Two Geeks – Star Trek Special
Sunday, May 10th, 2009
In this episode its finally here, a movie special we can be proud of, after two lack luster movie specials we finally get a chance to see J.J. Abram’s Star Trek. There is no pre-show this time, however don’t think that means this is a short episode, our loveable host have a lot to talk about with this one. As always this is full spoilers so only listen if you have seen the movie, or if you just really enjoy spoilers. If you’ve already seen it, see it again, and then check out this episode.
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I know Scott was watching some of the previous Trek films. I wonder how far he got. Some of that is hard to go through.
Like where Shatner directs himself and has Kirk go to heaven and fight god?
‘What does God need with a starship?’
You were right about the head shaving and tattooing after Romulus was destroyed, according to the comic they did that as a mourning ritual.
I agree with everything you said.
Good movie! Didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. I didn’t Eric Bana made such a good Spock though. I’m willing to overlook it though.
I listened to this show. It occurred to me that you guys’ love for certain films is rather disposable. You love the movies when they come out and then by next year they’re old news. Star Wars, Spiderman 2, even stuff like Spiderman 3, X-3 and Superman Returns. All got positive receptions from both of you initially but then later you can’t say a single nice thing about them.
So let me ask you this. 10 – 15 years from now when the effects of this new one have grown quaint, after the new movie smell wears off, do you think it will hold a candle to your previous favorite Search for Spock, my personal favorite Undiscovered Country or minor classic Wrath of Khan?
Does it have the majesty of the Enterprise set to Jerry Goldsmith’s awesome score, from the underrated first film? Or the boldness of asking God for ID and then shooting him in his big head with lasers from Star Trek V?
Don’t get me wrong, I think the film has a lot going for it. But I’m not ready to instantly declare it the best one ever.
Personally, I am ready to call this the best Star Trek movie without the original cast, ie. it is better than all the Next Generation movies. First Contact is certainly fun, but it hasn’t held up for me quite as well on repeat viewings. Generations is a guilty pleasure, Insurrection is horrible, and Nemesis is *slightly* better. I think this new Trek movie is better than all of them, and I am 99% sure that I will still feel that way after the “new movie smell” wears off.
For myself, I can also easily place this new Trek above ST V because I absolutely hate that one. Of the six ST movies with the original cast & crew, Undiscovered Country and Search For Spock are my personal favorites. I certainly like Wrath of Khan, but it isn’t my favorite one to just pick up and watch. The original movie has its merits, but it certainly has its flaws as well.
Is the new Trek better than any of those? In certain aspects, I think it is, but I think that Undiscovered Country and Search For Spock will edge it out for me, if only because they do have the original cast and I like them.
Oops! I forgot to mention that I semi-like Star Trek IV, but I have to be in the mood for it. Otherwise it just gets on my nerves.
ST 4 is such great fun.
I just love the part where McCoy is in the hospital in the 80’s and is aghast at doctors discussing using chemo on a cancer patient and helps the older woman regrow her kidney so she’ll never have to suffer through “barbaric” dialysis again.
@ I think this new Trek movie is better than all of them, and I am 99% sure that I will still feel that way after the “new movie smell” wears off.
I easily agree. All of those TNG movies are terrible. I caught part of First Contact (the “good one”) on TV recently. That scene outside the enterprise is incompetent.
But they also said the movie is better than Empire Strikes Back. I don’t know about that. Doesn’t that seem a little hasty.
Eric Bana played Nero, the Romulan. Not Spock, the Vulcan. That was Zachary Quinto. Not sure which one you meant to say. I wasn’t hot on Eric Bana myself, but though Zachary Quinto was perfect as Spock.
Also, I don’t remember anyone ever being hot on X-3 and Superman Returns, with the exception of the pre-release hype. I thought Superman Returns was “Solid” to begin with, but it was like a week before I realized I didn’t like it. I’m pretty sure Scott and Ben were there about the same time, which is saying something coming from Superman fans.
