Now we will squee - in WARP DRIVE!

[serai]

.



Just came from seeing Star Trek.

YAY! How cool is this movie? WAY COOL! I had a great time, far more than I expected. It's definitely a yummy way to start the summer.



(What follows is a little spoilery, but only a little.)


It's NOT a prequel. I know, I know - that's what all the promos and reviewers are calling it, but don't believe them. (Those reviewers are obviously not ST fans, because anyone even a little familiar with Star Trek will spot the inconsistencies almost immediately, starting with the death at the beginning of the story.) Abrams hasn't "invented a back story", as some are saying, since the backstory of ST has been well-established for decades. I started going "Nuh-UH! No way!" about ten minutes into it, and I didn't shake that off until about two-thirds of the way in, when I suddenly got just what the story was doing, and then it all fell into place and made sense. What cleared it up for me? Why, Spock's explanation, of course.

(Without spoiling it, I can say that anyone who knows ST well, and knows the conventions of science fiction, can deduce the basic idea by going to the film's IMDB page and looking at the list of characters.)

What Abrams has done here is figure out a story rationale for messing with the characters and their histories. Clearly, Abrams wants to make more ST films, and also clearly, the ST history already established didn't suit him. So by using the conventions of the ST universe, he's managed to change things around. Some of the changes are small, some quite big, some quite surprising, but none of them dreadful or enraging (at least, not to me), just...interesting. It's quite clever, but definitely NOT the history of the ST universe. It's something else, but it has a reason for being something else, and that reason works (if you swallow the basic premise, which I'm happy to do because hey, this is Star Trek.)


It's a wonderful film, no doubt about it. (40-year ST fan talking here.) The casting is great. Example: At first I thought Zach Quinto resembled the original Spock, but after a while I realized he didn't - but he has that...look. And that's all he needs. (And before you ask, YES, Karl Urban rocks as McCoy!) The ship is hot, the uniforms are classic (yay!), and the story is nimble and well-thought out. Setting aside the issue of the Enterprise - the finest vessel ever commissioned by Starfleet - apparently having crappy sensors and no brig, it's just as cool and fun and fast and cheerful as I'd hoped.

And that's what I always loved about Star Trek, and so many other fans do. It's cheerful. It looks at the future with optimism and hope and confidence in humanity's ability to overcome problems. (In that manner, it's perfect for the new political landscape in America. This was the best time Abrams could have chosen to re-tool and -launch the Enterprise.) And best of all, in the Star Trek universe, the most difficult and challenging of those problems lie not in big technical geekery (of which this film has plenty *hugs Simon Pegg*) but in the hearts and minds of the people out there, exploring the galaxy. That they always rose to the challenge, or were willing to try, made us love them all.


ETA: See below for some more observations. :)


ETA Junior: Ahaha. Apparently some people have trouble finding their balls. Clearly you don't know me, so allow me to enlighten you: Coming here to drop pissy anon comments and then run away will NOT work. I will just delete them (as I already have). If you want to play in this sandbox, you'll have to wear your name tag.

Capice?

Comments

[slipperieslope.livejournal.com]

Yay! Oh Yay!! And Yippee!!!

You have warmed the heart of an old Star Trek fan. I loved it when it came on the air in sixth grade and have been a devotee ever since! I wanted/needed this to be good!

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

And you got it right, it was the optimism and the hope for us as a planet and beyond that won my heart and kept my mind engaged all these decades!

Thank you!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

*grin* Go. Enjoy. Just don't expect big philosophical insights or anything. This film is about introducing the characters and establishing the world (very important, for reasons you'll see), so they don't go off into the kinds of "messages" that the series went into. Maybe we'll get more of that next time!

Also, I forgot to mention - FUNNY. That ol' ST humor. The funny mostly comes from Scotty and Kirk. Scotty is a PISS (I only wish he'd come into the movie earlier!) and Kirk is...well, he's Kirk. He's young and cute and hot-headed, thinks he's the best thing to come along since sliced cheese, and can't imagine why everybody doesn't think the same.

I really like the way his relationship with Spock unfolds - very well-handled. I always wondered how or WHY these two would become friends. That was answered in a very acceptable way here.

And McCoy! Karl did beautifully. Of all the actors, he came the closest to doing an actual impression of the original. You even get a hint of the Southern accent here and there, when he's stressed out. Not as much as Kelley (but then, he was Southern), but it's there, and I had wondered if Karl would go with that or dump it. I'm so glad he went with the original characterization! (Oh, and he's FUNNY X 200.)

