It’s funny- everything I railed against when spitting venom at this film I kind of agree with now.
For instance: many of us who understood that this an origin story had hopes that we would see young Kirk, Spock et al at Starfleet Academy (longer than what was depicted in the film), and maybe a single adventure. Another hope I believe is that ultimately after say two or three films, we would have some kind of segue into “The Man Trap” (or at least something that ties into the beginning of the original series).
Those of us appalled by this film certainly didn’t expect the accelerated promotion of Kirk, and essentially had the book closed on us that the “original timeline” (which we equate with the Original Series) is permanently gone.
However for this film to work, the slate “did” have to get wiped clean, and the alternate timeline scenario was the most viable option.
Many of us brought up the copycat moments of Star Wars. In fact during the commentary Abrams, Orci, Kurtzman etc said they used Star Wars as a template. For instance when Kirk rides his motorcycle to the Enterprise under construction, they called it the “Luke looking at the twin suns moment.”
The fact is that while they may have been using Star Wars as their template, what they were doing was following the universal “Hero’s Journey” which every basic story of a potential hero has. This is Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces.”
So while the journey of Kirk had many similarities with Luke, they both utilize the points of the Hero’s Journey (call to adventure, mentor, threshold crossing into the unknown, final test, death/rebirth, and return to home). I no longer see it as a Star Wars ripoff, but just following the basic lines of an adventure story.
It’s already been mentioned, however the core of the Original Series was the triumvirate of Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The fear is the new films will not be able to replicate the moments captured between these three portrayed by the original actors. And the film did feature two long term friends literally at each other’s throats. Not to mention the irony of McCoy's response to Kirk (asking who Spock is), “I don’t know... but I like him!” It came off as a cheap joke. Nearly three quarters of the film had the triumvirate behaving completely opposite to what we have been accustom to over the last 40+ years. That easily made me tune out and hate this film the first time around.
But with repeat viewings what I saw was glints that the triumvirate was coming together by the end of the film. McCoy is appalled at Spock ejecting Kirk from the ship and calls him a “Green-blooded hobgoblin.” Kirk and Spock have their moment of truce and understanding before beaming over to the Narada. And during the epilogue, Pine delivers a picture perfect Shatner-esque moment when he enters the bridge, pauses to look around, and tells Bones to “buckle up.” :thumbsup
I might still have some reservations, but I think they got it right by the end of the film. And I’m hopeful they continue to depict the emerging relationship between the three in the next film.
Another point brought up that I rallied against- one thing mentioned repeatedly by people who accepted the film, is that the “original timeline” is still there in the form of the Original Series and (first 6) movies. The fact is this is absolutely true!
The question is do we really want to see a rehash (updated of course) of all the stories of the Original Series?
I don’t. Partly because I want to see “new adventures” and partly because I’m worried they would botch the good stories (heaven help them if they try to remake Wrath of Khan :angry :lol).
What I have come to accept is that any new story will have a clear cut villain, and some form of planet destroying device (otherwise the villain isn’t worth Kirk and Company going after). The other option of a “strange galactic phenomenon” that while appearing malevolent turns out to be benign just isn’t going to work with mass audiences these days. Ironically it’s too cerebral. :lol
What I want to see happen in the next film (or it just won’t be Trek for me):
McCoy has to say “He’s dead Jim!”
Spock has to have a moment of extreme emotion (from an alien influence).
Scotty has to have a good drink.
Kirk has to dropkick the villain.
That’s all I'm asking for. :thumbsup
Kevin
