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Noooooo !!!!!
~ Hello Everyone ~
Welcome To Daniel’s Critical Corner !
On The Captain’s Log Today: Star Trek
I know that you are all going to think I’m just jumping on the bandwagon,
but I really want to become an actual “Trekkie”. No, the new “Star Trek”
film has not inspired me to do so. This is a fantasy I have had for many,
many years.
There is a method to my madness. Yes, I HAVE been a fan of “Star Trek”
for about as long as I can remember… But I’ve got a goal that has yet to
be realized. I wanna go to a Star Trek convention wearing “Vulcan ears”.
At this convention, I hope to find William Shatner (AKA Captain Kirk) !
Once I see good ol’ Bill, I shall follow him around. Why ? Because sooner
or later, he’s going to drop something. It’s inevitable. We all do. Maybe
it will be his pen… Or perhaps a cup… Maybe even a quarter.
When he bends over to pick up whatever it is he has dropped, I’m going
to pop out and loudly say: “Space… The Final Frontier” !!! Ha Ha Ha !
Sigh… I can dream, can’t I ? If that isn’t enough reason to become a
Trekkie, I don’t know what is. Something tells me the latest Star Trek
offering will bring some new fans to the fold, and it should give all the
die-hards reason to feel born-again !!!
What we have here is a “reboot” of sorts… A reboot that (finally) keeps
the heart and soul of the original source material ! Kudos to J.J. Abrams
for realizing what made “Star Trek” so special in the first place. He helms
this movie with grace and treads lightly on sacred ground. Much to my
delight, the result is nothing short of a science fiction masterpiece.
Don’t get me wrong. I still cherish all of the old “Trek” movies ! I loved
it when everyone went to “SeaWorld”. And who can forget Kirk fighting
that evil soul singer in “The Wrath of Chaka Khan” ? Of course, there is
“The Search For Spock”. I never understood that one. Why didn’t they
just Google him ?
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I’ll Stop The World And Meld With You !
In this refreshingly new installment, the tables have turned and it is now
Spock who is on the hunt !!! Leonard Nimoy returns as the (aging) Vulcan
ambassador “In Search Of” his youth.
While buzzing about the galaxy (in the coolest spaceship ever) Spock
is schlucked away to the PAST by a black hole… The aforementioned
schluckage creates an “alternate reality”. A strange new world where
people are actually sexy !
Warning: When you add sexy to the continuity of ANYTHING, there
are going to be cataclysmic, history-changing results. So our logical
friend has his hands full trying to rectify the situation… Also causing
trouble are some nasty Romulans (coming from the future as well).
Spock enlists the aid of his good friend James T. Kirk, who’s now much
younger… Young Kirk (played by Chris Pine) has some issues to work
out though, and is indeed a challenge. He channels James Dean as a
true rebel without a cause.
In this universe, Kirk never knew his father and is running amok on
Earth until the prestigious “Federation Starfleet” sees his potential.
Hesitant at first, this crazed kid soon joins the Starfleet Academy,
only to end up on the just-built “Starship Enterprise”.
I Knew I Should’ve Taken That Left Turn At
Albuquerque !
Here we meet (all over again) the crew we know and love. Scotty,
Sulu, Chekov, Uhura, Dr. McCoy and young Mr. Spock !!! Mr. Spock
has some anger management issues, to say the least. He is always
whaling on someone !!! (Sounds like I am talking about “Star Trek
IV” again, doesn’t it) ?
He beats up on other Vulcans, and at one point he even pounds the
captain ! Um… Moving on… Anyway, at first young Spock (Zachary
Quinto) and young Kirk despise each other. But these fellows soon
realize that they are way better off as pals in order to stop Romulan
bad-guy “Nero”.
Nero (an unrecognizable Eric Bana) is out for revenge against the
old Spock, probably because he had watched “The Final Frontier” !
C’mon… It wasn’t that bad. Nonetheless, he is going to make our
hero suffer, and destroy anything that gets in his way.
The Enterprise soon rises to the challenge… And starts to kick some
time-traveling butt. The special effects are extraordinary, and I got
goosebumps every time they went into “warp speed”. A feeling that
reminded me of watching the show as a kid !!! My first recollection
of “Star Trek” was viewing it (as a rerun) in the 1970’s… It was on
after the news Sunday nights !
