tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077773.post6949488770349802499..comments2024-03-26T15:22:25.095-06:00Comments on The Earliad: Review: Star Trek (2009)Earl J. Woodshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07963936256606285358noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077773.post-80127876222234151042009-05-18T22:13:38.930-06:002009-05-18T22:13:38.930-06:00My turn to see the movie, and I go in as one of J....My turn to see the movie, and I go in as one of J.J. Abrams' detractors. Hate Lost, bewildered as to why MI III even gets recognition among people I respect. J.J. Abrams started his film career very young, and now has an incredible list of screen credits. As he gains proficiency in his work, I say he also gains these two consistencies: <br /><br />1) He always substitutes characters by using personalities instead. <br /><br />2) He always substitutes storytelling with predicament.<br /><br />By way of contrast, go look at "There Will Be Blood", which is a monumental picture driven by a supremely compelling character study, and a script that has a depth of story that goes far beyond solving Crisis A, moving on to Crisis B, and so on.<br /><br />Waching the new "Star Trek", I think that's a valid enough criticism. Another would be along the lines of "who cares about criticism??"<br /><br />I mean, wow, this was a fun, fun film! It has problems, it's not deep, but it sure was a great couple of hours on screen, with an absolutely spectacular, action-epic look. Reminded me of watching "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in terms of tone, more than anything. (I've seen Raiders in the theatre 36 times, but that was when it cost $1.50 to get in)<br /><br />I'm still not convinced that cinema will be saved by J.J. Abrams. He's not going to make the next Citizen Kane. But he knows how to play to the audience. Looks like that's what Trek really needs right now, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077773.post-87987572770858881292009-05-15T12:59:00.000-06:002009-05-15T12:59:00.000-06:00A friend asked me how I would rate this movie amon...A friend asked me how I would rate this movie amongst the other Star Trek movies. It took me a bit to think it out, and I wouldn't rate this movie tops. Although you spelled out the message succinctly, Earl, I didn't see it as clearly throughout all the action and angst. The success of Star Trek originates from the legacy that Gene Roddenberry started in weaving science fiction with a poignant message about current society. Who (besides Earl) can think of striving to do better when Vulcan is imploding? <br /> Still, I enjoyed the movie, and I loved the characters. I spent the days before the movie reading how the actors prepared to step into mighty big boots of the original portrayal. The result was a success. They made me laugh and cry. This film expanded the scope of the beloved, familiar crew in new ways, but remained natural and true to their characters, even if it was suprising in a few instances.susan_rn92noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077773.post-51312401579927803852009-05-10T16:41:00.000-06:002009-05-10T16:41:00.000-06:00Now, if only J.J. Abrams would do a "reboot" of Wo...Now, if only J.J. Abrams would do a "reboot" of Wolverine, X-Men Origins...Nomadhttp://www.coffeenomad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077773.post-55774134756945097752009-05-10T14:08:00.000-06:002009-05-10T14:08:00.000-06:00That sense of wonder is what struck me the most. T...That sense of wonder is what struck me the most. That first hour, I had a goofy open-mouthed smile on my face the entire time. I enjoyed myself much more than I could've hoped for.<br /><br />The film felt... big, in a good way. Big in ambition, big in scope and depth, big in visuals, big in real character development. Bigger than most of the movies after Star Trek 4. I happened to catch a piece of one of the ST:TNG films on TV the other day and I sat through Picard, Worf and Data's dune buggy escape scene. <br /><br />I winced. Often. Despite the bigger budgets, many of the later movies felt like, at best, an average TV episode. J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" <I>feels</I> like a feature film, one that is well worth seeing again on the big screen.<br /><br />Many agree, and are saying so with their wallets. Estimates are that it will bring in $76.5 million on its opening weekend, coming in well on the high side of expectations.<br /><br />Thank goodness. There will be more. I can't wait.Benchmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06140228581344731793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5077773.post-23739273795953925682009-05-10T02:42:00.000-06:002009-05-10T02:42:00.000-06:00I liked how they covered everything that didn't ag...I liked how they covered everything that didn't agree with previous Star Trek mythology with the plot premise. I agree, the McCoy character, if I closed my eyes, was DeForest Kelley onscreen. <br />I can't give it a 10 out of 10 because the characters are too new to override the love of the old ones, but it might come with future movies. A very promising start.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07179356784364968422noreply@blogger.com