Current status of the USS Hadhafang
Considering my current review is going to be very much STAR TREK related, this might be very appropriate! :D So anyway, doing okay, generally -- went swimming, which helped lift my mood a bit from the news. Also, got around to watching STAR TREK (the 2009 film). How was it? As good as I remember it, if not better!
So I first saw this in the theaters as a kid (a pretty young kid, probably around middle school age though I'm not quite sure) -- let's say I went with my parents despite knowing nothing about STAR TREK (let's say when I was younger, I wasn't terribly into science fiction; I was more of a fantasy, swords-and-sorcery sort of person. It really took STAR WARS to turn it around for me. *) because my mom's a STAR TREK fan. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting to like it, but honestly? I loved it. I loved the characters, the action scenes were magnificent (although I remember in the theater being pretty much freaking out during the jumping-on-the-Narada-drill scene -- maybe that's why the lens flares didn't really stand out to me too much; I was a bit too focused on that whole feeling like I was going to die during stuff like the Narada drill scene **), and it was just really engaging in general. And from there...well, over the long break regarding STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS and all that speculation, I decided to go into the old stuff like WRATH OF KHAN, THE VOYAGE HOME, etc. So yeah, I think it might have gotten me into STAR TREK as a whole, it really has. Which is definitely good, considering that going into the old stuff really gives one a new appreciation for...well, the new stuff.
Going back to the 2009 film, one thing I really love is their idea to sort of use an alternate timeline -- let's say in general, AUs are one of my favorite things. That and the matter of how the AU comes around -- like I said, very creative. More specifically, someone with a grudge against Spock for seemingly letting him down in regards to preventing the destruction of Romulus via supernova ***, and as a result...well, his desire for vengeance ends up creating an alternate timeline. (Which, in turn, leads to stuff like Section 31 being founded, Admiral Marcus, Pike's mentor, thawing Khan out of cryosleep **** and so on and so forth) And I really like the matter of Nero. Seriously. I like how they occasionally play him as sort of polite and charming ("Hi, Christopher. I'm Nero." Sort of funny and a bit chilling at the same time), not to mention his little tic of addressing Pike as Christopher while the latter is basically at his mercy and being tortured. Something about that detail definitely hit the "this isn't right" factor. And not to mention the destruction of Vulcan -- an act that, according to Spock's Acting Captain's Log, leaves the Vulcans essentially an endangered species (and causes Marcus to thaw out Khan as part of his attempted militarized version of Starfleet, which causes more misery, so good one, Nero. /sarcasm) and yet when Nero's discussing it (although the term "discussing" is loose at best) with Pike (although really, it's more like would-be-ranting-if-he-wasn't-so-damn-calm-about-it, in all honesty), he justifies it as basically preventing genocide (which honestly is completely nonsensical because really, causing genocide isn't going to prevent genocide. And keep in mind he says it after Pike calls him out for what he did to Vulcan, which is even more...yeah. Although I think at this point, Nero is mad enough that what would seem like madness seems perfectly sane to him, which makes it all the scarier) and says that he's going to destroy other Federation planets in order to help make a Romulus that's free from Federation control. To restore Romulus' former glory. The problem, really, is that millions of innocent people will die, which honestly? That's hardly worth it to bring your planet back to its former glory. Not to mention one of the few times he actually loses control (well, prior to the climax), when Pike says that Romulus' destruction didn't happen in that timeline, Nero just screams, "It has happened! I watched it happen, I saw it happen!" Something about that was very chilling.
I think what's made even worse is the fact...villains like Ricardo Montalban's Khan, you can pity then but at the same time, in a way, Khan did set himself up for a fall. (Though it barely dilutes the pity. Let's say his final fate at the end of WRATH OF KHAN is depressing as shit, and I've read the REVENGE OF THE SITH novelization) But Nero...in the tie-in comics, he's a very idealistic, hopeful miner who mostly wants to stop Romulus from getting destroyed, but was blocked by the bureaucracy (as I remember it) and turned to Spock as his last hope, only for Spock to seemingly let him down. Even Picard, in the tie-in comics (I believe), says to remember that Nero is a good man, which...sadly I haven't read the comics yet, but it's definitely a lovely gesture. And though I haven't read the comics yet (I know), I do wish that they had included the information in the movie -- maybe as further dialogue between Nero and Pike. Or in a future movie when Kirk meets up with this timeline's Nero, or someone else does, which...well, I'll admit it's going to be depressing as shit. Seriously, it's depressing. Here's a funny sign: http://cheezburger.com/7651538688.
