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Random thoughts from somebody who grew up on the original series:
This is a good film, and I still managed to enjoy it despite its flaws
It is "faithful" to the source material only on a superficial level, and reviewers are correct when they complain this film does not "get" the deeper things going on in TOS
Spock hooking up with Uhura is still the bar-none, stupidest thing they have done with this reboot, and undermines everything we know about Spock. I am surprised more folks do not seem to have a problem with this angle.
Quinto is great, and could really own Spock on his own terms if only the new writers would stop jettisoning all the elements that made Spock so intriguing in the first place.
The reversal of the classic death scene from WoK is a perfect example of the problem. Spock cries? Really? And then cries out in rage? These writers have no grasp of the Spock character. As much as I was willing to like this film, that scene was a real face-palm moment.
The new Scotty is fantastic. I can buy into Simon Pegg completely. I do not think I have read a single negative for his character. But please lose the idiotic whatever-that-is-supposed-to-be sidekick they give him. This ain't Star Wars, OK?
Benedict Cumberbatch. My feelings toward his character were skewed by the fact that I am already a big fan of his work. My kid got me watching the BBC Sherlock series, and if you have not checked it out, you should. It streams on Netflix, and is a fantastic interpretation. Anyways, I was already predisposed to like him in the role, and I thought he was a great villain. No complaints here.
The Klingons were useless. Why bother? A cheap call-out that felt like they were just ticking off boxes to please the fans, and they got it completely wrong anyway.
The inclusion of the tribble is also a stupid call-out, and exposes the ignorance of the writers. Any fan even remotely familiar with TOS would understand why they would never even have a tribble on the ship in the first place.
Spock prime. OK, even if it is a little silly, I will be happy with that call-out in any form I can get it. Big grin through the whole scene, even if I did not understand WTF was going on and how it was even possible.
Bottom Line:
Whoever cast the reboot did a great job. Really. From Kirk on down, the actors they have in place seem up to the task.
What concerns me is that TOS is so old by now, there are no writers left in "young" Hollywood who really understand what made Trek so special in the first place. If only they would dig a little deeper into the writer pool and get some "old blood" on board, you know? Some true, old-school fans. I think it would really help in their efforts to "please everybody."
Anyway, I will watch the next one because I love the series, and this is probably as good as it is likely going to get.
I been discussing it with some other on-line pals who have both liked, loved or hated the film (most fall in the former two areas) and they all think I'm on to something. The more I think about it, if they (the writers/director) used Joachim instead many of the nitpicking criticisms would be erased. I responded to the ED link to collider as well, but here are the talking points:
Quoted Text
1- Add a surprise that would justify the "denial" that Khan was being used. Sure, "Khan" might be a bigger name to sell tix, I agree BUT Khan wasn't a focal point in the marketing at least in name. It could have been Joachim and you wouldn't lose anything in marketing. Not if all you had was "Cumberbatch as John Harrison"
2- Joachim, for the most part, is a clean slate. There would be few, if any, hangups about the character's ethnic background. There is an unfair but common criticism among ST fans regarding Cumberbatch as Khan (ethnic background) but...could that be said about Joachim? Not so much. In addition, you have the best of both worlds. On one hand, the character is from Wrath Of Khan/Space Seed but at the same time is also a *unique* villain for an altered timeline.
3- The "threat" of Khan's awakening could be used..You could still make call outs to Space Seed and/or Wrath Of Khan if you wanted.
And yet everything else would remain the same except for..."KHAAAAAAAN!" Which would not be required (as if it was in the first place) Hell, Joachim could even claim to bre Khan to divert attention away from the true Khan. They awaken the real Khan.
The inclusion of the tribble is also a stupid call-out, and exposes the ignorance of the writers. Any fan even remotely familiar with TOS would understand why they would never even have a tribble on the ship in the first place.
At least we know what the third movie is about....don't we?
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Star Trek Into Darkness
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