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Star Trek (2009)

 
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bulldogtrekker
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:13 pm    Post subject: Star Trek (2009) Reply with quote




The All Sci-Fi thread for Star Trek (2009) was on the on the old board that was lost. Anyway, here is a nice model of the jellyfish space ship that Spock Prime and Mr. Spock operated.


Last edited by bulldogtrekker on Sat Aug 26, 2017 9:27 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Gord Green
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 21, 2016 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great ship!

I would think that the spinning vanes were the warp injectors that established the trans-warp field around the ship. Neat concept!
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Yanks
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just practicing "in-case". If you haven't seen this please give it a read and comment. My views really haven't changed much, although the music has most certainly grown on me.

OK, I haven't had an "anticipation buzz" like this waiting to see a movie since TMP. I was primed and ready to go with an open mind. I had read "countdown" before I watched it.

I'm going to address some key points brought out from a couple other review's (SB63 and trekbuff) to help me provide a decent review. This is not my cup of tea. Not much experience in this realm. To be honest, I can't recall all the little details like you guys do. I've never critiqued "new trek" here because I didn't come here until after Enterprise was canceled.

I was fortunate enough to see the movie with 3 of my sons. "Guys night out" kind of thing. As they get older, this is harder and harder to do. It was "Dad's treat" if you will. They have all watched different versions of Star Trek with me throughout the years and I'm glad they were anticipating this as much as I was.

I watched the movie last night and I thought I'd "sleep on it" before posting my review. All three of my son's, 16, 18, & 21 really enjoyed it and want to see it again. I think I will wait until it comes out on DVD.

I've been saying all along "it all depends on the story" I think they pulled off the necessary "transition" very well. Those comments from JJ... "this is not a movie for Trek fans" was hogwash. This entire movie was crafted in respect for trek canon, albeit they intended to launch it in a new direction. That was obvious to me as I watched it. They did pay attention to detail in their effort to take these characters into a new time. They had to "know" what these characters were to us. Bravo!!

The good:
I'll completely agree with trekbuff here and say that they could not have cast the movie better (main cast). Wow, all were just perfect in my book. I'll go over them first because I think this was the strong point of the movie.

Kirk: A little too much getting the crap kicked out of him, but maybe that was needed. He was fighting Romulans and Spock (aside from being outnumbered in the bar) and they are supposed to have superior strength, so the fact that they did is another nice "nod". Pine was a great choice. Someone, I think folks will tune in to see again and again. I enjoyed his humor and REALLY enjoyed his developing relationship with our new Spock as the movie progressed.

Spock: Wow again! Quintos hit the mark. Could they have cast someone better? Really?... I don't think so. Interesting twist with Spock being assigned by Pike to command the Enterprise before Kirk. I thought the interaction between old Spock and new Spock was very interesting. It was almost like old Spock was telling new Spock it was OK to experience emotions too, (something I feel certain came from Nimoy, he has always spoken of the inner battles that Spock had to deal with, I think we will "see" more now). I think it is very interesting that Spock now has a positive relationship with Sarak, much different from the original, especially with the loss of his mother.

Bones: Probably the best casting of the lot. WOW!!, I actually thought that was Bones from the start. Country Doctor? ... You bet! Is that voice his acting? PERFECT!! Loved how they developed the relationship between him and Kirk from the start. Pretty unique way to get Kirk on the Enterprise too. He also took odds with Spock (green blooded hobgoblin) I thought it was important to keep that relationship. Glad to see they thought the same. Standing ovation from Yanks here.

Uhura: I really like the change. I have no problem with her relationship with Spock at all. I think this is a positive add to both their characters. I think she needed more than just her position this time. In TOS it was a huge step to put a black woman on the bridge as an officer, but she really was never more than that. I thought she needed more now. They not only gave her a relationship but brought out her unique talents in linguistics as well. (A nice tribute to Hoshi I thought, sorry all you Enterprise haters). She's not just a "babe" but a talented one as well. Well done again.

Sulu: Nice casting once again. Thought the part was played very well. A little nod to his "combat experience". Love the fight scene on the rig. Nice to see him capable of making command decisions right from the start.

