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17th Knight
Moderator
Celebate By Circumstance
| Joined: | Sat Mar 8th, 2008 |
| Location: | Sioux Falls, South Dakota USA |
| Posts: | 41 |
| Interests: | History, Politics, Video Games, Books, The Outdoors, Astronomy, Guitar, Latin | | Describes Me: | Directionless | | My Wish: | To do something meaningful with my life. | | Quote: | "Our obligations to our country cease but with our lives." ... |
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#1 Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 03:04 am |
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I'm going to begin this with a Disclaimer: My mother grew up watching The Original Series. She still has a crush on Kirk. When The Next Generation first came out, I was six. She, of course, was ecstatic and sat me down to watch. And so I have been a HUGE Trek fan for a long time. No, I don't go to conventions, I don't speak Klingon, and I've never dressed up. But I have watched all the series and I know them rather well.
And my overall opinion of the movie? As an objective viewer simply viewing a summer action flick: It's fantastic! As a Trek fan viewing the newest version of Star Trek? It's fantastic!
STORY
The plot is not intricate or involved, but that's rather to be expected as it is like Batman Begins and Iron Man: An origin story. This is about re-introducing the world to the characters that have been parts of our culture for 40 years, now. And how does it do as an origin story? Fairly well. As there are so many characters, a few of them only get brief introductions and storytime, but the brunt of the story goes to the two stars: Kirk and Spock. Highlighting the worlds of difference between them, and the things that bring them together as friends.
The revenge plot of Nero is nothing fresh or amazing, but it holds the story together well, and I really liked that they made him more of a tragic figure than an evil-because-I-am villain.
Sure, there's plot holes, inconsistencies, awkward moments, a few cheesy lines, and a suspension of disbelief, but who really cares? This movie is for people who like to have a good time at the theaters. It made me feel like Raiders of the Lost Ark or Empire Strikes Back.
ACTING
This is what the whole movie came down to. How would these actors perform as characters that everyone who isn't even a fan could recognize the mannerisms of? I mean, honestly, is there anyone who couldn't recognize Shatner as Kirk or Nimoy as Spock? It's just something that is ingrained in our culture.
And, overall, the cast does admirably well. The one pitfall they all had was toeing the line between imitation and caricature. The strongest of the cast, far and away (and surprisingly, to me) was Zachary Quinto as Spock. He absolutely becomes the character and at no point was I thinking of him as someone "playing" Spock, I just thought of him as Spock. Pine does the VERY intelligent move of having next-to-none of Shatner's mannerisms. Why is this smart? Because it's impossible to do Shatner's Kirk without someone instantly seeing through it. It would be like someone trying to do Heath Ledger's Joker...it just wouldn't look right.
The members of the cast who are 'not' well-ingrained characters (Captain Pike, Nero, etc) are fantastically portrayed. Near-flawless acting. Eric Bana as Nero is wickedly good, having one of the more pulse-pounding moments accentuated by his line when he screams "FIRE EVERYTHING!!!"
"Bones" McCoy is the only one who feels somewhat overdone, but in no way does he detract from the movie. You feel like it's something he'll have worked into perfectly by the next movie. I am not at all saying that his performance isn't really good, because it is, it's just that he seems the tiniest bit uncomfortable with some of the mannerisms that Deforest Kelley always made seem like second nature.
Uhura is, surprisingly, one of the strongest on the screen, right up there with Zachary Quinto. She was a somewhat-muted part in the series and movies, but in this movie she most definitely stands out. Her scenes with Spock are very moving, and she feels like a very integral part of the entire film. It's somewhat a plus for the actress that Uhura was less a "main" character than the others in the Original Series as she has a broad range to perform in, with many directions to take the character, and she does an excellent job.
Pegg, as Scotty, was fantastic. Somewhat-too-comic-reliefish and yet the only thing that Simon Pegg's performance left you wanting was for him to have more screen time. Sulu, like Uhura, had plenty of room to be maneuvered in and his fight scene is definitely exciting. Chekov will catch you by surprise by how much you just instantly like the character. He seems like he'd be very difficult to play well, and yet he just shines on-screen. Yes, they keep Chekov's heavy-heavy-HEAVY Russian accent, and even make fun of it when he's introduced.
Overall, the cast does a smash-up job of portraying characters that everyone is familiar with, if even on a cursory level, and never feeling like they're out of place.
And Leonard Nimoy? Why, he has some of the best moments in the movie. The final lines will leave any Trek fan grinning from ear to ear.
DIRECTION/EDITING/CINEMATOGRAPHY
Abrams has definitely changed the pace and tune of Star Trek with this movie. The earlier you go in the series the more the battles and situations feel like studies in philosophy and naval combat (which is slow, with briefly exciting moments). Instead, what we have are fast tunes (Sabotage by the Beastie Boys at one part), epic scores, camera-work that is HIGHLY similar to the new Battlestar Galactica series, stunning explosions and f/x, and a frenetic pace that leaves you on the edge of your seat for almost the whole movie. The slow moments are so few and far between that it almost feels awkward as you sit in your chair and go "No one's sword fighting, nothing's blowing up, Kirk isn't punching some guy or boning an alien? FOR FUCK'S SAKE IT'S BEEN FIFTEEN SECONDS!"
