My general impression was that the movie is worthy of a sequal.  I will probably see it one more time in the movie theater before it goes to dvd.

First, to establish my geek credentials, I have a uniform in the closet, phasers, tricorders, etc. from various eras, dvds of the movies and series, and have read well over a hundred Star Trek novels over the years.  There was a time when I prefered TOS, but now I love all the shows and watch all of them when ever they come on. 

Now my criticisms without giving away the movie.

1) Writing was ok, but awkward in places where it seemed the writers needed to get in certain Star Trek phrases that became iconic with the original TOS crew.  I think in general, the movie covers a lot of ground, and in the end fails to establish credibly why James T. Kirk is a leader that people would want to follow.  James T. Kirk as played by William Shatner was heroic and noble, a risk taker but with an extremely strategic mind.  He wasn't wantonly destructive or criminal, which is how the movie portrays him.

2) Because the writing was awkward in places, some of the acting to me came across as kind of forced and therefore artificial.  For example, the actor that plays Dr. McCoy seems to be attempting an impression of Dr. McCoy as played by Deforrest Kelly.  I think impressions are fun to watch during stand up comedy, but otherwise not so much.  It would probably be better to just play the part and make it your own, rather than portray a kind of corny charicature.

3) Star Trek Combat Upgrade?  Star Trek combat has always been more about strategy and tactics than a dazzling, Star Warzy light show.  There was a certain anticipation that built as the ships fired phasers attempting to knockout key systems, and then as shields dropped fired that photon torpedo that streaked across the heavens to impact upon the enemies hull.  And while you watched that torpedo fly toward it's destination, you were holding your breath praying it would hit.  In the new Star Trek, it's perhaps more realistic but less dramatic.  Essenstially it's a pretty light show for a crowd that can't hold their attention for more than 5 seconds without flipping open their cell to text their friend, "Hey...I'm in a movie theater, whoohooo!"

4) Chris Pine.  He doe's an okay job.  But William Shatner owned the part of James T. Kirk.  Watching the old series, you could believe that William Shatner IS James T. Kirk.  So Chris Pine does an admirable job, considering.  I think he decided early on that he would not be doing a William Shatner impression of Kirk, and that was a smart move.  The only exception was at the end, where he's sitting in the command chair crossing his legs.  William Shatner used to do that and he looked relaxed, cool, confident.  Chris Pine does it and it looks like he has to pee but doesn't want to leave the bridge.  Probably I am the only one that thought this though...

And now the positives.

1) I think we get a sequel after this movie.  It takes time for actors and writers to get comfortable with their work.  There have been instances where I felt a Star Trek series started out rocky, but in every instance, the actors developed a feel for the characters and really delivered, and the writing generally improved from season to season.

2) We might get a new series.  I hope so. 

3) It's a new take on something that was done almost 40 years ago.  TOS was amazing, especially for the time.  But seeing it updated was refreshing too.  I liked the look of the old ship, the old uniforms and gear, but the new stuff is good too.  The new ship looked cool too, what we got to see of it.

4) It's Star Trek!  I love all Trek.

I don't disagree with anything here.  For me, the real weakness of the film was the fact Abrams chose not to simply make a clean break from the old canon, in the way BSG did from its predecessor.  The idea here was that "known" Trek canon flows to a certain point, then changes.  But that clearly is not true in the film, as canon changes occur before the temporal event, so it would have been best to simply shelve original canon and create a fresh, new reality. 

We should see a sequel and hopefully that will bring more character development.  Trek is character, not explosions.

To the OP!

The movie made 76 million opening weekend, best Since Star Trek 4 We'll see as sequel!

being ectremely critical of hollywood, and not much a fan of the "movies".

I was pleasantly suprised at this film, the characters were ok, the stand outs were def kirk and spock.

The guy who played kirk Owned it - i really at times once it got going saw him as kirk - and sometimes he just plain looked like him, you forget your not watching the original - glad he didn't do the kirks choppy style dialog that would have ruined it.

the guy who played bones nailed the "impression" but a bit to much, came across forced - and a bit comedic - hated the guy who played checkov and his overly annoying 'bad' accent.

but overall the movie rocked, maybe it's because i had relaly low expectations, but i think any 'treki' will enjoy this film -  - it's good enough that you'll come away impressed i think that they didn't totally destroy the trek universe.

a well made film, and worthy of the admission price that will keep you entertained throughout - more so if trek is your thing.