Chekov: Most refreshing. Loved the accent and thought it was also important to give this character more than just "driving" expertise. He needed to contribute more than the fact that he was Russian. He actually has talent now and is still very very young. Very nicely done.

Scotty: Again, the casting was perfect. Now, is that a unique way to get him on Enterprise or what? Engineering brilliance, of course, kind of "pre-miracle worker" there. His transporter brilliance brought out in the movie (future and present) Loved his responses to Kirk at the end when they needed "more power". They nailed this character as well. While his side-kick made me think of Star Wars, I'm OK with "it". (didn't catch the name)

Old Spock: Maybe it's his age, but I thought his lines were very ... I don't know, is "forced" the right word? It was like he was trying to prove to all of us that he still could say big words and/or long sentences. I don't know, he lost his personal touch it seemed to me. It was nice to know he is alive and well and we may get to see him again. This was no little cameo part, though, that was nice. His greatest contribution to this movie was his guidance in the creation of our new Spock I think. I think we will get much more "inter-turmoil" stuff now.

Pike: I do not believe they could have cast him better. Very, very well played. Just wish they would have given us a little insight of how he ended up in the wheelchair, although it was another nice nod to TOS. I'll agree with SB63 here, I want to see him in future movies, so I'm glad he wasn't relegated to communicate with a "beep".

Nero: The only casting and performance that was not good. Not impressed, the story was weak. 25 years in wait? ...but we won't see him again, so nothing lost really.

That's about it for the characters; their casting and performance the biggest plus in this movie. I'm so relieved that we now have these actors playing our beloved TOS characters.

Sound effects: Caught a couple "Star Wars" sounds. Spock's ship with the red matter sounded like Annikan's racer. Again and again, throughout the movie, we were treated with sounds from TOS. This is something that "new fans" might not appreciate, but I took notice and really appreciated the detail.

The story: I'm a little surprised with my reaction here. "it all depends on the story" I said time and time again. I think I was wrong, the story was pretty weak I thought, especially if you hadn't read Countdown beforehand. It was just another "Save Earth" storyline. What surprises me is it perfectly accomplished the goal I think. It was a vehicle to reintroduce our beloved characters in a new light. So while even Vulcan being destroyed did seem to resonate with me like I thought it might, the "story" wasn't what made this movie good; it was how it was crafted to accomplish the goal.

Our new 1701: To start, it's apparent to me that 1701 will not be portrayed as a beloved character as it was before. They didn't "present" it like I thought they might. 1701 was as much a character to me as Kirk and Spock were in TOS, so I was a little let down here. The exterior look was fine I thought. I know he'll get a kick out of this, but I'll side with trekbuff here and say I'm not a fan of the bridge. It is too bright and the lights were too strong I think. The shape of the Captain's chair was a nice nod to good ole 1701 though. Where I was most disappointed was Engineering. WTF - really. It looks like a frakin building. Maybe it will take better shape as we get a few more movies, but I'm not a fan of Scotties baby looking like the inside of a paper-mill. I'm also not a huge fan of multiple "guns" and launching points of what looks like "flares". Trek starships have always been unique in the sci-fi realm with regard to their offensive weapons. This is a change I'm not fond of. I suppose it will have to grow on me although all my sons thought it was great. Maybe just another way to bring in a "new generation".

Music: This is the area I was most let down. I did not enjoy the score at all. Yes, it was "orchestral" and all, but all I could think about during the movie was "this sounds like Batman". Trek's soundtracks have always been unique and resonated very well with me. This one did not. You could hear the smattering for familiar themes, but they fell short. Maybe it's because I am such a fan of Jerry Goldsmith's work and how he told the story with his music. I did enjoy the ending music as another "nod" to the original.

