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Merrick Says Goodbye, And Hello, To STAR TREK...
Merrick here...
AICN's featured many reviews of J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK over the last few weeks - so many, so quickly that my adding yet another perspective seemed extremely unnecessary at best.
None the less, I've had many folks asking what I thought about this film...wondering how it sat with me, and why. Instead of actually reviewing the film, I thought approaching its release from a different vantage point might, conceivably...hopefully...provide some food for thought.
TREK holds a different meaning for me than it does for many people. I've multiple personal connections to the franchise - people who worked on various TREK books, television series, and films. I hold some precious childhood memories as well, which I'll share with you below. To get a better sense of my broader TREK philosophy, check out THIS SCRIPT REVIEW of an unproduced STAR TREK feature called "The Academy Years", THIS ASSESSMENT of Erik Jendresen's screenplay for an unmade film called STAR TREK: THE BEGINNING, or THIS remembrance of STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN's opening day.
So, as indicated above, what follows isn't really a review of J.J.'s TREK - it's more amalgam of the ideas reverberating through my head on the morning of the new film's arrival. Do I love the new film? I more than love it. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot - but it doesn't have it be. Such realizations carry a lot of baggage for someone like me, and simply saying "I like this movie" involves transcending many protective tendencies.
Like many people reading this, I was the kid who got beat up on the playground for liking a show bullies ignorantly identified as "STAR TRACK". I didn't know how to play football, and knew squat about soldier games or "take the fort". But if you showed me a stick on the ground that looked like a phaser? I could decimate vast hordes of invading Mugato and still have time to run to the bathroom before the tardy bell rang. As in many cases, STAR TREK was the glue that led to the establishment of long held friendships - it even acted as an attractor of sorts. Even though we didn't know each other, us TREK fans somehow found their way to one another & we took the rest from there.
Alas, increased numbers didn't make our interaction with the rest of the world any easier. Back in the day, picking off a herd of pre-pubescent Trekkers was tantamount to shotgunning wounded animals in a cage. But what these jackasses failed to comprehend is that this flood of intolerance was only galvanizing our love of TREK. In a real sense, we were living The Original Series' ideals - Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations. But when someone tries to oppress such notions? Sometimes you have to hit back - and hit back hard.
And so it was that at least once a week I'd go home with tears on my eyes, bloody elbows from being pushed down, ripped clothes, in-school detention slips, or missing something of value that had been stolen by Spock bashing marauders. But Kirk, Spock, McCoy, and the gang were always waiting for me...Monday through Friday at 4pm on Channel 24 in Austin...to show me the way towards something better. To show me that worlds can be changed, despite the demons taunting human nature.
It was during this time that I met two men who transformed my life indelibly.
My dad was a Science Fiction author. Back when I was a kid, he was asked to introduce Gene Roddenberry - who was speaking at the local University (where my father was a professor). After Gene's presentation, amidst a swarm of backstage chaos, I got to sit down and talk with The Great Bird himself. One on one, just me and him. I can still remember the sense of peace he conveyed that night, and his unforgettable, grandfatherly voice.
We probably didn't chat for very long, but in those few precious moments I was completely in his world, and he was the sole focus of mine. We talked about many things, and TREK. This was before STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE went into production; the proposed STAR TREK PHASE II series that morphed into a feature film, had not completely taken shape. Gene didn't know what form TREK would eventually assume, but he felt certain it would return. He shared with me, candidly, what he wanted to happen, and what he thought would happen. He invited me to come to the set and watch them film...whatever they'd be filming. This never came to be. My father, I think, was too proud to follow-up on such an invite. Still, it was a breathtaking opportunity to conjure.
A few years later, I had the mind-bending privilege of visiting with Leonard Nimoy in his dressing room. It was after a stage performance of EQUUS, or maybe it was VINCENT. I honestly don't recall, because...at the time...I simply didn't care. By that point he may've already proclaimed he was "not Spock" (I'm hazy on the timing of that proclamation). But to me, he was - and forever shall be, the First Office of the Starship Enterprise. The Son of Sarek.
It was in a darkened dressing room after a lengthy on-stage performance that an the exhausted-but-gracious Mr. Nimoy spent time with a starry eyed punk he probably doesn't even remember anymore. He signed the Starfleet "Enterprise Flight Deck Certification" Gene had thought to mail to me after meeting him. Leonard never shook my hand. Instead, he smiled warmly and genuinely, conveying volumes of sentiment though serene eyes. He parted his fingers to form the unmistakable Vulcan salute - inspired by the blessings of Hebrew priests. And in his soft, gravely voice, intoned, simply "Live long and prosper."
Over the years, I was touched by many such moments. Instances that indelibly defined STAR TREK as a critical element in my life experience. The many powerful and creative personalities I encountered...men and women who shepherded TREK across the decades...were instrumental in my becoming who I am. Naturally, this made me defensive about, and even protective of TREK. Because it was mine...even though it wasn't mine.
While I was beyond delighted to see the franchise escape the reign of Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, I wasn't sure about this Abrams cat. I knew of his creativity and accomplishments, and was well aware of his teams' pedigree - but everything about the early days of the new film's production felt smug...coy. It was impossible, it seemed, that The Powers behind this damn movie actually had a product worthy of such exhaustive conspiracy. To my admittedly paranoid mind, their steadfast determination to reveal so little early on meant they either had one helluva film, or no confidence whatsoever. Given Hollywood's law of averages, it was easy...and natural...to assume the later.
So it was with no small amount of apprehension that I approached Abrams' STAR TREK a few weeks back - my claws sharpened, my paternal protectiveness stoked to full flame. And, frankly, all of Abrams & Company's coyness ("it's not your father's STAR TREK"?) made me hope...just a little...that their product wouldn't deliver, and would result in franchise flattening pratfall of gargantuan proportions.
All of my fears are now muted. Not only were my misgivings silenced, they were bundled up in a neat little package that was then forcefully inserted into my out door with an explosive device attached. The new movie is the real thing, pure and simple.
Abrams, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, Bryan Burk, Jeffrey Chernov, and their posse have, first and foremost, created a cinematic experience. In some regards, J.J.'s TREK works on the same level as the original release of STAR WARS or BLADE RUNNER. There's a visual density here, an esthetic business, a distinctive vision unlike any TREK you've seen before (and unlike most other movies, for that matter). This is a sweeping symphony of light, sound, and sensory input - sometimes elegant, often kinetic, frequently beautiful, and consistently intriguing - populated by believable people behaving in accessible ways. As STAR TREK it is distinctively familiar, but also very much reshaped...reborn. It's like returning to visit a house you used to live in many years ago - the shape is the same and the basic layout feels familiar, but the fixtures are updated, the paint has been touched up, and you dig the new TV set mounted on that wall. Part of you might miss the place in which you used to live, but you may envy how the new tenants have spruced it up.
A long time ago, AICN alum Glen Oliver decimated STAR TREK NEMESIS in a review posted over at IGN (HERE). In the conclusion of his write-up, Glen accurately assessed the negative impact that film would have on the franchise, and passionately called for change. Here's a snippet of his manifesto:
Star Trek is not dead, but the ability of its shepherds to properly protect the flock may be irreparably compromised. Whether or not there are more Star Trek stories to tell is not an issue – such potential is as vast as the universe itself. Whether or not the people in charge can tell such stores IS a concern. This attrition has been happening for a long time, but only now is the full extent of Paramount's remiss complacency becoming evident. Give Star Trek its balls back. Take chances. Think out of the box. Put some color into the shows – good God, who wants to look at murky gray tones every week? Add visual dynamic and kinetics. Pump-up the sound. Above all, let the characters be human, and unpredictable. Let them make mistakes, and compromise their ideals – because Trek is about humans, and humans can be inconsistent. Let our characters not always do the right thing, and let us not always agree with them. Make it...well...real. Let Star Trek be a youthful child, filled with energy, quirkiness, driven by a sense of experimentation, exploration, and wonder. Something needs to be done here – bravely, and with extreme prejudice.
This is very much what the new film has done. More significantly to my reality, however, is they have brought TREK...and me...full circle.
Merrick's 15 Year Old Son brought 4 guests to Monday night's screening of the film (the second time he and I had seen it - the first for our four guests). Among our companions were three teenagers who couldn't care less about STAR TREK, and an adult who was a well-versed fan. By the time the film's prologue had finished & its title boomed triumphantly across the screen, the three dispassionate teens were sitting (literally) slack jawed in awe and wonderment. During the film's end credits, their unsolicited comments were as follows:
TEEN #1: That's the best movie I'll see this year. There's no way it won't be.
TEEN #2: That's...good God. That's...awesome. It's just...
TEEN #3: It's bad ass.
TEEN #2: It's awesome. I mean...
(As Nimoy's credit flashes on screen)
TEEN #3: Which one was Leonard Nimoy?
MERRICK: He was Old Spock.
TEEN #3: THAT was him?
MERRICK: Yep.
TEEN #3: He was cool.
MERRICK'S 15 YEAR OLD SON: Bruce Greenwood rocks. We should all join Starfleet.
At this point the hardened TREK fan expressed solemn guilt that THE WRATH OF KHAN may now be bested in his estimate.
I glanced around the theater, eavesdropping on numerous conversations of a similar nature. It was in this nstant that I realized something had happened which I'd never before experienced in the franchise's long history. Abrams and his gang have accomplished what even STAR TREK's own creator could not - they've fashioned a STAR TREK for everyone. Young and old, newbie and veteran. A STAR TREK for fans of action, lovers of drama, and folks just looking to kill two hours on a hot Summer afternoon.
A STAR TREK for everyone. Considering what TREK is about, at its core, can you think of any better gift for the franchise?
Maybe it'll be cool to like STAR TREK now. Teens, perennially worried about their perception by others, are now going to school urging classmates to join the party. Perhaps, at long last, the people who call it "STAR TRACK" will finally see the light.
Part of me is sad to see the TREK I once knew go the way of the dinosaurs, and it does sting a little to see all that I loved morph into something so different. But a bigger part of me feels certain this is what TREK should've been for a long time now, and begrudgingly realizes that this is what I've always wanted TREK to be...even if I couldn't articulate as much over the years.
So on this day, when Geeks far and wide are holding their breath...waiting to see what fate has in store for the good ship Enterprise...and preparing to assimilate newly minted nerds into their ranks...I guess I'm saying "goodbye" to STAR TREK in a way, while at the very same time offering an unconditional, and enthusiastic, "hello"...
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New Star Trek = good. Some news about Angels and Demons maybe
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Yeah, fuck me, etc.
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Count me in for feeling the same way.
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Dat was beautiful.
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Yeah, I'll probably see this, wasn't going to bother but the juggernaut clusterfuck of Abrams cocksucking on this site has worn me down.
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Trek lives.
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...I have a feeling I'll share the same reaction tonight after I see it. I've always secretly wanted Star Trek to be more than it was, and now, after 30 years of being a fan, maybe I'll get my wish.
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May 07, 2009 12:35:01 PM CDT
OH MY GOD..we don't care about your HISTORY with a franchise
by knowthyself
Don't need six paragraphs on "when I was a boy and watched star trek." We don't care.
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I keep saying I'm going to see Star Track next week and nobody has been laughing! so I lol'd when I saw this. Great write-up by the way!
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May 07, 2009 12:38:11 PM CDT
No sorry Merrick..never got beat up for liking Star Trek
by glory_fades_immaxfischer
Thanks for that story though.
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Awesome.
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... the reviewer giving an extensive backhistory of how they feel about what they're reviewing along with the review. To just giving the backhistory. But at least we got a link to a review of something.
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This is the best review I have read so far. Its like when you are into a indie rock band, and then all of a sudden everyone likes them...you are kinda sad that its not "yours" anymore.
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but that's okay. I love the Trek.
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Give me a break guys! How much more of this horseshit will you put up? It's hardly tolerable when Harry does his personal pieces, but Merrick? Who gives a shit about Merrick's nerd childhood?
The REALLY heartbreaking paragraph is the one where he sees Nimoy after a theatre production, but he can't even remember which one because it doesn't matter, he's only there to see Mister Spock. This is exactly how fucking uber-nerds have ruined Hollywood as we know it and movies like Transformers and Wolverine make money - because the lowest of the low culturally are the biggest target group now.
