If all reboots were done this well, we geeks would never worry about reboots.

Between work and meetings, I’ll be AFK for most of today, but this is important enough to warrant its own quick entry until I can write something more in-depth later today: I went with Chris Hardwick and his girlfriend to see Star Trek last night.

Speaking both as a member of the Star Trek family, and as a fan of what we do, I can tell you that it is fucking incredible. As I said on Twitter: Star Trek has been reborn, and it is SPECTACULAR.

The story is such a perfect Star Trek story, the cast is pitch-perfect, the visuals are brilliant, and the sound design will blow your mind. I loved it so much, I wanted to watch it again RIGHT AWAY as soon as it ended, and I hope they do eleven movies with this cast and creative team. After seeing it, that satire from the Onion is even funnier than it already was.

Here’s a picture of me and Chris looking, um, excited after the movie. Well, Chris looks pleased, and I look … maybe excited isn’t the right word. Maybe “crazy as shit because OMG I just saw Star Trek and it blew me away” is more accurate. Anyway, it should tell you all you need to know (both about how much I liked it, and how much of a complete dork I am when I’m excited about things like Star Trek.)

152 thoughts on “If all reboots were done this well, we geeks would never worry about reboots.”

  1. Holy Mother of Starfleet, that movie was MAGNIFICENT! It totally lived up to the hype and then some! I love, love, loved Karl Urban as McCoy. He was spot on! From the second he emerged on the screen, you just knew he was Bones. Zachary Quinto was so Spock-like that I forgot he was Zachary Quinto after about 3 seconds.
    I wasn’t totally sold on Chris Pine at first, but by the end of the movie, he most definitely was James T. Kirk. Totally badass. At the risk of drawing ire from WFS’s fan base here, I’m just going to come right out and say it – he was so much better as Kirk than WFS could be in his own wet dreams. And that shit is fact.
    Simon Pegg as Scotty…awesome! Zoe Saldana as Uhura, beautiful…and I am so glad that the writers gave her character so much depth. I felt for the first time in all my years as a Star Trek fan that I actually “knew” Uhura, if that makes any sense. Anton Yelchin was a bit annoying at first but he kinda grew on me by the end. John Cho was all right, he gave it the good old college try, hopefully by the next film he will become one with Sulu. Last but not least, Eric Bana, definitely captured the essence of a crazed villain, which is an ingredient that is needed for any great Star Trek film. Oh, and that “other” Vulcan guy…brilliant as ever. And that’s not even getting into the special effects, which were absolutely fucking awesome!
    But enough blabbering…if you have not seen this film yet, GO OUT AND SEE IT NOW! That is a direct order!

  2. Hopefully my head won’t asplode again…without revealing too many details, I believe that the timeline was altered before the movie even started. Think back to Kirk’s conversation with Spock and what was revealed about his father. But even if I’m wrong about that theory and nitpicking aside I like the uniforms, they’re pretty spiffy.
    People applauded several times at my viewing of it, as well. As well as laughter in the appropriate spots. Everyone involved pulled it together and wrapped it up in a nice, neat present with a bit freaking bow on top, for me at least.

  3. i feel weird that i am jealous that you got to see star trek and i have not made it yet due to work. being jealous of everyone else in the world who has gone is easy…
    i def have to take my mom to the theatre (and feel weird all over again telling her about this post).
    🙂

  4. Hey Wil, one of my friends just wrote on my facebook page that she wants to pull a schizer maneuver on your face because she’s sick of hearing about the new Star Trek movie! LMAO! How in the world do you end up getting blamed for everything? No mention of JJ Abrams or anyone else actually involved in the movie, just you for some reason.
    Methinks she just wants to pull a schizer maneuver on you because, well…it’s probably some deep seeded fantasy of hers or something, who the hell knows?! LOL!!

  5. I like the uniforms, too. & the assignment badge didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the film in the least – it was just an observation…
    I’m not sure what you’re referring to re: alterations to the timeline before Kirk’s birthday… If you don’t want to get too spoilery here, would you mind emailing me at: fiach_amhran AT hotmail.com ?

  6. Saw the movie last night at our local IMAX and loved it! Although, I kept wondering about TNG, DS9 and Voyager and then I thought how come the time cops didn’t show up to correct this? I still loved it though and I do plan on going back to see it with some friends!

  7. I actually caught the [redacted] reference, and it delighted me, but what had embarrassed me previous to that was my sister and I mistaking the [redacted] for Scotty, at first. But then I realized his accent wasn’t Scottish (and thus he was not Scotty). =)

  8. OK. My typically longer than necessary reply to your query has been sent to you via email with the subject title “Star Trek Movie.” You know, because I don’t want to be a douche and serve up a steaming pile of spoiler for anyone who hasn’t yet seen the film. Feel free to respond with any of your own observations that may differ from my conclusions. I love to talk Trek.

