty thin. If he wants to change the outcome of what happened to Romulus, why not just come back to the past and kill Spock as a child? Or better yet, kill Amanda Grayson? Though, according to Spocks story, either of these would have been pointless, since even if Spock hadn’t become involved, Romulus still would have been destroyed. Please don’t get me wrong, I’m not necessarily trying to make a case for Canon here, or a case against this alternate reality, but for more succinct reasons as to why this alternate reality within Trek now exists.
Throughout movie history, time-travel and the alteration of events after always had a reason. Case-in-point: In First Contact, the Borg travel to the past to assimilate the future. In City on the Edge of Forever, it is McCoy’s prevention of Edith Keeler’s death that changes history and that Kirk and Spock must restore. In Back To the Future II, it was Biff giving the Sports Almanac to himself that altered Marty and Doc’s own timeline. Here in Star Trek, we know that somehow Nero played a role in our beloved character’s future changing ever so slightly, but we’re never told or rather shown just how he does that. IMHO, the placement of Riverside IA as the construction spot of the Enterprise while StarFleet Academy itself was still based in San Francisco was relatively pointless. Not exactly sure why the writers needed to change this Canon point. Why not just place Kirk in San Francisco living with relatives or something and getting into the barfight there? What exactly did Nero do that caused this alteration?
Further, we know the Enterprise was brand-spankin new here, so what happened to Captain Pike’s tour of duty aboard her? We know he was Captain of the Enterprise for at least 5 or more years prior to Kirk’s taking command of the ship, which implies that Enterprise was built much earlier than was depicted here, so again, what exactly did Nero do that caused this change? Even with Nero’s destruction of the Kelvin, this event would not necessarily have changed WHEN the Enterprise herself was built, or for that matter, the location or Pike’s Captaincy for a length of time.
Also, while I totally LOVED seeing Leonard Nimoy don the ears again, the reasons for Spock Prom coming back to the past were not very compelling, and not fleshed out enough. I mean sure, he hoped to prevent Nero’s destruction of Vulcan, but I am still not sure what the destruction of Vulcan had to do with the altering of Trek history as we know it, especially as it relates to Kirk and company. Again, it’s not as if Spock Prime had to travel back to prevent Nero from killing his younger self. Rather, it seems to me that Nero’s primary target should have been earth and StarFleet, rather than his secondary target. Yet again, we’re told that Nero simply was angry with Spock due to his involvement with the destruction of Romulus and wanted to cause him the same pain with the destruction of Vulcan. So while the destruction of Vulcan is done as a result of Nero’s anger and desire for revenge against Spock, I’m still not sure how this advances the Alternate Reality timeline for Kirk and Co.
Certainly the death of George Kirk has apparently prevented several things from happening in the life of James T. Kirk. For example: Kirk obviously never lived on Tarsus IV (or did he?). He obviously will not serve with Captain Garrovick aboard Farragut. It seems that this particular event, where Kirk graduated in the top 5 percent and was promoted to Lt. was completely skipped. However these other things, within the framework of this movie could have happened: Kirk being granted a field commission as an ensign and posted to advanced training aboard the USS Republic. Being promoted to lieutenant junior grade and posted to Starfleet Academy as a student instructor; However it would seem that we are led to believe that these events did not take place. Again, what exactly did Nero do that prevented these things? This is the question I don’t feel the writers fleshed out enough: What does Nero do that changes Trek History to the degree that the filmakers changed it?
The only other nitpick I’ll make is that while it’s great to have the character of Chekov included, it seems to me the closed the age gap between Kirk and chekov a little too much.
In the end though, even though it’s a bit earlier, we really do end up at ALMOST the same place. The gang is on the Enterpise where they’re supposed to to be. Many of the TOS adventures that took place during that time could potentially still take place. Some that probably wouldn’t happen would be say, Balance of Terror, since we already know about the Romulans; Where No Man Has Gone Before, since Gary Mitchell isn’t mentioned, and it doesn’t look like that mission will ever take place. The Menagerie, since Captain Pike didn’t have his encounter with radiation or Talos IV early in his career, but then whose to say? Amok Time probably wouldn’t take place since Vulcan is now destroyed, and presumably T’Pring was among the casualties. But all-in-all, many TOS events could still have occurred in this “alternate reality”.
However, in spite of these difficulties, I still feel it’s a great film, and stands well within the ST Mythos. I will probably go see it another time myself and anxiously await the DVD. From an Action/Adventure standpoint, you can’t go wrong. Have fun and enjoy the movie! Sorry this was so long everyone. I just had a lot to share. I don’t even know if anyone will read down this far, but that’s OK.
The movie was amazing.
I haven’t been this pumped up since First Contact.
It was awesome – cool – emotional – funny – just perfect.
@613 Closettrekker, I really hope you enjoy it, you’ve been the voice of sense and reason on this site for a long time.
I’ve found that my views have often match yours and having seen the movie twice today I really think that you’ll enjoy it.
that said I also really hope that Stanky goes and sees this movie and can allow himself to enjoy it. As you’ve often said, this new time line doesn’t destroy whats come before, it simply allows us to enjoy the ride all over again from a slightly different point of view.
Look forward to your review, enjoy!!
I saw two 47 references: 47 Klingon ships destroyed, and James Kirk on his motorbike went into section 47 to the shuttle for new recruits.
That was absolutely epic. I don’t think the part where Nero is waiting for 25 years is a large plot gap, he was “planning”. Sometimes it takes a while……
If XII is anything like this, we’re in for another treat.
Why are people saying that everything like TNG, etc never happened?
Of course it did, I can’t believe people keep missing the fact that they pretty much stared into the cameras and said “THIS IS AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE”.
Kirk’s entire original series youth and academy backstory were obliterated to bring this ‘Trek’ about. I’m glad Spock Prime exists as a testament to our Kirk.