Fuck you Merrick, and if you get the chance to watch a play like Equus in a theatre every once in a while try to pay attention, there's much to be gained from entertainment not aimed at children. -
...ninety minutes of Seven of Nine dropping a jar of marbles and bending down to pick them up one by one.No plot, no effects, just Jeri and the marbles. I'd never get tired of watching that.
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One word. So is "cannot."
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Oh boy, this gives me flashbacks to that terribly funny talkback of yore...
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Big thanks from this excited 43 year old for your great story. Ignore the naysayers. They weren't "there", they don't get it.
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May 07, 2009 12:47:41 PM CDT
Why do I get a "One time, at Band Camp" vibe from this article?
by obsd
"One time, at a Star Trek Convention, Leonard Nimoy stuck a flute in my pussy."
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...but Merrick just wrote the best essay on this film that will ever be written. What a great read!
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I don't read tabloid magazines. I don't watch gossip entertainment shows. I don't care about actors or their lives on and off the set. Movies is what I dig. That's why people come here. I barely give a shit about the people in my life that I see on a daily basis. I don't give a fat flying fuck about the history of some goofy internet critic. I understand that context is important in a review but is it too much trouble to reign that shit in a little. Reading this novel made me believe that I would be tested afterward on the trials and tribulations of Merrick the Mighty. Just give us the review and save the trip down memory lane for people who care.
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...but it really, really sucked. Sentimental bullshit, it's really pitiful.
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http://tinyurl.com/cesr b3
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I'll be seeing it tonight at 7:00 PM!!!!!!
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You guys ALWAYS get that one wrong in your articles.
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That review was self-indulgent bullshit. Don't give people a pat on the back for boring everyone else with his fond childhood memories. It's annoying enough when Harry does it, we don't need anymore of that garbage. The only one who does that format justice is Moriarty and he isn't here anymore.
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"TEEN #1: That's the best movie I'll see this year. There's no way it won't be.
TEEN #2: That's...good God. That's...awesome. It's just...
TEEN #3: It's bad ass.
TEEN #2: It's awesome. I mean..."
I heard this same conversation coming out of I, Robot, and I am Legend, and Transformers. It's nice that Star Trek has lost all that made it unique, and comfortably take its place as an action blockbuster. I'm not saying that it isn't a good movie, or that people should treat it with scorn, but I'm surprised to see so many fans who have described the series as challenging, thought-provoking, political, and philosophical, are so quick to throw it out the window in exchange for mainstream success. What can we expect from this new series except more of the same? The explosions will be bigger, the characters will become thinner, and the mainstream audiences will eventually get bored, because there's nothing that Star Trek offers that every other summer blockbuster can't already give them. -
That so-called review was a rambling, self-congratulatory mess, and read more like one of Harry's rambling, self-congratulatory messes than an actual review.
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Too many words of praise from too many people make me nervous. I am so looking forward to this movie, and when so many people say how great it is - how can it possibly live up the the hyperbole?
However - I cant wait to see it in IMAX this weekend! Bring it on JJ! -
Very nice write up.
To the haters: Go suck on a dead hairy syphilis infected donky dick. -
So Gene Roddenberry couldn't make a STAR TREK for everyone? What an absurd comment. This wasn't a treatise but a plea for help. Guess Ian Fleming should be taken to task for not targing the female audience.
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Not to be a hater or anything... I'm not a Trekkie, never really liked TOS or TNG. Never seen DS9, VOY, or ENT, or any other movies minus First Contact.
All I know is... Michael Giacchino's score from LOST is incredible... his music in the TREK trailer was pure gold, and I'm going to see this movie tonight. So for the heck of it I watched "Wrath of Khan" last night since it seems to be a favorite amongst Trekkies. Seriously... some James Bond-wannabe villain kidnaps Kirk and has a diabolical plot that gets thwarted. It was like an okay Bond movie in space w/o Sean Connery. I guess it was an alright sci-fi movie but I fail to see anything benchmark setting about it. -
The editors on AICN have ALWAYS injected personal history with the projects they're reviewing. ALWAYS, since Day One. So you newcomers can just shut the fuck up and scan the review for the "yea" or "nay" option. If you don't care about reading personal history (and trust me, I'm getting tired of it myself when it comes from self-indulgent pple like Harry- but Merrick's story was integral with his thoughts on the film), then why do you care about their opinion on whether or not the film is good? Get over it.
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Usually I don't like the personal pieces, but that was pretty awesome. Thanks for sharing, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing the film tonight on the IMAX screen.
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"AICN's featured many reviews of J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK over the last few weeks - so many, so quickly that my adding yet another perspective seemed extremely unnecessary at best." I agree. Skipped directly to comments.
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I have read this site for nearly ten years and I have ALWAYS hated the film reviews bloated with personal history. It's easy to go overboard with the historical accounts and lose sight of the point that brought people to the review to begin with, the fucking MOVIE! You yourself admit to growing tired of the format, so shut the fuck up about the bitching. It's justified in this case.
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No, I'm pretty sure that was Mr.ED! Or Francis the Talking Mule! I always get those two mixed up!!!
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Is like going to CHUD and constantly bitching about how negative everyone there is. Or going to the IMDB boards and complaining about everyone there being an ignorant asshole. Its like, yeah well... Duh.
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The person material didn't work here. And if you were getting beat up regularly for being a science fiction geek, you either needed better teachers who would have stopped the bullies, more attentive parents who would have insisted the teacher stop the bullies, or more friends with guts who would have stood up to the bullies. Hell, I was a wimp and I NEVER got beat up in elementary school.
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For the life of me, I don't understand why the fucking haters just don't GO THE FUCK AWAY!!! The style of review regularly posted here is part and parcel of what this site has ALWAYS been about- the personal impact of movies on the reviewer, and the events of the reviewer's life that impact on their movie-viewing experience. There are literally dozens, even hundreds, of sites and mags with the rote, by-the-numbers reviews you so crave. So, it's really, really simple, you blithering whiny-ass juvenile assclowns: If you don't like the product here, GO THE FUCK AWAY and take your incessant self-centered crying and bitching with you! You are pathetic, you are immature, and you are TOTAL FUCKING IDIOTS to be spending so much of your life on a website that does not deliver what you are looking for. Buh-bye bitches!
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You've been coming here for 10 years, yet clearly for 10 years have been annoyed by the personal stories in the reviews? Are you a slow learner or something? Like Bart Simpson constantly grabbing the electrified cupcake? Look, I said I'm tired of Harry's personal stories because often they have NOTHING to do with what's being reviewed. Its always "I went to breakfastwith Yoko and blah blah blah. We saw Wolverine, and my opinion of it has nothing to do with the McDonalds double quarter-pounder I ate." So why did you bother mentioning it then? But in this case, Merrick's opinion of the film is DIRECTLY tied into his personal history with Trek, therefore it *is* important to the overall reaction to the film. The bitching is *not* justified in this case. If you're going to complain about that, you might as well just demand all the editors from now on resort to a "thumbs up, thumbs down" reviewing system without any explanations to back up their choices.
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Can't wait to see this!
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Merrick, I don't often agree with Capone, but that was hands down the best piece of writing I have ever seen on this site. Nice work.
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I've read enough 'reviews' on this bloody film already. This was refreshing.
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Well put. Professionally done.
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This is the best thing you've ever written for the site, and I would love for you to put this much into every article you write. Too often you just repost a link to somewhere else, say something pessimistic, and add an embedded video. But this was a genuine pleasure to read. Thank you.
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to, in his grandfatherly voice, scream filthy, nasty, lustful words into Nichelle Nichols ear as he was balling her velvety smooth chocolate love tunnel? Cuz honestly..that fucker was a notortious player from day one, and thats the first question I'd have asked, even at age 10.
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It shouldn't be the entire article. Merrick went so far overboard with his biography that I lost interest in the review. I almost lost interest in the movie too because I was so bored by this article.
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Go directly to Rottentomatoes. Do not post in talkback... if you don't give a fuck, why should we give a fuck ...that you don't give a fuck... because when I was a kid, man... I fuckin lusted after that Shogun Warrior GODZILLA. All I had was my green Stretch Armstrong monster and all I could think about was, "Damn, on my 6th birthday I better get that Godzilla! Green stretch Armstrong monster, you are going to get YOUR ASS KICKED when Shogun Warrior Godzilla arrives!!!" And man, did he ever! sticky clear goo was oozing out from every pore once Shogun Warrior Godzilla arrived. Yah, so he was missing the large spikes on his back, he could launch one of his fists (that I don't remember happening in any movie)and had a tongue with flames painted on it rather than a blue breath beam, but fuck... he was awesome! Unfortunately, my planned battle with Godzilla vs Kenner's ALIEN never occurred. Mom was dead against that ever happening. *sigh* I do love writing about my own personal history, probably almost as much as you do reading it!
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Just kidding! Let's hope not! I'm done with the technobabble and talk of quantum flux, temporal anomalies, etc.
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You want plain-jane boring vanilla movie reviews with no personal context? Go read Gene Shalit. In case you missed it over the last 10 years or so, people around here tend not to review movies so much as celebrate (or lament) them. Because they care about them. They're fans. So kindly piss off and go back to your Entertainment Weekly, and quit bullying the geeks in the schoolyard, you wanker, if you can't handle a little personal investment in the art.
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I kid! The article worked for me. If it did not for you, so be it. You can't please everybody.
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Nicely done, sir. That was a great piece to read. And piss on the haters -- us schoolyard geeks gotta stick together, y'know.
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One hell of a read, Merrick. Kudos to you. Just ignore these silly children and their need to bitch about anything and everything. Transformers 2 will be here soon, they are just warming up. Thanks for an enjoyable read.
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Kidding! I'm getting so excited to see this tonight.
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Everyone would be bitching at him for recycling the same old thing we've heard on this site in the numerous other reviews that have been posted. This article is unique because he spends more time on *why* Trek is and has been important to him and less on movie summary, notes on the actors, the effects, etc etc etc because, as many Talkbackers have very astutely noted, this site has gone overboard on those subjects already. So Merrick, in making this more about his personal history- which he specifically says he's going to do in the second paragraph no less- turns this review into a very interesting piece instead of just a rehash of what everyone else has already said.
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The personal account format is fine when it's reigned in. Merrick wrote an autobiography that bored me to tears, and it didn't shed light on anything but what a tool he used to be. Good for him but I don't care. Clearly, I'm not the only one with that opinion either. I actually like it when Moriarty includes his history because he's a better writer and capable of editing himself. I stopped reading reviews from Harry five years ago. I don't want a capsule review from an old Maxim magazine to gauge whether I will see a film or not, you silly dipshit. I want a clear and concise review. Is that too much to ask for?
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Too much nostalgia. Nothing new to offer on its own. Retread of old plot ideas. Early buzz on SR was pretty good too.
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AICN's tell you what it is.
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Has the idiot parade discovered talkbacks now or what? Personal context? An article on a movie website that has 2 lines of 200 about the movie in question, that's what it is.
Look, it's cool if you like to read how teens in the audience thought it was fantastic, and how Merrick went home with bloody elbows after being beaten up in school, but don't tell me this has anything to do with personal investment in the art (what art? rebranding a 40 year old franchise? it's like fawning over the redesign of the Pepso logo "Oh the good times i had with pepsi!")
Stop this Star Trek overkill already and try to concentrate on cool news about movies you hacks. -
Thanks. Professionally, yours, D.Vader.
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You don't like it? Write something better or get lost.
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That may be true, I haven't personally seen the film yet (I'm going to the IMAX tomorrow), but I would say that we're a little past "early buzz". There are 85 from various media and print outlets that have already been released, and only 5 of them have been negative. The other 80 are overwhelmingly positive. In that sense, I'd say it's at least going to be more well-received than Superman Returns was.
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I wish I there was an edit button.
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Until now.
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you wont be man enough to admit you were wrong when you did enjoy it. itll be your little secret..yay!
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"Is that too much to ask for?" Certainly not, Darkartist. But it IS too much to ask for when Merrick flat out tells you in the opening that you're not going to get it from him because its been done enough already.