You may think that I am exaggerating, but you would be very very wrong. Every moment of this movie SOMETHING is happening and it's usually loud, badass, or moving, and more often it's a combination of 2 of those. This movie just NEVER lets up. And, trust me, that's a good thing.
THE NODS
There are a surprising number of winks and nods to the other series, characters, actors, etc. However, most of these moments aren't slap-you-in-the-face obvious. And they are never done twice, so you get the one glimpse, and then its gone. In fact, my two friends who I went with glanced at me a few times when I'd laugh at something and ask "What was that about?" because I noticed another little wink and nudge to the old series.
Kirk lounging in the chair with head on fist? Check
Spock raising the eyebrow? Check
Bones saying "Dammit I'm a Doctor!"? Check
Finally seeing how Kirk cheated his way through Starfleet Academy? Check
In fact, there's probably a bunch that I didn't even notice, and that's because some were right in your face and others were subtle. Regardless, you're sure to notice at least one, and it'll probably make you smile.
THE REBOOT
I won't say much, but the plot involves alternate realities and time travel: Two things that every Trek fan knows are very common-place in all 5 series, and a surprising number of the movies.
In doing so, they have essentially erased the past 40 years of Trek. Now, before you get all bent out of shape, keep in mind this is an "alternate reality" now. They aren't saying the other 5 series didn't happen, they're just showing you a whole new undiscovered country, where anything can happen, now. No one is safe and nothing is written in stone, anymore.
After all, isn't the point of Star Trek to boldly go where no one has gone before?
THE BOTTOM LINE
This movie is action packed, filled with good-natured humor, well acted, and frantically paced. The theater I was in sold out and only ONE person stood up the entire time. I didn't even glance away from the screen from beginning to end. You simply don't want to! It grabs onto you and just holds you in its thrall from beginning to end. If you can see any constant throughout my review it's that I wanted MORE of everything.
I have often been disappointed by summer movie season, many times, but Star Trek delivers in every way. You will enjoy this movie, I guarantee it.
What else is there to say? Every other movie this year just had the bar set for them. And it's a pretty high bar, indeed.
OBLIGATORY RED-SHIRT: Oh yeah, you know it's coming.
This is one of the best summer movies in a long time and is comparable only with movies like Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade. I give it:
Last edited on Mon May 11th, 2009 03:06 am by 17th Knight
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"Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -Mark Twain
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Twitchin Kitten
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Warding Off Stupidity Daily
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#2 Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 12:28 pm |
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You really should think of becoming a movie critic
We were going to go see this but the lines were around the block all weekend.
I've been watching Star Trek like your mom, from the beginning. I still think Next Gen is the best one out there though - for the TV series. I can't think of a Star Trek movie that has disappointed me yet!
Now, I'm drooling with anticipation. Maybe we'll try during the week at night - the dopey kids might be home in bed where they belong!
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I have no idea what you're talking about so here's a bunny with a pancake on it's head.
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Twitchin Kitten
Admin
Warding Off Stupidity Daily
| Joined: | Sun Nov 13th, 2005 |
| Location: | Toms River, New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 7690 |
| Interests: | animals, bikes, tattoos, Hockey, bull riding and borderline Illegal fun | | Describes Me: | Marvelous | | My Wish: | I wish I had a watermelon | | Quote: | You can't fix stupid ~ Ron White |
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#3 Posted: Mon May 11th, 2009 12:35 pm |
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And, overall, the cast does admirably well. The one pitfall they all had was toeing the line between imitation and caricature. The strongest of the cast, far and away (and surprisingly, to me) was Zachary Quinto as Spock. He absolutely becomes the
Thank you!
You are the ONLY other person I've seen spell that word correctly in the context given!
All I have ever seen is TOWing. 
People - the phrase "toeing the line" comes from the military where soldiers had to line up with their toes 'lined up' along a line - imaginary or otherwise.
Spelled with a W it makes you think of someone towing an object behind them. Why would you drag a rope behind you?
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Vizth Hal
SuperMod
| Joined: | Thu Jul 6th, 2006 |
| Location: | Tellico Plains, USA |
| Posts: | 809 |
| Interests: | 3d Graphics, Anime, Robotics, Geek Stuff. | | Describes Me: | Friendly, Sumo Sized | | My Wish: | Hot Women, Bipedal Robots. | | Quote: | NII |
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#4 Posted: Wed May 13th, 2009 09:31 am |
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| I vote we make knight the official TK movie critic.
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Twitchin Kitten
Admin
Warding Off Stupidity Daily
| Joined: | Sun Nov 13th, 2005 |
| Location: | Toms River, New Jersey USA |
| Posts: | 7690 |
| Interests: | animals, bikes, tattoos, Hockey, bull riding and borderline Illegal fun | | Describes Me: | Marvelous | | My Wish: | I wish I had a watermelon | | Quote: | You can't fix stupid ~ Ron White |
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#5 Posted: Wed May 13th, 2009 02:38 pm |
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I tried getting him to do that for us a couple years ago Viz, but he never even answered me. 
Helllllooooooo Maaaaatt - wanna be dubbed the official critic?
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