The bulk of the red matter that was ignited should have sucked in a lot more than just the Narata. And was Earth really left completely unprotected after the destruction of Vulcan?
Nero was a poorly drawn villain. I could understand why he was vengeful against Spock Prime, and why he might be inclined to destroy both of Spock Prime’s homeworlds, but Nero tortured Pike to get information on how to destroy all the worlds of the Federation. Why? We were given no indication that Spock Prime was allied with the Federation when he attempted to save Romulus.
It could be that a lot of the explanations are currently playing on the cutting room floor. Overall I liked the movie, especially the characters, but some stuff didn’t make a lot of sense.
OPEN LETTER TO J.J. ABRAMS, ROBERTO ORCI, ALEX KURTZMAN and DAMN LINDLOFF
I saw your “Star Trek” movie today.
Brilliant at times, strangely piece-mealed together at other times. All-in-all, it was a phenomenal effort which WILL carry Star Trek forward. It’s remarkable to think that a couple of years ago, you embarked on a journey which culminated with today’s general release in the U.S. I’m hopeful Star Trek is well-received around the world. You’ve re-ignited the franchise in a major way!
Looking forward…
Star Trek legend and lore has MUCH for you to draw from. (From within this film, there were numerous parallels and nods to the original series.)
I dare you all to surpass what you brought to the screens today.
For the TOS sequel?
Give us KHAN, crash-landed on a Klingon world with his fellow Eugenics War survivors, hungry to exact revenge. Imagine Klingons being torn between unleashing a savage new Klingon empire to conquer the universe, or trying to side with Kirk to bring Khan down.
Consider returning to the Mirror Universe (an all-black, reverse colored bridge set?) in an epic battle of Good vs. Evil.
Bring Greg Grunberg into the mix as Harry Mudd.
And MORE of the Kirk/Spock/McCoy triumvirate, please!
Again, congratulations on the SUCCESS of your Star Trek production! Live long and prosper!
P.S. And, yes, I would love to see Mr. Shatner return, but I agree: Leonard Nimoy was effective in handling off the torch to the new generation of actors. It needs to be a VERY compelling reason for Shatner’s appearance – and NOT a starring role.
Nice interview with Nimoy on NPR today. One comment that touched me was how emotional he felt when seeing the scene where McCoy and Kirk meet. Made me emotional just to imagine HIM watching that, his old friends as well as old friends in a different fictional lifetime, as younger, other, people, meeting. How weird.
Also, his voice was perfectly fine in the interview, no whistling or clicking. Again, weird.
T-90 minutes. We’re out the door and on the way. You guys on the Supreme Court are going to be critiqued harshly but fairly.
ROBERTOOOOOH!!!!!!!!!! >:-) LOL
The worst part of this movie was not knowing what happened for 25 years. It was a mistake to remove the scene that explains this. Where exactly was nero? Where was the Narada? I hope they just dont give us a deleted scene in the dvd. I want it in the movie!
I loved the sound when kirk opened the intercom…tos!
Saw it a 2nd time. This time I wasnt desperately afraid to blink and miss something. Still awesome. Bless you JJ and I cannot say enough about Karl Urban! Awesome stuff.
Good movie, the cast were excellent. I think they’ve done a good job making Trek accessible to Joe Public, which is exactly what they needed to do.
As a fan, I liked it, but didn’t love it. For what it’s worth, I still prefer First Contact.
Does anybody else wonder why Nero and/or Spock didn’t use the fact that they were back before this disaster, AND Romulus and Vulcan were still there, to use the time to CORRECT SPOCK’S MISTAKE or at least warn the Romulans? WTF? I cannot imagine Spock knowing what is coming and knowing that there’s a Federation outpost a short walk away and chose not to let anyone know. As a Federation ambassador, that would seem almost treasonous.
This time travel nonsense created the exact same flaw in this movie as Generations- if you can leave the Nexus at any point in time, then Picard should have stepped out before Soran had done anything and simply stopped him while he was a refugee on the Enterprise D. Same exact problem here.
The biggest problem I had with this movie, other than the fact that they gang-raped Star Trek’s history, was that they really DID miss Gene’s vision. Star Trek wasn’t about technology (he always insisted that the actors treat the tricorder as we do a screwdriver, for instance). It was that WE were supposed to change. We were supposed to be a better version of ourselves. What I saw was modern-day 20-somethings with really cool toys to play with, complete with an Apple retail store to stand around in.
As a movie, 4/5. As a Star Trek movie, absolute and abject blasphemy. And a hell of a slap in the face to the hundreds of contributors who came before JJ and the Gang.
I’m amazed that “some” are still throwing their hands up and bitching about changes in canon. Those people, and their odd obsession with the obscure facts of a fictional series, are the very same people who allowed recent Trek film/television outings to become nothing more than a wet dream for fanboys.
Abrams has said in previous interviews that Trek “disconnected” for him quite a while ago. I tend to believe the general audience would agree. Trek was never supposed to be tied down so tightly with canon that it couldn’t breathe… it was supposed to be an adventure. I find it rather astonishing to see some of the posts that show critics in this forum went in to the theater looking for the very same factors that almost killed the franchise to begin with – and in holding up a microscope for any irregularity, they have missed the entire point.
Trek is fun again, and I believe Gene would be damned proud to see his vision find a new audience in the 21st century. Trek has always been about looking forward – and it would do obsessive fanboys well to stop living in the past.
Saw it today. Wow.
The tomb of Bermanized Trek has been effectively sealed by this strong, fun, smart reminder of what Star Trek started out as back in 1966. See what happens when writers and directors pay attention to what came before??
Welcome back Star Trek, my old friend, it’s damn good to see you again!
[...] The Wait Is Over – Star Trek Day Is Here + Opening Day Tidbits … [...]
Just saw the movie and one word …. WOW!!!!