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Merrick fancies himself a writer, doesn't he? Isn't it up to a creative writer to figure out new ways to pump out information, especially when it comes to journalism? Do you know Merrick personally? You talk like you do. Is personal history the only option he has if he wants to write a unique article? He didn't take some original approach. He went to a true blue AICN format and managed to make it even worse.
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Well said.
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Fans of Tolkein's epic when through their own version of it when Peter Jackson put his movies out and it will be interesting to see what happens with "Star Wars" after Lucas dies.
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Everyone stand up and applaud Merrick for giving us such a brave and courageous film review! Do it quick before D. Vader swallows a bullet!
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I saw it today at the imax in london The movie is brilliant. I took my dad who took me to see the motion picture when i was a little kid, and basically hasn't been to a cinema since the advent of video!
all the actors did a fine job. its hard filling in the shoes of icons, but each one of them pulled it off. the story is great ( yeah there are one or two plot hole, but for me it doesn't detract from the whole story.) the sfx is fantastic and this is what star trek should have been about ages ago. good work people! -
The most genuine and honest thing written on here yet, Merrick. I have an eleven year old nephew who is chomping at the bit to see this tomorrow night! This is going to be huge and bring tons of new people into the Star Trek fold. I haven't even seen it yet but the response has been so universally positive that I feel safe in congratulating Abrams and crew already. Kudos, Gang! I haven't been this excited to go to the movies in years!
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I get what you mean, but to be fair... You were told at the start what this was gonna be. If you kept reading rather than moving on, that's your fault. Complaining that you got what you were told you were gonna get rather than just moving on is a tad douche-y.
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You are missing the point. Anyway, flame on asshole
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No one's paying you to read it. If you don't like it, either come up with something better yourself, or go elsewhere. Don't dump on the man because the movie was good enough to evoke some memories that come from a childhood fondness for the source material. It's half (if not all) the reason most of us like sites like this. We can identify with what Merrick's saying. You might not, but no one's holding a gun to your head and making you either. So go find a nice Lisa Schwartzmann review, if you must, and enough with making yourself feel better by dissing others' work when you don't exactly have a ton of prosaic flair to show for yourself, much less anything creative or personal to contribute.
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Damn lack of edit!
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He said from the beginning he wasn't going to review the film, that he was going to discuss his personal history with Trek. You wanted a review. He didn't pretend he was going to give you one. He TOLD you you weren't getting it. And still you complain. Its like you walking into a movie that was advertised and sold as a comedy, and you come out and bitch and complain to everyone that the movie sucks because it wasn't scary enough.
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Ive been following Abrams and his crew since the days of Alias. They make me want to get into film making and tell stories. Reminds me of Apatow and his crew. This idea of a group of guys who are bringing to light some of the best on screen fiction and comedy weve seen in ages is exciting to me. I think gone are the days of the Spielbergs. This group of guys is bringing back true on screen magic akin to our favorite 80s movies. Cant wait for what is next.
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You didn't like the article. That does not mean it sucks. get over yourself already, that was a well-written piece.
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I saw the movie and had a great time watching the way in which JJ forged the characters together. Pine was much better than expected and I thought the cast in general was great. However... thinking about the movie now... it has it's share of logic and motivational problems. I've confiremd some of these were known amonst the film makers I personally know. So if you want a roller coaster of a Star Trek film that satisfies on an entertainment level... you've got it with JJ's new movie. But some of the "bad" logic and character motivations have made me feel that there were one too many contrivances that serviced getting the movie to be fun rather than making any sense.
- Mako - -
If I weren't at work and bored outta my fucking skull, I wouldn't give one iota about this article. I'm sure I don't care even now, but D. Vader challenged me and I'm not one to back down from such a fun fight.
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Well put. The trouble with people like Darkasshole and Assdromeda is when they're not here flaming away, they're standing in the middle of a Long John Silver's screaming for a hamburger!
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"Rolling Stone says 'phenomenal' CENOBITE from AICN proclaims "To the haters: Go suck on a dead hairy syphilis infected donky dick.'
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WTF are you guys smoking? I mean, seriously?
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I never called you out by name. You started that with me. And honestly, I wasn't even referring to you when I made my first post. I wrote that in regards to the TBers who were vocal with comments like "Ohh I don't care!" and "Who give a shit about your childhood! Where's the review!" Never once did I call you out. In fact, I never even read any of your posts until you challenged me.
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"D. Vader challenged me and I'm not one to back down from such a fun fight."Not what I would call a worthwhile use of time, but I appreciate the honesty! lol
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is that Kal Penn in the sea of cadets?
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Never let the facts get in the way of a good argument.
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Think back to "Wargames"... "The only way to win is not to play"
:) -
I'll whinge on about this until I'm blue in the face. The talkback is a shrine to petty bullshit and I'm a devout curmudgeon. D. Vader brought up some good points and I'm countering. I'm not going to leave my desk and go kick a puppy because Merrick wrote an article.
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Features like this are the reason I still love this site so much. If I ever abandon AICN, it won't be because of the content; it will be because my brain has finally snapped from the stupidity in the talkbacks. I swear, people must get sexual pleasure from being ignorant and disagreeable. It's the only possible explanation. Reading an article like this on AICN and then complaining about the personal history is like going to a Burger King, ordering a burger, and then saying "Ugh. This is terrible. It's meat and cheese and condiments in between two pieces of bread. Why couldn't it have been a bowl of lettuce with various vegetables, and some kind of dressing on top?"
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No one, and I mean no one, who has ever been victimized by bullies in their childhood because they were Star Trek fans will watch this movie and love it with the cock-fellating praise you and the rest of the douchebag writers on this site have displayed for it.
As someone who was routinely tormented by bullies, the kind of people who only intensified their aggression when they could find something as juicy as knowing I was (note the tense here) a Trek fan, there is no way I'm going to watch the thing I loved as a kid be bastardized into something to appeal to those same bullies.
No fucking way.
So fuck you Merrick. Fuck you and your lousy, bullshit writing and your suck-JJ's-cock mentality, you asswipe. -
Jesus fucking Christ, is it not possible to just write a fucking review of a movie without telling us about your fucking life story and putting us into a fucking coma? GOOD THING THIS MOVIE WASN’T ABOUT THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT BORE US WITH 2000 WORDS ABOUT THE BAD PLACE THAT DADDY TOUCED YOU!!!
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Bitching about personal stories is fucking ridiculous and seems to be done on an arbitrary principle rather than any basis of a want for quality reviews. There are TONS of reviews on this site for this movie and all over the internet and in print and on cave paintings and etched in hieroglyphics on the fucking pyramids. Why do you need ANOTHER straight down the middle review? You've got plenty to choose froma nd if you can't suss out a point of view based on them then maybe something more intimate is what you need. I love the idea of something more contextualized to the reviewer, or something more akin to an homage than an actual review. It rounds out of the point of views on this film, offering a new angle.
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Relax, dude. You're going to end up hypertensive. For crying out loud.
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Are you going to cry or something? You started, I started it, who cares! The point I tried to make was I was looking for mental stimulation and you gave it to me. It's not semantics. It's a compiment.
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You're at the wrong site if you don't wanna hear personal stories in reviews.
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Good show, old man =).
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That was just amazing Merrick
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Very compelling and insightful take on Star Trek and history. Great job!
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Did anyone see that back in the 70s like me?
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You can really write? Yes... yes you can. Please demand that Harry & Co let you write fascinating and substantive work like this piece on a regular basis. Clearly, the cut and paste announcement jobs you've gotten in the past are far beneath your abilities. Don't get me wrong--people like you who (allegedly) feel pleasure at the thought of nonhuman animals being tormented should be themselves euthanized immediately for the good of our planet. But--until we weed out sociopaths like yourself and enforce this just law--write, Merrick. Write. You've got real talent and skill. Seriously. Good job, you soulless bastard. Keep it up.
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Cheers, mate
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Grow up.
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thanks for wasting my time, they have internet blogs of shit like this.
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“Hey, you remember that guy? The one who would start Talkback fights when he got bored?”
“Oh, you mean Darkartist. Ha ha ha! He tried that with me, only I'd heard about him, so I just walked away. He follows me down the street… broad daylight, right? He's saying ‘STIMULATE me!’ I'm saying ‘No! Get lost!’”
“Ha Ha Ha. What ever happened to him?”
“Well, he pulled it on Rorschach, and Rorschach dropped him down an elevator shaft.”
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To put Merrick's floppycocked rumination on a pointless ass-kicking-filled childhood (lifted straight from the flashback scenes of Free Enterprise) into perspective, just imagine this precum-stained waste of bits framing another site's pre-review of Star Trek: Insurrection.
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TOS is OK, TGN is alright, The Movies are fun (especially Khan and Humpback Bugaloo), so... oh wait, I forgot we can't talk about our personal history with Trek. My bad. Anyway I have ZERO expectations so maybe I'll like it (a la Speed Racer).
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to piss in everyone's wheaties this morning? Sweet Jesus Mother of all that is Holy people are fucking CRABBBYYYY. It was a great article. Better then the shit out there...if you think the site is sell out...I'm sure E.W will welcome your comments
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Man, that reminds me. Sure am glad that this new ST film isn't (apparently) pulling a WATCHMEN. I can't stand it when movies are hugely over-hyped by a handful of cherry-picked critics only to have reality set in a week or so later once the majority of viewers (and other critics) have viewed the final product and have found it wanting.
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You mentioned Dad was an SF writer. Now I'm dying to know who he was -- odds are I've read something of his!
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Heh... Funny, but I dug "Watchmen", so what can I tell ya? :)
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if this new movie ends up as this year's Speed Racer.
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costume to Jenny Piccolo's 7th birthday party and her big brother shoved me down into the septic tank. But I could visualize a battle with 10 billion Horta intent on protecting their silicon eggs from the Piccolo family shit miners.... PAIN! PAIN!
and then I woke up in the Emergency room.
Thus, Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier is the crowning achievement in my life, it's seeing my entire childhood existence condensed down to a stunning 120 minutes of techno-awesome.
Love Merrick.
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"Thanks for wasting my time?" Really? Since he told you right up front what kind of article it was, if you read the entire thing, YOU wasted your time. Unless you are referring to the 15-20 seconds it took you to get to that sentence. And yes, they do have internet blogs of shit like this. I know because THIS IS ONE OF THEM!!!!
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Some talkbackers think this site should be ran like Entertainment Weekly. Thank god it isn't.
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or not, I heard he only wrote Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot Slash
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As his ship falls apart and the Cylons take over?
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I have written two reviews for this site under the Cooler-than-thou pseudonym. If I'm not equipped or creative enough to bitch about an AICN article, then who can?
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Like SpeedRacer... you mean great but unwatched? I'd be thrilled if ST was as good as SR.
Seriously, this will earn more money on Friday than SR did it's entire run. -
LOL!
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Can't wait to see it. Don't know what i'm gonna make of this new film. It's gonna be something else I know. The End is where we start from. -
because we demanded it.
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You sure your chin is tough enough for me?
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I love you man... *sniff sniff*
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and good riddance. douche.
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Always good to see you. Please come to the Zone. We need smart people who don't communicate in insults.
http://zone.aintitcool.com -
Thanks for the offer, though. Time to bond with Merrick, somewhat… I never got beat up for me pre-tNG “Trek” love because I was one of those big, ox-like mutant kids. Instead, I got into fights defending my smaller, less physical chums. Now, this was back when Klingons were still sneaky and dastardly rather than the neutered, honorable warriors they were reinvented as, so I didn’t even have that fantasy to fall back on.
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You were SO right about "Watchmen." As was I. Sad, isn't it, that such a work of love could be so empty?
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It helps others know what side of the fence you're on. People that like TOS over TNG will more than likely enjoy this film about the same. People than prefer the later shows over the older ones will probably enjoy the new one about the same. If you're not in the same camp as Merrick or anybody else, then so be it. Me, I like the films over the TV shows. I even dug Nemesis. I don't get the hate for Nemesis. It was basically a remake of Khan for the TNG crew, which made it pretty badass to me. See, now that you all know I liked Nemesis, you can completely disregard everything I just said and move on with your life. It's that simple.
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Vicious, not Visicious. Damn, I'm almost asleep at my desk. Maybe if I do some work I'll wake up.