  10. I got my head around potential future problems not by telling myself it’s some other timeline, but by something told by a major character.
    I personally like this “as you like it” method of storytelling. How each fan solves the problem… or doesn’t, is up to them.
    At least until the next one, and I hope there will be a next one. Studios like making money, so I’m sure there will be.
    So we’ve officially broken the Odd Number Curse?

  11. I guess it all depends on how you look at it. The movie’s title is simply “Star Trek.” Meaning that it is the first in a new series of movies based on Star Trek. Now if it were “Star Trek: XI” or “Star Trek 11″…you see where I’m going with this.
    And yes, it has occurred to me that one is an odd number, but I don’t remember seeing “Star Trek: 1” in the title, either. But if you insist, by consensus, it would seem that the masses have declared the “odd numbered Trek movie curse” has indeed, been broken.

  12. I just returned from seeing the movie and it was awesome! My expectations were high and were simply blown away by the experience. Simon Pegg as Scotty was a little bit of casting genius!

  13. OMG! Just saw the flick and it was FRIGGING AWESOME!!! I agree with Wil. I want to see it again and very soon!
    My mom and I were high fiving the whole movie. How cool is that? (My mom is 57 and I am 38) There we were…giggling like two high school girls and high-fiving. Great night.

  16. Just got back from seeing it with the hubby…all I can say is… WARP FACTOR HOLY FUCKING SHIT! It was awesome…simply awesome.

  17. Wil! I’ve rewatched “Yesterday’s Enterprise,” and the rift that enabled the Enterprise C to come into the future unknowingly looks eerily similar to the rift or black hole that enabled Nero and Spock Prime to travel into the past. Obviously visual FX were limited during Next Gen’s early years, but nevertheless, it almost looks as if they patterned the black hole in the new movie after the look of the rift in this episode. I feel I can make this connection, because Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman referenced that episode in an interview with trekmovie.com and noted that it, as well as other episodes like “Paralells” were key in shaping their script’s direction toward an “alternate timeline.” Thoughts anyone?

  18. Gosh I cant wait to see it. I may be able to go see it tonight.. Wil you looked like a teenage boy who just got to 2nd base for the 1st time lol. HA anyway it’s Mothers Day so please wish your wife and your mother a Happy Mothers Day from Lacy 🙂

  20. I don’t mind so much what will happen in the future, that I know is going to change.  There are some continuity problems with this film and it doesn’t have anything to do with what can or will happen in the future.  After doing some more thinking, I’m not a big fan of the new Kirk.  He’s a jerk!  He has none of the charm that TOS’s Kirk had.  Just my opinion.
    For your info – the cast is signed to do 2 more films.

  21. If that picture tells the truth…then it’s gotta be one helluva movie…Because you have the look of Werewolf Excitement.

  23. OMG…the Stand By Me Spoof was so amazing. I have to say Family Guy always nails it when it comes to this kind of thing. Last week’s reference to Star Trek II’s Genesis cave was also very cool. All nice tributes to movie fans…because anyone else would have no clue what what going on.

  24. I just got back from seeing this movie. I am speechless.. it was AMAZING!! I actually missed about the 1st 20 minutes because little did I know it was playing on more than 1 screen and I went into the 1st one I saw and it turned out being the last like 20 minutes of the movie instead of the beginning. I was running a little late and I just assumed that I missed about the 1st 5 minutes but I was wrong. Ugh! But it was still amazing.. can’t wait till it comes out on DVD. There’s rumoured that there’s gonna be a sequel in 2011. Hopefully they do make one!! And hopefully they’ll have a Wesley Crusher! And I hate to admit it but I could see Zac playing Wesley…

  25. Anyone catch Nimoy, Quinto & Pine on SNL? Yeah, I realize that most people with lives are out on Saturday nights, and on this particular weekend, hopefully those of you that didn’t catch the movie before then, you were out seeing it then. I caught it on YouTube before the NBC Nazis had it forcibly removed, but holy shit was Nimoy funny!
    “To not like it would make them dickheads!” That is my new quote for life now. I love you, Leonard, wherever you may be!

  26. Yeah, about that, I get that it was a Stephen King based episode tonight, but the humor in the Stand by Me sketch was sorta lost on me. Why, you ask? I’ve kinda sorta never seen the movie, or read the story for that matter. I guess maybe I should get on that? I’ve been told that it’s quite good, by both people that I know and you know, some other people that I don’t know but hang out with quite a bit…

  27. It’s a really awesome movie!
    I’m 33 old who grews up with both classic and TNG series (showed both in a spanish tv channel at the end of the 80’s). I’m consider a huge fan but not harcore, so the changes are acceptable for me.
    I’ve waiting soooooo long to see the movie. It’s really damn good. I’ve see it with my brother friday and we see it again tonight. The rhythm is frenetic, without stops, the story is correct, the humour is good, had a lot of references and, the most important to me, is the only way to mantain the franchise with good new air. I don’t remember to had a great time like this on theater since Master and Commander.
    The only question left was: OMG I HAD TO WAIT 3 YEARS FOR THE NEXT MOVIE? I WANT IT NOW!