*Takes a deep breath*
Honestly, though, this is one of many things I like in the reboot: the matter of compassion. You might laugh, but it's there -- for example, the matter of Nero. And later, in the sequel, the matter of Khan. Despite everything that Nero's done, Kirk still tries to offer him a second chance (granted, his ship might have been in danger from the red matter that the Enterprise set off at the time, but still), and despite what Khan did...well, in the sequel, it's more complicated considering that Kirk has some obvious (and understandable) anger towards Khan for Pike's death, but nevertheless (and thanks to the influence of his crew ***** -- it's one of those instances, I think, where Kirk needs someone to stop him), but nevertheless, Kirk does attempt to give him a fair trial. (Which also throws a wrench in Marcus' plans, which is also excellent) Not to mention Kirk's speech at the end about no matter how bad things get, not to become our enemies. (Which...well, I don't think anyone really understands how much we need this in this day and age. We need it more than anything. Because there's so much violence in this world; maybe we could try nonviolence for a change. And I like how INTO DARKNESS wasn't Anvilicious about it like, say, somehow portraying Kirk as a bad person for wanting justice for Pike at first. It just portrayed Kirk as human and went from there. I believe Roberto Orci may have said something about wanting the message to be that the real enemy in the end is ourselves, and it shows very powerfully here. But I digress. Also, sorry for the tangents -- call it just...thoughts that come to me in the making) I think the reason I like that stuff in the reboot is because...well, besides this and DOCTOR WHO (I believe Russell T. Davies may have expressed his approval of the 2009 film, on another tangential note), this is really one of the few stuff there that expresses the importance of compassion. There really aren't many things that stress the value of compassion, which, honestly, sucks. (Then again, I could be wrong) It's something I'm at least trying to write about, to uncertain degrees of success.
I also really liked Kirk in this. I really liked how he started off as kind of reckless before molding into his proper form as Captain near the end. I liked things such as his interactions with Bones (who, by the way...perfect fucking casting. Seriously), and his initial rivalry with Spock which turned to friendship by the end. I liked things such as his snark (seriously, he gets some funny bits in the film; see also his first meeting with Bones. Also love that one woman ordering Bones to just sit down. XD), and his cleverness in terms of figuring things out -- and the matter of hacking the Kobiyashi Maru; the others' reactions were just priceless. XD That and the matter of just sitting back and eating an apple like it was nothing. XD I also, on second viewing, definitely gained more of an appreciation for Spock -- I really liked stuff like the talk with his mother (seriously, that was a really sweet scene. It really makes her death all the more heartwrenching), as well as his meeting with the Vulcan Council (and much love for how he makes "Live long and prosper" sound like "Go fuck yourselves."), and his line about "if crew morale would be better served by my roaming the halls weeping" -- that was excellent. XD That and his relationship with Uhura -- that provided a lot of touching moments, such as her comforting him after Vulcan's destruction, and in response to her "What do you need", him telling her that he needs the others to perform admirably. And her kissing him before he goes with Kirk to the Narada. (Also funny with Kirk's reaction) Not to mention, though Kirk cuts him off by saying that it will work, basically, and he doesn't need to worry, him trying to tell Kirk what to say to Uhura if he doesn't get back to the Enterprise. Honestly, this is one of many reasons why I love the Spock/Uhura relationship; it's just full of Crowning Moments of Heartwarming. And I love Uhura in this also -- she's got some really funny lines (such as her first meeting with Kirk in the bar), and she's got some really cool moments such as the matter of the Romulan translation and such. Small moments, but awesome nonetheless. Honestly, between this and AVATAR, I think Zoe Saldana is in the pantheon of My Favorite Actresses. But I digress. I also really liked Sulu in this -- I know one of my favorite moments was