movie thoughts: Star Trek (2009)
So, after seeing J.J. Abrams' reboot of the Star Trek franchise on the IMAX this afternoon, I understand why everyone has been so cryptic when they discuss it. There's so much to say, but too much that you don't want to spoil. Abrams manages to create a movie that works (convincing my yet again that he should only be allowed to make 2-hour films and not TV show...but that's a rant for another blog).
Just so you know where I am coming from, I'm not a hard-core Trek fan, but I grew up watching The Next Generation and have probably seen most of the original series, plus a handful of DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise. I've seen most of the movies (Wrath of Khan and First Contact are my favorites, though this one might now beat out First Contact...maybe). Anyway, I knew who all these characters were but I hadn't been immersed in the mythology of the series.
But that didn't matter. My knowledge was enough to help me get all the little throw away jokes (though Bones insulting Spock is funny whether you know their history-to-be or not) and the rest of the time the movie did it's own thing. The writers created the perfect plot, one that would allow people just wanting to see some sci-fi fun to enjoy themselves but also not belittling the fans who have loved this series their whole lives.
The actors manage to portray these characters in their own way, instead of just trying to impersonate the actors that came before. Chris Pine's over-confident Kirk really works, Zachary Quinto uses the skills he honed as Sylar to play it cool as Spock. Simon Pegg was clearly having more fun than he should have had. Karl Urban managed to utter the phrase "DAMMIT!" in just the write tone that you knew he would one day grow up to be our cranky old Doc McCoy. John Cho as Sulu worked better than I expcted, and who knew that Chekov was so adorable? Zoe Saldana's Uhura is a hottie with brains and attitude.
It has action, adventure, really wild things, it's sexy, and includes a plot twist that makes everything work out just right. This movie was made for summer and popcorn. It's just FUN!
Just so you know where I am coming from, I'm not a hard-core Trek fan, but I grew up watching The Next Generation and have probably seen most of the original series, plus a handful of DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise. I've seen most of the movies (Wrath of Khan and First Contact are my favorites, though this one might now beat out First Contact...maybe). Anyway, I knew who all these characters were but I hadn't been immersed in the mythology of the series.
But that didn't matter. My knowledge was enough to help me get all the little throw away jokes (though Bones insulting Spock is funny whether you know their history-to-be or not) and the rest of the time the movie did it's own thing. The writers created the perfect plot, one that would allow people just wanting to see some sci-fi fun to enjoy themselves but also not belittling the fans who have loved this series their whole lives.
The actors manage to portray these characters in their own way, instead of just trying to impersonate the actors that came before. Chris Pine's over-confident Kirk really works, Zachary Quinto uses the skills he honed as Sylar to play it cool as Spock. Simon Pegg was clearly having more fun than he should have had. Karl Urban managed to utter the phrase "DAMMIT!" in just the write tone that you knew he would one day grow up to be our cranky old Doc McCoy. John Cho as Sulu worked better than I expcted, and who knew that Chekov was so adorable? Zoe Saldana's Uhura is a hottie with brains and attitude.
It has action, adventure, really wild things, it's sexy, and includes a plot twist that makes everything work out just right. This movie was made for summer and popcorn. It's just FUN!