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You said: "And if you were getting beat up regularly for being a science fiction geek, you either needed better teachers who would have stopped the bullies, more attentive parents who would have insisted the teacher stop the bullies, or more friends with guts who would have stood up to the bullies."
I dunno when or where you went to school, but this is the typical naive bullshit that always gets thrown around when parents and teachers talk about solutions to bullying.Teachers cannot stop it; they cannot be everywhere. Will they always be in all the hallways? The bathrooms? The parking lot outside the school? The bullies outnumber the adults, and don't you forget it. Not to mention the fact that when a bullied kid goes to a teacher, it just intensifies the bullying.
Parents are powerless; the only way they can have any effect at all is by become hyper-over-protective whack-jobs which (A) will encourage the bullies and (B) turn the wimp into a basket case with severe psychological issues.
Friends won't help, because nerds who are bullied rarely have friends to begin with, and the few that they do are likely other nerds in the same situation.
Nobody wants to admit it because nobody wants to admit to powerlessness, but there's nothing to be done about bullies. Ignorant asshole adults raise ignorant asshole children, and there's not a damned thing to do about it. The only thing a bullied kid can do is suck it up, take the abuse, and use the insecurity as motivation to excel as an adult. It's a sink-or-swim approach, and it sucks, but it's the only way the bullied kid can learn how to cope. It will eventually fade into dim memory, only arising when some ignorant douchebag says something stupid on the Internet. -
Had to register just to show appreciation for this article. Unfortunately some insecure people are threatened by others who show genuine passion and love for something, and for the life of me don't know how they found their way to a fan site that celebrates the very love of this sort of entertainment.
Despite that, I am very much looking forward to this film. I loved TDK and Watchmen, but I am tired of the cynicism of modern scif-fi. I love BSG obviously but we need some contrast to that. Not EVERYTHING has to be apocalyptic and about the worst parts of ourselves. The thing that this new movie appears to have captured is the optimism and sense of wonder that Star Trek is famous for and I would love to see Star Trek not only be relevant again, but actually affect people's lives in a positive way the way it used to. Star Trek at its best makes us think of the best part of our nature and envision how good society COULD be, and there hasn't been too much of that. Time for that sense of fun and imagination we got from the Original Star Wars trilogy, ROTLA, and the early Star Trek Films.
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Where is it, why don't i have it? It's almost as if you LIKE atomic wedgies.
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Merrick is now my fav reviewer!!!
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Bet your Transporter ass!!
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How can it ever live up to what you have written? Good job.
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I agree 100% I hope they fukin burn in HELL for what they did, fukin assholes!!!! How can you fuk up with Scott B at the helm??!! They found a way because Quantum Leap was AWESOME....
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The situation is what it is. Are you one that thinks nerds who get bullied deserve it/are asking for it/etc.?
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I was a Star Trek nerd when I was a kid growing up in the '70s. I read the novelization of The Motion Picture in paperback before the 1st movie came out. Etc. But I was never bullied for being a Star Trek nerd and I never sought out or was attracted to any other friends because we both liked Star Trek. And I never grew up to attend any conventions. That doesn't mean it didn't happen to someone else, but it never happened to me.
I think it's possible that Star Trek is in more capable hands now than it ever has been, and with a bigger budget and better resources. Including more talented actors.
People rave about The Wrath of Khan, but that movie was "merely" the best of the Star Trek films. That doesn't mean it holds a candle to true classic sci fi like 2001: A Space Odyssey or Blade Runner or Alien. It simply means it was the best of that bunch of middling second-rate movies. I hope the new Star Trek does not go right back to that trough. Khan could become like Lex Luthor... some kind of requisite Star Trekism, a revenge story that doesn't even advance the sci-fi, except for some eugenics premise and backdrop (Genesis). I'd be more than happy never to see Khan again, personally. -
I don't think badly-pseudonymed correspondent # 47 has chimed in on Trek yet, better hurry up so that EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WRITES FOR THIS SITE can chime in on this movie and their creepy love for everything JJ Abrams. We get it, you people like the movie. We don't need every single one of you to get on and write a review. One or two, alright. Three or four, pushing it. 15,000? Killing it with too much hype.
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Now how about an article written by one of those ST bullies who used to stomp people like you for no other reason than to work out their latent aggression? I want to vicariously experience both sides of this epic struggle, dammit.
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to quote Dr. Yen Lo from "The Manchurian Candidate" - You should try to develop a sense of humor.
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If we've got a big, geeky film like this that people are going to want to know what each AICN person thinks about it, one article, each person does a few sentences or paragraphs and each gives an individual rating. 10 million full length reviews is insane.
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Fair enough.
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And shove it up your ass
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I was already beyond stoked for this, but that was a really cool essay.
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May 07, 2009 2:56:09 PM CDT
Merrick, this is the best thing you've written here at AICN
by yackbacker
Excellent job.
As a hardcore Trekker, I have to ask- do you wish that TREK would get back to exploration at some point? And would it work given Abrams' new framework? -
Kudos sir. Kudos indeed. I think what sets AICN apart from other review sites/outlets is this personal touch. From drturing's review of Moon to this I'd like to see more
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In my humble opinion this is, by far, the best review of the new Star Trek I´ve read.I don´t why Roger Ebert was so negative...
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Just came back from seeing Star Trek. Now do you want the truth? There is a tremendous hype machine associated with JJ's work. This is a bit like Cloverfield in that respect. Forget the response by 'those 'reviewers who waxed lyrical about how 'awesome' the film was when they thought they were going to see Wrath of Khan, they were just emotional due to surprise. It's an old marketing and selling technique. In the cold night of day here is a sensible unbiased crit of the film. Just to say I love Star Trek TOS and I had high hopes for this film based on the reviews so far. The trouble with JJ is even though he is a clever director of commercial films, he clever director of commercial films in a sea of retards. That doesn't mean he's very good or indeed the film is. There are glimmers of potential of what this film could have been but they are tantilising and ultimately add up to a huge feeling of disappointment. Kirk is good in parts as is bones and IF only they could have done more with the script, these actors could have made something truely special. Old Spock only exposes how young Spock hasn't quite got it right. You just feel that maybe, just maybe there was another actor out there who could have done it better instead of lazily chosing 'the guy out of Heroes who acts similar' Chekov is frankly embarrassing and two dimentional as are Scotty and Sulu and Uhura. I just feel a different plot instead of the tedious bad guy 'out for revenge' (which is a dreadfully lazy vehicle for a reboot) and the writers, who quite obviously are patting themselves on the back, should in fact be ashamed of themselves, as really all they have done is half a script. The really gifted directors and writers of this world push and push the script until its water tight. God half way through I was beginning to wish that they'd handed over the project to Chris Nolan and his brother to finish the job of properly. I swear I looked at might watch 3 times and yawned twice. The action was uninvolving and tedious. Yes TEDIOUS. I didn't want it to be but it was. The reaction from the reviewers on this site its frankly depressing. Has cinema reached such a low point in originality and depth that any thing, I mean ANYTHING half decent is jumped all over like its the second coming. Raise your standards people or they will carry on making substandard fare like this. Make them raise their game. Don't finance. Educate your self on true cinematic gems that were the norm, help EXPECTED in 70's cinema.
Kirk out. -
Although some bemoan the fact the new movie was catered "for everybody," I am utterly pleased. If the franchise wants to continue, it needs new blood. Hopefully, this film will give it the infusion it needs.
Plus, if this turns out to be a money machine, it'll give Paramount some incentive to allocate some more resources in the future re-opening of the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas! -
I don't believe any of that conversation took place between the teenagers. Bullshit!
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Thank you, Merrick.
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spock is more an iphone man
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Why is it all these AICN "reporters"feel the need to walk us down they precious little memory lane. I mean, if you guys were famous, then I can understand why you would THINK people want to know. No one gives a shit what happened to you little fucks - just write your bias reviews
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good job merrick
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Merrick, thanks for capturing why we love our movies or Treks or Wars or Jones' or Bonds or whatever gets us geeks off. This was a thoughtful and well written essay. Now everyone, go listen to Nimoy sing "Bilboooo" on youtube and we'll have less bitterness and skepticism and hatred. I do agree with some of other people though- how can this live up to all of the hype???
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Will this fucking bullshit ever fucking stops? This shit is fucking pornography by now. This guys might as well start showing video links of them sucking Jay Jay's cock and swalling the cum. i never, ever, ever, ever seen such blatant and obvious ass selling out as with this Jay Jay Star Trek movie. This shit is just beyond all measure of decency and acceptance. For fuck's sake!!!!
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If you just want a review and not the personal opinions of the people who RUN THE SITE AND LOVE MOVIES, then you're in the wrong fucking place.
Why not just read the NY Time or some other mainstream publication?
This is a site run by film geeks, for film geeks and when you love film, film affects you. And this has an impact on your life, either for good or ill.
By laying out a personal history, Merrick has shown how invested he in in this franchise and how much he has to lose by the film being bad.
I saw ST on the 7th here in Auckland and it lives up to every bit of praise it has earned. Is it perfect? No, there are some niggles; but as a successful re-invention of a franchise? It's is a stunning success. At my screening, there was applause; genuine applause from members of the public with no prompting at all.Go and see this film - if you have any feelings for Star Trek at all, I promise you won't be disappointed.
But for the trolls - give the man some respect for writing a heartfelt article about something he loves. -
I went to elementary schools in Philadelphia, upstate New York, Okinawa, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, between 1966 and 1973. Some of those were on Air Force bases; even the off-base schools had lots of Air Force brats. Military people were not and still are not exactly known for encouraging quiet behavior. There's lot of "be a man" in military families. In my years in elementary school I saw almost no fighting and what I did see rarely went beyond a few shoves. The teachers did watch. They had playground monitor duty. Parents even volunteered to be lunchroom and playground monitors during the earlier school years. Yes, there were teasing and picking and pressure. Those are damaging, but it's a far cry from coming home every week with your clothes wrecked and bloody. I say this as a kid who was picked upon at times and shoved once or twice.
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It's kind of dumb to say no one cares--because this talk back is evidence that plenty of people care and appreciate this sort of writing.
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Funny, you bitching about pornography, when YOUR comment mayb be the most low-brow and obscene thing on AICN this today.
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They hype is part of the whole experience though. This is beyond a movie, it's really a moment in time. I haven't seen anything like this since the anticipation leading up to the Prequel Trilogy.
I think people really want a big cultural event and I don't think this generation has had one, that appeals to pretty much everyone. Not to keep bringing SW up but this is just like the buzz that surrounded ANH, people are tired of being depressed about the state of the world and a movie like this is made for these times.
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Clearly, quite a few of us give a fuck about their lives, as evidences by the heartfelt comments in this very talkback. Obviously, Merrick is aware that not everybody wants to read the personal stuff, which is why he clearly says what kind of piece it is going to be at the very beginning of the article. If you knew what kind of review you wanted to read, and you saw the disclaimer, but kept reading anyway, you are at fault, not Merrick.
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The theater had better be well air conditioned, the audience is hopefully full of Trek geeks like myself. The film better damn well not break. Damn, I can't wait!
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I entered slowly, the sanctity of the moment hung heavy as my feet crossed the threshold;the faint oder of sweat mixed with just the the smallest trace of stage make-up wafted through the air, as my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkend space. There we was, a hero in the flesh, seated against a darkened corner; Leonard Nimoy. Television icon, master thesipan; what am I saying, Spock himself, was sitting just feet away from my fresh 10yr old self. A shiver ran through my soul as the man gestured me towards him; I took a breath, hesitated, my Star Trek poster shaking in my hands; one of my stick on "Vulcan Ears" fell to the floor as my nervous sweat eased its journey from my ear. I took a step, and the voice of god himself rumbled out, "Oh fuck..not another one; Not you! The girl." Christ..I had forgotten my place...I had completely forgotten the young intern that had escorted me there was standing right behind me! I steadied my nerves as best a child could, my moment with Spock would come. So I stood there in a daze...so envious that someone else should meet "HIM" before I. Watching as she walked towards Mr.Nimoys shadowy, robed figure; I was giddy as he held out his hand in the Vulcan gesture of greeting! Incredible moment; but somehow, I noticed, this greeting was different. "Wow" I thought, "I'm watching Nimoy act right here in front of me, and he just created a new Vulcan hand gesture!" Nimoy held his index and middle fingers tight, as he curled his ring finger back and extended his pinky. Then Mr.Spock pulled the intern close and spoke, his deep, powerful voice filling the room. "My dear, Do you know what this is?" he said as he held his vulcan hand close to her face, a face filled with obvious nervousness, her being so close to a living legend. "No" she all but whispered; "It is called the 'Shocker' '" Mr. Nimoy intoned in his most "Spockish" voice, making it sound all the more wonderous and full of Vulcan mystery...the girl was now so nervous she tried to pull away, "I sure hope I don't wuss out like that when Mr. Nimoy talks to me" I though. And then I felt hands grasp my shoulders and usher me out of Spocks room, the door shutting with a slam and the sound of locks from the other side! Some guy was standing there telling me, "Mr.Nimoy would be busy for the rest of the afternoon, but if you give me your address I'll have him send you something" I was heartbroken, that lucky girl got to meet Him and I didn't...two weeks later I got another set of Vulcan Ears and a "Spock" glossy picture. But I still remember that day, and I STILL use Mr. Nimoys one time only Vulcan Gesture at every convention I go to...I just don't know why everyone laughs when they see it.
