Let's ignore for the moment that this film is a continuation of a long-revered franchise. JJ has made a very entertaining movie. The good guys are good; the bad guys are really bad; the explosions and space travel and crazy time travel plot are all fun. Yay, good for JJ (and good for the common moviegoer). Now, let's remember that this is Star Trek. I'm no fan of classic Trek - dislike it, actually. But as for depicting the origins of Kirk and Spock and their relationship, JJ did a great job. Early Kirk is seen as a renegade arrogant jerk. This is dumb, but perfectly fitting for what was to become Shatner's Kirk. The bond between Kirk and (old and new) Spock was accurate, as well. But then JJ leaps away from Trek altogether, in essence taking the whole of Trek history and dumping it in the garbage can. SPOILERS AHEAD! In the movie, JJ creates an alternate reality, whereby Spock's mom dies (she is still alive in the "historical/future" Trek); the entire Vulcan planet disintegrates; Uhura and Spock are potential lovers; and JJ has for himself a future franchise where he doesn't have to play by a single rule of the Star Trek universe. This is a cop-out and a mediocre plot device, and oddly self-serving for JJ's movie future.
Friday, June 12, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW - Star Trek (2009)
Let's ignore for the moment that this film is a continuation of a long-revered franchise. JJ has made a very entertaining movie. The good guys are good; the bad guys are really bad; the explosions and space travel and crazy time travel plot are all fun. Yay, good for JJ (and good for the common moviegoer). Now, let's remember that this is Star Trek. I'm no fan of classic Trek - dislike it, actually. But as for depicting the origins of Kirk and Spock and their relationship, JJ did a great job. Early Kirk is seen as a renegade arrogant jerk. This is dumb, but perfectly fitting for what was to become Shatner's Kirk. The bond between Kirk and (old and new) Spock was accurate, as well. But then JJ leaps away from Trek altogether, in essence taking the whole of Trek history and dumping it in the garbage can. SPOILERS AHEAD! In the movie, JJ creates an alternate reality, whereby Spock's mom dies (she is still alive in the "historical/future" Trek); the entire Vulcan planet disintegrates; Uhura and Spock are potential lovers; and JJ has for himself a future franchise where he doesn't have to play by a single rule of the Star Trek universe. This is a cop-out and a mediocre plot device, and oddly self-serving for JJ's movie future.
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Purely on the fact that the Young Captain Kirk was hot. Needs a 7.
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