I went in totally unimpressed with what I had seen and heard so far, and came out totally thankful to JJ Abrams, Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman for bringing Trek back. They absolutely got the characters right/ The actors, especially Pine, Quinto and Urban were fantastic.
Orci and Kurtzman created a script that truly honors, and more importantly allows Trek’s past history to stay in tact, while freeing themselves to move forward with these characters in new ways. This is no small feat gentleman, and my hat’s off to you for accomplishing this (and remember this is coming from a former naysayer)….
Leonard’s performance was wonderful and he had some of the most poignant lines for old time Trek fans, Some of these moments brought tears to my eyes It was during those moments that I really wished Bill Shatner had been worked into the film. It would have been fantastic to see he and Leonard together again.
mild spoilers below
My favorite line in the whole movie…..”Get out of the chair!” Loved the line. Loved the moment,
Loved the scene where Kirk asks Spock prime about his(Kirk’s) father in the other timeline.
So many things worked, and worked well, but some things that didn’t quite work for me were:
The whole Uhura romance with Spock or Kirk. Seemed odd and out of place to me
The look of engineering was well let’s just say it ,,,bad
To me there was a bit too much action. You have good actors and characters here. Have faith in them and let them carry the story,
For next time…..
Please oh please tone down Yelchin’s accent.
So in closing, I really do feel Trek is in good hands. To JJ Abrams, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman et al: This movie took me along for a great ride and made me believe, THANK YOU
I can’t wait for the sequel!.
Just got back from seeing it for the first time with my ten-year-old daughter. I was pretty sure I would like it… but I totally did not expect to love it as much as as I did. It is smart, funny, sad, exciting and delightful. I was grinning ear-to-ear by the end. Awesome! I cannot WAIT to see the next one!
Just got back. For those of you who read my posts from day one — know that I was strict “old-school”, strict canon-boy and was VERY SKEPTICAL about the ‘changes”. This movie BLEW ME AWAY!!!!! I literally had tears in my eyes especially when the 2 Spocks met. This was the essence of what STOS was all about, all of the characters were excellent. Chris Pine combined some of Shatner’s qualities, and yet at the same time took excellent ownership of the role and was FANTASTIC!!!! I had no problems at all with the Spock/Uhura romance!!! I CANNOT say enough good things about this movie. J.J. Abrams brought this beloved franchise back to life
Leonard Nimoy — the “bridge” that brought the “old and new” together and to me brought even more crediblity to this movie. AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! I
I saw it twice now and I have to see it again, I’m getting the itch right now. and I need to scratch it. This movie was awesome!! Thanks to everybody involved in the making of this epic movie. I was especially happy with the pacing, there were no lags times, it kept the movie moving forward. The story was great, so great that my son and I were leaving the theater for the second time today and people were talking to each other about how awesome the movie was. Great job to everybody! I can’t believe that nearly three years has passed since it was announced til now. Now what am I’m going to do? By the way, thanks Paramount for moving the movie to May 8th, my birthday.
SPOILER DISCUSSION
The destruction of Vulcan makes it perfectly clear that we are in a total different timeline. The alternate timeline actually began with the destruction of the USS Kelvin. So is with the death of Amanda Grayson. It is just with the fate of Vulcan, the Supreme Court wants all of us not to be confused of which timeline we are in. This is Abram’s Star Trek!!! Romulus was destroyed in the original timeline, according to the Star Trek: Countdown. Vulcan was destroyed in the alternate timeline. And all of this is governed by Mr. Orci’s best explanation, “QUANTUM MECHANICS!” There is no need for a timeline “restoration” because there is none. What is amazing about the GENIUS of the Supreme Court is that we are constantly reassured that the original timeline is intact by the presence of Spock Prime. Spock Prime is the embodiment of the original timeline.
So one would truly ask, “Is this a sequel, prequel, or a reboot?”
IMHO, this is really a sequel! It is not a prequel or even a reboot. If this was a prequel, then we are in the assumption that we are in the original timeline, as we are seeing this movie. But, we are not in the original timeline. We are in an alternate timeline. And with the destruction of Vulcan, the franchise is on a fresh start. There is no canon to abide because canon exist in the original timeline. Also, with the presence of Spock Prime in the ALTERNATE timeline, this is truly a sequel.
In addition, I do not consider this a reboot. Again, we are in an
ALTERNATE timeline. Mr. Orci explained about quantum mechanics. It is very interesting to note that the so called “red matter” that would create an artificial black hole would be actually a portal to another alternate universe.
In short, Romulus is destroyed in the original timeline, whereas Vulcan is destroyed in the alternate timeline. Canon is preserved and yet, we are able to witness the original crew making new adventures. No prequel. No reboot. Just a very complex sequel that allows us to experience a whole new fresh start with the original crew in another universe. Fascinating! Now that’s Star Trek being “born again”!
To the Supreme Court et al:
Thank you! You pulled me back into a movie theater after 15 years and gave me the ride of my life!
Thanks for reviving my favorite show of all time! I love y’all!
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-)
This movie was OUTSTANDING!!! I brought my mom (who is NOT a Trekkie) and she loved it too! Believe me, that’s a litmus test that you are going to bring in the non-fans with this film if ever there was one.
My wife — who was VERY skeptical about another Trek film after the disaster known as NEMESIS — loved the film and said its the best one ever!
I agree!
Thanks to Orci, Kurtzman and the entire “supreme court”!!!!
Can’t wait for “Star Trek 2″
You just lost me for the next movie, anthony. I watched you delete quite a few comments here that said nothing out of line, just what they found was copied from another film or just very observant against it. granted, lots of posts here were not deleted, but for some reason, you discriminate. I have just told other people not to see it based on how you handle your site, though i didnt mention your site. and now, include me out for the sequel. you are VERY UNPROFESSIONAL, ANthony Pasquale. VERY ANTI-TREK ideal,. just a cog in the payroll, you are. you sell out others and sell your soul. I will never return to this site.