him saving Kirk's ass while on the Narada drill. I mean, seriously -- Kirk's getting his ass handed to him (seriously, Kirk, you are awesome, but you cannot seem to win a fight. Not many, that is. Although he gets better; I must say him shooting Ayel -- plus "I got your gun" -- and saving Spock on the Narada from some mooks was awesome) and Sulu is just kicking ass and taking names. (And I remember my brother -- I was watching the film with my mom and brother -- saying at one point, the guy trying to step on Kirk's hands -- Kirk is hanging onto the drill, also known as one of those "oh shit" moments for me in the theater -- and failing as, basically, the mook severely sucking at whac-a-mole. Which in the midst of the tension, made me laugh) And Chekov (because seriously, the man is just adorable and awesome), and Scotty (the man was just hilarious -- stuff like after he and Kirk are taken to the bridge and Scotty asks if he can have a towel -- let's say he had to be rescued from the water pipes by Kirk. It's a scene I have mixed feelings about, because on the one hand, it's funny, but on the other hand, it's...well, it feels like you've been plunked into an entirely different movie. XD Also, after a really honestly scary scene where Spock goes berserk after Kirk hits a very specific button regarding his mother -- on Spock Prime's behalf -- and has to be relieved of command so Kirk can take over -- like I said, Spock Prime's orders -- and Scotty says, "I like this ship! It's exciting!") and Pike (because that man was just badass incarnate. And funny, such as his line about leaving the parking brake on after the ENTERPRISE can't go to warp). Honestly, there were just so many damn good characters in this movie.
I also, like I said, really loved the action sequences (my mom wasn't the biggest fan of them. Said there was too much fighting, and she's not the biggest fan of them. I guess everyone has their personal boundaries in fiction; for example, I sometimes can't handle conflict in fiction. Yeah, I know, it's stupid; it is fiction, after all -- and it's doubly weird considering I have no problem writing it. It's that whole writer-reader disconnect, I guess -- but let's say I have this strong sense of secondhand embarrassment, which can especially grow whenever a character is doing something particularly cringeworthy. It's just like, "Dear God, no. Don't do this. For fuck's sake..." And yet there's a certain sort of joy in it because...well, I want to see what happens next) -- stuff like the fight on the Narada drill, for example, storming the Narada, and so on and so forth. And I really loved (and this is such a little detail, but it really just adds to the urgency of it all) the running-through-the-ship scenes. Chekov, for example (complete with "I can do zat! I can do zat!"), as well as Kirk and McCoy trying to warn the others on the bridge about the Romulans. Hell, that sense of urgency -- well, it really gets me to keep reading/watching/generally caring. Plot isn't...well, simply plot. It's pace and twists and turns and thrills and excitement, and it's actually pretty damn cool.
Even between the action, there were some great emotional moments. I know, for example, the evacuation of Vulcan -- which, by the way, sheer Nightmare Fuel. I know that TV Tropes might have said that the Star Trek 2009 movie might not have been as scary as some of the other movies, but I think that there's something about that long-ass spiked drill, plus the planet caving in, plus the matter of Nero (who actually sent me into a bit of a BSOD while writing about him. And he's using the very Red Matter that Spock Prime proposed to stop the supernova from consuming Romulus -- which, really, adds that extra layer of tragedy to what Nero did to Spock Prime, which I'll get to later -- it helps that there's an extra layer of suspense to it all, what with Chekov (can I add that the poor kid is just seventeen years old? Imagine just being seventeen and enduring that) beaming everyone up, Spock trying to get everyone else out, and then, at the crucial moment, Spock loses his mother. There's something about that, IMHO, that's very wrenching. Just Spock's reaction...that poor man. And it really just speaks volumes about Zachary Quinto's sheer skill at acting that he can show everything that Spock is thinking and feeling with only his eyes. He doesn't have to break down sobbing -- it's not very in-character for Spock anyway -- but there's that flash of vulnerability in his eyes that is just...ouch. ;.; Not to mention the other crew's reactions -- just a well-done moment, and the crew's reactions just sell it. Seriously, they got a whole troop of talented actors and actresses for the parts. Not to mention later, after Spock loses control after Kirk goads him, when he confides in Sarek about how he feels, and Sarek tries to comfort him. Not to mention when Sarek says that he married Spock's mother because he loved her. Just...oh, Sarek. ;.;
