Wednesday 10 February 2010

Star Trek: Going boldly, I think …

Hmmm …

Definitely Hmmm …

I think …

Possibly …

Ummmm …

Can I make a confession, here?

I love a good film, I really do …

I’m just not sure if — tonight — I’ve actually seen one.

Bless ’im, Kevin D had a night free, tonight, and — bless his little cotton hair-do! — dropped me a text to see if me and the rest of the gang, fancied a film.

Even had one in mind.

The 2009 re-boot of the classic piece of American mythlore that is Star Trek.

And I’m not to sure if I’m impressed.

I’m really not.

You see, I’m something of a fan of the franchise.

While I was never the more enthusiastic fan a couple of friends of mine are, I’ve enjoyed the series for many years.

Part of that is seeing how the background world and continuity develops, over time: part of the reason I’m found of things like Doctor Who, classic and modern, and Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series of novels.

The 2009 cut of Star Trek however …

Well, it’s good. Would could possibly say impressive: a nicely told tale, directed well by J. J. Abrams, nicely written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and with a strong ensémble cast that include Chris Pine as James Kirk, Zachary Quinto (and Leonard Nimoy) as Spock, Zoë Saldana as Uhura, and Eric Bana as the villain of the piece, revenge obsessed Romulan Captain, Nero.

Which is where it sort of went awry for me.

The plot sees Nero hopping around time, in the attempt to follow Ambassador Spock — Leonard Nimoy — after the Ambassador accidentally destroy’s the Romulan home-world.

I’m not going to spoilt the plot for you: but, as a result of this, an alternative timeline is created.

•••••

But what get’s me, personally … ?

Is the ignoring of the simple fact that we’re dealing — as I said earlier — with a classic piece of American myth.

And — speaking personally — I’m none to sure if I completely approve of tinkering with history.

So, from where I’ve sitting?

Star Trek is a good film, don’t get me wrong.

But I’m none too sure if I approve of the amount of rebooting.

Sometimes, good things are best left alone.













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