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Can't wait.
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Even though i watched TNG every saturday night... weird. Now it's like I HAVE to have someone to discuss the shows I watch though...Thank Bale for the internet and cellphones.
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kind of budget (it needed it for things like the sound -- the dialogue was difficult to hear over the din of the soundtrack in the theater, and on the dvd). Anyhow, I haven't seen Star Trek yet, but it'll be interesting to see how much it cribbed from Firefly/Serenity, much like the reboot BSG did.
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Blah blah blah blah something-about-cursing-others-out-to-feel-better-about-yourself blah blah blah.
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You really need to keep this film in perspective. Star Trek was a TV program. About spaceships. And aliens. With cardboard sets.You want a good script? Go see In The Loop. Gravitas? Frost/Nixon. You want angsty contemplation about ordinary existence? How about Revolutionary Road. These films do get made. If you cannot tell the difference between this film and Wolverine (or Transformers) then I can't trust your judgement. You sound like you already decided you hated this film before you walked in. Why you bothered spending money on a ticket eludes me.
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In The Loop had a GREAT script. It was Star Trek that had the good one.
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Until you have actually seen the movie, your bizarro conspiracy theories and opinions mean NOTHING.
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ByTor wrote: "Nobody wants to admit it because nobody wants to admit to powerlessness, but there's nothing to be done about bullies."
I had a bully as a kid--three years older than me and a lot taller--until the day I got tired of his shit and pushed him in front of an ongoing car. He didn't get hit by the car, but he never even looked me in the eye again, let alone touched me. Parents and teachers are useless when it comes to stopping bullying--I had to use the only language he understood: violence. And sadly, nothing's changed. -
It was our saturday night ritual, the weekends we were at home and not at my dad's. My mom took my younger brother and I to 5:00 mass, then we went home and had a nice steak and mashed potato dinner while watching The Next Generation together. Those were great times.
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Khan matters to trek oriented people, because its the closest to high and intense drama of a personal nature the series came. It also connects with a wonderful episode from TOS where in we meet Khan his wife and his crew on the Botany Bay star ship. He attempts a hostile take-over of the enterprise, and Kirk manages to strand him and his genetically superior crew on Seti Alpha Six. So when Trek II opens, Khan has been stranded on that dirt bowl for 15 years. He attempted to take Kirk down once, and now he really gets a crack at it. So its akin to one of those fantastic revenge stories. Also as campy as Montalban's performance may feel, its the best Trek villain created before clearly this Abrams/Orci/Kurtzman idea.
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May 07, 2009 4:35:19 PM CDT
Hey Capone..So it's "Aint It Cool Essays" now?
by glory_fades_immaxfischer
look at the talkback and give us all a big fucking break..
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As I mentioned I stood up to bullies for my friends... Unfortunately, I took it too far and become something of a bully myself for a while in high school.
Of course I justified to myself (my targets deserved what they got for not being as "smart" or as "enlightened" as I was... how's that for self-deluded irony?), but I eventually learned better. -
Therefore, totally fitting to the subject.
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Damn Skippy, Merrick--you have said what I have been trying to say in my own poor style, over at Trekspace. Haven't seen the new movie yet, but I accepted it into the family long ago.
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We are an "orientation" now, Ash0k?
What would be the phrase for revealing your orientation to your family and friends?
"Coming out of the transporter room"? "the turbolift"? "the jeffries tube"?
Actually, that last one sounds like a different orientation altogether and may couse confusion.
(just messing with you, btw) -
Yeah we "get" it, you hate the site,you hate these reviews, this movie will suck, you hate Harry, JJ is killing cinema...blahbetty fucking blah. How...unique??? Just stick a fucking gun in your mouth and take care of those nasty thoughts so we don't have to read about them every time we open up a talk back thread eh?? "how much more of this horseshit will you put up"?!?!?! Probably a lot, so just go to a "BETTER" site and spare the rest of us your daily EMO rants. Thanks
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My little boy can't wait to see it. He already knows his 1701, A, D, E (sorta B and C), NX though, not so much. My favorite part of your review maybe have been the reaction of the kids, where the future truly lies. Thanks.
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Sheesh, it's amazing that the people who run this site put up with all the stupid shit talkbackers fling at them. You assholes should be grateful you have a forum in which you can display your douchebaggery. This is a site by nerds for nerds. Star Trek is the holy grail of nerd fandom. Star Trek pretty much invented nerd fandom. Here we have somebody who was there, if not at the beginning, then before most of you were even born, interacting with some of the minds behind the holy grail of nerd fandom. We have someone whose identity was formed by these experiences, that influenced him to become a writer of nerd fandom. I didn't need to read another typical review. This is someone putting this phenomenon within a cultural and personal context and demonstrating how the film performs within that context. This was an excellent piece of writing. And I write and read others' writing for a living. And yeah, by the end, especially with the dialogue between the teens, I was wiping my eyes. Having a 16 year old in my house (who I'll be taking to the IMAX showing in a few hours), I understand the beauty of introducing the next generation (no pun intended) to what you valued so much as a youth. So thanks, Merrick. And the rest of you who are bitching, go suck on a tribble!
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If giving a reasoned argument in support of a reviewer who's taken the trouble to put his review in the context of how it's affected his life is "BLAH", then you got me.On the other hand, if you're a fucking retard who can't be bothered to come up with a counter argument, why bother to respond at all?And feeling better about myself? What the hell has that got to do with anything? I know you're not supposed to feed the troll - but bitch slapping one every now and agains feels gooood.
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That is very bad stat. The fimmakers, producers and execs at Paramount messed-up as I have been saying all along. They should have cast Matt Damon and Willam Shatner due to the crossover audiences both men would have brought to the movie. Matt Damon's mainstream Bourne Indentity audience would have frequented ths movie, as well, William Shatner's Boston Legal audience would have shown-up in legion to support the film...and with them, more percentages of women would be on the radar of the polling. The polls should be running about 53 to 47 percent in terms of men wanting to see this movie, versus women...and the new Star Trek film would have had those strong numbers in terms of female particpation if they had cast Damon and Shatner. The female audience is the Titanic audience--fully capable of delivering huge box office numbers if you play to their demographic. Damon has that demo and Shatner, as I said through his work on Boston legal had that demo. Also their is the demo of new versus old Trek fans, many of the older fans are showing less interest than the new would-be and not guaranteed fans. the filmmakers could have had both audiences equally but have instead chosen to invest themselves in a campaign of dissing the old fans...and the old Trek, even going as far as allowing others to diss Gene Roddenberry the man who created Star Trek. Not a very smart box office strategy at all.
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http://twitter.com/#search?q=%22Star%20Trek%22
The best part - haters don't bother, as they need way more than 140 characters to vent their bile. -
His personal history was important in this article. It shows just how vested he was in Trek. By showing us how much Trek meant to him it shows us how good this movie actually is. I thought it was a great way to do it.
Screw the haters (not the ones with actual criticism, only the flaming haters).
Thank you Merrick for the awesome article.
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I do hope you are a Bill Hicks fan and are being ironic. I would rather have Chris Pine over Matt Damon because, er, Pine nailed it. He was a great choice for the role.I have reread your post a couple of times and keep slipping into a monotone robotic voice the further down I get. Do you honestly see the world in percentages like that? Do you have some sort of demographic terminator vision that identifies targets and their probability of handing over money?Life isn't a rehearsal. Grow a soul or you find yourself aged seventy crying yourself to sleep everynight. Admittedy in your very large house on a matress made of gold but still..
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I absolutely agree with you. Things like Star Trek and comic books used to be made by intelligent artists outside of academia finding a different outlet for their expression. Star Trek used to be full of references to classic literature; now it's full of references to Star Trek.
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May 07, 2009 5:28:41 PM CDT
So far this Trek reboot is more faithful than the BSG
by lockesbrokenleg
reboot. But BSG was a kick ass show that ended too soon.
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And you get these embarrassing, swan-songs of articles that have to deal with their personal "investment" in the picture. Give me a fucking break you emotionally stunted hacks. Get your fucking nerd brain out of your ass and just fucking REVIEW A GODDAMN MOVIE WITHOUT TURNING IT INTO AN EMOTIONAL FLUFF PIECE.
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Good movie-but its basically Star Trek 11-The Wrath of Nero.The story of the original crew meeting is well done,but the revenge plot is old hat.Nero is just a bald Khan.Lets see-the planet he lives on,Romulus/Ceti-Alpha 5gets destroyed,and his wife killed.So to punish the person he mistakenly thinks is responsible,namely Spock/Kirk he seeks to destroy his homeworld Vulcan/Earth,using a new weapon of awesome power called Red Matter/Genesis.This weapon destroys all life by using the unstoppable force of a Black Hole/Genesis Wave.The superweapon,however,as it detonates,destroys the evil villain,as well as his ship and crew,but a badly damaged USS Enterprise manages to escape to safety at the last second.Cue lots of hugging and male bonding.To be fair,its mostly a good movie,and easily the best Trek ever.But JJ Abrams has done a Motion Picture thing here-stolen an old Trek plot,piled on tons of special effects,and hoped nobody would notice.Oh well.Still,if this is a franchise reboot,like Batman Begins was for that franchise-JJs next Trek effort could be his Dark Knight.I hope so.Btw folks,im not a Trek hater-I love it.That is to say,love TOS and related movies.Imagine Star Trek 2009 made by Braga and Berman.......makes me shudder to think of it!!!!!
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Waiting for show to start... 1.5 hours from start and I'm the only one here.. got here an hour ago... how's that for being a trek nerd?
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Im not doubting your word or anything-but how did you manage to post a talkback from a cinema?!security must be crap if you managed to sneak in a laptop.any chance you have a camcorder with you as well?!I saw Star Trek today at the Odeon cinema in Dundee,Scotland at lunchtime.There was a total of 10 people in that venue.10-on the day of release!I thought it would be packed.Enjoy movie mate :-)
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are you going to eat all that popcorn before the movie starts? Maybe a natcho run is required for backup.
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I appreciate your thoughts and memories.
Those people who don't want "personal info" in their reviews obviously haven't been around AICN long. Harry whole philosophy on reviewing comes from telling you where his mind is (at the time of the screening). I remember how long his reviews used to be when he would talk about the line at the concession stand, or how a minor dissapointment early in the day affected his view of a film.
Drew, often times, would give you the "run down" of what he thought of the other films in the francise, so you'd see why he did or didn't like a sequal. He'd also talk about how his son, Toshi's, experience affected his own.
So...it's pretty common on this site to get personal experience in a movie review. I'm not picking on anyone in particular, but give Merrick some slack. He's not breaking precedent. If you want "great visuals/crappy script", there's literally thousands of other places you can go for that review. (hell, just look at the tomatometer).
Nice job, Merrick. -
in the back of the head, then drooled on him and run away. And as you were fleeing from the theater, called back, "It was Old Spoooooock"!
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sorry for the spelling errors. Wow. More proof that an edit button is a good investment.
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15 and still in middle school? Maybe the Federation is best for him.