[serai1.livejournal.com]

P.S. Love the icon! They should have put Kirk in his uniform shirt for it, though, so the new shot would match the old shot more. It's neat that the portraits are so close, though!

May I snag? (I only have the Galaxy Quest icon. Need a real ST one.)

[kayrey.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah ... and I LOVE your icon.

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

I am really relieved to read this. I loved ST, back from the days of the original, and through every good and bad incarnation since. And I was very worried, from the little I had heard about this movie, that JJ had decided to just throw out canon entirely and use characters with the same name to tell some other story. Now, I'm really looking forward to going to see this movie.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that was the danger. And that's what I thought he was doing, so it was great when I realized what was going on. I really don't mind changes to a classic story, if the filmmakers can give me a good solid reason for the changes.

But when a change is made for no reason, or for reasons like "it looks cool!" (Denethor's plunge) or "I wanna do this here just because, but I can't unless I change this over here", then I get irritated. That's why I mentioned the issue of the Enterprise lacking things EVERYONE knows it has. Both those things became apparent to me because the writers indulged story tropes to the detriment of the LOGIC involved, just because they couldn't think of any other way to get where they were going. That's a huge no-no in any kind of storytelling. Luckily, neither of them ruined things; they're just irritating, and I hope they get cleared up for the next film.

[fantasy-fan.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's lazy writing. I can overlook some of that though, if the rest is worth it. I hope I get to see it soon.

[shirebound]

it's just as cool and fun and fast and cheerful as I'd hoped.

Now I really REALLY can't wait to see it.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

You will love! *hug*

[tiggersk8.livejournal.com]

Over here through the link you left at Shirebound's LJ.

I can't wait to see this thing, and I have to wait for at least another two and a bit weeks. I'm in Rural Northern Ontario and three hours from the nearest movie theatre. Have to bop down to Toronto for follow up on Foot Surgery first Friday of June, so one of my two nights down there will be in a movie theatre.

Have I mentioned that I can't wait!?!

Oh and I'm so happy for Karl that he's been getting such rave reviews from just about every thing I've seen so far. He really hasn't had the type of after LOTR success some of the others have had and I've always felt bad for him because of that. I really felt he had real potential to be a breakout star on his own for some odd reason. Hopefully this will be his chance. :o)

Thanks for the review!!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Oh dear! I'm sorry you have to wait while everybody around here is hopping up and down. Just tell yourself you'll have an even better time because you had to have patience!

Karl is SO GREAT. I'd been on tenterhooks wondering if he would ace it, but I cracked up at the first words out of his mouth. He's a worthy successor to dear DeForest (Goddess love him). You'll especially love his reaction to meeting Spock - PERFECT. (It would indeed be wonderful if he gets to keep this role in later films.)

[estelanui.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your review!
I will go to the movie tomorrow and your comments made me happy.
So, it's a new/different starting story in the same open and optimistic ST universe.
Now, as an old ST fan, I'm very curious and also expectant to feel again the hope and the openness towards the future that is lacking in these years.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

So, it's a new/different starting story in the same open and optimistic ST universe.

Yes, which is really all they could have done. The original storyline was pretty much played out; it was time for a re-boot. And if the rest is as good as this, it'll be absolutely fine.

[kayrey.livejournal.com]

Oh yes - I loved the optimism and humor of the original Trek. Beyond delighted to find it in JJ's film. My respect for him multiplied to see how he achieved a storyline with writing partners Orci & Kurtzman that created a new beginning without disrespecting or diminishing the Classic. I completely lost it with Bones, Kirk & the "needle" - and loved the reference to Kirk's allergies. Moments like that were just brilliant.

Since the first show, I've lived for the hope that, one day "we'll get to Star Trek time." Technology only plays a minor part. It's the heart, the hope and the willingness to go the extra mile to help others knowing that with that generosity of spirit, we also help ourselves.

SPOILERS HERE

[serai1.livejournal.com]

that created a new beginning without disrespecting or diminishing the Classic.

That was my basic problem. I'm so used to the conventions of time travel stories, i.e., you either can't fuck up history because the world goes boom, or else you can't fuck up history because it isn't possible since everything that you do back in time is part of how history evolved anyway. I didn't realize until way into the picture that it isn't a usual time travel story, and that they meant to fuck up history and leave it that way. That we've left ST Prime and we're going to continue in a changed universe. Despite my wanting to remain unspoiled, I kinda wish I'd known that, as it might have saved me all the energy I spent being confused and (somewhat) resistant to the changes.

Now I want to see how the slashers are going to deal with Uhura. Can't exactly turn HER into an evil keep-them-apart female, can they?

