Our date night this month was to see Star Trek, the movie reboot for the Star Trek franchise. I’m a huge, long-time Trekker. In the past year, so many Trekkies/Trekkers have been going nuts on each other about the upcoming movie. Those who were livid about the changes to the established canon, and those happy to see any kind of Star Trek on the big screen. I did the (easy) math, and it’s been a long time since a new Star Trek film was on the big screen. 7 years since the last Star Trek movie (Star Trek: Nemesis), and 13 years since the last good movie (Star Trek: First Contact.)
My take? Listen, I grew up on the original series, the TOS movies of the 80’s, The Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. I also watched (with much disappointment) Voyager and Enterprise. I may not like all the perceived differences, but if they can get people to like Star Trek again, to understand what’s so great about it, then it can’t be so bad.
Date night almost didn’t happen. Our babysitting service / plans were cancelled on us at the last minute, and we seemingly didn’t have any other options. At the last second, a Hail Mary pass came our way. Our friends Sona and Pradeesh offered to watch the kids for us. I still can’t believe it. Being so thankful, and in a hurry, we dropped off the kids, and tried to get to the theater in New Brunswick. I had purchased tickets through Fandango, but we weren’t going to make it, so we went to a closer theater. I’m wondering if I can get a credit or my money back, since I never claimed the tickets.
The movie used time travel, but the writers were able to successfully bridge the original stories and this new movie. Basically, a la Back to the Future Part II, unintended visitors from the future have altered the original timeline, and sent us into an alternate future. Is it different? Yes, but the movie was well-done. Heck, my wife liked a Star Trek movie. Even better? There were lots of women in the theater, and my female friends liked the movie a lot.
Yes, the movie was different, and changed some key aspects of what I knew and loved. It’s made a lot of people appreciate Star Trek, so it’s worth it for me. Now if they can work in some actual thought-provoking stories (besides the big explosive action), I’d be pleased.
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