Star Trek

[Steve Pavlina]

Erin and I saw the new Star Trek movie in IMAX today. I thought it was really good, especially given that I had low expectations going in due to the vomitous Nemesis movie.

Starfleet Academy scenes were filmed in front of the Oviatt Library (photo here) at Cal State University Northridge, where Erin and I both went to college.

So now I can boldly claim that I graduated from Starfleet Academy -- in only 3 semesters (half as long as it took Kirk).

Of course you can graduate much sooner when you don't hang out with Orion slave girls or get into bar fights.

[Trezker]

It seems quite different from the old movies. I like how the Onion reviewed it.
YouTube - Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film As 'Fun, Watchable'

I shall set the intention that I will see this movie legally... In say, 2012.

[WanderingOak]

Of course, everything in that particular 'universe' is going to be different from now on. One thing that always annoyed me about 'Trek, is that whenever somebody uses time travel to undo an interstellar error, everything was put back the way it was before, as if nothing happened. One thing hat I liked about this movie is that did not happen. Then again, the next Star Trek movie could be about just that, undoing everything that Nero did in this movie.

[Erin Pavlina]

They had to destroy our familiar time line so they could go forward and not have to repeat episodes and incidents we've already seen.

I was pretty close to shedding an actual tear in the opening scene when Kirk is born and his father dies. "Your father was captain for 12 minutes and saved 800 people. I dare you to do better." Loved it.

I loved the interplay of the characters, the fast pacing, the nuances. They can't make a sequel fast enough for me.

[Steve Pavlina]

In some ways this movie reminded me of Cloverfield, which maintained high tension and fast pacing throughout the movie.

The part with Dr. McCoy and the hyposprays was really funny.

[silicon toad2000]

I'm with you there Erin, I have only seen the open scene so far and being a dad I got a bit choked up.

[cylon]

I'm putting my nerd on to see it tomorrow, wonder if it will live up to the hype since I've read most of the reviews so far. I'm actually expecting a lot from it.

[Casual]

Great movie. Lots of funny references to the older series, while still being accessible to newbies (all my non-Trek friends enjoyed it). This one just might replace "First Contact" as my favorite Trek movie.

[magic1]

just thought there was synchs in this thread! and then I realized our synchs are star wars!

[cylon]

I'll second that this is just as if not better than First Contact.

[straysweeper]

I watched this on Sunday with my dad. He said 'worth watching'. And while I loved it as being probably the best Trek Film in years. Especially much better than Insurrection which to me was the worst one. I think the implications of no Vulcan, and them becoming endangered makes me mind spin at the long term implications.

Though, I can't help but think it was the only method left. After Nemesis, there wouldn't really be much in terms of conflict left in Alpha Quadrant. And what is good story without conflict?

I think what will frustrate some of us down the line (at least me), is the technology being out of date versus what we are used to.

[Craig]

Spoiler Alert.

Ok, I've seen all of the classic Star Trek films and the first two of the Next Gen. movies. I liked this one a lot, but there's one thing that bugged me. Couldn't the Romulan villain saved his own planet since he went back in time to well before the disaster that destroyed his planet? He obviously knew how to use the Red Matter. Am I being too logical?

[ShiningLight]

I've never seen any Star Trek movies or tv shows, but I got to say that I am thoroughly impressed by this movie. I LOVED it. Best movie of the year for me so far - it even goes into my top favorite movies list. Yeah, it's that good. Def. must see.

On a side note, I can't wait for T4!

[lifetimelearner]

when I was younger I couldn't wait to get home from school to watch Star Trek -I was in love with that show and the characters
oh and of course I was in love with William Shatner !

I saw the new movie recently and I loved the way the actors depicted their characters -it was perfect !!

I want to go see it again !!!

[JoeRad]

After the last few Star Trek movies and shows, I had become disillusioned with the entire franchise. I saw it as having alot of potential, with terrible writing at the helm.

So, I my brother took me this weekend though, and I have to admit, this is one of the best films I have seen in years. Engaging, good acting (McKoy being the best) and a creative resolution to a complicated time paradox. All kinds of fun. Actually, the first movie I have gone to in a theater in, well, 2 years.

Good stuff!

[Jarreddo]

Originally Posted by Craig

Spoiler Alert.

