Star Trek - 9
Can’t remember the last time I went to see a movie twice in a theater run. Maybe The Sixth Sense. I’ve really got to like a movie to pay twice, much less buy the DVD.
I actually enjoyed Star Trek that much - that and the fact that I’ve always been a Trekkie. Not a convention-attending, costume-wearing one mind-you, or one that has seen every episode of the subsequent series incarnations that mainly enriched Gene Roddenberry’s estate; but a Trekkie who just loved the story of Kirk, Spock and their crew exploring strange new worlds.
In this story of essentially how the crew of the Starship Enterprise came together Director JJ Abrams pulls off homage to the original Star Trek while at the same time giving appropriate thrills to all audiences. The movie is injected with a rollicking humor that helps move the action along.
To me, Star Trek has always represented the most plausible and possible future. As a franchise its movies have not been the financial juggernaut that the Star Wars series has been, but the arc has been similar in that the artistic peak was early. Star Wars was this incredible make-believe fantasy world. We always felt that because Starfleet and Jim Kirk originated on earth, Star Trek somehow was a real possibility. This movie reflects that. The characters don’t reflect the probable cultural diversity of the 23rd century – still a little stuck in 1965 – but that’s quibbling. The characters have always been rich and distinct and interesting, and this gives their story that well-worn depth we crave.
The script is a good one. It brilliantly pays tribute to the best of Star Trek history. but is not hampered by it. First, there’s Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan. Easily the best of the Star Trek movies, I’ve always considered it a classic – a life lesson movie. In addition by showing the eventual transfer of the Enterprise command from Christopher Pike to James Kirk, it also tips it’s cap to “The Menagerie” the classic 2 part episode, that along with “City on the Edge of Forever,” (also slyly referenced here) were the pinnacles of the TV series.
The storytelling team does a masterful job of re-imagining the beginnings of Kirk’s command. But, that would have been wasted if the casting hadn’t been spot-on. …Chris Pine as Jim Kirk is perfect. He may not know it yet, but the course of his life has been set and he could very easily be playing James Tiberius Kirk for the rest of his life, toward the end of the movie, he even begins to assume the cadence and bravado of William Shatner. He will not win any acting awards, but he’s deserving. Likewise Zachary Quinto, apparently coached by Leonard Nimoy, is wonderful as Spock. They somehow manage to capture the same chemistry as Shatner and Nimoy, and the movie’s emotional weight emerges as their rivalry turns to mutual respect. It’s exciting to watch.
The rest of the cast is just as good. All of the rest of the well-known characters are on board, and they’re not just tokens. They’re treated with respect and each play important roles in the story.
So, why not a 10? Well, I have 2 minor quibbles with the movie. Like most action movies theirs is what I call “blurry action,” where you can’t see exactly what’s going on. Most of these are during fight sequences, when Kirk is getting clobbered. I can’t remember when a major character in a movie has been beaten up so much (without losing a tooth), but we just don’t see it very well.
My other quibble is with the appearance of Leonard Nimoy. While it seems necessary for the story, it just felt a little contrived for me. His appearance seemed to slow things down, and his last scene where he meets himself, is just a little over the top.
Nevertheless, this is going to be a blockbuster of the highest order. It won’t approach The Titanic for repeat viewings, because the Geek patrol is not going to be as large as the young romantics, but I would say there will be a long wait for the Blu Ray.
State of Play – 9. There’s just something about journalism that lends itself to the big screen. I was sucked in by this story of a government cover-up. It revolves around a “Blackwater” type security firm that’s doing bad things to preserve its dominant position. Russell Crowe is outstanding as always, and Ben Affleck holds up his end of the bargain. Some nice twists and turns, and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
Terminator Salvation – 7. Don’t be misled by the fact that this is the fourth Terminator movie. This is essentially a war movie. It’s a gritty depiction of the fictional “Judgement Day” aftermath, which apparently occurs despite John Connor’s efforts through 3 previous movies and a TV series. It would be daunting to see an American city like Los Angeles in ruin, if we hadn’t seen it in about 40 movies already.
This is not a great movie, but it is a worthy next step in the Terminator story. I’m a big fan of this storyline as well, but unlike Star Wars and Star Trek, there’s a problem on the horizon. The not-to-distant future that began the story is now not distant at all as time is rolling along and the time for Judgement Day and other fictional events is sliding on by on our real calendar. Soon, it will be a fictional interpretation of the past.
Some day they’ll be wheeling me into Terminator 9 – The Rebuilding effort.
That will be the same month that I expect to see:
Star Trek – We’re Almost to the TV Series
Die Hard 7 – Die Hardest Yet
Indiana Jones and the Mausoleum of Doom
Rocky 14 – Wheelchair Wrestling
Harry Potter and the Crutches of Posterity
Superman 10 – Where did Lois go?
James Bond – Has Anyone Seen My Glasses?
Batman – Rescuing Social Security
The Lord of The Rings – The Three Nursing Homes
The Matrix – Even We’re Confused
SpiderMan 8 – Paralysis by Dialysis
Can’t Wait
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