Re: SPOILERS HERE

[kayrey.livejournal.com]

Indeed. Uhura is much too admirable - and engaging - to turn her into evil female. Besides, why should a relationship between Kirk & Spock be threatening? Each relationship has its merit - and wouldn't these people be the ones to realize it? We are boldly going, right?

Yes - on first viewing I was twitching. I was liking what I saw & felt but it was sure messing with my mind. UNTIL the big reveal about halfway through. Then it was relax & enjoy the ride. After that, I couldn't wait to see it again so I could just fill up on the whole concept & admire how it was accomplished.

Am still actually tingling! LOL

Re: SPOILERS HERE

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Uhura has been and always will be a GODDESS. I'm suddenly realizing that she's probably the reason I've had a thing for black ladies most of my life. I am so WAY loving the possibilities here. Spock is different now, he's got a chip on his shoulder, so there's more room for him to pursue (or be pursued) than in ST Prime. And of course, it would have to be a woman who measured up - who better than fabulous, tough, gorgeous, genius Uhura? Honestly, that kiss made me melt.

Yes! When George first appears, I thought, "Hey, is that Sam?" And I was trying to remember if the situation sounded like Sam's death, and I was confused, and then they said it was Kirk's dad and...WHAT? It was very frustrating. The film was SO HOT and yet I really didn't want the world messed with "just because". When it turned out it wasn't so, I were Big Happy.

Heehee, only the fact of my family's get-together in two hours is keeping me from RUSHING to the theater for another go! But I'm going back tomorrow. *bounces up and down*

[bana76.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, YES!
Those are my thoughts.. just in clear words.
What you said about "getting" it and what JJ+ writers with the story so.. "What Abrams has done here is figure out a story rationale for messing with the characters and their histories."

GAH!
I still suck at articulating my thoughts about the film, obviously, but I read this and went "YES, THAT'S WHAT I MEAN!!!!"

Some old fans are pissed and although I understand, I think the old STar Trek wouldn't work here. I mean, sure, it could. As well as the last few, at best.

You're dealing with a more sophisticated audience with a finer palette in their movie tastes (yes, even the old fans are more sophisticated.)
They HAD to make these characters different and this beautiful first movie told us WHY and now all we have to do is sit and relax!

Also, it was FUNNY AS HECK!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Well, I don't think "the old Star Trek" is viable anymore, just because so many of the people involved are way too old to be in it. How could anyone think an origin story was possible with the old cast? It kinda HAD to be recast. And I would SO rather go onward with a new cast and new stories than have to make do with old stuff. Because Paramount were damn smart about it, ST has always had tons of room for new tales - how many books are out? Over 300 at last count, I think.

Also, I don't think they had to change the characters, which is why they really haven't changed them very much at all. It's the circumstances that have changed, influencing the way the characters react and develop, but they're still the same people essentially. Just that a couple of them have issues they didn't have before. (Uhura, for instance, is almost exactly the same, except for some stylistic touches.) It's more the look and style of the film itself that is different.

I think that's why I'm so OK with the changes, because they haven't messed with anything that's really important. (Well, other than the fact that the ship's sensors now completely sucky - what the hell is up with THAT?)

/ranty McRant. sorry. :)

[westmoon.livejournal.com]

I loved it!

I knew the premise going in, so I was prepared for the changes and knew why they were happening, so saved myself a whole lot of angst (whew).

There were some nitpicky problems with plot logic (I thought) but overall I was in state of glee throughout. The cast was fabulous, Karl OWNED that role, and best of all, it reinforced my own 40 year fangirling!

And now I need a ST icon.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

*grin* You were lucky to know enough to keep you from angsting over it!

I am so loving this. It's just kick-ass. I agree about the problems, just about all related to storytelling logic. "Get him off the ship!" Excuse me, but last I looked, the Enterprise had this thing called a "brig"; it's where you put bad people. So there's no need to risk a cadet's life just because he irritates you, dammit!

But yo, Karl was grand! I wish DeForest could have seen his performance. I think he would've been tickled pink. *goddess bless him*

[ladysunrope.livejournal.com]

Have just seen this in the UK and I knew you would have a review of it :D I was dreading seeing this to be honest, simply because I wanted it to work so badly but I shouldn't have worried. By the end of the film I was feeling exactly the same as I used to when TOS was on - hardly able to wait until the next time.

When the film finished and everyone left the cinema, there were a group of people left behind. We didn't know each other at all but we were all of a certain age and we looked at each other and grinned, some punched the air, some hugged. We got chatting, all original Star Trek fans, and then went for a pizza together. It just seemed the natural thing to do. I can't think of a current franchise where that might happen.