Where’s Science Friday?
First impressions:
Quinto is bloody faaantastic … had my reservations at first but he blew me away from his first appearance with his sensitive portrayal of the conflicted Spock. He does the magical act of appearing both cold and logical while carrying immense emotional depth. Plus his Spock is razor-sharp smart. And has a wry sense of humor (”an endangered species”). Truly fascinating.
Particularly affecting are his brief scenes with Ryder, before appearing the Vulcan council and when he beams down to save her (which I believe was his true motivation, not his proclaimed saving Vulcan culture). You really feel for his loss.
Also affecting is his breakdown and fight with Pine’s Kirk, and the aftermath. (Have to say Quinto is deadlier than Nimoy was in “This Side of Paradise”.)
Personally I find his relationship with Uhura believable — deep down this Spock is a wounded soul who yearns for love and acceptance, and Uhura with her empathetic senses this and the two gravitate towards each other.
As for Pine, I thought he was … OK. It’s tough to fill Shatner’s boots, his Kirk had such an air of drama, and a way of filling the screen with his “Kirkness” that is hard to replicate. I thought Pine did a decent job, but it remains to be seen if he can do what Shatner did with Kirk.
Other characters: Greenwood as Pike was outstanding — everything a Starfleet captain should be. I hope to see him again in sequels. Cross was good as Sarek, but it just bugs me that he looks nothing like Lenard at all. Of the rest I thought Cho, Urban and Saldana were all good … in particular I like the seriousness Cho brought to the role of Sulu, somehow you sense that this is a future Starfleet captain.
Pegg was funny and manic, but a totally different Scotty. I can live with that. But Yelchin to me was painful. Sorry, with his baby face, curly mop and ridiculous accent, to me he just didn’t work as Chekov.
The plot was … illogical.
Enough has been said about this by other reviewers, I’ll just add that I wished they had written in a confrontation between Spock Prime and Nero when the Jellyfish was captured — in my view it would have been a great opportunity to flesh out Nero’s motivations and highlight his villiany. As every trekker/trekkie in the Universe would already know about Spock Prime’s and Kirk’s meeting on Hoth (hah ha), the surprise element was unnecessary.
Also, I wished they had spent just a little more time playing up the emotional impact of the meetings between Spock Prime and Kirk, and between Spock and Spock. I thought these would have been great opportunities to tie in the new Kirk and Spock with their future selves (albeit in a different timeline).
Also, it strains credulity that Nero was twiddling his thumbs for 25 years to wait for Spock Prime to appear in his little ship. This is a gpa that really should have been filled.
But, all in all an enjoyable movie, and a great restart to the franchise. To paraphrase Scotty, I liked it, its exciting. Look forward for more good stuff to come.
Now beam me up.
The Washington Post, praying to Star Trek? NOT COOL!
EXCELLENT movie. Even my wife – not a hard-core Trekker – enjoyed it. I’m still trying to catalogue everything that flew past me, but a few (relatively spoiler-free) things stood out immediately:
– The scene where Kirk receives permanent command of the Enterprise: how Pike was used in a way that borrowed from both TOS: ‘The Menagerie’ and ST:TMP was a real ass-kicker.
- How Nimoy portrayed Spock as less stoic, and more world-weary, and the way he basically told his younger self to ‘let his ears down’ a little.
- The whole Spock-Uhura dynamic is a twist (see above).
- How Bones got his nickname (I can sympathize with his divorce).
- I think it’s safe to assume (in this universe) that the missing dog on the milk carton Scotty was referring to WAS, in fact, Porthos (cameo time in ST:XII – he can do a walk-on with The Shat! LOL).
- I gotta agree with post #632 – that ‘Get out of the chair’ line was perfectly delivered. LMAO
639. numb – May 8, 2009
“ANthony Pasquale… just a cog in the payroll,”
LOL!
Hey Anthony,
Since you are on the payroll (I realize you are not), can you explain to me how the Kelvin salt shaker explains the Enterprise being built in a Iowa?
Bob Orci didn’t elaborate.
Or do I have to read the novelization?
Thanks for the most informative Trek site around.
LL&P
I saw the movie opening night, 7:15 – liked it.
But you know when you’re checking out a flick and there’s someone in front of you talking to his buddy and you can hear the “pss-ppst pssst” … well, for me, this whole movie felt like that. The lights, the shaking, the constant climax… I wanted to tell it to shut up and let me watch in peace.
I enjoyed the characters and enjoyed the events, and even explained away most of the physics and logical inconsistencies with my friends that went with me… But I think that simply artistically and philosophically, this is a 43 year low-point.
AND I’m 23. Go figure. Not young enough, I guess.
641- mabye nero and crew left the narada in shuttle pods to hide out and wait for spock.But they were captured by klingons and spent that time on rura penthe.the narada was damaged and left on cloak?
Wow! Still basking in the glory. I won’t pretend to being capable of rendering a discerning critique. I just enjoyed the living hell out of the movie. It felt so Star Trek to me. For the first time in a long long time. Like a breath of fresh air.
Great stuff all around.
Thanks to the Supreme Court, thanks to the cast, thanks to everyone involved. I am one happy Trekker.
So I am a little hazy on one thing. The Klingon fleet that got destroyed. Was that in the TNG prime time-line? Where General Worf was involved. Or was that in the new ALT timeline?
I could have sworn in the movie Uhura intercepts a message about a fleet getting destroyed. Was that a Klingon fleet, too? I don’t remember.
@609…
From all of us here at NM headquaters, great thinking Robert!
@649…
That message was about a fleet in trouble in close proximity to some Klingon prison planet, yes…
629: “Trek is fun again, and I believe Gene would be damned proud to see his vision find a new audience in the 21st century.”
And where exactly do you localize Gene’s vision in that new movie?
Holger, N-Joy Radio just gave the film 5 of 5 stars, and they know their Trek!
