leandraholmes:

jmlarson:

I saw ST:ID yesterday. Loved it, better overall then the first reboot movie. Good story, great dialogue, sweet action and fight scenes, and LOTS of references to Trek canon mentioned or seen throughout the movie. And a surprise cameo at one point (surprise to me, anyway. Won’t say who it is tho, watch and see for yourself)

Yes, like many have speculated, Benedict Cumberbatch IS Khan. And while no one can top the late-great Ricardo Montalban in the role, in my opinion, Benedict did a great job. Khan is a complex character, both brutal and civilized. Caring, yet also filled with hate for those he feels betrayed or used him. Benedict pulled off all sides of Khan’s personality perfectly, further proving his skill as an actor. And that scene where he almost single-handedly took out a squad of Klingons was pretty damn sweet.

Speaking of the Klingons, they do show up in this movie. (They were supposed to be in the 2009 movie, but their scene was dropped) I have mixed feelings about the way they are in this movie. Klingons are one of my all-time fav alien races in the Trek universe. And I understand the movie’s creators wanted to do their own take of them, hence them wearing helmets. (something they NEVER wore in any other series or movie to my knowledge) But then one of them removed his helmet to talk with Uhura. Just what the frak was that?! He had little resemblence other then some cranial ridges to any Klingon I ever saw. The Bird-of-Prey type ships they had were pretty cool, tho.

The crew relationships were protrayed well, from the friendship between Kirk and Spock and the continuing romance with Spock and Uhura. Also liked moments like when Sulu was given command of the ship. Kinda reminded me of Captain Sulu in Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country and Voyager. And I’m glad Simon Pegg got more to do as Scotty in this movie, being that Scotty has always been one of my fav characters. And the introduction of Carol Marcus to the crew has romantic possibilities in the future for Kirk, since as most know, she is the mother of his son. Wish Nurse Chapel was there, too. She was mentioned, but that ain’t enough.

As mentioned below, loved the Trek canon that popped up in the movie. I KNEW Section 31 (first seen in DS-9) would be involved in the story. Called it way back when the first pics of Khan were released, showing him wearing a black uniform. McCoy mentions the Gorn and had a Tribble in his lab. But the big geek-out for me was seeing those models in the Admiral’s office. The shuttle Enterprise, the Enterprise NX-01, and models based on early drawings Matt Jefferies drew way back when the TOS series was in pre-production. (Trivia: the Jefferie Tubes, the access tunnels you see in the starships, was named after him)

Go see this movie. Now. It’s not a perfect movie, but it is one of the best Trek movies. LLAP

Yay, finally a write-up from you. I was so curious what you’d say about the various aspects. And I’m glad to see we have had a very similar experience ;) 

Firstly to your bit of criticism: the Klingons in this movie. I admit that I also didn’t like the look very much. That Klingon reminded me a bit of King Xerxes in 300… and also had a vaguely Ferengi look to him. Where was all the hair?? Klingons are supposed to look like Heavy Metal musicians with a majestic mane! Well, I suppose you could always argue that Klingon fashion changed over the decades, but still. 

And yes, I was also a bit disappointed at the mention of Christine Chapel, which pretty much erased her from the crew. Though, she could always be coming back at some point later (but I kind of doubt that). 

Back to the good stuff: Also loved the moment when Sulu ‘played’ captain. Most badass. And I don’t know if I just imagined it, but John did sound a bit like George Takei there. He still sounds himself, but the way he emphasised a few phrases and his general intonation seemed like he was trying to find a symbiosis of his own voice and of Takei’s. 

I’m also curious as on how things will proceed with Jim and Carol, whether the reboot will also fulfil this part of Kirk’s “destiny” and have them have a child at some point. Who knows, maybe since Jim lost his own parents it would turn out a bit differently in this reality and he’d have a proper relationship with his kid. 

Also overall found this film better than the last, even though I loved the last one tremendously. 

Yay!

Okay my turn. ;)

The cameo, however small it was, really made me chuckle in joy - out of all the spoilers you willingly or unwillingly had come across, I didn’t know about this one and it made and old Trekkie warm at heart.

Speaking of Benedict; most European fans know him years back (not only as Sherlock) and I was THRILLED when I learnt that he was going to be the main “villain” in the Star Trek sequel. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.  To be honest, he - to me - made this movie. Not at all undermining the other actors at all (!) just that his interpretation was flawless.

Personally I think there wasn’t enough of Bones in this movie. I know you can’t cram three seasons of TOS, and with that said their own timeline and version blah blah blah, into one movie but I still feel I wanted to see more of him. Especially since it’s not JUST about the Kirk/Spock relationship - Bones is a part in that as well!

But I digress.

Simon Pegg was amazing as Scotty, he even made my lip quiver just by one look and my heart really was affected by his love for his ship, his crew and his captain contra his blunt honesty and dignity.
Simply said; next movie needs more of both Bones and Scotty. Period.

As for the Klingons. I understand how this is a different timeline and Abrams & c:o wanted their own version but they were just….lame. Klingons are supposed to be almost animal like with a warrior’s instinct. Intimidating and exciting at the same time - this version was neither. Yes the Bird of Prey were cool I’ll give you that but please J.J. - at least give the Klingons some hair! This version looked like some punk ass retired rockers. Seriously.

Sidenote: cancel the Uhura/Spock thing. Please.

Wish I’d actually seen nurse Chapel in this one but I guess that’d interfere with the whole Spock and Uhura shit. Oh well. One must please the crowd I suppose and not just the Trekkies.  [insert rolling eyes]

BUT!

As harsh as my words may sound I truly, honestly and genuinely loved this movie. I did!
The actors were all flawless, the level of emotions going through me, the truly geeky “shoutouts”, the epic battles, the effects and just the fact of seeing my old beloved characters rejuvenated and…well, cool!

So yes, as a Trekkie I loved it.
As a movie fan, I loved it.
All in all - despite the flaws only a fan would be annoyed at, this is an amazing movie and worth watching for all, Trekkie or not.

Fin. ;)