The new J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie is out in theaters today and I can’t help but raise an eyebrow in amusement at the mixed bag of reviews that is streaming across my Twitter feed. Some folks seem to love the movie, while others think it’s a travesty. My experience and feelings for the Star Trek franchise have been publicly stated here on the site–it’s safe to say that I’m no Trekkie–but I did enjoy the first Abrams movie.
It seems like the “true” Star Trek fans can’t bring themselves to enjoy the new movies because Abrams has abandoned many of the Star Trek norms. The movies just aren’t “Star Trekkie” enough. Not being a Trek fan, I guess I just don’t know what’s missing. I plan to see “Into Darkness,” maybe even in the theater, and I imagine I’ll enjoy it the same as I did the first–a big budget movie with spaceships and explosions, what’s not to like?
People get so attached to their early experiences, that sometimes they can’t handle someone stepping in and moving around the furniture (or blowing it up). Next up for Abrams, is the Star Wars franchise, and I might just have to turn of the internet when that hits the fans.
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This post was written in response to the weekly blog challenge from the League of Extraordinary Bloggers. Other folks are talking about Star Trek too, such as Doubledumbassonyou, Geek Life Balance, Dorkette, and Monster Cafe.
I loved the first film as well. So did my Mexican Wifey. As always though I cannot see movies here in Mexico because it is ALWAYS dubbed over. So I have to wait for it to hit DVD.
This one was right on the fence for me. I wanted to like it and I liked so much of it but the parts I didn’t like, I REALLY hated. I was rewriting those parts in my head and that is never a good sign.
Did you insert any armored polar bears, ’cause that would make anything better. 😉
I recently heard your appearance on the Nerd Lunch episode “Does it Live Up to the Hype”, where you discussed the earlier films. I couldn’t agree with you more.
I can’t WAIT to see what happens with the new Star Wars film by the way, exactly BECAUSE of Abrams work on the Star Trek Franchise. I just hope he gets to make a 3rd Trek movie (not even having seen the 2nd one I’m assuming it’s awesome…) to complete a nu-Trek trilogy before he’s out.
They haven’t burned those tapes yet? ugh.
I’m really looking forward to the Abrams Star Wars movies. I think the franchise can use a boost of adrenaline. It can’t possibly be as bad as the first (second?) trilogy.
I personally liked the first one better. This one was good, definitely entertaining, but there was just something about the first one I enjoyed more. Just my two cents!
As a non-Trekker I’m finding the internet’s reaction to Abrams’ admission he’d never watched Star Trek pretty amusing. The reason I saw the last one (and will be seeing this one) is because it looks more Star Wars-y.
I also get a kick out of people seeming to think it was his sole decision to take on Trek and that no one else had to approve what he was doing.
I really do enjoy these new films. To be able to have a clean slate and abandon the established canon is awesome. Not to mention the fact that these films have a way better budget than any of the previous films had.
I hate when people refer to themselves as “true” Star Trek/Star Wars/name your franchise fans. What the hell does that mean? You adhere slavishly to your favorite property? These same people denounce any expanded universe books or novels as “non-canon” because it isn’t the TV show/movie. That’s just retarded.
I consider myself a fairly big Star Trek fan. I love the original series. I’ve watched it in reruns since the 80s. I have Season 1 and Season 2 on Blu-Ray. I’ve seen the original movie Parts 4 and 6 in the theater. I watched The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise when they originally aired. If not religiously, I watched them often. I even read many of the hundreds of books and novels in the Star Trek Expanded Universe.
I loved Abrams movie. I thought it stayed true to the spirit of Star Trek but made it action packed and fun. It follows directly in line with the last Original Series movie, Undiscovered Country. I plan on seeing the sequel Into Darkness in the theater as soon as I can make time to do it (this weekend, fingers crossed).
I have some thoughts on why certain fans won’t like the movies. And it hinges on Nimoy as Spock (not for his performance, just the fact that he’s there). I’m actually writing up an article on it that I hope goes up soon.
So, as one self professed big Star Trek fan, I loved Abrams movie and hope the Abrams-verse continues.
Pax
I understand why people like these new films but can’t stomach them personally. I suffered through the first disaster in the theatre and avoided the second one until I saw enough of it in the break room at work. Not bad for a comedy if you count the lens flares, and the generic sci fi action that MIGHT work if you applied it to different characters.
Personally I treat them like the rumoured Star Wars Prequels and just ignore them completely…..At least they bumped Star Trek V off the throne for the “Worst Star Trek Film” title.