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It's good but some things are just WAY too convenient, like meeting Scotty and older Spock. Scotty doesn't show up until late in the film. And they could have adapted the Star Trek: Countdown prequel comic to be the first 20 minutes or so to set everything up rather than have all of that explained through a cliched and quick flashback.
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Growing up, 9th grade was senior year of middle school.
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I don't care what anyone else says...I think this was a great story. I agree with Merrick...there have been far too many reviews of this movie. I stopped reading them. But for some reason this caught my attention and I clicked it to read..and read the whole thing. I find it fascinating. I think what he wrote is genius and a labor of love...and the fact he took such joy from this tells me this movie sits right with people who really care about old Star Trek...btw...I remember when I was a kid it was cool to like Star Wars, but you were going to be beat up if you liked Star Trek...of course, I was a Star Wars guy so that was ok. I thought it was Star Track back then...lol. I love the old Trek now...and am looking forward to seeing this.
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That was one of the better posts I've read on AICN in a long time.
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i am depressed gonna talk their mom into letting me take them
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Correct about In the Loop. You thought Star Trek a good script??? And what's wrong with wanting a tight intelligent script for Star Trek. Nolan obviously didn't think 'Batman was only a comic strip' using your logic
I think judging by the past 40 odd years of fandom, Trek obviously was a bit more than 'a tv series' Think before you write -
in the back of their heads, then drool on them and run away. And as you flee the scene, call back, "It's the longest running sci-fi franchise in American historyyyyyyyy"!
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funny how, a few weeks back, Harry posted a link to Eberts review of Watchmen by way of legitimising his own his own high regard for the film yet has neglected to do the same for Star Trek. Check it out - the old guy is on the money yet again. Better than Wrath Of Khan my arse!
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Reading about Merrick's struggles as a kid, I wondered what he thought of Free Enterprise, and that great scene where a kid talks to his imaginary friend Captain Kirk about a fight over Star Trek. That struck such a chord with me, a fantasy version of what I really felt about people who dissed my Trek love.
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That said, I'm seeing STAR TREK Friday afternoon, and I expect to have a big cheesy grin all the way through it.
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that was the biggest goonies moment ever on this site. CMON GUYS, BIG EYES, BIG EYES!!
dude, grow the FUCK up. LOL@ getting beat up over star trek. no one fucking cares. get a life bro. no, seriously...GET OUT AND GET A LIFE! its damn near like 30 years later. get some pussy, nerd! -
shut the fuck up. Nerd. get the fuck out of the past and grow the hell up. you arent 12, you arent dressed in star trek PJs having sleep overs, you are grown ass men in their 40s whining over this shit in the most serious way. its not a game. fuck, you guys had the most SHITTY CHILDHOODS EVER, this shit shouldnt be a review, it should be an letter that gets this fuck admitted to a crazy kook hospital. you looney lonely fucks! you miserable little lone gunman rejects! holy shit YOU guys would make the best horror movie ever. NERDS as KILLERS. fucking NERDS goin back adn killing the jocks and cheerleaders, nerds with pocket protectors that double as blunt objects, glasses that get shoved into a fucking eye, ugly wool sweaters working as a great muffler of any screams. NERD RAGE, coming soon. staring all of the douchebag queer bait stringy haired rejects that post reviews on AICN!
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its my fault for not sharing with them the beauty that is trek...and they are all too cute and my nephew likes to draw comics...so he has that going for him i cant wait to share with them the fact that i was a part of the orignal letter writing campaign to save trek, after nbc decided to kill it off in the friday night death slot before the net, through word of mouth and zines, we mobilized thousands....not that nbc cared...we were just a bunch of kids
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...needs more hype.
fo' sho' -
Now that was a review I actually enjoyed reading. Well written, thought provoking, and actually tying in Merrick's personal history with the material into how the ST franchise as a whole is changing because of this film. Kudos to you, Merrick.
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First - on behalf of the fine folks at AICN - hate all you want but thanks for ALWAYS coming back to the site and keeping the traffic high.
Now then, let me say this about Star Trek...
I can't wait to see this movie tonight. I am a Trek junkie and always found something good in all things Trek. At the end of the day I want to be entertained and geek out a bit and Trek ALWAYS delivered more times than not. TOS, TNG, VOY, DS9, ENT and the movies - loved them all - some more than others - but loved them all.
I suspect this movie will raise the bar and make it fun all over again - and that is what is most important.
Enjoy the movie. -
best troll post ever...especially since this is merrick's tb and not capone, and merrick has at least one kid, which means he has been laid at least once, which is more than you have as much as you may hate this, trek was very influential, not just in the entertainment world, but in the world of science and space exploration check out that cell phone you are using...its a fucking communicator needleless injections, medical diagnostic beds, computers that talk to you and recognize voice commands those are ideas planted by the late, great, gene rodenberry im sorry that your generation has given the world shit...thats not my fault...now go out and make of something of yourself
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"AiCN isn't for reviews it's for film experiences!"
Whatever, I'd rather take a real subjective review than the eyebrow-raising emotional meltdown blubberings of these socially-defected man-children. Just because they do "different" types of reviews doesn't mean they're not...well shitty. I'm afraid to click on any review of Harry. In a few weeks I'll see "HARRY BATHES IN THE CUM OF MCG'S TERMINATOR: SALVATION!", and I'll be terrified to click, because somewhere along there will be a few comprehensive thoughts. Then the review will blindside me or make me vomit in my mouth when Harry talks about crying and shaking when John Conner sees a T-800 for the first time, or some similarly stupid shit. And if these guys LOVE movies so much why should their experience prior to the viewing of the movie enhance or detract from their experience. It's sounds like they LOVE their own smidgen of an existence, and maybe like when they get to see a movie too. This is literary masturbation, not a real review, and not even "look" at the fucking movie. If I wanted to read up on the day of a nerd I'd write my autobiography, but would it kill these fucking jackals to talk about the film more and now hot Honey Combs is their favorite cereal. -
The film is very good, but its way more flawed than that, and after the AICN hype eventually dies, i think yes there will be more Treak fans, but way less than imagined.
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It's because you're a cunt
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Most Excellent.
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That wasn't funny. Try again.
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-honey whut time is American Gladiators on-hope we're not missin' it--
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Best story since Harry´s Titanic review.
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May 07, 2009 8:16:29 PM CDT
Star Trek has always had a weak fanbase outside North America
by bduncan
For all the dick sucking AICN
is doing for the film (that I
find is actually a fairly poor effort, so I fully agree with Roger Ebert's negative, but sensible review), Star Trek has always had a weak fanbase outside North America (excluding the UK and Australia). For this to be an ongoing film franchise again, it has to do fairly well overseas. -
The new Star Trek will make money...and a lot of money, but, if you consider that Matt Damon is guaranteed box office...with a near billion dollar spy franchise under his belt, Paramount, would have made that much more money if they had hired him to play Kirk. The demographics are there. Women are just as crazy about the Bourne Identity franchise, as men are, nationally and internationally. And the demo for Boston Public carries a heavy female and male demo...and mostly 30 something and forthy somethings up. Shatner's new groundswell of fame would have work heavily in favor of boosting the box office, by how much that is debatable but you can be assured it would have been by the millions. And if that weren't enough, Shatner has received major attention thanks to his recent Emmy wins and his Priceline commercials, etc.My point is simple, these two gentlemen could have lured in millions of extra people who would never think of watching a Star Trek movie, prior. By not casting them, Paramount missed their chance to open-up Star Trek to much wider crossover mainstream pop culture audience. BTW, Ray Liotta would have made a great Captain Christopher Pike, if Matt Damon assumed the Captain Kirk role.
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And this site has always been a circle-jerk for Geeks, Fanboys and Trollocks. It's Harry's sandbox and he and his posse can poop in it any way they want. But we all seem to come back for more. Star Trek's got an acceptable amount of plot, nostalgia, mystical science bullshite and hawtness all wrapped up in CGI and things that blow up. Outside of Megan Fox sliding along a nacelle, what more else does it need?
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May 07, 2009 8:24:14 PM CDT
bacci40, well, if you do take them to the movie...
by fa_tass_dinomolester
you can tell them that you're partially responsible for this, since there'd be no new film without fans keeping the Original Series and the franchise afloat for four decades. And if they don't like it, ditch them in the lobby and make for the car. ;)
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Made me laugh
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May 07, 2009 8:26:55 PM CDT
Amended--Youngdog: Yes, I Am Serious, And I Am Right!!!
by media messiah
The new Star Trek will make money...and a lot of money, but, if you consider that Matt Damon is guaranteed box office...with a near billion dollar spy franchise under his belt, Paramount, would have made that much more money if they had hired him to play Kirk. The demographics are there. Women are just as crazy about the Bourne Identity franchise, as men are, nationally and internationally. And the demo for Boston Legal carries a heavy female and male demo...and mostly 30 something and forthy somethings up. Shatner's new groundswell of fame would have worked heavily in favor of boosting the box office, by how much that is debatable but you can be assured it would have been by the millions. And if that weren't enough, Shatner has received major attention thanks to his recent Emmy wins and his Priceline commercials, etc.
My point is simple, these two gentlemen could have lured in millions of extra people who would never think of watching a Star Trek movie, prior. By not casting them, Paramount missed their chance to open-up Star Trek to much wider crossover mainstream pop culture audience. BTW, Ray Liotta would have made a great Captain Christopher Pike, if Matt Damon assumed the Captain Kirk role. -
You waste your own life by moaning about someone elses' instead of just clicking elsewhere. Wow.
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--am of Two minds here. I think the personal touch is OK to a point w/ these Uber Franchise Reboots(TM) ala Trek, Terminator, etc-but c'mon. You can read wayyyy too much into a movie seems like. "Yuh I saw that Barry Morse died and he played Victor in Space 1999 and he was like my favorite cuz he got to say things like 'Two Brains..' on that show it was reall cool we used to watch it while eating our jiffy pop and fiddleheads in our trailer. You know you could hear the sheep outside the trailer windows at night and sometimes when we were playing War out there we thought we saw Bigfoot in the apple orchard but it turned out to be just another tree or sheep we donno anyways I saw Barry Morse died and so now that they announced Ben Stiller is gonna make a Space 1999 movie I thought I would just like, you know, mention that. Oh and Jerry Remy has lung cancer.
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...Llargely due to fucking geeks like Merrick.However, I look forward toviewing this film in spite of them.Somebody, at last, seems to have had the cojones to make a decent film out of a decent idea.Oh, and Harry's a fat fuck.
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This means the end of any new trek tv series, right? Kinda bummed if it is.
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Duck, that's such a cliche on this site. Otherwise, that wads great.
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It was at the time but watched it last night and it's weak.
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I made a mildly humorous American Pie reference. You missed it and called me a cunt. Therefore; not funny.
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It's funny to watch people make fun of geeks here and saying how its full of geeks. These people realize they are on this site talking to geeks about movies right?
Man in mirror time. -
I think your thoughts were spot on. Thanks for them. I enjoyed it today, but think I like the new movie more that it's something I can share with my wife. If I wanted to watch it with the love and care I hoped would be there, I should probably turn to New Voyages.
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hmm... so said snippet sez (and I quote) "Above all, let the characters be human, and unpredictable... because Trek is about humans, and humans can be inconsistent". Anyone say aliens too??? I'm sure Spock would say what-the-fu**?
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And it's not a thin line to cross. Yes I'm on a website that talks about movies, I love Lord of the Rings, and I can probably quote you all of TDK. But then again I'm not gonna buy a 400 dollar bust of Gollums wang, I'm not gonna burst out and write a thesis on how Hellboy 2 changed my reality and view on the cosmos, and I'm especially not going to tremble and weep at a genre flick (Hi, Harry). Yes we are nerds, but just like everything else, there is a spectrum of the pathetic nature of it all. I'm a nerd who can look at things subjectively and not involve a buncha crazy, weird, unnecessary emotions...because as cool as it is, it can never go beyond what it is. I wish there were more contributors on this site who didn't have the emotional stability of a battered housewife with diabetes...but then again that's a BIG wish. I guess I'll just hafta wait for the next article where Harry talks about bringing tissues to his eyes for Highlander 2 or some shit.