To summarize, I'll give this movie a 8 out of 10 solely riding on the casting and performance of the characters. Maybe that was their intent all along with this movie. I think they did what they needed to do; they gave us our characters back so we will long to see them again. I didn't honestly think that was possible. When I first heard of this movie and what they were planning, I was angry, "Shatner is Kirk!!, Nimoy is Spock!!", etc... I said time and time again. I am both surprised and pleased that they have changed my mind. Someone else can play these characters and most importantly I think, they can play these characters with respect for our original ones. The biggest plus for this movie was, not to sound corny here but, it's "fun" again. The humor throughout the movie in a positive light. Not "forced", but from a trekkies heart, I thought. The audience time and time again erupted in laughter, young and old alike. Above all, this movie was "fun"; something I think the other movies, aside from Data's classic lines and an occasional Worf quickie, had lost since TVH. This move was most obviously crafted to bring us old trekkies along for the ride, and this Star Trek fan is most appreciative.

Well, there you have it. Sorry so long with my first movie review.

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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

Great review, Yanks!

About the only thing I don't quite agree with you on is the design of the Enterprise exterior (don't care for it) and the Enterprise bridge (DID care for it).

Otherwise, you nailed it pretty well for me. Very Happy

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johnnybear
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 6:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I quite enjoyed this one and loved seeing old Spock!

I remember thinking that Zachary Quinto would be a good Spock replacement when he did Heroes years back and like when I first saw Richard Hurndall in an episode of Blakes 7 in 1981 and saying he'd be good as a first Doctor if they ever do a big get-together again like in The Three Doctors and they did and both times I was right!
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 10:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

Wow, I didn't realize that Zachary Quinto was the really evil guy in Heroes! That character was truly scary. Shocked

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johnnybear
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You didn't realise..? Can't remember his name in that show but he used to take the other people's powers by opening up their heads and draining their brains! He used to play with pieces of it sometimes... Sad
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Bud Brewster
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 3:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

________________________________

Exactly. Between the lack of pointed ears, the normal eyebrows, and the intense emotions he portrayed in Heroes, it just never clicked that I'd seen the guy before when Star Trek came out.



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Bogmeister
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PostPosted: Wed May 29, 2019 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

____________
So, we see the Enterprise once more gliding through space . . . a new Enterprise yet again and a new crew — yet also an old crew, old characters. It's a confusing time for Trekkies & Trekkers of the old stripe.

The ones who really benefit, when you think about it, are the new fans. These new fans are unfamiliar with the old show and can simply embrace the mostly playful, usually exciting new story line presented here. And . . . some of them chose/will choose the enviable task of getting acquainted with the old TOS episodes and old films out of curiosity. For the rest of us — some of us — there are conflicting issues.

__

Take a look at the Enterprise pictured above; looks sleek and even beautiful in that shot, doesn't it? Yes . . . and it is. But, that's a surface representation. If we look a little deeper, perhaps gaze at a kind of underside and maybe even into a grimy interior, things may not be so brightly lit.


___________________________

_________________ Star Trek (2009) - Trailer


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I've gotta admit — I am a little impressed with the casting. Pine, an unknown (some even call him a nobody), emerges as a charismatic young Kirk; he could have been simply an annoying smart-ass, but for at least most of his scenes Pine brings an undertone of suppressed rage and force of will to the role — it's a fine combination for a required heroic model.

____

Quinto, same thing; when we mention suppressed emotions, of course — suppressed passions — the Spock character is probably the most famous for this sort of thing. In a way, we should be a bit tired with all that Vulcan mystique after over 40 years, so it's amazing that this new Spock commands our interest yet again.

Kirk & Spock — their brief scuffle on the bridge worked, a release for both involved, and a more intense version of their fight in the old episode "This Side of Paradise."

Urban — yes, some of his dialog scenes are strictly 'imitation-De Kelley' but in others he just nails it. Some of his scenes with Pine are a little eerie — I would picture a very young Shatner & Kelley in my head, if just for a few seconds.

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The rest: Saldana was a completely new Uhura — nothing recognizable there — and still easy on the eye. Cho had some surprising action scenes. Yelchin pulled off the weird Russian accent — it wasn't just a gag. Pegg's role was a gag, quite one-note — kind of amusing — and the one miscasting; they should have gone with an unknown, like the others.

__

Greenwood was very good as the older captain. Bana didn't really have any opportunity to develop an interesting villain; mostly he sat this one out in sinister mode or briefly jumped into bad-ass mode — a very standard 'dark' villain.

