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If you Google Star Trek, you get about 81,600,000 references. There is probably no TV or movie series with as many passionate fans (Trekkies) than the original 1960s TV space drama created by Gene Roddenberry and immortalized by actors Wlliam Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley and company. So director JJ Abrams ("Mission: Impossible III," "Lost") knew he was taking on a daunting challenge when he decided to reboot the series with "Star Trek," which looks at the characters in their early days and how they came to boldly go where no man has gone before aboard the USS Enterprise.
“I was not a fan of the TV series,” admitted Abrams, during a visit to Japan with actors Chris Pine (Capt Kirk), Zachary Quinto (Mr Spock), Karl Urban (Dr McCoy), John Cho (Mr Sulu) and Eric Bana (Romulan villain Nero). “I didn’t make 'Star Trek' just for fans, but for all people who love movies. However, one of the scriptwriters is a huge fan, so I knew we’d be in safe hands. My goal was to make a movie that’s funny, exciting, romantic and spectacular. If we’ve done our jobs right, all audiences, including Trekkies, will like it.”
The cast, except for Bana, are mostly unknown to movie audiences, although Quinto is a regular on the TV series "Heroes." They all said they felt tremendous pressure in putting their own interpretation on the characters. Pine, 28, said he had to figure out a way to play Kirk without imitating Shatner. “I didn’t watch the TV series,” he said. “I just took JJ’s advice to heart, that this was a reimagination of a great story, not an impersonation, but an original characterization. In the end, I just followed the fantastic script. That was enough of a bible for me.”
Quinto, 31, had the biggest challenge because Nimoy is in the movie as the older Spock and the two share some scenes together. “Spock is tied to the personality traits of Leonard. I wanted to honor his work without trying to recreate it, so I tried to find my own point of entry into an iconic character,” Quinto explained. “I feel this part is an incredible gift to me as an actor.” Australian Bana, 40, was the only one who didn‘t feel any pressure. “Nero is a new character. No one has any vision of him. As soon as I read the script, I was in.”
"Star Trek" has moved into warp drive at the box office in the U.S., Australia and Europe, getting mainly positive reviews from both Trekkies and new fans. Most of the surviving cast of the original series helped launch the film in the U.S., with one major exception -- Shatner (he wanted to have a cameo in the film but Abrams said he and the scriptwriters couldn’t work out a dignified way of including him in the story).
In an attempt to woo young Japanese audiences who are not familiar with the original TV series, promoters invited members of the idol pop group AKB48 to an event to present Abrams and the cast with bouquets. The girls begged the director to cast them in the next film, perhaps as aliens who have a dance session with Kirk.
“I’m really pleased with the reception everywhere,” said Abrams. “But credit for the success shouldn’t go to me, but to the wonderful writers, the amazing set designers and the cast and crew.”
"Star Trek" opens in Japan on May 29.
© Japan Today
24 Comments
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sakurasuki
Beam me up Scotty!
veilside
It's not an intent to be rude, but that line of, "Beam me up, Scotty" was never used by Kirk. Typically, it was, "Energize."
soldave
There's a nice objective review of this movie over at the Escapist Magazine. Interesting to read the thoughts of someone who wasn't drawn in by all the hype.
Mark_McCracken
Except, perhaps, for "Star Wars", for which you find 93,600,000 references on Google.
nath
Some of the cast of "Stage 2" was also in the movie. To the moderator... Stage 2 was origianlly a fan series called "Star Trek new voyages". Soon after airing, some of the original cast appeared to repsrise thier roles. G.R.'s son even helpled out on the series. The cast of the fan series, well some of them, played minor roles in the new movie.
Since AKB48 wants to be in the next movie (stated in this article)... the fan series "Stage 2" might be where they should start. Of course... no one gets pain in the fan series!
smartacus
Mark
Actually, I think "Star Trek" probably would have more fans than "Star Wars" simply because of the many TV series and the 10 or so movies. I also believe the Trekkies have more conventions than "Star Wars."
I think "Star Trek" also appeals to a wider demographic. I know my dad loved "Star Trek" when he was a young man in the 1960s, but he was never into "Star Wars."
I also like "Star Wars" but not as much as "Trek." In terms of storylines, Gene Roddenbery was way ahead of George Lucas. The first two series were often allegorical, dealing with current social issues in a futuristic setting. "Star Wars" was good on special effects but weak on serious themes. Interestingly, though, Abrams' film has more than a few homages to "Star Wars" (notably a bar scene), so maybe he is a big fan of Lucas.
Of more importance, who is the best Enterprise captain: Kirk or Picard?
tkoind2
Best captain or most entertaining to watch?
