I think that Star Trek needs to reinvent Gene Roddenberry's fondness for character names out of ancient Greek and Roman mythology. That would be rad for these times.
As long as there's Pinto, lots of simmering homoerotic angst and plenty of Quinto in various states of undress and/or states of rage, they can make it about how they get the figs in the fig rolls
Yes, Star Trek has specialized in political/social allegory, esp. in the Next Generation, after which I stopped watching. ("Captain's Log: We're now orbiting Methadone IV....") Please note that The Wrath of Kahn remains the best of trekkiedom in large part for the absence both of allegory and time travel.
Brian, you don't seem familiar with the history of science fiction. Put it this way: Jules Verne was writing about a lot more than sailing around in balloons and subs.
We love to blow shit up, but when you blow shit up with purpose, you get the thrill of blowing shit up, but don't have the residual guilt of watching something totally idiotic.
Not to belabor the "sci-fi has always been allegory" strain, but the only reason Jules Verne created Captain Nemo was to comment on British Imperialism. Even BEFORE film, Sci-fi was preachy.
Also, I'd like to claim Pine-Cho-Quinto as the naked Star Trek trifecta.
So they're trying to make Star Trek all thinky, is that it? No more summer pap full of jive-talking robots and a startled Kate Beckinsale who must have warped in from Underworld on a vampire sled of wet tripe. So yeah it's about Sci-Fi with a message eh. Usually that message is about world dominance while the heroes kick some otherworldly slug dude's ass. Who may be ugly, but is usually trying to save his planet. Can't see how this will be any different, unless Star Trek can somehow morph into a Serenity sequel, since most of the antagonists in that movie were self-serving, elitist twat-hounds who tried to silence any and all who would disagree with their particular brand of bullshit. In this franchise, Star Trek, may as well be those antagonist dudes. Star Fleet...the Alliance...same dif.
So, yah, good luck with that. And don't ever make another District 9. I don't know why people were deluded into thinking that was a good movie.
Brian: Star Trek has always been about commentary on the human condition, ever since "The Cage." I'm not sure why the alleged turn toward allegory - political or not - is a surprise. Trek has been doing this for more than four decades: it's why it has lasted so long.
@pureblarney: I didn't expect this movie, a "reboot" of the franchise, to contain any of the preachy goodness that Star Trek has always contained. However, if the sequel didn't have some kind of allegory or moral I would be highly disappointed.
We've been introduced to the characters in their new skins. Now bring on the preaching!
You do realize that Star Trek has been almost nothing but a political allegory since day one, right?
Hell, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was the story of the collapse of the Soviet Union wrapped in a murder mystery. Star Trek IV was "save the whales or the planet dies."
The Klingons were the Soviets to the Federation's America/NATO. The highly secretive Romulans were supposed to represent the Chinese.
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Speaking of which, the original, Raymond Burr-free Gojira is excellent.
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As long as there's Pinto, lots of simmering homoerotic angst and plenty of Quinto in various states of undress and/or states of rage, they can make it about how they get the figs in the fig rolls
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Nudge, Nudge, Cough Republicans, Cough.
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Brian, I ♥ U.
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Also, I'd like to claim Pine-Cho-Quinto as the naked Star Trek trifecta.
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So, yah, good luck with that. And don't ever make another District 9. I don't know why people were deluded into thinking that was a good movie.
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We've been introduced to the characters in their new skins. Now bring on the preaching!
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Hell, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country was the story of the collapse of the Soviet Union wrapped in a murder mystery. Star Trek IV was "save the whales or the planet dies."
The Klingons were the Soviets to the Federation's America/NATO. The highly secretive Romulans were supposed to represent the Chinese.