I thought I should get it out there right away, as we were exiting the theatre. I've sometimes held on to my opinions, usually a clear sign that I'm still trying to figure out what went wrong with the movie. I didn't want to be Daddy Downer, yet again. I knew what was wrong with this movie, yet I enjoyed it regardless. Might as well own up to that fact, I figured, and give the young 'uns permission to express their own delight.
The girls weren't having any of it. "That's the third time they've used this plot! The third time in a row!" "So have people stopped scoring movies altogether? Is it all just, 'Greatest Hits,' all the time?" "You mean, 'It's all Marvel, all the time!'" Etc., etc.
All very true, of course. There were a few negative observations of my own I could have added -- principally: the fighting was a bore. I mean, just how many exciting songs can you create using the same three chords and 4/4 timing?
Still, I couldn't get over just how much I enjoyed the interaction between Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty. There weren't any surprises in the dialogue, but TOS dialogue could hardly claim to have broken any screenplay templates.
What was evident was that these young(er) actors had grown to completely embody these cherished characters from another age -- and it was a delight to see. We've lost three of the principals, and Shatner has embodied himself for so long he's utterly dwarfed what made Kirk Kirk. But the way these four played off each other finally got me thinking, This could actually go somewhere.
Odds are stacked against this ever happening. Star Trek works best as television, and these are big names on the big screen. Whether or not there is ever another Star Trek movie in the pipeline is always an open question.
But if someone can persuade me that there's an artful hack writing original Star Trek novels worth reading, I do believe I'd be envisioning this younger cast wearing the primary colours.
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| "Same questionable taste in civvies -- gentlemen, I believe we're good to go!" |
There was at least one scene in the beginning--when Kirk and McCoy were having a quiet drink and talking about Birthdays--when I temporarily forgot that this wasn't the original Kirk and McCoy. The chemistry was just so good, I felt like these were the originals
ReplyDeletethat being said, unfortunately no one can duplicate Leonard Nimoy. (I imagine this is why the Star Trek franchise never had any popular Vulcan characters except for Spock. I know they tried, but any other actor looks like they're doing a pale imitation of Nimoy, and failing). zachery quinto's spock just seems like a parody of Nimoy, instead of the real thing.
Yeah, Quinto's Spock is the weak link, I agree. He seems especially prone to leaking the lone tear. On the other hand, it brings out Urban-McCoy's capacity for fostering comradery with both characters, rather uniquely, I think.
ReplyDeleteThey have just got to come up with a new plot.
ReplyDeleteRe Spock. My perspective is this is still the early Spock from the series when he still somewhat loathes his human side. We are not at the part of his character arc where he integrates his human side. From that perspective, Quinto is doing an OK job, methinks.
I can't recall who pointed this out - David Edelstein probably - but Quinto can't do the single-eyebrow-raise. It's just physically impossible (I should know) which, if you think about it, is a very big deal for this character.
ReplyDeleteAh, that is a big deal. He can't do the hand gesture (live long and prosper) either (they have to stage/glue his hand if he has to do it). You think that part of the audition would include that.
ReplyDeleteYikes, not even the hand-thing. I thought that could be self-taught, but maybe not. As you say, though, he does have that not-quite-into-the-discipline quality down, which keeps him interesting to watch.
ReplyDelete