Not to mention Spock Prime's predicament. Basically, stranded and helpless on a distant planet, having to watch his home be destroyed by Nero because of Nero's own desire for revenge, with the Red Matter that he himself thought up -- in all actuality, it's perfectly fitting in Nero's eyes, and it's horribly wrenching enough for Spock Prime. His home, his family, destroyed in Nero's quest for revenge, while he has to watch. And I can imagine him blaming himself, in a way, for seemingly failing Nero by not getting there in time to save Romulus. It really reminds me, in a way, of Ricardo Montalban's Khan and his words in WRATH OF KHAN: "I have done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you." In Nero's eyes, killing Spock Prime would be too kind. In Nero's eyes, having Spock Prime truly experience Nero's grief was the best revenge he could have against him -- well, prior to his breakdown in the climax where he shouts about wanting younger Spock dead. Honestly, after being stranded here for a long time, living with his grief and his guilt, seeing Kirk again (and the fact that he basically says that it's good to see Kirk again after the events of that day) was the first sliver of hope for him (although I can imagine, in a way, that it would be wrenching for Spock Prime as well because in a way, it isn't really the Kirk he remembers. ****** And yet it becomes Heartwarming in Hindsight because he does good in the end -- paving the way for Kirk to become the famous Captain that we knew too well, as well as the crew, sparing Earth the same fate as Vulcan, and inspiring younger Spock to rebuild Vulcan in a way while still staying on the Enterprise).
*Sighs*
Man, Spock Prime is giving me feels. Here's a TARDIS transformer: http://cheezburger.com/7651773696.
And in a way, though he also horrified me (and Pike's "We have nothing to discuss" sort of summed up my feelings perfectly), I couldn't help but pity Nero as well. The matter of him mentioning his wife, who died along with most of Romulus when the planet was engulfed in a supernova (did I mention that she was expecting his child as well? Yeah...). That and the fact that he started off (according to the comics) idealistic and generally good and believing that Spock Prime could save them, going from that to having nothing left but his vengeance (as he says, basically)? Yeah, he's a monster, there is no doubt, but there's something about that that's, like I said, really depressing. That and something I noticed when the Narada is torn apart by the Red Matter -- as it's happening, Nero's got his eyes sort of closed, and he looks almost peaceful. It wasn't terribly clear -- it all happened pretty quickly, really -- but in spite of some of the Khan parallels (besides him shouting "SPOCK!" a la Kirk in WRATH OF KHAN; not really surprising considering that the screenwriters named Khan, along with the Borg, as their favorite STAR TREK villains), he isn't going out cursing Spock or anything. He just seems almost resigned. Thinking of what must be going through his head at the time...yeah, again, depressing. Here's a DOCTOR WHO/TOY STORY crossover: http://cheezburger.com/7645349376.
In terms of other really powerful scenes, I loved George Kirk (who is put in charge as Acting Captain after the previous Captain is called over to the Narada by Nero for negotiations -- and by "negotiations" I mean, interrogated-by-Ayel-speaking-for-Nero-(who-apparently-took-a-vow-of-silence-according-to-the-comics)-and-then-killed-by-Nero-after-he-doesn't-give-Nero-his-desired-answers) ultimately evacuating the KELVIN, before ultimately having to make the sacrifice to ram the KELVIN into the Narada to seemingly destroy it, and his final conversation with his wife as she's giving birth on the escaping shuttle. Just talking with her about what to name their son, telling her that he loves her...yeah, that broke my heart. Almost got me crying, really. Just well-acted, well-shot, well-scored...just brilliant, really.
