Bowing out - Star Trek

[RDKirk]

Other things I did not care for in Beyond is that Kirk seemed totally unlikeable in this film (unlike the first two). The first film we see his struggle of choice in being a Captain and in the second film we see his sacrifice in being a good captain for his ship. This movie, he just seems like a regular red shirt. Also, not only did Beyond rip off three specific things from Nemesis that I can think of, but they also ripped off from Voyager's episode called "Swarm" where the Voyager crew encountered bee like aliens. They also ripped off from the one Star Trek Enterprise episode where the Xindi boarded the ship. It felt waaay too similar to it. Enterprise is a show that is best to be forgotten and not remembered but even still, the fact that one needs to copy from the series and or movies is not a good sign of original thinking in story telling and or in seeing something new.


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Krall mentioned that he had fought the Xendi...maybe he picked up their tactics. But on the larger issue, I think it's rather useless to pick at a movie (or a song or a novel) for re-using a trope.

Let's say someone did a new movie on World War II. How unlikely is it that there won't be scenes or moments someone won't say, "They stole that from 'A Bridge too Far' or 'All's Quiet on the Eastern Front?'" We could easily pick apart "Saving Private Ryan" on that basis--there have been lots of movies of beach landings, and some are going to have similar scenes. Genres are going to have their tropes, and SF is no different.

I rather enjoyed most of Enterprise, and the opening sequence always brought a tear to my eye...but then, I was a child of the 60s space race and those guys were my heroes.

There were certainly some rough spots in the movie--I definitely didn't think Krall's character and motivation were well done--he was no Magneto and Idris Elba could have done such a fine job with a character that had been as well motivated as Magneto (who is a wonderful antagonist because his motivations are inarguable).

 

[Monk Brendan]

I knew sooner or later they would shove the gay agenda down my throat and I guess now is the time.

Let me ask an off topic question: How did you arrive at that particular Freudian image?

 

[Monk Brendan]

It seems About 95% of movies and television stories are mostly about sex. I grant that sex can be an interesting subject, but it's not THAT interesting. It also tells me the writers in Hollywood are utterly and completely devoid of imagination. Perhaps if they would quit smoking the medical weed and get out of Los Angeles for a while they would notice there is an entire world out there struggling to survive. Plenty of drama there.

95%? That much? You've been watching the wrong channels! There are plenty of films and TV shows that don't say a thing about sex. Three years ago I was in the hospital for an illness that was fairly serious. While I was there, the choices for TV were limited, and I ended up watching The Andy Griffith Show and Law and Order. I would have to say that the Law and Order was not all about sex. True, Law and Order Special Victims Unit is mostly about sex, but even there, it was not all about sex.

Forgive me, but if you see sex in 95% of the TV and movies you watch, maybe it's time to change your attitude, or make a covenant with God for Him to guard your eyes and ears.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Krall mentioned that he had fought the Xendi...maybe he picked up their tactics. But on the larger issue, I think it's rather useless to pick at a movie (or a song or a novel) for re-using a trope.

Let's say someone did a new movie on World War II. How unlikely is it that there won't be scenes or moments someone won't say, "They stole that from 'A Bridge too Far' or 'All's Quiet on the Eastern Front?'" We could easily pick apart "Saving Private Ryan" on that basis--there have been lots of movies of beach landings, and some are going to have similar scenes. Genres are going to have their tropes, and SF is no different.

I rather enjoyed most of Enterprise, and the opening sequence always brought a tear to my eye...but then, I was a child of the 60s space race and those guys were my heroes.

There were certainly some rough spots in the movie--I definitely didn't think Krall's character and motivation were well done--he was no Magneto and Idris Elba could have done such a fine job with a character that had been as well motivated as Magneto (who is a wonderful antagonist because his motivations are inarguable).

As for Star Trek Enterprise: Well, I consider that to be an unexplained alternate time line that was caused by Picard mucking up the time line in Star Trek First Contact. For things seemed waaay too advanced technology wise for that show. Also, there was no NX-01 Eterprise ship in the lines of model ships shown in the previous original Trek films. In other words, the show never paid it's respect of what came before. It's like they wanted to do their own thing and did not care about the other series so much. Furthermore, the actors on Star Trek were not that great and they never fleshed out any of their characters to where they were truly got to know them like with Deep Space Nine, etc. They seemed like card board cut outs.

