Geekshow

I went into the movie thinking that the “time travel” issue would be a non-issue. Basically, a tool to allow them to take some creativity with the plot line. Make it fresh, change things around. And in my opinion, that's exactly what it was. I never felt like I was watching a time travel plot. In fact, I would describe it more as a “time changing” plot. There was never an attempt to “set it right”, or any hopping around the timeline. And that was a good move, I think.

The characters were solid for the most part. Some didn't get as big of roles as others. And in some cases, it looked like characters were brought on board solely because they were supposed to be. However, it was great to see the new cast quoting some old favorite lines. 

JJ Abrams and the script writers recognized a lot of history of the Trek franchise. They used it well. In some cases for the purpose of humor (I totally wasn't even expecting the Red-shirt issue to come up, for some reason), and in other cases for nostalgia. However, everything came together well as far as I am concerned.

I didn't really like the look of the Orc Romulans, but I can understand the choice to differentiate them from the Vulcans a bit. Likewise, I would have preferred for the Enterprise to look a bit more competent when it came to combat. They were obviously up against a superior ship, so the rapid fire phasers just added to the look that they weren't very powerful. I would have preferred to see that mixed with the old-school steady-shot phasers. However, I must say, I like the phaser pistols a lot more than the old phasers.

I wasn't sold on Chris Pine as Kirk going in, but I think he did a magnificent job with Kirk. Zachary Quinto's performance as Spock is spot on, just as I knew it would be the moment he was cast. It's the sort of casting job that fans everywhere could have put in their “dream casts”, but would never actually expect to see. He was a perfect casting job, and was easily the most spot on amongst the new cast. As far as performances go, the only thing I was disappointed with is that Kirk and Bones didn't get a bit more screen time to sell their friendship. Still, that was a time issue, and I don't see that as a problem with the movie.

I'm still not sure that I would want to see a TV show that would totally re-create the original series. However, I wouldn't be opposed to it either. This is a new universe, and I'm excited to see where they want to take it, assuming everything works out with re-invigerating the fan base. Still, if it was my choice, I'd like a series that would take a closer look at some of the other changes that have happened in the universe stemming from the effects it had on Kirk and crew. 

A new series would have a greater focus on other alien species, I think. And that would make it pretty cool, I think. Also, I really think that I'm growing on the idea of a Star Fleet Academy series. That was mentioned a while back as a possible candidate, likely instead of “Enterprise”. I'm curious though. With a new series, would Abrams be interested in Show Runner duties? Or does he have too much on his plate already?

The one thing I was slightly disappointed in was the lack of Klingons in the movie. I wish they would have at least shown them. But that may have just been my curiosity of which version they would have used. Still, if we get a movie sequel instead of a new series, that's something I would like to see touched on.

Overall, I think this movie does a good job of kicking off the summer blockbusters for real. If everything else that's potentially great ends up like this, it's going to be another awesome year for movies.

I absolutely loved Star Trek.  I pretty much agree with everything Randy said above, except I really like the new Romulan look.  I thought Eric Bana was great as Nemo.  I also heard that they cut a scene out of the movie where Nemo is captured by Klingons and taken to a prison camp.  It was supposed to explain the 25-year wait a bit more, but ended up being cut (probably for pacing issues).  Maybe it will show up on the DVD.

I was pleasantly surprised at how funny Trek was, and none of the humor felt forced to me.  I loved most of the times the classic lines came up.  Most of the time, these lines were incorporated naturally with only a couple times feeling a little shoehorned.  The whole scene at the beginning where Bones is trying to fix what he did to Kirk was great, and I loved the incorporation of “Dammit Jim!” in there.

Karl Urban was hands down my favorite performance.  He was Bones, no question.  However, if Simon Pegg had been in the movie more, he might have been my favorite.  He was freaking hilarious once he shows up.

Trek wasn't a perfect movie, but it only had minor nitpicks for me.  It is certainly the most epic Trek we've ever seen in the theater, and it is a really fun ride.  I can't wait to see it again.

I did realy enjoy this film and I understand that it is an alternative universe but I was slightly annoyed that they destroyed vulcan and how easy it was for them to do it. You would think that one of the founding planets of the federation would be a little better defended? That said though I loved the film, the actors were brilliant and I want to go see it again. deffinatley a film that i'll spend the extra money to get on blu-ray when it comes out.

Maybe they were saving it for a sequel.  I don't think they could have included that particular line without it seeming pretty contrived.  Once the crew gets to know each other, that might seem more natural, but they didn't really know Scotty that well yet in this movie.

Post edited 1:44 pm – May 13, 2009 by Polygon_Wizard

1) What's with the squid design of the mining ship?

It looks big, scary, and is a big contrast to the clean lines of the Federation ships. Plus it's a mining vessel, so it's not technically a military ship.  I thought it looked cool.

2) What was with the water in the ship.

Ummmmm…..coolant? Recycled waste? Random weirdness?

3) I thought that Kirk stumbling upon Spock was a little too lucky.  (Maybe if Kirk's pod had a beacon and Spock had come to investigate, then that would have been fine)

Agreed, a beacon on either side would have been better. Perhaps this wasn't able to be polished and thought out as much due to the writer's strike? Who knows?

4) Instead of beaming Spock and Kirk aboard the Nemo's ship, why didn't they just beam over some photon torpedos?

Because blowing up the ship wouldn't allow them to rescue Captain Pike.

5) I thought the humour (Kirk's allergic reaction and Scotty beaming into the water system) gave the movie a different flavour.  (which is fine but just a little odd)

Different? I actually thought the allergic reaction scene was one of the ones that felt the most “Trek” to me. However, Scotty in the pipes was just silly.

titanncc said:

I did realy enjoy this film and I understand that it is an alternative universe but I was slightly annoyed that they destroyed vulcan and how easy it was for them to do it. You would think that one of the founding planets of the federation would be a little better defended?

  I think they highlighted that with the rest of the responce vessels laying about in peices when the Enterprise gets there. Whose to say that the wreckage wasn't just the remains of the Star Fleet responce team but also whatever ships were stationed around Vulcan for it's defence. The Enterprise only escaped that quick demise due to a few factors,

1) They were the last ship to leave and concequently arrive

2) Kirk's warning that they were not dealing with a natureal desaster but an attack

3) Nemo recognized the Enterprise as the ship Spock was supposed to be on in there current time period.

They were dealing with technology over 100 years more advanced with a contributional development scale unlike anything ever seen on Earth due to the fact we are currently constrained to globalization while to factor there development you have to think in galaxization. It's quite probable that a mining vessel from 100 years in the future would have no trouble dealing with Vulcan's defences and the mostly partially trained Star Fleet Responce team.

That aside I loved the movie. I think a movie series might work a bit better than a TV series, at least enitially for this new timeline.