I also liked the spots of humor in between, such as with Bones' plan to get Kirk on the ENTERPRISE (just priceless. XD), Bones' metaphor about the horse and Spock's reply...just to name a few things. And the bits of Nightmare Fuel in there, like the matter of the Red Shirt Lieutenant Olson's death (and I will admit, I was a bit sad about his death as well. Yeah, Red Shirt, but still sad. Especially with his conversation with Kirk in the shuttle about kicking Romulan butt. I have odd minor character attachments, I really do), and Pike's torture on the Narada (I know that Nero forcing that bug down his throat...yeah, that was the part where I was just like "No, no, no, no" -- I am really squeamish about things being forced down throats, amongst many things -- and my mom was basically "It's okay if you want to look away". Maybe it's advice I should follow more). On the other end, I really loved Kirk busting Pike out (after Spock mindmelds with that one mook to find out where the Red Matter and Pike are), Spock Prime saving Kirk, and the ending -- just because of how honestly lovely and hopeful it was. Sort of like even after all that's happened, everything will be okay in the end. Another thing that we need more in fiction, IMHO.
* More specifically the Prequel Trilogy novelizations.
** Let's say it was in IMAX. Back at home watching it on the couch it's not that bad, but in a seat in the IMAX theater...yeah.
*** Although it really wasn't Spock Prime's fault; he just didn't get there in time.
**** And come to think of it, I'm starting to wonder if Marcus himself might have been a good man once before he decided to start a war with the Klingons in order to "protect" Starfleet. Probably a stupid question, but I can't help but wonder. Also, I kind of noticed that the villains in the STAR TREK reboot series -- well, what I love about them is that they're not given the whole "they're just evil" thing for their actions, but they're driven by a desire for vengeance (Nero and Khan -- and it's kind of an odd sort of overlap that both their desires for vengeance involved their family, albeit in different ways), a love for their family (Khan, with his crew, which is pretty fitting considering Khan in the original -- say what you will about him, but he did care deeply for his crew; see also his reaction after Joachim dies), or a Knight Templar mentality (Admiral Marcus, who I believe Wil Wheaton compared to Jack Nicholson's character in A FEW GOOD MEN minus the scenery chewing. Kind of see him as Star Trek's version of Rassilon from DOCTOR WHO). But yeah, I really love that in the reboot. Evil for evil's sake...let's say it can be done well (see also the Joker in THE DARK KNIGHT) but villains who are driven by a twisted vision of the world, twisted ideals, personal pain, etc...well, it makes them scarier because they're all the more human and thus, all the more real.
***** And I like that idea too. Because Kirk is far from perfect; he has very real and very human reactions, emotions and faults. He can be reckless, he can be arrogant, he can be too certain of his abilities -- and really, I like that because he feels more real that way. Besides, I severely doubt that a Captain who is completely saintly and never messes up would be terribly interesting, to be perfectly honest.
****** That and there's the fact that the Kirk Spock Prime knew died a long time ago in Spock Prime's timeline. Which kind of makes Spock Prime even more of a Woobie. Perhaps in a way, just
seeing Kirk again, even if it's just *a* Kirk, is any sort of
solace after everything that's happened.
Honestly, it was an awesome movie. I know some may not necessarily agree (it's rather polarizing, after all), but honestly? In my opinion, it's fantastic. Definitely recommended. :)
So I first saw this in the theaters as a kid (a pretty young kid, probably around middle school age though I'm not quite sure) -- let's say I went with my parents despite knowing nothing about STAR TREK (let's say when I was younger, I wasn't terribly into science fiction; I was more of a fantasy, swords-and-sorcery sort of person. It really took STAR WARS to turn it around for me. *) because my mom's a STAR TREK fan. Needless to say, I wasn't expecting to like it, but honestly? I loved it. I loved the characters, the action scenes were magnificent (although I remember in the theater being pretty much freaking out during the jumping-on-the-Narada-drill scene -- maybe that's why the lens flares didn't really stand out to me too much; I was a bit too focused on that whole feeling like I was going to die during stuff like the Narada drill scene **), and it was just really engaging in general. And from there...well, over the long break regarding STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS and all that speculation, I decided to go into the old stuff like WRATH OF KHAN, THE VOYAGE HOME, etc. So yeah, I think it might have gotten me into STAR TREK as a whole, it really has. Which is definitely good, considering that going into the old stuff really gives one a new appreciation for...well, the new stuff.