  28. Aside from the whole alternate universe thing this was the best star trek movie I have ever seen. It was funny. It was well written. The actors nailed the characters. I’m still unsure why they felt the need to throw 40 plus years of star trek universe out the window and alternate universe it, but it made so many things believable that otherwise would have had Fans screaming and throwing things at the screen…Like how spiffy the ship looked. I mean that ship was sweeter that the D and E. Though they did keep somethings the similar like the communicators and the tricorders. It was the perfect blending of old and new. We absolutely loved the cast…I mean it was like when they were on set the were possessed by the spirits of the characters. I could go on and on…which we did as we walked out of the theater…we would probably still be sitting outside talking about it if the mosquitos weren’t so bad.
    I want to see it again…but until then there is still TNG on Scifi tonight!!! Time to spend some quality time with Wil!

  31. Were the Star Trek Technical Manual designs for the Saladin/Hermes/Dreadnaughts canonical? As I recall, that book’s a bit of ca. . . ca. . .
    /me bitchslaps himself and drags himself into the corner. “No! Bad nerd! No semantics argument for you!”

  33. Depends on your definition of canon.
    What I know: The book was created with the full knowledge and permission of Gene Roddenberry and Paramount. It was published in 1975, in between the end of the first TV series (1969) and the signing of the contracts for the first motion picture (1976). At the time, Franz Joseph was told by GR to “run with it” because the series was dead. So the author made certain projections about the Trek universe that have since been contradicted by later canon.
    What I thought I knew: Franz designed the original Enterprise that Matt Jeffries built for the series. I can’t find confirmation of that, though. If true, his vision of the technology would supersede Roddenberry’s.
    What I believe: Amarillo Design Bureau (http://starfleetgames.com) has the most consistent and thought-out version of Star Fleet.

  34. I’ve seen it twice so far, and loved it both times!!! The first time, I paid more attention to the plot and the decisions the writers made; the second, I noticed more of the directorial decisions JJ Abrams made (the way the camera lens would flare at the slightest bit of light, the way some shots started upside down, extreme close-ups, etc). I suppose, next time I see it, I shall have to pay attention to the music!

  36. Still waiting for ‘something more in-depth later today’.
    BTW I always thought ‘Enterprise’ should have done a movie version of Harlan Ellison’s original screenplay for “City on the Edge”.
    You would have rocked as ‘Beckwith’.

  37. Have just been to see it. Managed to get non-geek boyfriend to come with me. It was AWESOME! I totally fancy Spock. Wrong! Simon Pegg LOL

  38. Yeah, me too. Life is what happens while you’re trying to write “something more in-depth later today.”

  39. Just an awesome film, I have been a trek fan since TNG (my era). I sat through DS9, I enjoyed Voyager and struggled with Enterprise. I wasn’t sure what to expect with the re-boot, I had watched ‘Star Trek: Of Gods and Men’ and feared the worse for a franchise that IMO had run out of steam.
    It just goes to show what a fresh pair of eyes can do to lift a story and present it in a new and exciting way. Don’t get me wrong there are elements that expect you to make a huge leap of faith, which at times test even the most faithful (Spock and Kirk ending up on the same planet, sigh) However despite these small plot flaws the overall experience is very enjoyable.
    With time paradoxes being what they are you couldn’t rule out a guest appearance from the mighty Shatner.
    As a side note I have never really liked the original series, but loved the motion pictures the original cast made.

  40. Holy crap, that’s enormous. No wonder the 30 year old Kelvin had 800 survivors while the classic Constitution-class had only what 300+ crewmen?

  41. As corny as some of the TNG shows can be, I still watch them over and over, always with a smile. I was a die-hard classic trek fan and refused to watch until season 3, when a friend made me watch during 420 time. And when it’s 420 time, well, then those shows are absolute genius 🙂

  42. And yet, in spite of the size of the ship, I still think the ridiculously huge Brewery/Engine room is more of a nod to Doctor Who than Star Trek.

  43. Caught it at the weekend and really enjoyed it. The pace & energy of the film carries you past most of the plot holes. Having said that, from a purely film standpoint the whole ‘ice planet’ segment was incredibly clunky writing.

  45. If there’s a clone of Wil running around, can we then start calling the original Wil “Wil Prime” just like they do with Spock in the new movie?
    That would be rad.

  46. Not really sure. Not really sure I want to answer this particular query, either, since I stepped into a steaming pile of “I’m such a dumbass!” this afternoon trying to explain how I get when I’m in sleep deprivation mode.
    OK, Spock Prime was just “future Spock” to “current timeline Spock” in the movie, so I really don’t think the same rules apply, but since such ludicrous things just seem to spill out all over the place while in sleep deprivation mode, I say “What the hell, why not?!” lol
    Does that answer your question sufficiently?

  48. What was the point of the car-chase scene at the beginning? I mean, other than ripping off Disney’s Treasure Planet?

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