This movie is cool. Like a tall glass of Altair Water. We have Mr.
Sulu whipping out a sword. Kirk listens to “Beastie Boys”. Majel
Roddenberry (Nurse Chapel in the 60’s series) provides the voice
of the ship’s computer. And, to top it all off, Winona Ryder plays
Spock’s Mom. WOW !
“Star Trek’s” 2009 ensemble cast does a fine job interpreting our
beloved Enterprise crew… All while adding a few fresh twists of
their own ! I am going to open my “hailing” frequencies and tell
the planet about this movie’s stellar appeal !!!
At last, a film that will cure what “Romulan Ales” you ! A bright
blockbuster sure to leave you stunned !!! After watching this, I
felt nothing could phase me ! I’m still beaming…
“Star Trek” is Spocktacular fun ! Boldly go see it today !!!
~
Would I Recommend This ? Yes
Daniel’s Critical Rating: “10” out of “10”
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Hair No Man Has Gone Before…
This review is dedicated to Majel Barrett-Roddenberry. Wife of
“Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry. She played my favorite
character in the original series, “Nurse Christine Chapel” ! She
was promoted to Doctor when the first flick came out… Majel
(as mentioned above) is the voice of the computer in this new
film and many other “Trek” offerings.
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry
Stardate: 1932-2008
We miss you !
~
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Daniel's Critical Corner 
Great review Daniel!! I am so envious that everyone has seen the movie and I just can’t seem to get there due to no transportation… eventually I will though!
Never knew Majel was your fav. character on the originals! She was a very nice lady too.. often at conventions she was set up in the dealers room selling memorabilia from her “store” Lincoln Enterprises.
I was on the movie set for ST 6 and actually saw “Kirk , Spock (ears and all) Scotty, Chekov, and McCoy”! I say those names because they were all in costume waiting to be called by Nick Meyer to the set… let me tell you.. even in person Spock’s ears looked real!! They had really good makeup artists for their movies!!
I wish you had a shuttlecraft ! LOL ! That’s wonderful you met Majel. When
I found out about her passing away, I was devastated. She was always the
one on the show with the coolest head (of hair anyway) !!!
You were on the set of “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” ! So cool.
Great film… Most Trekkers can only dream of such accomplishments !!! 🙂
Wow Daniel. What can I say, this was by far the GREATEST review, as far as the GREATEST movie of the year. You always amaze me on your wit. I have to say I am NOT a Trekkie, ( I am married to one though)..but all I have done was rave about this film since I saw it opening night. I was skeptical at first, laughing as I saw the true diehards and nerds..lol. No one get offended please, I did seperate the diehards and the nerds..remember I am married to one, and he is the diehard. 🙂 The movie was amazing. The stories and description of characters, the effects, the soundtrack, and the casting were terrific. “Bones”(McCoy,)was exceptional. I feel they should have used Will Shatner to narrate at the end the whole ‘Space the Final Frontier’saying. That is minor, and just a thought. This was not a cheesy ‘fly through space with strange characters’ movie. This movie was perfection. Your review was perfection.
Thanks Gayle ! Great idea, having William Shatner voice the “Star Trek” mantra.
Hmmm… I think you might be a closet “Trekkie”. Embrace your destiny !!! 🙂
No!!!!! Please, not a Trekkie!!!
Well…I have to admit, I catch myself watching the old ones…and I don’t mean Mickey Rooney..lol. The old Star Trek series with Will Shatner and Leonard Nimoy..yes, I prefer the originals. They were so ahead of their time.
I knew it ! Trekkie ! Trekker ! Trekola ! LOL !!! Yep. The original series is totally
wonderful. My all time favorite episode: “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” (1966).
Great story featuring Kirk and Chapel… Ted Cassidy (AKA “Lurch”) guest stars !
I love the mix of comedy and expression in your reviews, it’s refreshing.
I can’t possibly see someone not enjoying this movie who is a fan of film and am even more pleased to see others having the same reflections I did and getting excited about the same great moments I did. J.J. Abrams made his depiction universally attractive but also made it very personal. I am just in love with it.