Thorsten, I believe I know my Trek, too.
#651 – and what exactly is this hazy Gene’s vision? I keep hearing about it, but maybe the time has come to evaluate what it means?
Hello Thorsten — HOW ARE YOU?
Did you see my post #634, BEST STAR TREK MOVIE EVER!!!
I was joking, Holger. I was happy that the reviewer loved the movie, though.
But of course you know your Trek.
We see a young and talented group of people come together and form a unit that will become a crew of great explorers on their way into the big human adventure. That is a vision that should ring true with Mr. Roddenberrys ideas of boldly exploring the final frontier.
WOW, Sam! Glad to see you, man!
I am totally happy that you like it.
So I didn’t promised you too much!
;))
/t
#651–”And where exactly do you localize Gene’s vision in that new movie?”
Gene’s optimistic vision was always that Humanity not only survives to the 23rd Century, but unites to conquer the social ills which plague our society today and bands togather with other races to explore the final frontier—so a better question might be….how is this vision *absent* from the film?
Wow. Let me say that again. Wow. I haven’t had this much fun with a film experience since I was a child. In fact, my biggest complaint with the whole thing was the audience going overboard with applause while I was trying to absorb it all.
I went into the film quite enthusiastic, but expecting to be bothered by a few plot elements in particular—-first and foremost, Kirk’s ascension to command. Now, perhaps it is because I had already accepted it over the last few months as just one of those things, but I barely gave it a thought during the film. Had I a moment to dwell upon it in the theater, my reaction to Pike’s order (designating the young Kirk “first officer” in his absence) would most likely have been an elaborative spin on that of Commander Spock, but the story’s pace carried me on to the next stage of this thrilling ride, with no time for such quibbles. By the time he goads Spock into the trap provided by regulations (of which our beloved Spock of course needs no reminder from him) and assumes command—-the truth is—-I could not help but want him to!
This film was brilliantly casted, and boy did it need to be. The action sequences were terrific, but make no mistake—-this story was decidely character-driven…precisely as a Star Trek film should be. My favorite scene? There are, upon reflection, alot of them from which to choose, but one which stands out to me is certainly the one at the Vulcan Science Academy. It gave me goosebumps. Quinto nailed that one with a sledgehammer!
As for nitpicking the science of it all, there is no question that ST09 plays fast and loose. Do I care? Hell no! Everything about this experience was fun, and I feel sorry for anyone who wasted a minute on that…as he/she missed a minute of a fantastic experience. This was everything I wanted and easily a little bit more. ST09 kicks in the door and doesn’t let up until the credits roll.
Is it perfect? No. But if it were, a potential sequel would have nowhere to go but down.
This is by far Abrams best work, and Orci and Kurtzman’s best as well. Aside from wanting to yell “shut up” at the people behind and in front of me cheering and applauding when I wanted the only sounds in the theater to be from the film (and perhaps my own heartbeat), my only other complaint at this point is certainly more of a compliment than anything else—-I didn’t want it to end!
96% on the Tomatometer now.
That better than the last 5 Oscar winners for “Best Picture”.
This is surreal.
@CT…
well said, CT!
excellent review.
Hey Thorsten — GREAT to hear from you! Yes I was pleasantly shocked!!! Needless to say I will see the movie at least 2 more times. Each actor played their roles to absolute perfection!!!! Their portrayals did not make me forget the “originals” — on the contrary their portrayals reminded me just how great these inconic characters ARE, and how much I love them!!! The scenes with Spock Prime and Kirk and young Spock, brought tears to my eyes. And YES — I’m praying that in “THIS TIMELINE”, Admiral Pike will be a part of many adventures to come — Greenwood was AWESOME as Pike!!! ALL MY FEARS WHERE PUT TO REST!!!! Star Trek is BACK and JUST AS GOOD AS EVER!!!!
BEST REGARDS!SB
My kids got invited to the Lakers-Rockets game last night, so they didn’t see it with my wife and I——-Ha!
That’s my excuse to take them to see it in IMAX tonight.
Sam and CT, it was a pleasure to travel down this road with you guys.
I’ll go and watch it with my son tomorrow…
The pleasure was mine Thorsten!!! Speaking of sons — my 15 year-old son is ALSO a big time fan. He was FAR MORE skeptical than I was. Throughout the entire film he kept giving me the “thumbs-up” signal. After the movie he said to me “Dad, best Trek ever”!!! I really wish there was a section on this site where can post pix of us and are loved ones attending the movie. My G-d, it’s 2009, ST is not only 45 years old — but it is RELEVANT AGAIN!!!!
It’s tough to compare apples and oranges, but I’ll try.
Going into this weekend for me, TWOK was not only the best ever Star Trek movie, but probably the best “B-Movie” of all time.
Well, it’s still the best B-Movie of all time. But as for Star Trek movies in general, I have got to say that ST09 is #1.
That is not a slight to TWOK, as they were never on equal ground. It isn’t fair to Nick Meyer’s 1982 classic, but such is life.
Both are great films, although both utilize contrivances and overly “convenient” scenarios that set up the drama. But as thrilled as I was in the theater in 1982, (and as hard as it is to imagine) I was even more thrilled at this triumphant return.
I’ve thought about this all night. I went into it pretty sure that I was going to enjoy it, but I fully expected to say afterwards that it was my second favorite (surpassing TMP and TVH) Star Trek movie.
I was wrong. It is my favorite. I may not say that after years of repeat viewings and retrospect, but right now—-that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Bring on the next one. And in the meantime, I am going to watch this one again and again.
658 Closettrekker: “Gene’s optimistic vision was always that Humanity not only survives to the 23rd Century, but unites to conquer the social ills which plague our society today and bands togather with other races to explore the final frontier—so a better question might be….how is this vision *absent* from the film?”
