Saturday, April 2, 2016

Into Reboot?


I'd like to share my thoughts on the rebooted Star Trek films created by J.J. Abrams. With the box office failure of Star Trek Nemesis, Paramount took a step back from the franchise and let the air settle. In 2005, the prequel series, Star Trek: Enterprise was cancelled. With nowhere else to go, the head of the franchise, Rick Berman, decided to come up with Star Trek: The Beginning. Nothing came of it and Paramount decided to scrap the idea and for the first time since the show's cancellation in 1969, Star Trek was dead.
Upon first reading about this, I was furious and sad. I remember telling my dad, "So, Star Trek is no more." He responded with optimism and didn't really believe that. "It's not dead, it's just going to take a while before they can come up with something new."

Chris Pine (l) as Kirk and Zachary Quinto as Spock
Four years later, Star Trek made a come back on the big screen taking us back to the adventures of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock. A story focusing on the background of how these two friends meet is something never before seen it Trek and is the right approach to making something even general movie goers to be aware of. In 1991, producer Harve Bennett had the idea for a rebooted story after the failure of Star Trek V, but his idea was scrapped when Paramount wanted to have one last film starring the cast of the original 60s show in time for the show's 25th anniversary. J.J. continued his idea and made this film. This new take was going to take place in an alternate reality and star the characters from the original show but when they are much younger and their first adventure into space. 


Leonard Nimoy returns as Mr. Spock

Seven young and talented actors stepped into the role with approval from each member of the original cast with the exception of the late James Doohan (1920-2005) and DeForest Kelley (1920-1999). Chris Pine stars as Captain Kirk; Zachary Quinto (Heroes) stars as Mr. Spock; Karl Urban (Dredd) is Dr. McCoy and even Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz, Shawn of the Dead) stars as the new Mr. Scott. You can look up the rest of the cast members here and they are all wonderful. Not only do they look much like younger versions of all the actors, but they don't play them for laughs. Pine doesn't mimic William Shatner's speech patterns and the entire cast does an outstanding job. I would have to say, however, the I am most impressed with Urban's portrayal of Bones. The best! Joining them in the film would be villain Nero, played by the great Eric Bana and a much extended cameo by Leonard Nimoy. Well, he's a little more than just a cameo but he is also not in the film a great deal. The scene with his Nimoy's Spock and Quinto's Spock is unforgettable. A way of passing the old to the new so to speak. Keep an eye out for Winona Ryder as Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson.
 
Both films, Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness are quite good in their own light. However, I wouldn't call them Star Trek movies, I would rather just call them action movies that happen to include the name Star Trek in them with elements of what came before. Many of my friends, including myself enjoy these movies and find themselves enjoying Trek a great deal more. I tell my friends to start with these films and then go back to check out what has come before. Maybe that could start them to enjoy a totally new world of Trek.

Now, J.J. Abrams is known for his particular style of directing. He loves using trademarks such as lens flair, shaky camera work and cameos of people he has worked with. Everyone does that, and I have no problem with it. The only thing I have a problem in these new films, is the lack of character development and slow scenes. He feels the need to keep the camera moving at all times even when it doesn't call for it. I can understand that before this film, Star Trek in general had a negative wrap for slow scenes and such, but even movies and films most people enjoy include them. Here, there are too little and too few. I feel like he's trying to make this into more of a Star Wars movie, and that doesn't work. Just because they have the name "Star" in them doesn't mean they are anything alike. At the same time, I do enjoy this re-branding for what it is. I highly recommend it for newcomers of the world of Trek. Including Leonard Nimoy was an awesome touch as a way to link the old with the new. 

For me, if you are someone that is new to Trek, I would highly recommend starting with these new films. They are easy to follow, don't suffer from continuity and feature the young actors of today. Just be aware that if you plan on going backwards to previous productions, it won't be anything like this. They will be far more story-driven and personal. Either way, enjoy and as Morpheus said, "...You have to see it for yourself."

UNTIL NEXT TIME MY FRIENDS!

What are your thoughts on the Star Trek reboots? Do you think J.J. took Trek in the right direction and that it brought new life into a dying franchise? Let me know in the comments below!



Sources:

Kirk and Spock: Google Search

Spock: Screencaps.com

Enterprise warpingrelatingwithme.tumblr.com