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makes me realize that I am older than Merrick. Yes, I watched Star Trek when it first ran on TV. I mostly a fan of the Original Series, The Next Generation and, sometimes Voyager and a handful of the movies. I did Transcendental Meditation as did Gene Rodenberry, who suggested the practice of TM to the cast members of Star Trek, The Movie. Therefore I did meet Steve Collins (Captain Decker) who went to India when I did to listen to Maharishi (like the Beatles did some 17 years before). I remember when I was in elementary school signing a petition that one of my classmates made up to try and keep Star Trek on the air when it was threatened with cancellation. I guess that was about 1967 or somewhere around that time. Later in life I met someone who was good friends with Rick Berman and there were some more connections with the franchise I wouldn't want to bore anyone with. I wouldn't really call myself a trekkie, just a lifelong fan. (When William Shatner did the SNL skit, I thought it was funny and wasn't at all offended). I think Shatner IS Captain Kirk. (I also have a soft spot in my heart for the guy). But I also think Chris Pine is also Kirk. Undeniably Kirk. The entire cast is wonderful. I think the new movie is BRILLIANT and entertaining for so many reasons which reviewers have more eloquently noted. If there were flaws, I was too wrapped up in experience, the fun and the characters to notice. I am seeing it Friday for the third time and hope to see it several more times in the coming weeks.
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Merrick, I for one enjoyed the stories about your Trek meetings and I loved the movie.
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Star Trek is not Hellboy. ST has been around for decades and is a major cultural touchstone for thousands and thousands of people. An article like this is appropriate based on how influential ST is to other people, and personally, it reaffirms why I love certain movies like ST and SW.
Having a true love and passion for something has nothing to do with having personal issues, and if that's what you are seeing, then you've probably got some issues that need to be looked at as well. All I see in this article is a guy who grew up on ST, loved it, and is excited that it's been given a new lease on life.
Less cynicism. More happy. -
I mean, I almost laugh when I see new spock. Looks like some kid going on a sleep-over. That being said, I AM going to see this as it looks pretty good!
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Thats one property where the film should be better than the novels IMHO.
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Compared to the contributers here. I actually do have a case of OCD, but that has nothing to do with me calling lame-ass BS on this sites over-used optimism (to put if fucking lightly). I love SW, and respect ST. I grew up with them just as much as anybody. And why I might not carry the same passion, things I am passionate for, ala LotR, Raiders, Mad Max, I could still bring a rational viewpoint to. If Mad Max 4 was released tomorrow, and I was asked for a review, I wouldn't flood the fucking thing with "Welllllp! Mad Max was a cornerstone for my dick-twiddling days when I was 12!...", etc. Every review I click on there is a 20 page backstory into just how whoever the blob-of-the-day is ended up in their seat. Complete with "touching" remembrances of years past with whatever franchise is being regurgitated into our faces. It's easy to write a review off your own personal investment into the material. It's really a cop-out to write up a mushy cum-wad piece of an article and not be subjective at all. It's just lazy writing, simple as that. And also, I am looking forward to ST very much so.
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...and she never really liked any of the original series or movies... she did like TNG for Piccard and Data, but that's it...
She really liked JJ's Trek... And our 17 year-old thought it was cool (and he could not care less about anything, like most 17 year-olds).
I watched the original broadcasts of TOS when I was a kid, loved every minute of it... Got used to TNG, tolerated Voyager, was bored by DS9, and cringed at ENT. Of the movies, I saw every one on opening night, and liked all but STV... Though in the end I was going out of a sense of dedication to the ideal rather than expecting great movies...
I was losing hope that Trek would ever gain new audience beyond us elders...
And I was worried that JJ would turn trek into something a little too hip...
Much to my pleaseant surprise, JJ and the cast did an incredible job! This is Star Trek - as it is felt by many and filmed by few. And it has attracted and gained the interest of a new audience...
Star Trek no longer limps sadly toward oblivion...
Star Trek Lives!
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Davidia has (thus far) spent 656 words defending why he/she doesn't like someone's take on a so-called movie review instead of clicking away and adding a facepalm for good measure.
Would that be in the 'I must question how others use their time while wasting the fuck out of my own' end of the spectrum? -
I had the pleasure of meeting Nimoy long ago at a meeting for "Star Trek: The Voyage Home." Fellow FX artist Kirk Thatcher had brought me in to bid on the make-up effects and show Mr. Nimoy alien concept art that I had designed. Of course, as a Trek fan, it was awesome meeting him. As any fan of the series might suspect, he was kind, polite, a visual artist himself, and had a firm grasp of all things Trek. Actually, more than I would have ever imagined. When he spoke of Gene Rodenberry's vision, he totally sucked me into that universe. In his tone there was none of that "I Am Not Spock," regret, but a full acceptance and understanding of the world of "Star Trek" and what it meant to him as well as its fans. He spoke of the "Star Trek" universe and its inhabitants and technology with palpable conviction - and that in and of itself blew me away.
Perhaps there was a time when Nimoy bridaled at being known as "Mr. Spock," but that was not the man I met that day. He struck me as someone deeply and passionately invested in "Star Trek" and its lore.
While I was ultimately passed over for the make-up effects job, I don't regret it. Spending that brief time listening to Mr. Nimoy wax poetically about "Star Trek" was all the balm I would ever need.
On this eve of the rechristening of "Star Trek," it heartens me to know that Nimoy is along for the ride, and by his presence alone gives the relaunch of "Star Trek," a simultaneous hand-off and wink from the old guard. A blessing, if you will.
As someone who loves "Star Trek" in all its incarnations, I don't think fans could hope for a better ambassador of goodwill.
May "Star Trek" live long and prosper. -
I don't usually write comments, but its really sad when a few retards that post on here have to tear down the writers for their love of the work. Dude, let the writers reveal in what makes them geeks....honestly, can't you put aware your self-absorbed little fucking 12-year old egos for five minutes. Why bother reading about Star Trek on a sci-fi site if you don't want to hear about what makes it cool for those who write about it. Grow the fuck up and go play football or something you fucking retards. I'm soooo tired of hearing these little 12-year olds try to tear people apart who love the material. Live Long And Prosper Merrick!
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It was just another action movie. No more, no less. I was completely underwhelmed by it following all the over-enthusiastic praise.
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Because I never said I wasn't wasting my time, or even complaining about the minutes spent reading this (and yes I read the whole thing). I obviously have nothing better to do right now, and I never denied that, and I never attacked ANYONE for reading material on this site or participating in the conversation. My argument was not that this article wasted my time, and that I want it back. No, my argument is that this article SUCKS and I'm glad I read it so I could display my fucking RIGHT to say that it FUCKING SUCKS. If all of you can come on here and give Merrick positive feedback on his article, why can't I give MY fucking opinion? Oh I can't? I have to be lambasted by the thought-police and told that any smidgen of negativity or any criticism I have must be because I'm a grumpy misanthrope? Fucking hypocrites. And guru, next time you try to make a nice little comeback with someone elses terminology, go ahead and make sure you're not a fucking imbecile beforehand, because you completely missed any relevancy you could have had in a rebuttal. Good going.
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Your are right - a lot of pissed of trekkers would disagree with me about my TV show pop.JJ obviously cared though. Everything on the screen looked great. No cut corners, no half-arsed rendering. Big ballsy visuals. It had humour, scope and managed to bring in a modern sensibility to the characters without pissing on the memory of the originals (unlike Bay and Transformers)Karl Uban WAS Bones. And Chris Pike managed to platy Kirk WITHOUT parodying William Shatner. Considering William Shatner couldn't always manage that I think thats a job well done.
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As someone said above, I had to register just to show my appreciation for this article. I've been reading AICN regularly since 1998, and I just wanted to say thanks. I felt the same way watching the movie tonight. I had tears in my eyes!
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Are being told to "shut up". I think you all should shut the fuck up. What's the point of installing a forum on this shit if it'd all be positive feedback and people skipping along going "tra la la la". Would you really want a talkback that consisted of "Wolverine was awessssommmme! Love Gavin!" and nothing else? You're telling people with a negative viewpoint on this movie or review to grow up? YOU GROW THE FUCK UP. Didn't people have DIFFERENT opinions! It's a terribly hard fact of life that people develop different tastes. If you can't deal with someone disrespecting and tooling on something (which they have a right to) you hold in a bright angelic light, than you're the one who is immature and has fucking problems. If people want to come on here to post positive feedback, they can also do it negatively. The amount of boos and hisses from you twerps at anyone who may have a different or unpopular opinion is disgusting, and shows more immaturity than any amount of negativity could.
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great. very well-written and full of insight. That was very touching. Great piece Merrick, great piece indeed.
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That guy was without a doubt the absolute worst reviewer ever to work at ign or to write a review in general. Regardless of the Star Trek: Nemesis review, he is complete and utter shit who gave 99% of good movies shit ratings, and 99% of shit movies good ratings. The guy is a complete hack.
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Go, go, Speed Racer, flop and save the world from more Abrams. Especially from more Cloverfields.
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You said pussy first. Liking this film doesn't make someone a simpleton or mean they enjoy inserting objects into their bodies like the Alyson Hannigan character in American Pie. Therefore: you started it (and I was funny).
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That's pissed OFF trekkers. And PINE not PIKE!
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Why? Cause the original 'STAR TREK' was so awful, and this new one puts the classic to shame? Sorry, but there will only be ONE Star Trek. In 100 years they an make a movie hologram of a newer Trek play in your shower, but the original cheesy, provocative cast and crew will always be the real deal. "Forget what you know?" Sorry, but no. I'll see your new film, I expect it to be great, but despite the visual improvements, it's still not a knat on the ass of your daddys STAR TREK.
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Very enjoyable read, well done dude.
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I know the deal with the internet and anonymity, but you guys are fucking rude. These guys are providing a service, and the way they run things is to tell it how they want to tell it, and the people who appreciate that sort of thing will read it. If you don't appreciate what they have, I think we would both agree that you have other options available to you than to hang around here cussing and moaning about somebody's hard work. Nice review, Merrick.
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"If you don't appreciate what they have, I think we would both agree that you have other options available to you than to hang around here cussing and moaning about somebody's hard work." Don't you have anything better to do than praise somebody elses hard work? What makes your opinion more valid than mine? Because it's positive? Can I not express my dislike for this review? Oh and fucking GROAN, here we go again with the same easy defense of "Go do something else than!". Why don't you? Your replying about your dislike for my/others dislike of the review! Isn't that more redundant/pathetic than just shutting the fuck up yourself and letting others express their opinion on this article? What's so offensive about this to you easily offended babies. Fact of the matter is fellas, I don't have shit to do right now, and neither do you...doesn't mean you have anymore of a right to express your views on this article anymore than I do. Good going, thought police. Yes, AiCN is providing a service for us, and if they didn't expect criticisms of their work they wouldn't have incorporated a GODDAMN FORUM RIGHT BELOW EVERY FUCKING ARTICLE. Anyways, this is fun, keep it up fellas, you're making my fucking night with your blind bleeding-heart ignorance.
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Its horrid!!!
Seriously though I did not like what I saw. -
Is going to get it from me both barrels.I am all for swearing at each other on the internet but picking on schoolkids is WRONG!I'm sorry but the discussion about bullies further up the board has made me come out all protective over our short-trouser wearing buddy DishyDish. Bless 'im.MJ was right - the children ARE our future
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That was the name I stenciled on the Satellite van I was in charge of in the Army. What a great time to be a geek.
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May 08, 2009 5:12:03 AM CDT
y'know what makes people like me sick about trekkies...
by heartbreak kid
none of you EVER identify with captain kirk. My older brother by 7 years used to watch the reruns as a kis and id watch them with him. I saw the swashbuckling fearless hero who wasn't self-conscious and got girls. I read comics, i like fantasy/sci-fi, as l0ong as its good, could one of u f'n nerd ass trekkies explain why in the hell u never took cues from kirk and exuded confidence and strength?!? Seriously....when id read comics in junior high, i got no grief cuz as soon as someone would bust my balls, i'd say "U don't think the Wolverine/Batman/Speder-man is cool?" and invariably id get a positive answer on at least 2 of three, and i could draw so i'd sketch the characters, and girls, even if u draw super-heroes, think drawing is cool, just make sure u take the odd life-drawing class. So ur BS answers about bein trek fans ostricizing u means u chose the most wussy points of the show to take to heart.