Thank you for the wonderful compliment and comment. I strongly agree with you on all points !
This isn’t just a good “Star Trek” flick. It’s a good flick period. Many people STILL refuse to see
it because they are not “into” the whole “Trek” thing. (You are right about fans of film).
I feel that a true connoisseur of the cinematic arts would never dismiss a movie because of its
genre.
I TOTALLY loved this film also! After being disappointed in Wolverine, I was keeping my hopes in check, but it really kicked serious Trek butt! Nice review Daniel! Once again, we agree! Nice…
We are on the same wavelength. This movie was a hoot !
I like the fact that Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy) is
now “Star Trek’s” version of Yoda. LOL !!!
I went and saw the movie over the weekend and LOVED it. I was a huge fan of TNG but this movie was just so excellent. I’ve been a fan of Chris Pine since his Princess Diary 2 days and it was nice to see him as the main man in something he’ll actually get some high praise for. Quinto as always is perfect. Just absolutely dead on. he’s the only person that could make “Live Long and Prosper” sound like F*ck you. LOL
LOL !!! You’re killin’ me Lady Jaye !!! I had never heard of Chris Pine until
this movie came out… He is the perfect Kirk. And Quinto Rocks the Spock !
LOL I said the same thing about James Dean. This film is truly awesome. Loved it!
I read a review this morning where Chris Pine’s “Kirk” was compared to a young Marlon Brando !
Daniel, love the review! The photo captions are hilarious! Meld with you indeed! Ha!
I finally gave in late Sunday night. Yes, fun and watchable, but with all apologies to the current fervor on this one, it was also a lot like watching the Muppet Babies versus Scrappy Doo.
I love the original episodes/movies, and mostly TNG, Deep Space, and more so Voyager… but, after constantly complicating “the timeline” for actor walk-ons I was ready for the franchise to shed the past long before Enterprise.
I’m sure someone has asked this before, but have we forgot to boldly go where no one has gone before? I propose an alternate timeline: where the prequel ceases to exist as a marketable movie trend.
Thanks Aaron ! Comparing this new cast to the “Muppet Babies” is CLASSIC !!! LOL !!! 🙂
I just LOVE your comments* !
This flick received a “10” out of “10” from me. But you seem to be going with a “7 of 9” !
So true about the timeline… The “Star Trek” franchise was starting to run on “fossil fuel”.
Some people have been yelling “HALT” since 1969. But, thanks to this great reboot, the
Enterprise will still be going forward !
*When you agree wholeheartedly with my brilliant, insightful and witty opinions ! Ha Ha !!!
I had fun on Mother’s Day watching Star Trek with you. I thought the guy that played Spock did an incredible job and looked just like him. The special effects were awesome. I am looking forward to it coming out on DVD so I can buy it!
I had fun too 🙂 ! I am also looking forward to this flick hitting the shelves, with special
features GALORE that are sure to be worthwhile. (Deleted scenes would be a big plus)!!!
As it turns out, some crazy “Klingon” action is missing from the finished product…
I love the captions to the pictures, Dan! Great review! It was a really fun movie. I got my Trekkie jollies.
We can look forward to more “Trekkie jollies” with the sequel !!! 😉
Great review, Daniel! I know when we saw Star Trek together with Russ on opening night I was a bit harsh on this movie. Being a diehard Trek fan since the originals, I felt like my beloved characters had been replaced. It was a shock to the system to say the least. But because of Russell’s and your enthusiasm for this new version, I decided to give it another chance. After I saw it a second time I was able to get over myself and just enjoy it for the roller coaster ride it was! Your review is delightful and really made me smile when you mentioned all of the trek “puns” in that last paragraph! Stellar review, my friend!
Thanks Chayne !!! “Star Trek” is interesting in the fact that it can be watched at face value, or it can be taken as part of
a very large established saga. Personally, I loved the film in BOTH capacities. Some purists have balked at this “reimagined”
universe, only to recant. Others are holding “Vulcan ear” burnings at campuses around the world… But for every set of ears
that are tossed upon the flame, a new set is being tried on for the very first time. LOL !!!