Well, those of us who already know Trek know what the Federation is and what Starfleet is and so on. And we assume that what you describe is still the background of the story. But I don’t see that this was in any way shown to the viewer in this movie. And I thought the movie was – among other things – supposed to show this optimistic vision to a newbee audience. But on Earth we were shown bar room brawling and highway patrols and costly divorce although there’s supposed to be no more money on Earth (not that I know how an economy would work without money, but hey, Aristotle saw himself unable to conceive of an economy without slavery). Don’t get me wrong: there’s nothing wrong with these things still being present on Earth (even Picard was a bar room brawler in his youth) but all these things do not suggest to the newbee that Earth has changed much. And with the alternate timeline, how do we know what a place Earth is now?
OK, on the bright side there was one line by Pike: ‘Starfleet is a peacekeeping and humanitarian armada’. Great one-line description of Starfleet.
I don’t say that the optimistic future *must* be shown in the movie. But I can’t agree with those who say it *was* shown.
656 thorsten: Sorry! Didn’t get that you were joking.
I watched the film a second time and found it to be better the second viewing. It flowed better this round then I remembered the first time. Still not quite as classy as some other Treks, but well made non the less. ILM outdid themselves as well on this one. Good job for Ben Burt too.
667. Holger: ‘I don’t say that the optimistic future *must* be shown in the movie. But I can’t agree with those who say it *was* shown.’
Well, given what the world’s like now, the fact that there’s life on Earth at all in the 23rd century is pretty optimistic!
I never felt that ‘positive future’ meant a perfect one though. Certainly not one where it’s illegal to start a company or make money. We know TOS characters were getting paid in some way, shape or form – I always assumed there was simply no need for cash. I mean, imagine if everything’s free: the population of the UK would be dead of cirrhosis of the liver inside a year!
While TOS had positive stuff such as people of all races working together, people such as Kodos the Executioner, Roger Corby and Doctor Adams still existed. Not to mention Kirk slept around, annoyed his girlfriend to the extent that she told him to clear off and brought his son up alone, crewmembers got into brawls, people drank too much . . . the list goes on.
The 23rd century showed people who managed their weaknesses, but they hadn’t got rid of them. The positive thing about 23rd century Trek characters is that they are all trying to be better people, even though success is unreachable. The self-proclaimed ‘evolved’ 24th century Trek characters are an abject warning as to the dangers of them actually succeeding!
#666 Closettrekker- We have not agreed much over the months, but on the opinion that ST09 beats out TWOK, I totally agree.
I saw it last night with a bunch of hard-core fans who seldom agreed, but in the end, our vote was unanimous- this is truly a fantastically good film.
This really IS the best of the lot.
I cannot remember a movie I wanted to see again as badly as this one.
So despite differences, Trek has again brought people together on many levels. Life imitates art? Maybe!
The best thing about this movie is that it takes place in an alternative timeline and thus can to completly ignored!
What a mess Abrams has made of the TOS universe…
Loved it, curious if the next one will be the re introduction of Khan or Klingons. I wonder if Prime Spock will stay in this alternate reality or try to go back to his own, once done helping rebuild Vulcan. Would have loved to see the Narada and the Jelly Fish with spock prime go back to their own reality/time. With Enterprise E waiting on the other side.
Also for the Blu Ray, possible you can release a extended directors cut showing more of kid kirk/kid spock and Nero being captured by the Klingons and serving time on the Klingon Prison planet, after being smashed by the Kelvin and how Nero escaped and waited for Prime spock. I understand the 2hour film limit for the execs and the general public, but please release a extended version for people willing to see it/buy it.
Also, has a star trek won any Academy awards? Curious if the Academy would hand out a statue for any of the categories, I know I’ve seen them hand out awards to films that were not as good as this one.
PS saint-antoine, this was the only way to do a star trek, without handcuffing the writers to established storylines and facts already established since 1960. You can always re watch all the TOS, and older movies, but I’m going to enjoy this one and future ones by JJ and Team.
Like Batman or James Bond, there’s always room for newer versions and I welcome change.
Here’s my take, if I think of the movie as a reboot/remake, and separate it from the previous 40 years of Star Trek, then it was a good film. I had a lot of issues with the way J.J. did the action scenes, too many close ups and shaky cam. Nimoy’s presence was kind of pointless, if you ask me, he just rehashed a bunch of his old one-liners. I am actually glad Shatner wasn’t there to waste everyone’s time doing the same thing. Nero was weak, almost as lame as that goon from Nemesis (I refuse to say his name). The cast was very good, and I felt they gave their own portrayals of characters we know very honestly. I have a lot of nitpicks though, maybe the most since Final Frontier. I am greatly disappointed that they chose to restart the continuity. I do not think that was required to do more movies. Personally, I felt bored through a lot of the film, because I know these characters, their story, very well, and I liked how it went the first time better. I am not going to anoint J.J. or the writers for this one. The movie was good, probably better for those not as familiar with Star Trek. But I am just not all that interested in revisiting these characters. I’ll use the DVD’s for that. I think I would have been if they had kept the story within canon, because it would have augmented it. This now is something new, and I think I’m going to politely wish them luck, and sadly walk away from Star Trek. It’s been a great joy of mine for 20-something years, but I think it’s run its course for me.
Interesting to see Star Trek through Abrams’ eyes. Wish those eyes had known and loved Star Trek before. Because it sure felt like it was filtered through his Star Wars “targeting computer” more than a Star Trek view screen.
I still would have liked to have seen a “Star Fleet: The early days” movie as Harve Bennett, Shatner and others have suggested. Somebody tell me what that’s not been done!? I still don’t know what’s wrong with that idea. Thought I was going to get to see more of that. SOME of that. To me – there’s your drama! There’s your excitement! And we just skipped over it. So much to see. So many stories to mine from and we saw really none of it. “He was my professor at the Academy”. “Yes, I remember. It was required reading at the academy” All those stories the original series eluded to so briefly in one throw away line- so well. Man! Did that just whet your imagination the way Ben telling of the Clone Wars to a young Luke in the first Star Wars. “Before the dark times. Before the Empire” In both cases neither franchise delivered for me.