As for Star Trek Beyond:

Here Are My Thoughts on Star Trek Beyond and Why I Did Not Like It:
(Click on the spoiler button to read):
(Note: For other readers out there who have not seen the film, if you do not want to read spoilers, then please do not click on the button and read the following):

Spoiler

In Star Trek Beyond, even ignoring the fact that they ripped off previous things that were not that great within the franchise, there was no explanation to anything. Who was that alien lady who betrayed the Captain? Was she one of the bad soldiers all along? Or did she have a crew that was really trapped? What was the point of her involvement to forward the story in any way? In other words, she served no real purpose in the film. She was not integral to the plot. As for the main villain, what was it that made him change into an alien and then back again? What was the purpose of even doing that for the plot? Can we relate better to an alien looking villain or a human one? Why did he have to speak in such a way that was hard to hear? Was it to make him sound more like an alien? Why would a man who has fought for Star Fleet torture innocent officers of the fleet? Surely he should realize that they had nothing to do with the Admirals who chose not to continue to keep looking for his ship. Also, why did this main villain say, "Unity is not your strength, it is your weakness."? Did not the main villain rely on unity of coming together in attack formation (like a swarm of bees) to destroy the ships of anyone who came within range of his space? Did he not rely on others? Also, how come this Federation planet be so close and not be attacked before? Did the main villain really need an ultimate weapon to do harm towards the Federation? Was the crime of the Admirals (Who are long dead) really that bad to warrant in killing innocent lives who had nothing to do with it? He was a mindless and murderous villain who snapped. But what made him snap or have a mental break down? We will never know because the story never told us. Also, does it seem believable that Kirk wanted to truly be an admiral at such a young age and so soon after his mission of exploration? It doesn't make any sense. Why did he want to become an Admiral? What was his motivation for doing so? Does it truly fit what we know about the character of Kirk? Did his desire in wanting to be an admiral, truly matter to the plot in any way? Yes, he had to be reminded that he was a Captain, but how could he really forget that? Does he have problems with recalling what he has already done for Star Fleet? If so, did the movie show us that? Did the movie show his lack of contentment in being a Captain whereby he would want to do something different?

Also, the one alien who was second in command to the main villain looked like he was of the hirogen from Star Trek Voyager. The captain was an alien when he didn't need to be an alien. He was an alien but yet not really one. It was like in Star Trek Nemesis. These strange looking scary aliens were supposed to be a part of the culture of Romulans when they did not even look remotely like Romulans. They were created to look scary and different. Just like with Star Trek Beyond. I mean, let's completely change everything we know about the Romulans. Just as lets completely change everything we know about this main villain in Star Trek Beyond who is human so as to trick the audience. But the trick fell flat because we did not care about this villain in any way. For we knew nothing about him. Nor could we sympathize with his situation. He was just a murderous mental case like thug (Whereby we have no undertanding of his situation). Also, in Nemesis, Picard had a vehicle with wheels that seems like it is technology from the past (and not the future) just because we want to have it in the movie because it looks cool. We see the same thing with Kirk and his motorcycle. It was just added because the director likes fast vehicles. In addition, just like with Nemesis, there was a device that was used to disintegrate and kill people that we really have not gotten to know or care about yet.

Anyways, there are more things that I did not care for about Star Trek Beyond, but hopefully that should help you to understand my dislike for the film.

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[RDKirk]

As for Star Trek Beyond:

Here Are My Thoughts on Star Trek Beyond and Why I Did Not Like It:

Well, people don't like stuff because they don't like stuff, and De gustibus non est disputandum.

Most of the issues you've expressed were about Krall, and I've already agreed with you that the protagonist was not well done, and that includes his henchmen. This might have been a good time to introduce the human looking Klingons of TOS as antagonists--whose difference in appearance from the more alien Klingons of TNG had been explained by "Enterprise." Those human-looking Klingons still have a bone to pick with the Federation that Trek history already provides a basis for.

Kirk's issue, as I also mentioned, is that he essentially represents the angsty ennui of Millennials: Got a bachelor's degree, still can't understand life, maybe getting a master's degree will work things out better. But in this case, he realizes he doesn't need something more...which is a lesson also for Millennials.

Did you notice that when they used that "classical" music their advantage that as they went into combat they were actually nodding in beat to the music? Millennial stuff.

Fact is, this is the 21st century with a different audience to be curried from those of the 60s and the 80s.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Well, people don't like stuff because they don't like stuff, and De gustibus non est disputandum.

Most of the issues you've expressed were about Krall, and I've already agreed with you that the protagonist was not well done, and that includes his henchmen. This might have been a good time to introduce the human looking Klingons of TOS as antagonists--whose difference in appearance from the more alien Klingons of TNG had been explained by "Enterprise." Those human-looking Klingons still have a bone to pick with the Federation that Trek history already provides a basis for.

Kirk's issue, as I also mentioned, is that he essentially represents the angsty ennui of Millennials: Got a bachelor's degree, still can't understand life, maybe getting a master's degree will work things out better. But in this case, he realizes he doesn't need something more...which is a lesson also for Millennials.

Did you notice that when they used that "classical" music their advantage that as they went into combat they were actually nodding in beat to the music? Millennial stuff.

Fact is, this is the 21st century with a different audience to be curried from those of the 60s and the 80s.

I suppose I am looking for a good story in addition to action when I see a Star Trek film. Good stories is what makes movies good in my opinion. For a good story can inspire us and help us to understand the value of a moral lesson God wants to teach us. But if a movie is just mindless in action and offers no real weight as far as a story is concerned, it just falls flat in my opinion. A good website to learn about good story telling along with the critique of various films is:

http://www.scriptsecrets.net/

More spoiler content of the film (if you click on the button here):

Spoiler

Also, if one truly knows the character of Kirk, it seems completely out of his character for him to want to be an admiral so soon (unless major circumstances were to push him into doing something like that). Kirk is a person who is an action man. He is not the type to sit behind the desk. Again, it seems like they were writing about a character they knew nothing about. They also gave Kirk no real meat as far as the story was concerned, either. Kirk was just a regular joe in this film. There was nothing really major for him to overcome or any sacrifice to make. Nothing special about him at all this time around (unlike the first two films).

