Still Boldly Going

[eldritchhobbit]

Just Kickin' It Old School on the Bridge

Star Trek first kindled my love for science fiction. By the time I was five I was a seasoned, veteran fan, and I began reading Star Trek novels in the days when I required a dictionary to make my way through any work more sophisticated than a picture book. The rest is history. Needless to say, I've been waiting for this new film with a mixture of elation and anxiety.

I found it difficult to imagine new actors inhabiting those beloved roles. Then again, I'd argued in various articles and book chapters ("The Sword in the StarShip: Arthuriana in the Four Incarnations of Star Trek," "Beam Me Up, King Arthur? Star Trek and the Arthurian Tradition," etc.) that Star Trek is the new Arthuriad; it struck me that if I'd held rigidly to the first cinematic Arthur I ever encountered (Richard Harris in Camelot), I would've missed seeing other performances that became equally meaningful and powerful for me (such as Nigel Terry in Excalibur). And I certainly wouldn't throw out Chrétien de Troyes just because Sir Thomas Malory is the man. The more I read about J.J. Abrams' vision for and commitment to this new Trek film, the higher my hopes rose.

Well, now I've seen it. Is it respectful of and loving toward Gene Roddenberry's vision? Is it satisfying for someone who values canon? Most importantly, is it good?

Yes, it most certainly is.

To quote Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan...
McCoy: How do you feel?
Kirk: Young. I feel young.

Comments

[marthawells.livejournal.com]

I saw it this afternoon and was totally blown away, it was so awesome! I really want to see it again on the big screen at least once.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad you loved it, too! I thought it was jaw-droppingly good. And I'm in the same boat - I'm desperately trying to figure out when to go back and see it again on the big screen.

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

Eeeeee!!! I'll see it in 2 days!

And you look GREAT in the Captain's chair!!!!!!!!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I hope you love it, too!

And you look GREAT in the Captain's chair!!!!!!!!

Aw, thanks! :) The picture is cleverly cropped to conceal the fact that my foot dangled several inches above the floor! It couldn't reach. LOL. Hobbit on the bridge!

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

Just got back from seeing ST. It ROCKED!!!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

YAY! I'm so glad you liked it, too!

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

That picture ROCKS. :)))

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ha! Thanks. :)

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

I liked it but it was more for the fanboys. I didn't like the way they handled any of the women characters (I won't go into detail because of spoiling but you probably know what I mean.)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I don't think even J.J. Abrams was expecting those opening weekend numbers. Wow!

Don't you think Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine have fangirls? I know Karl Urban and Simon Pegg do. Just a thought.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

I am looking forward to a chance to see it. Perhaps sometime next week. We're week day matinee people - It's cheaper.
And you look perfect in The Captain's Chair. Make it so!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'd be interested to know how full the theater is. I went to a matinee, too, and it was packed!

Thanks for the kind words. They had to pry me out of that chair, let me tell you. Ha!

[elmwood.livejournal.com]

I sneaked out and saw it this afternoon and was in awe. I say sneaked because I am meant to be going to see it with friends later next week, but I couldn't wait. I will still go with them because I want to see it again so badly.

I first started watching Star Trek when I was a teenager and fell totally in love with Spock. I couldn't imagine anyone but Nimoy as Spock, but Quinto was amazing.

I love the plot twist which allows them to continue making more Star Trek films without refuting or being disrespectful to both the original series or films.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Ha! I love it! I'm dying to see it again, too. And I agree that Quinto was excellent. I'd heard that Leonard Nimoy was really impressed with him, and I certainly see why.

I also thought Karl Urban was especially brilliant as McCoy (who is my favorite character).

I love the plot twist which allows them to continue making more Star Trek films without refuting or being disrespectful to both the original series or films.

Yes! That was so clever. And it made it very poignant when the old Spock was watching events unfold at the end, knowing that all of his memories were of times that now would never be. Augh! I'm glad they made it possible for more movies to be made in this alternate timeline, because I'm ready for the next one! Ha!

[elmwood.livejournal.com]

It was poignant, although I loved the way that he laid the foundation for the Spock/Kirk friendship in this reality, too.

I was always a Spock fan, with McCoy as my next favourite. Kirk never really interested me.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Good point!

That's okay: Kirk was interested enough in himself for all of us. Ha!

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Oh excellent news! I was really hoping it would be good! That is something to look forward to now. :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoy it, too!

[cookiefleck.livejournal.com]

Cute pic. I agree with "respectful and loving." That came through loud and clear as we watched.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

So many reboots dismiss prior fans, and I thought it was refreshing that this one went out of its way to include them.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Good to know! I'll look forward to seeing it at some point. The picture of you on the bridge is priceless. :D :D

(((warm hugs)))

Thanks for the overview! I trust your judgment!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

*huge hugs back at you*

Thanks! I hope you'll enjoy it too!

