This is actually a really old post, but for some reason I was too lazy to post it. In any case, here it is.
So I finally saw the new Star Trek movie. As it is, I’m not really a big Star Trek fan. It was mostly after the fact for me, I was too young to see the original series, I did watch the Next Generation with the family.
I was basically raised on Star Wars, ever since my cousin lent the me the original VHS copies (Han shot first, bitches), to me getting the Special Edition re-release for myself. We didn’t have video games, Star Wars WAS my video game. I distinctly remember using a VHS tape as my controller, guding the whole crew through their adventures. Time takes so long to pass when you are a kid, yet Return of the Jedi made time fly like nothing else. To this day, I wish someone would create a quicktime event version of the movies.
Star Trek was the weird, untouchable thing, something you couldn’t really ‘get’ until you were speaking Klingon and had a full replica of the bridge of the Enterprise in your basement. I always found it unnecessary and just alienating. Which is part of why I prefered Star Wars, it was accessible, the characters were lovable, and instantly understandable.
I went into the theater with mixed expectations, the trailers looked good, and I had great faith in JJ Abrams. I was a big fan of mission Impossible III, he took the MI franchise and gave it his own exciting spin. And at least the effects looked like they would be good, so I knew would it would be enjoyable on some level.
The first most evident aspect was the music. As the previews ended, and the producer logos appeared on the cinema screen, a tune that reminded me of the song that plays before each Lord of the Rings movie invited me. You could tell this would be an important song, which turned out to be the main theme throughout the movie, then the Bad Robot logo appeared, and music changed to a short blast of horns getting ever louder, as JJ was reminding us “This is Star Trek. This is MY Star Trek” and the horns keep getting lound and louder asking me “Do you want to watch this?” and I think ” Yes.” And movie beings.
The special effects are amazing, I was reminded of the opening scene of Revenge of The Sith, particularly with the immediate scenes of space warfare, with plenty of explosions. A nice touch is the silence of space, something that is refreshingly implemented. The ships going to warp is always cool, and I would reccomend seeing this movie in a theatre with a good surround system. I could feel it in my chest when a ship went to warp, it was cool experience, it almost felt like being in one of those theatres with movie
I really like the new theme songs. The Star Trek theme gives a feeling on legacy, something Star Trek has much of. The theme “Enterprising Young Men” is assumidly the theme for the Enterprise, as it is used during the “unveiling” of the new Enterprise, lovingly shown from every angle, again dripping with legacy. This particular theme is also used during the opening title, in wonderful effect. It starts with Lost-esque tune, hinting that something is wrong in the Star Trek world (and after the preceding scene, Star Trek buffs were scratching their heads, as something happens that shouldn’t have in the canon). Then we are treated to th title sequence, the Starfleet symbol turing to slowly revealing the title, which is already fairly visible, and as the silver words Star Trek make their full apperance, the star Trek theme pops in, as if to say “Don’t worry. It’s different. But this is STILL Star Trek” and since not being a fan, it felt like a grand reveal to something I would immediately enjoy. The song finishes in a fade to black, and it reminded me of watching a stage show almost. I had to remind myself I was in the theatre for a second! Of course, some of the old cues are there, from the “To Boldy Go” theme to even the classic Star Trek theme, which was stuck in my head after leaving the theatre. Micheal Giacchino was MASTERFUL with the soundtrack.
The thing that made this movie awesome was the fact that…. it felt amazing to watch. I remember that feeling I had of watching Star Wars for the first time as kid, and that feeling came rushing back as I watch this. The movie is just FUN. It’s not too serious about itself, if Star Trek was anything before, it was too serious. It’s actually really funny, I’d almost classify this as an Action-Comedy. The jokes, along with everything, take full advantage of the characters, and it’s treat to see characters treated with such care these days.
Honestly, I have so much faith in JJ Abrams now, that if he said he was making a remake of Star Wars, I would say “How long until I can see it?”