It really felt to me like a bunch of people wearing the costumes and masks of who they were playing most of the movie (except for Yelchin – who was the greatest part of the movie for me.) Man he was great! Talk about making it come alive and with hardly any scenes to do it in. Talk about bringing it home. You go Anton!
As for Pine’s Kirk….I still don’t care for him. I’m sorry, but he just seemed like a dummy to me. And for someone who’s supposed to be a hand to hand expert – Pine’s Kirk sure got his ass handed to him a lot. In fact nearly all the time. Didn’t he learn anything in those three years? I can’t accept that.
I’m not going mention plot. I’m uh,…still not sure what happened to Nero or why he’s so pissed off. Or what that was all about. And then there’s Spock …”get him off this ship” What? We don’t have a brig in this version? And he sends him off on a frozen planet? How convenient and unbelievable that Kirk just ran into Nimoy’s Spock? I’m sorry but how ‘Sigmond and The Sea Monster’ Saturday Morning fare does that feel?
As for the overall feeling of the film I could dissect it inch by inch but I’ll say it this way. Rodenberry’s vision of the future may have been too Utopian for some (and from what I gather the writers too) but I like the way they approached it on the original series. They seemed more evolved, more advanced, and more eloquent. More well thought. More… over themselves. I like the way they spoke. I liked the way they moved (Kirk Fu and all). I liked their outlook on life and their philosophical perspective of the past. I felt none of that in this film. Or very little. I really think the writers missed the target on this one. Whether it was a realistic affectation for today’s audiences to accept or not, It spoke to me. Still does. I like to think we could be more like that instead of a bunch of pretty dudes and dudettes posing for the camera and flashing their best smiles.
Andy, it’s a popcorn movie, plain and simple, and despite the best intentions of the writers and director, this is what Hollywood produces now. The studios want nothing less. As a popcorn movie, yes, it was well done. So it felt more like the Star Wars prequels than the originals. The original Star Wars movies had pacing. Again, it’s a fun, exciting movie, but if you changed the characters names, and didn’t call it Star Trek, would you notice the difference?
Science: F minus.
Box office take: A+
Franchise viability secured, by any means necessary.
Mission Accomplished.
Mr Orci, JJ, and all those involoved:
A thousand thanks for the ways you have honoured all that was before,
and the exciting way you have opened up the future for the future!
You wrote some lovely lines for EVERYONE.
You wrote some awesome scenes.
You took me back in time to when I saw Star Trek:The Motion Picture and sat in amazement at the size – the spectacle of seeing those letters NCC – 1701 on the big screen
The audience [BRITISH STUFFED SHIRTS by day?]
LAUGHED, CLAPPED, CHEERED, GUFFAWED, HOLLERED at one point..APPLAUDED ..
It’s an alternative, but it’s a FANTASTIC ALTERNATIVE.
After all “how do we know he didn’t invent the stuff” [Scotty to McCoy, ST IV]
—————————————-
I loved Bones.
The music is going round and around in my head. Every time I woke up it was there.
I saw the film at Empire Leicester Square, London, yesterday 99th May) The place was full for a 5.45 showing. Heaving for the show after ours.
There are some magical moments
There is Robert Wise’s sense of scale, space and spectacle
There is Nimoy’s intimacy with the players
There is Shatner’s wild direction, constant movement, sudden stillness
There are [deliberate] laugh-out loud moments
There’s a Tribble in a birdcage (possibly 2 in the next shot .. couldn’t tell!! he-he)
There’s a dubious relationship [not gonna be specific &spoil forthose who didn't get to see it yet]
There’s a rip-off of Chekov’s Ceti-Eel scene (same idea, different part of head)
There’s AWESOME space scenes
There’s some tears of joy
There’s some sadness
There’s a really grisly creature or 2 on that Ice Planet!
No, we don’t have a Khan, but we do have a remarkably nasty and vengeful villain.
No, we ….. don’t have lines ….. delivered in a ….. strange, but …. compelling way by someone we grew to …. love and admire. but we do have Kirk. NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT!
We have a great cast – every single one of them should be proud.
WE HAVE TREK
I will see this again as soon as I can.
The DVD will sit proudly alongside the rest of my Trek films.
JJ, thanks,
Just wondering …Was the Kirk on the bike crossing the top of the screen a deliberate JJ nod to the “Bad Robot” going across the top of the screen in his credits at the start?
More post another time.
Meanwhile,
if you’re still not convinced, what’s to lose? a few bucks .. or pounds, or Quatloons, or Federation credits, or a bar of gold-pressed latinum or …
a bit over 2 hours of your life.
“I like this film / reboot / alternative / revisit / retune/* .. it’s exciting!”
[*choose as appropriate or add your own]
Live long and make more!
Peace and long reruns.
669 Dom: “Well, given what the world’s like now, the fact that there’s life on Earth at all in the 23rd century is pretty optimistic!”
Right, if this already counts as optimism, the movie is optimistic.
I’ll concede this much: Given the long-standing trend in the SF/Action Adventure genre (I should rather say “so-called SF”) to produce ever more dystopian, cynical, nihilist, brutal, in a word: dark movies, ST09 really does stand out as bright-colored and optimistic. But that’s no big deal given the trend.
And somehow these trendy movies about a dark future seem to have instilled a view of the future such that it already counts as optimism if humanity is still around in 200 years.
But was ST09 particularly optimistic in itself? Or as compared to FC? I don’t think so.
I’ve just come back from seeing the film. It’s a blast – no doubt about it – as a popcorm movie it’s great. As a Trek movie I’m not so sure. As related here elsewhere, Spock Prime’s appearance seems to have been shoehorned in. For Box Office? Ditto the Uhura / Spock love interest.