And Nimoy? His wasn't just a cameo. But, his heart didn't seem to be in it — gone were the subtle intonations of a pensive, reflective Spock; Nimoy just said the lines, maybe because he had been away from the role for so long.

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My problem with some of the details are those known before the film came out — the Enterprise being built on the ground, for example, so that we can see young Kirk gaze at the ship from his motorcycle.

These are minor details and can't really make or break a film for me, even if these denote clumsy/lazy writing. No, not even the arbitrary changes to canon and a lack of common sense or internal logic (which we'll get to) derailed the film for me.

__

What really didn't work for me — and I was astonished to realize this at some point during the 2nd half — was the film's actual structure. The film had me in the first hour: the introductions, the interaction, the scope, the dynamic pacing, the almost nerve-jangling tension as the Enterprise heads out and approaches some ominous threat.

By this point, I thought — 'OK, I must forget my complaints, my resistance to this new alternate Trekverse; I must get used to these new heroes and embrace them & their off-kilter revised Federation, because this is good!'

__

But, something happened as the 2nd hour began — I think it started at the point where Pike disappeared (captured by the villain). The film just steadily deflated for me. It's as if it had been moving at 100 mph and then reduced to 75 mph. So, it didn't just simply stop — a fatal flaw of some films — but the incredible momentum built up during the first hour did not escalate and, to really work for me, it had to.

Instead there was an escalation of distracting camera movement & technique, very typical TV-styled action, very standard explosions — some not so standard.

Abrams and the editors chose to slow things down at critical points near the end, focusing on extended shots of, as an example, that red liquid and strange, explosive activity which was hard to make out. The 3rd act just didn't measure up to the previous two and some shots were derivative of the new "Battlestar: Galactica" series which ended recently.

__

There are some fairly serious flaws to the story besides. The 'revelation' of the Spock-Uhura relationship is silly, unconvincing and arbitrary, and I even read that the writers admitted to concocting this plot turn on a whim, always a poor reason for story developments.

Also arbitrary seems the elimination of the planet Vulcan and its 6 billion inhabitants; it's like they tacked this on for shock effect — I did mention above how I might be getting weary of Vulcan culture rammed our way over so many years, but I didn't mean "Let's just get rid of the whole race!"

I guess someone was more tired of Vulcans than I was, but really! And this nearly genocidal act will probably outrage long-time Trekkers more than the characters here — old fans will now have to get used to a Federation without a planet Vulcan. The heroes seemed somewhat blase about this destruction, as if it happens once a year in the quadrant.


_____________ Star Trek Ultimate Saga Trailer


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Nero's motivations for almost universal Armageddon remain elusive & murky. He blames Spock & Vulcans for his loss, but they tried to help him. Others simply explain him away as crazy. There's a 4-issue comic book series, Countdown, which takes place in Nero's future time and sort of explains his backstory.

But it's kind of a problem for a film that it needs this comic book to flesh out a pivotal character.

Spock's explanation of future events and Nero's troublesome ways were likewise vague and clumsy. Also clumsy is the script; after Nero arrives from the future during Kirk's birth he then spends the next 25 years in seclusion somewhere waiting for old Spock to arrive. So, no one in the Federation tried to track him down or find him? Did he just hibernate in some super cave somewhere?

_

Now, when we speak of interiors not matching the slick surface gloss of a starship's exterior, I must also be critical of how certain indoor locations are depicted, which falls under production design.

I refer to all the piping and tubing which informs some of the sets, in sharp contrast to other places like the bridge. This was the result of filming in a beer factory, which Abrams considered himself lucky to gain access to. These were meant to be engine rooms or water-recycling rooms on the starship — any scenes in these just threw me out of the picture.

Likewise, some sets on the huge ship of Nero's looked like they were patched together with leftover scrap from an old battleship or something — and this ship was from a far future? OK, it was 'just' a mining ship — and they never explained how even a future mining ship could be so powerful.

Oh, yeah — see the comic book. Rolling Eyes



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Eadie
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2020 2:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bloopers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJrX1Fp7XKQ

Includes all three movies.
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