Going back to the 2009 film, one thing I really love is their idea to sort of use an alternate timeline -- let's say in general, AUs are one of my favorite things. That and the matter of how the AU comes around -- like I said, very creative. More specifically, someone with a grudge against Spock for seemingly letting him down in regards to preventing the destruction of Romulus via supernova ***, and as a result...well, his desire for vengeance ends up creating an alternate timeline. (Which, in turn, leads to stuff like Section 31 being founded, Admiral Marcus, Pike's mentor, thawing Khan out of cryosleep **** and so on and so forth) And I really like the matter of Nero. Seriously. I like how they occasionally play him as sort of polite and charming ("Hi, Christopher. I'm Nero." Sort of funny and a bit chilling at the same time), not to mention his little tic of addressing Pike as Christopher while the latter is basically at his mercy and being tortured. Something about that detail definitely hit the "this isn't right" factor. And not to mention the destruction of Vulcan -- an act that, according to Spock's Acting Captain's Log, leaves the Vulcans essentially an endangered species (and causes Marcus to thaw out Khan as part of his attempted militarized version of Starfleet, which causes more misery, so good one, Nero. /sarcasm) and yet when Nero's discussing it (although the term "discussing" is loose at best) with Pike (although really, it's more like would-be-ranting-if-he-wasn't-so-damn-calm-about-it, in all honesty), he justifies it as basically preventing genocide (which honestly is completely nonsensical because really, causing genocide isn't going to prevent genocide. And keep in mind he says it after Pike calls him out for what he did to Vulcan, which is even more...yeah. Although I think at this point, Nero is mad enough that what would seem like madness seems perfectly sane to him, which makes it all the scarier) and says that he's going to destroy other Federation planets in order to help make a Romulus that's free from Federation control. To restore Romulus' former glory. The problem, really, is that millions of innocent people will die, which honestly? That's hardly worth it to bring your planet back to its former glory. Not to mention one of the few times he actually loses control (well, prior to the climax), when Pike says that Romulus' destruction didn't happen in that timeline, Nero just screams, "It has happened! I watched it happen, I saw it happen!" Something about that was very chilling.
I think what's made even worse is the fact...villains like Ricardo Montalban's Khan, you can pity then but at the same time, in a way, Khan did set himself up for a fall. (Though it barely dilutes the pity. Let's say his final fate at the end of WRATH OF KHAN is depressing as shit, and I've read the REVENGE OF THE SITH novelization) But Nero...in the tie-in comics, he's a very idealistic, hopeful miner who mostly wants to stop Romulus from getting destroyed, but was blocked by the bureaucracy (as I remember it) and turned to Spock as his last hope, only for Spock to seemingly let him down. Even Picard, in the tie-in comics (I believe), says to remember that Nero is a good man, which...sadly I haven't read the comics yet, but it's definitely a lovely gesture. And though I haven't read the comics yet (I know), I do wish that they had included the information in the movie -- maybe as further dialogue between Nero and Pike. Or in a future movie when Kirk meets up with this timeline's Nero, or someone else does, which...well, I'll admit it's going to be depressing as shit. Seriously, it's depressing. Here's a funny sign: http://cheezburger.com/7651538688.
*Takes a deep breath*
Honestly, though, this is one of many things I like in the reboot: the matter of compassion. You might laugh, but it's there -- for example, the matter of Nero. And later, in the sequel, the matter of Khan. Despite everything that Nero's done, Kirk still tries to offer him a second chance (granted, his ship might have been in danger from the red matter that the Enterprise set off at the time, but still), and despite what Khan did...well, in the sequel, it's more complicated considering that Kirk has some obvious (and understandable) anger towards Khan for Pike's death, but nevertheless (and thanks to the influence of his crew ***** -- it's one of those instances, I think, where Kirk needs someone to stop him), but nevertheless, Kirk does attempt to give him a fair trial. (Which also throws a wrench in Marcus' plans, which is also excellent) Not to mention Kirk's speech at the end about no matter how bad things get, not to become our enemies. (Which...well, I don't think anyone really understands how much we need this in this day and age. We need it more than anything. Because there's so much violence in this world; maybe we could try nonviolence for a change. And I like how INTO DARKNESS wasn't Anvilicious about it like, say, somehow portraying Kirk as a bad person for wanting justice for Pike at first. It just portrayed Kirk as human and went from there. I believe Roberto Orci may have said something about wanting the message to be that the real enemy in the end is ourselves, and it shows very powerfully here. But I digress. Also, sorry for the tangents -- call it just...thoughts that come to me in the making) I think the reason I like that stuff in the reboot is because...well, besides this and DOCTOR WHO (I believe Russell T. Davies may have expressed his approval of the 2009 film, on another tangential note), this is really one of the few stuff there that expresses the importance of compassion. There really aren't many things that stress the value of compassion, which, honestly, sucks. (Then again, I could be wrong) It's something I'm at least trying to write about, to uncertain degrees of success.