Nimoy has no prescence at all, not something I’d expected to say.
High points were many though. All the acting from the new cast was excellent: Pine and Quinto compliment each other as well as Shatner and Nimoy did. Urban is superb as Bones, Scotty is less sucessful as Scotty, but that’s due to him seeming to act more exuberantly than the original character did – to me anyway. The supporting cast were all excellent.
Nero as the baddie was absolutely brilliant. The difference between Nero and Shinzon say, from ‘Nemesis’ is very stark. Tom Hardy’s performance in ‘Nemesis’ pales significantly to that of Eric Bana. Both Romulans, but that’s where the similarities end.
The action sequences are superb, some of the best special effects I’ve ever seen.
A lot of what I say is indeed coloured by the fact I’m 42 and a TOS fan from the very beginning. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad the franchise has been rebooted – and very well at that. BTW my 12 year old son loved it !
WOW…..so many posts….
Many here know how I had criticisms/doubt about this film for a long time.
Well…I……….was…………………….
Surprised.
Nice TOS (and even TAS references for Spock’s past), & Pine beginning to get a bit of Shatner’s interpretation toward the end of the film….many things….not enough time!
675
Greg,
I see many of your points. I guess my definition of popcorn movie is different. And by the way, I deliberately didn’t get any popcorn last night. I want my Star Trek to be a bit more than that. “The popcorn movie of the summer”
#642: “The Washington Post, praying to Star Trek? NOT COOL!”
Oh my God! It was a joke… lighten up already.
Anthony were the heck is my thought provoking list of twenty ???????????
Vulcanista! Good seeing you in here again… glad you liked the movie as much as it appears does everyone else!
I finally got to see this killer flick tonight, thanks to a friend of my sister who let me tag along. (I still gotta get my car fixed.) Loved it! I agree that there were a few canon alterations that were sad to see, but nothing should ever be set in stone. Saw the tribble, missed the cameos – but I don’t mind because… (wait for it.) WOW!! That flick was awesome! (the Transformers 2 trailer was icing!) And I also agree with an earlier poster that mentioned naysayers’ comments about no new tales to tell should look at the Pocket Books, Vanguard? Fantabulous! Destiny? Thrilling! And on and on and on! I could type praise all week, but most of what I think and feel about this Alpha Glory of a film has already been said! Lastly, and my only mild complaint: The Orion girl, I didn’t think the red hair looked right with the green skin… She was smoking HAWT though, and Uhura came in soon after the Orion’s reveal, also damn HAWT! So, it’s still a positive… =+D
Somone mentioned above that if you changed the characters names and changed the title, would I still recognize it as Star Trek. The answer is yes. This film was a new film direction for Trek for sure, but at the same time, it was one big ode to everthing that had come before. Trek refrences streaming, one after the other that everyone could enjoy (genious on the filmmakers part). It had the characters perfectly done. It had the Star Trek optimism. So yes, no question for me, this is Star Trek. The fact that the optimism was secondary to the story may be problematic for some fans, but the story is what makes the movie what it is, and I thouroughly enjoyed it. I give it an A overall. Minus a couple of points for some minor gripes. Despite these minor infractions, this was an absolutely thrilling movie. Perhaps too thrilling as I found myself nearly dehydrated by the end of the movie. I laughed throughout, I (almost) cried at several times, and I was genuenly on the edge of my seat for almost the whole thing. It was the ultimate film experience. Some people ask if its the best film ever. Well my answer? Well, no. But I wasn’t expecting it to be. What I was expecting was a good or very good movie which was exactly what it was. And yes, I loved engineering, so there! Fantastically done. :-)
There’s a lot of things to nitpick, a LOT of things. Other than what I think was a weak Nero/Spock story, and uncomfortably reminiscent of Nemesis, I liked most of the film. I think there was a bit too much squeezed in, but this movie was so drastically different from previous Trek, that I think they had to “reboot” it. We’ll see, I expect several sequels. I actually hope that they get away from the old canon, and just really go in a new direction. Whenever they bring in something from the old canon, I actually go into canonista mode, and it ruins my experience!
I dunno if this ranges as a spoiler, but: The (kinda sideways… That is, tongue-in-cheek,) verbal nod to ENT was kick a$$ too. I, like alot of people no doubt, probably figured on it being Porthos, but, given how old admiral Archer probably was by that time, he must’ve had a couple (if not a few or several) more dogs in his lifetime. So, I doubt it was that little, adorable beagle. “I dare you to do better… Punch it.” ;+D
A little nitpicking: By the time the movie is set in, Archer should already be a former President of the Federation. Shouldn’t the address ‘President Archer’ supersede ‘Admiral Archer’? Like Ike is referred to as President Eisenhower, not General Eisenhower.
689. Holger – May 11, 2009
“A little nitpicking: By the time the movie is set in, Archer should already be a former President of the Federation.”
Or dead. I figured it was a decedent of Captain Archer.
“decedent of Captain Archer.” Rookie mistake.
descendant of Captain Archer. Better.
690: That’s a possibility as well.
I was thinking of Archer’s bio in In A Mirror, Darkly which stated that retired Admiral/President Archer was still around at the christening ceremony of the Enterprise and died the next day.
692. Holger – May 12, 2009
Right. But didn’t the Alt. Enterprise launch several years later than the Prime Enterprise? I’ll check MA.
Okay. The Prime Enterprise launched in 2245, and the Alt. Enterprise shipped out in 2258. So in if we go by the info the Mirror Darkly episode Jonathan Archer would be dead. Must be his son or daughter that becomes an Admiral and loses their dog in Scotty’s experiment.
I’m glad my wife isn’t hear to see this tragic display of nerd-dom.
Fun stuff.
Prime Enterprise link – http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(NCC-1701)
Alt. Enterprise Link – http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(alternate_reality)