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Your argument is something I would normally support however you conveniently keep ignoring the fact that Merricks piece started out by explaining the nature of the "review" and what it would be about. When you consider this - your argument quickly falls apart.
Your perspective then is tantamount to saying its valid to read an article entitled "Golf Clubs" and then comment endlessly about how much you hate Golf. You may argue that it is your right to do so - but it does make you look a little silly (and sad)
In this case I do decree that it is a sound response to tell you shut ya trap and move along.
The reviewer was upfront about the review so "wah-wah" all you like. It only serves to make you look foolish. -
wow, u, like every other sad trekkie has totally missed the point in order to maintain ur already altered world view...i never said i hated trek AT ALL. so u argument aint worth crap.
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i was asking more of an open-ended question about trekkies. it just has always seemed weird that if they had just chosen to embody the principles of the main goddam character, they'd have gotten waaaayyyy less grief
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Nothing to really add to what you've said, as the film is a winner in every sense of the word but just wanted to say what a great piece you've written there and I couldn't agree more with your summarisation of what Trek was and what is is (and will be going forward)
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I have never been a star trek person. I've always been afraid of it as seeming a bit too hard core and nerdy, but after reading that really nice article above I might go see it this weekend. That a huge compliment. Good article.
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Why? Because it does exactly what a proper review is supposed to do...it takes us inside the film without revealing spoilers, and takes us inside the reviewers head to get a perspective of how he views this world. (Trek) Im going to see the film in 2 hours and have been waiting to hear a review from a real "pure-ist" who can bridge the gap between the Roddenberry world and the Abrams world. Merrick has done that and I for one am fired up to see this.
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THAT is the burning question you failed to address Merrick!
I keed! I keed!
seriously, tho, Doohan patiently speaking into a 1-button Mac mouse "computer?" - does it get any better?
THAT right there is HIgh arT my friends - with a capital S - and with such humour that speaks to the everyman...
Comedy Gold! Pure Cinematic Masterpiece!
almost - not quite - bested by the "cupcake" line but come on! HE'S TALKING INTO THE MOUSE!
it's dogs playing poker all over again... -
I agree. I wanted to love this movie. I was so excited all day yesterday. Then, lil' Kirk puts on Beastie Boys and I bury my face in my hands and everyone starts...clapping? I don't get why everyone is so easily pleased. I was waiting for a monkey in a suit to come out and make farting sounds so all those mouth-breathers would laugh themselves into hyperventilation.
Yeah, it had its moments. I'm not saying I completely hated it. I didn't. It was just another run-of-the-mill action flick with no real heart. There were just too many cliched, stupid action movie moments. You could always sense a joke before it was coming, like they were doing this thing by the numbers. I think Pine WAS Kirk. But, Quinto is about as much Spock as I am. He always had to make his, "Oh, I'm about to say something funny" face. Notice how Nimoy's Spock can be witty but look completely logical and serious at the same time? Apparently, Quinto doesn't have the capacity for ironic acting.
And, for all the people talking about modern sensibilities: what, our predilection for seeing bright flashes and hearing loud explosions? Modern, updated characters who have all the dimensionality of a Star Wars character? Because that's really what this is: Star Trek(Wars). -
May 08, 2009 10:09:47 AM CDT
Merrick, don't be silly. Star Trek/Blade Runner comparisons?
by snake foreskin
Blade Runner is the real deal. The set design, the cinematography, the music, the acting, the script, the special FX...everything just works. With this Star Trek movie - not so much. It is a brash and flashy but ultimately hollow popcorn movie. And it simply doesn't deliver on its myriad promises.
I am sorry you have allowed yourself to be so taken in by your romantic notion of what Star trek has meant to you in your life that you have embraced this largely lifeless reboot of the beloved franchise.
These actors can't make it come alive, and certainly neither can these writers or the director. Sorry, Merrick. Hate to disappoint you. This movie was a huge letdown for most of the Star Trek fans.
But if it makes you feel better to latch onto this iteration because it's all the Star Trek you have, so be it. Just know that you are very much deluded. -
I can't stand bloated reviews that tie in your childhood memories instead of getting to the movie. Live in the moment will ya.
http://drivein77.typepad.com/drivein77/
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I have got my eye on you sunshine Yeah it may be all 'I agree' now but if I get ONE SNIFF of any funny business I'll be all over you like a cheap suit.No giving him/her your private email address. No 'hey, why not be my friend on facebook' and if you DO need to go 'off topic' then make sure parental consent has been obtained first. That is all. You may continue
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when the credits rolled, there were no cheers, there was no applause. None. A packed auditorium of eager Star Trek fans who paid almost $14 per ticket to see the very first showing of the movie simply got up and walked away. Think about that.
They sat through the new movie and left feeling no real love for what they had just witnessed. I imagine many of them pondered the movie over the next few hours, taking things apart bit by bit, analyzing and classifying things: what worked, what didn't, where it ranked in the pantheon of all things Trek.
And I imagine while most today are not up in arms crying foul, most are also not shouting from the rooftops their love and affection for this movie. And that is a real let-down.
J.J. Abrams gave us an empty and meaningless shell of the beloved property that is Star Trek. Perhaps that is all he is capable of. And apparently that's all we expect anymore from our films. Perhaps that's even all we deserve. I expect more, and for that I find myself, more often than not, incredibly disappointed. And that sucks. -
it was awesome... so damn awesome. i want a sequel NOW!
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I always liked to think that the purpose of the talkback was to provide a platform for anybody to talk about movies, especially geeks who love movies, much like the people who run this site. I know this also invites a lot of the lower, angrier end of the food chain, but I guess it comes with the territory.
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Question for all of you. How do we reconcile the death of Spock’s mother Amanda in the context of “Journey to Babel” and ST IV? Also, the destruction of the Vulcan planet to “Amok TIme,” ST IV, etc?
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Beastie Boys Sabotage is a fucking classic tune. Sounds like your audience thought so to.How's that for hope of a bright and optimistic vision of the future my friend?
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I've already seen it twice (on IMAX) and I enjoyed it even more the second time.
Great read that sums up the emotional reaction to a great film. -
to fuck JJ? , kidding, would want to watch itthus weekend if it wasn't for Paramount and their delayed release in Japan
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Fucking A . Get a goddamned life already. IT'S JUST A FUCKING MOVIE!!
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"How do we reconcile..."
Ain't alternate timelines a bitch?There is no reconciliation. That's the point. The "Star Trek" we already know is sometime else. This "Star Trek" will unfold in it's own way. HOPEFULLY surprising us with it's differences and delighting us with it's similarities.
But we will see if it actually does what it intends. -
Does anyone else think that Nokia, Budweiser and Jack Daniels product placements in ST are f-ing stupid? Bud may be around in 250 years, but Nokia will probably disappear in a couple of years.
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To magic: I never said I was a Trekkie, and I'm not. I'd love to see where you pulled that one out.
And Magic, you're using the same argument everyone else used and I did touch on this...pretty much through all of what I said. I read the whole fucking thing and realized what Merrick's intentions were RIGHT from the get go, it still doesn't stop me from thinking that it's a pretentious self-important wank job of a review. -
"Your perspective then is tantamount to saying its valid to read an article entitled "Golf Clubs" and then comment endlessly about how much you hate Golf." Not at all. When here have I bashed the Trek film? I didn't, read everything I wrote before you come out here trying to be a Knight. Earlier in this TB I said I'm looking foward to ST, more than any other summer flick in fact. My whole criticism is against this article.
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Who knew James T. Kirk liked classical music as a kid? :P
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It seems nay people are excusing the teen and shallow stuff in this movie,a dn it's deliberate effort to be anti-intelelctual and emberacing the dumb loud explosions action style, with the eponimous "modern updating sensebilities". Thing is, there was modern updating going on before with Batman by the Nolan movies and with James Bond with Casino Royale, and never in those movies we felt the need to sacrifice inteligence with studipity and flash-bang action which serves no other propose then being there for it's own sake.I'm sorr,y but using "modern update" justifications for deliberatingly making a movie dumb and dumbing down a franchise once revered for trying to bring intelligence and literacy to SF just doesn't cut it.
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Just saw it. Feel like the rug was pulled out from under me. Merricks review is accurate for those who want to eat this new trek and I appreciate that he used metaphor instead of spoilers to get his point across but wow....talk about fucking over the original fans.
Alternate universe? Thats one way to reboot a franchise, create a way to do and say whatever you want with no repercussions. Before you say..."Damn Trekkers are never happy" imagine YOUR favorite film, character, or characters being completely reimagined and changed. So a Superman reboot will have him partnered with a break-dancing robot and Batman will have nipples on his costume...oh wait. -
This time travel nonsense in ST has to stop. So Nero goes back in time and F's everything up. Why doesn't Spock Prime just slinghot around Vulcan's sun, go back in time in his jellyfish and save his planet?
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May 08, 2009 3:32:25 PM CDT
This prequel has more good things than STar wars prequels combin
by hallmitchell
I loved the light, sound and design of this film. I saw Star Trek the motion picture as kid. I can't remember being as bored in a film as that movie.
I never revisited Star Trek until now and I'm blown away. -
May 08, 2009 4:06:18 PM CDT
Star Trek from the man who wrote Kryptonian Lex Luthor
by snake foreskin
What else should I have expected? JJ Abrams is a shithead. The Star Trek movie was the product of shithead. And it shows onscreen. Sorry fellas.
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Oh No! The Dilithium CoFuckyoulater isn't the exact same model used in episode *** ! How dare they! And look at that Tunic on Spock! It's the wrong damn vintage! Oh Me, Oh My, How can I live anymore knowing that JJ Abrams just raped my precious precious Star Trek!
Fucking.
Get.
A.
Life. -
Correct, it is ABOUT humans. It tells stories about the human condition. But it never did so with humans, it did so with archetypes. The outright painful trend to "humanize" classic heroes in cinema, rather than enriching is utterly demolishing narrative tradition, it's slaughtering entire classes of storytelling on the altar of fan service and Zeitgeist. The only thing it demonstrates is a lack of respect for history, and an inability to lead by example. Giving people someone to identify with instead of someone serving as a shining example may make for a more complex story - it also makes for a poorer message. Heck, if even the great heroes fail to live up to their ideals, why strive? Just sit down, grab some popcorn and enjoy. Running lights on, but nobody at the helm.
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I suppose I was wrong. 'Psycho' end of the spectrum.
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If you don't really like a movie/article/tv show they mention/spooge upon here-do what I do. Three magic words-in CAPS: NEEDS GIANT ROBOTS This device allows you to reference the (likely) biggest hit of the summer, Mikey Bay( a director most here loathe-me excluded), and of course, the well-worn/well-loved sub-genre of Big Robots(hitting each other). You are also of course free to use this one--cite another Talkbacker you agree w/ or critic etc by putting the honorific Noted_Sage before their name. Try it-for instance Noted_Sage Manny_Ramirez saithe-and I quothe: the Estrogen made me do it. A fine fine time can be had at the aulde bawl parcke ya know. Yessir.
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Guess you haters want to take away his Pulitzer? I enjoyed this alot. And Harry's "reviews" are just a less funny version of the average Kevin Smith blog: "Woke up. Wife rode me. Smoked a bowl. Watched a DVD. Harley came home from school.etc."
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My comment neither stated nor implied that you have said you were a Trekkie... I'd love to know where YOU pulled that one from. I merely likened you to someone who might read an article about subject matter that was clearly labelled as something that knew you were not going to appreciate in either style or content. I never said you were a trekkie - and I also pointed out that it was your right to do that.
I just mentioned that it makes you look stupid. Thats all.
Cheers! -
Merrick: When I was a kid in the early '70s 'Trek' was cool in school. Your experience may not have been because you liked "Trek." It's actually the exact opposite experience that I had in elementary school. Trek in NYC was on after homework and before dinner, and we all watched it.
Trekkers these days have sucked down the Kool-Aid that they are losers, and they have lampooned themselves as such on film for better (Free Enterprise) or worse (Trekkies 1 and 2). And we can thank Saturday Night Live as well.
Loving Star Trek has always been something my non-Trek friends like about me. My Trekker friends share that opinion.
What you have to realize is that your experience as a child is a not a universal one for all of us. Trek in the 1970s was cool as shit. -
Along ass read, but good
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