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[Bible Highlighter]

Now, I am bowing out of Star Trek":

Check out this article here:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/379959-star-trek-discovery-details-revealed-by-bryan-fuller

It appears that this is one of the producer's agenda.
In fact, I canceled my Netflix subscription that will broadcast the show next year.


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[Bible Highlighter]

I remember the Trek episodes that were Christian themed.

One of my favorites was "Bread and Circuses."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Circuses_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)
http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Bread_and_Circuses_(episode)

Anyways, I suppose the times a be a changin.'

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[Archivist]

Now, I am bowing out of Star Trek":

Check out this article here:

http://www.superherohype.com/news/379959-star-trek-discovery-details-revealed-by-bryan-fuller

It appears that this is one of the producer's agenda.
In fact, I canceled my Netflix subscription that will broadcast the show next year.


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OK, the crew is diverse and will include a gay character. The problem with that is????

 

[Bible Highlighter]

OK, the crew is diverse and will include a gay character. The problem with that is????

I think it is best I reply by PM.

May God bless you.


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[Archivist]

I think it is best I reply by PM.

May God bless you.


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Please do.

 

[ArmenianJohn]

I've been a fan of Star trek, the wagon train to the stars all of my life. It began the year I was born and I've seen everything they have done. I knew sooner or later they would shove the gay agenda down my throat and I guess now is the time. The new Sulu will have a husband. The original Actor George Takei who is gay himself tried to talk them out of it. It's extremely low hanging fruit to choose Sulu just because George was gay but that's Hollywood.

I'll have to bow out. I would say I wish them luck but truthfully I hope their movie is a financial disaster. I'll have to bow out of most movies and television as time goes on but I'm not worried about that. I'll be better off. It's kind of sad seeing something that used to just be about fun turned into political crap.

I think this is good for you because you should never have taken a silly TV show so seriously.

 

[SilverBear]

OK, the crew is diverse and will include a gay character. The problem with that is????

I'm curious about this too.

 

[redleghunter]

You would think in these futuristic movies they would have already found the solution to hair loss and weight management.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

It seems About 95% of movies and television stories are mostly about sex. I grant that sex can be an interesting subject, but it's not THAT interesting. It also tells me the writers in Hollywood are utterly and completely devoid of imagination. Perhaps if they would quit smoking the medical weed and get out of Los Angeles for a while they would notice there is an entire world out there struggling to survive. Plenty of drama there.

What are you watching? I RARELY, if EVER, watch any TV shows "about sex". You must be watching trash TV. There's so much more on that is not dealing with sex, but dealing with interesting and intellectual topics. Right now I'm watching a documentary about WikiLeaks. I only watch 3 "network" shows...NCIS, Criminal Minds and Blue Bloods. No sex there. I think you need to gain better taste in TV.

 

[redleghunter]

What are you watching? I RARELY, if EVER, watch any TV shows "about sex". You must be watching trash TV. There's so much more on that is not dealing with sex, but dealing with interesting and intellectual topics. Right now I'm watching a documentary about WikiLeaks. I only watch 3 "network" shows...NCIS, Criminal Minds and Blue Bloods. No sex there. I think you need to gain better taste in TV.

TV a lot like email and regular mail is filled with garbage/junk. As you mention we can be intelligent about what we choose and what we don't flip on.

 

[retlaw]

My cousin saw the Star Trek movie and said it wasn't any good so I'm glad I didn't waste my money on it.

 

[Archivist]

My cousin saw the Star Trek movie and said it wasn't any good so I'm glad I didn't waste my money on it.

I actually enjoyed it. Not the best Star Trek movie, but not bad (and some of the ST movies have been pretty bad). Scotty might have found himself a hot alien girlfriend which is good. The Sulu "gay" scene took all of about three seconds, and if it had not been discussed in advance you would not have noticed it.

 

[ArmenianJohn]

What are you watching? I RARELY, if EVER, watch any TV shows "about sex". You must be watching trash TV. There's so much more on that is not dealing with sex, but dealing with interesting and intellectual topics. Right now I'm watching a documentary about WikiLeaks. I only watch 3 "network" shows...NCIS, Criminal Minds and Blue Bloods. No sex there. I think you need to gain better taste in TV.

I watch tons of intellectual, educational TV programming and it ALL includes sex as a major topic on every show. One channel that I watch is a channel that many children would watch with their parents (even at the behest of their parents) and includes lots of sex. It's a popular and common channel that you probably even watch.

 

[ArmenianJohn]

TV a lot like email and regular mail is filled with garbage/junk. As you mention we can be intelligent about what we choose and what we don't flip on.

How is sex "garbage/junk"?? There is a channel that is considered educational and intelligent which always includes sex in every show, often even showing the sex act.