Ok, I've seen all of the classic Star Trek films and the first two of the Next Gen. movies. I liked this one a lot, but there's one thing that bugged me. Couldn't the Romulan villain saved his own planet since he went back in time to well before the disaster that destroyed his planet? He obviously knew how to use the Red Matter. Am I being too logical?

It all boils down to him being a villain. He's selfish. He's not trying to save the planet, he's trying to lash out in revenge for having to watch his planet get destroyed. Not to mention if he were a good guy, there wouldn't be much of a movie in the first place.

[cacheborn]

I liked Nemesis mainly because it had a happy ending. I was happy, delighted in fact, when it (finally) ended.

Despite good reviews, I was not sure if this movie will be worth it. But I was pleasantly surprised. First, it's great to get back the old team of Kirk, Spock. Good to see the old spock, Leonard Nimoy, too. The action was fast paced with good humour. All in all, great movie.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Edit : I was thinking about a smiley to represent the Vulcun greeting when they say live long and prosper. I found it. \\//

[Fullcrum]

I just finished seeing it and the first thing I thought to do was return here to share my joy.

It's awesome.

What for me is as entertaining if not more is the complex interplay of personalities and the ethical and moral dilemmas that characterize the episodes and the movies.

Especially enlightening are the battles that characterize the age-old human dilemma of logic vs. emotion. There are ways to transcend this problem and get all parts aligned in the same direction, but I nonetheless feel like Spock went through much of the same stuff I did (and do) to integrate human into logic.

Awesome. 5 stars.

[Steve Pavlina]

Part of the reason Star Trek works so well is that you have the 3 core principles of personal development all represented by strong characters.

Spock = Truth
McCoy = Love
Kirk = Power

You get interesting drama where these principles come together to define the secondary principles.

Spock and McCoy intersect in the area of Oneness (Truth + Love), so you can expect they'd have arguments related to compassion and "the good of the one vs. the good of the many."

Spock and Kirk intersect at Authority (Truth + Power), so you can expect they'd challenge each other to figure out what the best decision is in any given situation.

McCoy and Kirk overlap in the area of Courage (Love + Power), so they will have issues regarding issues of the heart, such as when to be bold and when to play it safe.

When you put all three characters together, you get Intelligence (Truth + Love + Power), which suggests interesting 3-way interactions about what it means to be a wise leader and what is most important in life.

[Fullcrum]

Precisely.

Now I'm gonna have to invent a circular classroom-simulator so I can teach my future children calculus when they're 7.

Or maybe I'll buy them the iBook 10,000, with real-feel holographic pages and new page-turning crinkle sound. "Just like the real thing".

[cylon]

Originally Posted by Fullcrum

Now I'm gonna have to invent a circular classroom-simulator so I can teach my future children calculus when they're 7.

I loved that part. I can't believe they went to the trouble of making Vulcan seem so interesting if they weren't going to follow through on it. Better be a good reason for it.

[cylon]

Some of you may get a chuckle out of this:

IGN: Worst 10 Star Trek Movie Moments

[marinik]

Originally Posted by cylon

Some of you may get a chuckle out of this:

IGN: Worst 10 Star Trek Movie Moments

Thanks I had a great laugh!!!

[Engle]

Nice post by Steve Pavlina on the 3 characters.

If I may, (and I dont profess to be a Star Trek fan)
Kirk exudes Leadership (akin to Power)
Spock exudes Logic (akin to Truth)

Their dialogue is fascinating as both complement each other and make their points. Kirk, being the Leader, makes the final decision. Which just goes to show that not everything in the universe flows logically and neither do some of the sentient beings that inhabit it.

[LifeFirst]

Was anyone else bothered by the CLICHE dialogue in this film???

And the stupid one-liners sometimes.

I know for sure they didn't talk like that in the 90s TV series.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by LifeFirst

Was anyone else bothered by the CLICHE dialogue in this film???

And the stupid one-liners sometimes.

I know for sure they didn't talk like that in the 90s TV series.

nope I liked it the way it was

[cylon]

I have a higher tolerance for the unbelievable when it comes to science fiction movies.

[Excellent Lodestar]

Why hasn't Will Shatner been called off the bench for these Movies?

[ChefSalad]

Originally Posted by Excellent Lodestar

Why hasn't Will Shatner been called off the bench for these Movies?

Because God loves us all.

[spongesuesquareskirt]

Originally Posted by ChefSalad

Because God loves us all.

lol!