Spoiler Alert....though I hate stating this. If you haven't seen the movie yet don't read a damn forum post about it.

What's wrong with you people? Vulcan was destroyed. I'm not saying this made the movie bad, but it deserves mention from Trek fans. Should this have been corrected? Should it be corrected in the sequel? Does the alternate reality sit well with you? Would they risk killing a main off in the sequel?

Originally posted by Laserwolf

Spoiler Alert....though I hate stating this. If you haven't seen the movie yet don't read a damn forum post about it.

 

 

What's wrong with you people? Vulcan was destroyed. I'm not saying this made the movie bad, but it deserves mention from Trek fans. Should this have been corrected? Should it be corrected in the sequel? Does the alternate reality sit well with you? Would they risk killing a main off in the sequel?

Yes, and think of the narrative implications.  I give JJ and his gang credit for doing the completely unexpected.

Corrected? Please, god, no.  We've had too many cheats in this franchise, instances when the narrative takes a great leap forward, only to step back with an "Only foolin'!"  Spock's death/rebirth.  Kirk's son then his death.  Destruction of the Enterprise, only to be replaced with the NCC-1701A (WTF?). 

This universe is significantly different.  Let's keep it that way.

aye! let's get born during my fathers dead! aye! let's act like a 12yo and become captian! aye! let's provoke some peoples and try to be cool on a cooler than me planet with a pointy eared (elf)! aye! ... 2/10 points. the old star trek movies are much better!  

It was a fun movie. It captured the most important strengths that anything involving Star Trek should capture.

1) Interesting, quirky, quick moving and quick speaking characters.

2) Watching the characters react when dropped into numerous linked crazy situations, especially with how they interact with each other while it's going on.

3) Really cool *large* starship scenes and fights, incorporating special effects tech that make a viewer especially glad that they're seeing it on a Large Screen.

It had some weak points. Some moments of not-quite-perfect acting, a big need for the suspended belief of the viewers involving the age of the crew and Star Fleet putting them at officer control stations of their *Flagship*... I could go on.

But as an honest Star Trek Fan who caught the show as a kid back in 1975-78 on KTLA channel 5 in Los Angeles on through to what followed, I found it to be a hell of a lot better than I expected.

I'll watch the sequal for sure. I'm just sad that it'll probably be the best movie of the summer, 'cause we're getting some real crappy films being thrown at us over the next few months.

I absolutely loved the new movie. Now that I've acquired it for personal viewing, I watched it 3 times in the space of 4 days.

Originally posted by DarkCuddles

I absolutely loved the new movie. Now that I've acquired it for personal viewing, I watched it 3 times in the space of 4 days.

Wow, you aussies are crazy :p

I think the movie set itself up well for the future. Lots of good story lines to go off of, and established the new characters.  The new movie felt a little short to me, I'd like to see some epic 3 hour movies to come..

Originally posted by tamgros

Originally posted by DarkCuddles

I absolutely loved the new movie. Now that I've acquired it for personal viewing, I watched it 3 times in the space of 4 days.

Wow, you aussies are crazy :p

 

I think the movie set itself up well for the future. Lots of good story lines to go off of, and established the new characters.  The new movie felt a little short to me, I'd like to see some epic 3 hour movies to come..

Just a little crazy....

As the defibrillator that the Star Trek franchise desperately needed, it's done its job. At least for me, I hadn't pulled out my 3 dimensional chess set in years.

This is some sci fi movie called star trek, this is not really star trek from my point of view. It is a good movie, I enjoyed watching it but for me this is not a true star trek movie it is more like star wars.

I liked the new movie, I am goin go buy it on blue-ray at some point.