[maidoforange.livejournal.com]

I saw it this evening and loved it! Love the pic of you on the Bridge.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad! Wasn't it terrific?

And thanks. It was hard leaving the bridge. :)

[kangeiko]

Kirk: Young. I feel young.

OH MY GOD. I just finished telling everyone this on their lj's, I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I went to see it today on my own, because - and this may sound weird - I didn't want to share the experience. When I was little I'd watch the new (to me) episodes on TV and it made me feel so ridiculously happy and safe. I felt like I could do anything, I could accomplish whatever I wanted. It made my heart full. I loved Spock unconditionally, and I thought Uhura was the smartest woman I'd ever seen. It was the first fandom to get me into fandom, really, and slash specifically - weirdly, through the pro novels. It made me think, and it made me dream, and if I still harbour dreams of growing up to be an astronaut, it's because of Star Trek.

And I went to see it on my own today, curled up in the big cinema chairs and was 9 years old again, watching Kirk and Spock on my parents' tv and dreaming of other worlds. It made me feel deep, uncomplicated joy. It made me feel young again.

I'm going to see it tomorrow with all my friends, but I'm really glad I went to see it on my own today. That I could enjoy it for what it means to the 9-year-old me, rather than dealing with everyone else's expectations and thoughts about it.

(And, damnit, I will get to be an astronaut when I grow up!)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I wanted to think up some brilliant reply to your wonderful comments, but it all boiled to this: what you said. I am with you wholeheartedly.

How was the second viewing? Mine is still a few days off...

Thanks for your wonderful comments. *hugs* You captured my feelings exactly.

[kangeiko]

The second viewing was ace! (As was the third, and, er, fourth, and fifth. I HAVE NO SHAME.)

Srsly, I am still full of squee about this, cannot help it. Although I do feel like The Old Woman of Fandom, given how many young 'uns are running around!

[emerdavid.livejournal.com]

First, a caveat: I am not one of the many who watched Trek from the beginning, own all the DVDs, read the novels, etc. So I am coming from a place of liking the original series but not idolizing it.

That said, I thought it was a terrific movie. I believe I would feel the same even if I had never seen any original Star Trek. But having seen some of the originals, and being somewhat familiar with the characters and situations, I felt that this new movie is being true to the *characters* while rebooting the storyline, yet not denying anything that has come before. That alone is an astonishing achievement.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I felt that this new movie is being true to the *characters* while rebooting the storyline, yet not denying anything that has come before. That alone is an astonishing achievement.

Yes! You put your finger on it exactly. It is a real achievement. I agree. And I'm so glad you enjoyed it, too!

[penfold-x.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a great photo! You look very commanding, too. :)

I'm glad you enjoyed it--my flist seems to be united in a good-to-great rating. I was holding back because ST, as my first childhood fandom, means a lot to me, and I didn't want some crappy remake tarnishing that.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much! :) The photo was cropped strategically to hide the fact that my foot didn't reach the floor, but instead dangled several inches above it. Ha!

ST was my first childhood fandom, too, so I know what you mean about being wary of the film. I do hope that, if you see it, you enjoy it, too. I found the love for the original series to be evident throughout it, and there are many "gifts" in the film that only long-time fans will understand.

[scribblerworks.livejournal.com]

Yes and yes .... I agree so much, I'm going to do an LJ entry following up on your Arthuriad observation - sort of not-quite-review (since I don't usually do reviews on LJ) and wrap it up with the rest of my adventures of the day.

:D

And I want to see it again, soon. Like next week.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Fantastic! I really enjoyed your post, by the way. I can't wait to see the film again myself!

[metal-aria.livejournal.com]

Heh heh heh.... mine and Kel's claim to fame... we were in the first group in the US to view Star Trek on IMAX... early Thursday morning. Kel's employers rented out the theater all day for her organization to see it. I got the be the "guest" and "alumni"... lol

And yes... it rocked my world. It's beat Star Trek IV as my favorite movie now.

And yes, you look very fine in the captain's seat, and I'm very jealous of you getting the chance to do that... ;-)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Heh heh heh.... mine and Kel's claim to fame... we were in the first group in the US to view Star Trek on IMAX... early Thursday morning.

Oh, SWEET! I bet that made it all the more fun. Kel's employers win the award, that's for sure!

I'm so glad you loved it, too. I'm looking forward to seeing it again. I meant to mention Karl Urban by name; in a cast that was spot on across the board, he really amazed me.

Ha! Thanks for your kind words about the picture. I very happily would still be sitting in that chair right now, but they made me leave. *wink*

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw, shucks. :)

[simple-sunshine.livejournal.com]

*poke* hey, it's sunnysky. i got hacked - if anything weird gets posted from me, don't click anything! ^^

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh no! That's awful. Thanks for the heads up, and good luck getting un-hacked.

In Case Man And uk Crash

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