I think you over exaggerate the “in the moment” ratings that they give things. It’s really hard to say what movies will stick out to us in 15 years. But that’s just the normal way of the world. I went to Box Office Mojo yesterday, and was looking at the top movies in the years the previous Star Trek movies came out. It’s really interesting to see the movies that survived as classics, and the ones that are often forgotten these days, or at least considered to be “lesser”. In a lot of cases, the classics didn’t even top the box office charts for the year.
My favorites for Star Trek are actually Voyage Home and First Contact. Undiscovered Country and Khan fall in line behind those two, and most of the rest I can take or leave. In 15 years, I can’t see this movie standing out. But in the here and now, it’s fantastic. And it’s fantastic for several reasons. Right there at the top of my list is that it gives the franchise a chance to live again. Either as movies or a tv series.
Mind you, I think this movie was great as a stand alone movie. But really, it gets added points from me just because it plays so well off the original series. As such, I can’t see it being remembered as a classic. Reinventions rarely are.
@ Eric Bana played Nero, the Romulan. Not Spock, the Vulcan.
Whaaaaaaaaaat! In that case the film was terrible.
@ I don’t remember anyone ever being hot on X-3 and Superman Returns,
Both Scott and Ben gave them good marks. I think at least one of them gave Superman a 9 out of 10.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with liking them. Just that I’ve noticed a pattern of initial enthusiasm gradually souring. Be it a week later, 6 months later, or next year.
I think the trick is to avoid getting swept up in the initial hype surrounding these films and their immense marketing budgets.
There’s a bunch of smaller movies coming out this summer that look really good:
Limits of Control
Moon
District 9
500 Summers
Brothers Bloom
Girlfriend Experience
and of course Inglorious Basterds
Probably forgot a few. But I’ll being paying for anyone of those before stepping into Trannies 2. If Terminator ends up being awesome then it’s icing on the cake but it’s not my first line of entertainment.
I had a chance to see 500 Days of Summer a few weeks ago at a film festival here, but I got sick and didn’t feel like going to it then. :(
I heard that it was very good though, from people who did go to see it.
I totally want to see Moon, District 9, and especially Brothers Bloom (I *loved* Brick, so I can’t wait to see what Rian Johnson does with completely different material).
I was actually a big fan of Eric Bana in this one
To me, any film that can draw tears from the audience before the opening titles will mostl likely be memorable.
I have, and will always, love Wrath of Khan the best. I’ve been telling people that this movie took a good portion of its cues from number two but still kept it fresh and likable. I loved him munching on the apple during the simulation- just like how he was when telling the story about it in the second movie. :)
Oh, did anyone pick up the quick if you miss it line where McCoy calls for Nurse Chapel to help him?
I loved this movie though mostly for the nostalgic feel and the freshness and the sheer fun it brought back to Trek. It made me feel good to be a Trekkie again. A feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time. Though I’m hoping that in number 12 now that they have the regs into it they bring in a bit of the harder stuff and some of the themes of exploration.
As for what I’d like to see in the next one, I’m hoping they bring in Carol Marcus and/or they finally get around to telling the story of McCoy’s daughter for subplots. As for major plots I definitely don’t want something that’s already been told before. As much as I love the character of Khan I don’t want anyone else to play him and frankly what would be the point? The story’s been told. If the point of changing the continuity was to be able to tell fresh stories than let’s not do retread.
Do you think IMAX could make Batman and Robin better?
I went in to the movie expecting the worst, and was thrilled to have enjoyed it as much as I did. They managed to pull off a BETTER reboot than even BSG did. They kept enough familiar elements to keep old-school fans like myself happy while making the franchise fresh for new fans at the same time. Sure I had some quibbles….like where was Kirk’s OLDER brother? If the incident with the Kelvin was the point where the movie diverted from the classic timeline, why was he never mentioned? Was not a fan of the look of the new bridge, but the ship itself was awsome. The product placement (Budwiser, Nokia) was a little too jarring for me. and some moments (numb tounge, large hands, ect) while funny were played a little too much like slapstick.
But all in all…damn fine flick…looking forward to see where this divergent timeline goes!
Kirk’s older brother was left on the cutting room floor. That kid, “Johnny,” that young Kirk yells to while speeding by in the Corvette? That would have been Sam, if they hadn’t cut all his other scenes.
I suspect we’ll see Sam back on DVD.