Kirk is a lot more fun than Picard. Picard would be better to work for. Less of those bit part guys getting killed 3mins into the episode under Picard. :P
terebiko
airrunwesker I believe it is "Phase II" not "Stage 2", and if anyone hasn't checked out their work, they do a pretty good job. There is also a Star Trek movie made by some former cast members of STNG and ST TOS. It's called "Of Gods And Men", and it's pretty good too. Looking forward to seeing Star Trek on the big screen, though I always find the Japanese subtitles distracting. Keep checking to see if there are any translating mistakes....
FryingMonkey
JJ Abrams thank you for bringing this beast back to life! It's a great movie and I am looking forward to more of them and as for veilside -
Who cares and I hope you know how to talk to girls...
gamera
I loved it. Karl Urban is perfect at Dr McCoy.
Sarge
"Quinto is a regular on the Tv series Heroes"
He was also Adam in 24.
"Shatner ( he wanted to have a cameo in the film, but Abrams said he and the scriptwriters couldn't work out a dignified way to include him in the story )"
That's ridiculous. Shatner could have sung Rocket Man in the lounge on the Enterprise, ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
JayJayE
"I also like "Star Wars" but not as much as "Trek." In terms of storylines, Gene Roddenbery was way ahead of George Lucas. The first two series were often allegorical, dealing with current social issues in a futuristic setting. "Star Wars" was good on special effects but weak on serious themes. Interestingly, though, Abrams' film has more than a few homages to "Star Wars" (notably a bar scene), so maybe he is a big fan of Lucas."
I'm afraid I have to disagree. Star Wars has some pretty deep themes when you read between the lines and George Lucas was deeply versed in mythology and philosophy.
But I do agree with you in a round-about way. Star Wars (and people may disagree) is Space Fantasy, not Science Fiction. Star Trek however is science fiction. This is because Star Trek is soundly grounded in actual science (there is a reason for everything in Star Trek) whereas Star Wars doesn't bother to explain how a hyperdrive works, and the audiance doesn't care.
Star Wars deals with more primitive elements of the human condition like religion and spirituality, whereas Star Trek is more about sociology, which Star Wars lacks. I like both and I think both have great stories, but they are completely different in their message.
nath
Note: I try not to put any spoilers in this comment
The story is nothing new, nothing exciting, nothing breathe taking. Just another modification and grouping of stories already told.
The movie erases 45+ years of StarTrek history in an attempt to start a-new...How easy is that, go back in time, start a new timeline and there we go - a whole new series! Gosh - how original and what a cop-out!!!
Oh, loved the fact they have wireless nokias built into the dash of an old-car (and hover cop motorbikes whith android cops) yet they still need hand-held communicators and ohura still needs that big ear-piece... COME ON NOW! If you're going to deviate, do it well.... OH, loved the multi-phasers this NCC1701 has...where the original could only fire a single beam at a time...Not to mention the doors on teh bridge are MUCH nicer - why move back to Submarine style doors when the "young generation's" ship had sweet glass ones that make no noise as they open?
Another - If the old spoke is going to provide knowledge of the future safely, then why not "spill your guts"? It's a new timeline anyway...HIS original timeline is safe from harm!
Anyway - good movie in the way of Special Effects...OK story line (passes my rental requirements) and what a cop-out for the entire series....The writers need a better imagination...I've been following lost - The Season Finale is just like this movie, an easy way out...or should I say In (into a new series).....
motytrah
Movie was really good. Writing was great and while there was some time travel aspects to is, it side-stepped a lot of the bad plot cliches that killed the TV series. The interesting thing about it is I know both hard core and non-trek fans that are seeing this movie multiple times. It seems to grab people both as an action movie and a Trek movie.
Best thing to happen to Star Trek was getting rid of Rick Berman and Brannon Braga. Those two ran the franchise into the ground with some of the worst schlock to hit movie and TV screens.
nath
terebiko, you are right... it is called "Stage II" now. They have changed the name a few times. :)
rogerbentham
what happened to tv episodes first, then a movie? they've got it the other way around this time around (whew - confusing for me).
Hopfly
Star Trek really is like the house guest that wouldn't leave.
Sarge
Hopfly: "Star Trek is really like the house guest that wouldn't leave"
I really feel sorry for you.
Hopfly
Sarge: I don't mean to imply that I like it, But how long can they continue to beat this horse. There have been so many spin-offs. It is about time to lay this series to rest.
Sarge
Hopfly - It's never time to lay to rest a series that has so much hope for the future of the human race.
Hopfly
Instead of breathing new life into Star Trek, it should read "do not resuscitate".
Sarge
Hopfly - It must really tick you off that Star Trek has already grossed nearly $200,000,000.
Hopfly
Sarge: That much huh? Shows where my tastes lie.
Noripinhead
I agree with Motyrah now that I've finally seen it. There's plenty to please the old-time fans in new Trek (catch the sound the transporters? And an old Eddie Murphy joke about Orion women comes back to life) as well newbies. All in all, Abrams set the right tone -- a 1960s "Gee Whiz" quality that is hard not to like.