I hardly believe it myself. I’m actually feeling anticipation, actually looking forward to the new Star Trek movie. Ever since I saw this exclusive photo of the new film’s Enterprise.
But I’m also wary, with some trepidation, because the story is supposed to return back to the beginning, with a young Captain Kirk (played by Chris Pine) and Mister Spock (Zachary Quinto). I have no problem with different actors playing the Star Trek characters, because I already know I can adjust to that. I also have no problem with new-fangled gadgets and special effects, because–hey–if I can adjust to knobby-headed Klingons, I can adjust to anything… Er, almost anything.
What worries me is that the writers will lose the magic of the original story. I’m afraid they’ll try to make it all about the ACTION!, or high tech gadgets, or the drama or suspense. Or even worse, I’m afraid they won’t be able to figure out where they’re even going with the story. I’m afraid they’re going to turn it into some gimmicky, 21’st-century, studio tripe, of the sort that A-list bloggers swoon over and proclaim “the best movie ever made!” Meanwhile, I just want it to end so that I don’t have to watch any more.
Can you say Battlestar Galactica?
Yes, for the record, I am a crotchety old man, who likes to watch what I like to watch, because I’ve seen and appreciated at least a little more great fiction than those 20-year-old newbies, you know, the ones who still think they know everything.
Interestingly, I do remember being right at least once, when I complained about fatal storytelling flaws in The Longest Journey (a computer game). At the time, everyone was swooning over it. But years later, in retrospect it appeared, people started to agree with me.
-TimK