I work as a manager at a movie theater and when the prieviews started showing on our movies I called it to build and preview. When I previewed the movie I had a drink left over from my break, and for most of the movie i had completely forgotten about it, the movie kept me well entertained... at least till I got thirsty ;)

I really enjoyed the new movie. Spock was played fantastically and as iv missed out on TOS, seeing these characters for the first time is fantastic and has made me want to watch TOS , i agree its not star trek, theres no message or build up but it does its own thing well, very well

The fast pacing of the movie really broadened the appeal of the movie beyond hardcore Trek fans and even beyond just Science Fiction fans.  Personally, I didn't mind (for example) the seven-minute exterior shot of Kirk's approach to the Enterprise in ST:TMP.  Even my wife, who had been skeptical for that reason, really enjoyed the film.

The weak spot, in my opinion, was a lack of depth (and therefore believability) to the villain, Nero.  A bit of character development, at least with Nero, would have gone a long way.  Certainly the stage has been set for a great sequel, though.

I am a Star Trek fan, but I have yet to see the new movie. I've seen every single other Star Trek movie and every episode of every series at least once. So why have I not seen the movie yet? It doesn't interest me that much.

They made this new movie to reach non-ST fans. I think they did a good job there, but for me, I'll treat it like another Sci-Fi movie. It just doesn't look or feel like the Star Trek I know. And yes, I know it's an alternative universe (read: lame excuse).

Sure, it looks like a good movie I'd enjoy. But it's just not a Star Trek movie to me. Much like Enterprise wasn't a Star Trek series to me (even though I watched all of it).

And that's just my opinion. I know many have very different views of the new movie.

yeah nero...

the guy who is smart enough to calculate the random time/place when spock would emerge from the time travel thingy, is so dumb as to not realize he could with spocks help prevent the hobus star from exploding. Instead this brilliant guy blows up vulcan the only planet that could save romulus... yeah he's smart alright.

and whats with the tech? you follow the lead up stuff he is cutting through late 24th century tech but gets owned by the enterprise in the 23rd century? wait what? lol.

I think Jj abrams could have cought the feel of the moving the pacing the action and the popularity of it without relaunching/prequel the whole thing. A new crew new ship new action packed Star Trek would have pretty well on its own.

Watched the old star trek stuff once maybe twice and thought is was pretty bad and star wars was always better imo. That said if a series of star trek was made like the movie  i WOULD ACTUALLY WATCH IT!! The movie was awesome imo, alot of action which I thought the the series lacked, only watch a few episodes and they bored me to tears. The movie is great and the series is bleh. Would like to to see a sequel for sure of the movie.

But Star Wars is still better muahhahah!

Fan of the the new age star trek movie, old stuff I CAN'T SEE WHY ANYONE EVER LIKED IT!

Originally posted by ZweiSchuppen

The weak spot, in my opinion, was a lack of depth (and therefore believability) to the villain, Nero.  A bit of character development, at least with Nero, would have gone a long way.  Certainly the stage has been set for a great sequel, though.

The graphic novel Countdown actually does a pretty good job of developing Nero. Kind of annoying, the story itself in that book does a good job connecting the TNG era back to the re-start with the JJ Trek movie.

It would have been nice if it had shown up on screen, even some of it to explain 'wtf' was going on with everything and with the way Nero looked compared to other Romulans.

I liked the new movie for the most part, though the whole 'giant water tubes' in engineering were amazingly silly and are probably the one scene from the movie I most wished had been cut in favor of more story being packed in somewhere.

Originally posted by morbiusv

Watched the old star trek stuff once maybe twice and thought is was pretty bad and star wars was always better imo. That said if a series of star trek was made like the movie  i WOULD ACTUALLY WATCH IT!! The movie was awesome imo, alot of action which I thought the the series lacked, only watch a few episodes and they bored me to tears. The movie is great and the series is bleh. Would like to to see a sequel for sure of the movie.

But Star Wars is still better muahhahah!

 

Fan of the the new age star trek movie, old stuff I CAN'T SEE WHY ANYONE EVER LIKED IT!

Some of us, like me, liked it for its deep storylines and tales. And if you like non stop action that if fine, if you like star wars it is also fine but please do not make statements what is better and what is boring just based on your personal experience. For me series are not boring and are better that movies, but that is me and my oppinion, does not mean that they are.