I also really liked Kirk in this. I really liked how he started off as kind of reckless before molding into his proper form as Captain near the end. I liked things such as his interactions with Bones (who, by the way...perfect fucking casting. Seriously), and his initial rivalry with Spock which turned to friendship by the end. I liked things such as his snark (seriously, he gets some funny bits in the film; see also his first meeting with Bones. Also love that one woman ordering Bones to just sit down. XD), and his cleverness in terms of figuring things out -- and the matter of hacking the Kobiyashi Maru; the others' reactions were just priceless. XD That and the matter of just sitting back and eating an apple like it was nothing. XD I also, on second viewing, definitely gained more of an appreciation for Spock -- I really liked stuff like the talk with his mother (seriously, that was a really sweet scene. It really makes her death all the more heartwrenching), as well as his meeting with the Vulcan Council (and much love for how he makes "Live long and prosper" sound like "Go fuck yourselves."), and his line about "if crew morale would be better served by my roaming the halls weeping" -- that was excellent. XD That and his relationship with Uhura -- that provided a lot of touching moments, such as her comforting him after Vulcan's destruction, and in response to her "What do you need", him telling her that he needs the others to perform admirably. And her kissing him before he goes with Kirk to the Narada. (Also funny with Kirk's reaction) Not to mention, though Kirk cuts him off by saying that it will work, basically, and he doesn't need to worry, him trying to tell Kirk what to say to Uhura if he doesn't get back to the Enterprise. Honestly, this is one of many reasons why I love the Spock/Uhura relationship; it's just full of Crowning Moments of Heartwarming. And I love Uhura in this also -- she's got some really funny lines (such as her first meeting with Kirk in the bar), and she's got some really cool moments such as the matter of the Romulan translation and such. Small moments, but awesome nonetheless. Honestly, between this and AVATAR, I think Zoe Saldana is in the pantheon of My Favorite Actresses. But I digress. I also really liked Sulu in this -- I know one of my favorite moments was him saving Kirk's ass while on the Narada drill. I mean, seriously -- Kirk's getting his ass handed to him (seriously, Kirk, you are awesome, but you cannot seem to win a fight. Not many, that is. Although he gets better; I must say him shooting Ayel -- plus "I got your gun" -- and saving Spock on the Narada from some mooks was awesome) and Sulu is just kicking ass and taking names. (And I remember my brother -- I was watching the film with my mom and brother -- saying at one point, the guy trying to step on Kirk's hands -- Kirk is hanging onto the drill, also known as one of those "oh shit" moments for me in the theater -- and failing as, basically, the mook severely sucking at whac-a-mole. Which in the midst of the tension, made me laugh) And Chekov (because seriously, the man is just adorable and awesome), and Scotty (the man was just hilarious -- stuff like after he and Kirk are taken to the bridge and Scotty asks if he can have a towel -- let's say he had to be rescued from the water pipes by Kirk. It's a scene I have mixed feelings about, because on the one hand, it's funny, but on the other hand, it's...well, it feels like you've been plunked into an entirely different movie. XD Also, after a really honestly scary scene where Spock goes berserk after Kirk hits a very specific button regarding his mother -- on Spock Prime's behalf -- and has to be relieved of command so Kirk can take over -- like I said, Spock Prime's orders -- and Scotty says, "I like this ship! It's exciting!") and Pike (because that man was just badass incarnate. And funny, such as his line about leaving the parking brake on after the ENTERPRISE can't go to warp). Honestly, there were just so many damn good characters in this movie.
I also, like I said, really loved the action sequences (my mom wasn't the biggest fan of them. Said there was too much fighting, and she's not the biggest fan of them. I guess everyone has their personal boundaries in fiction; for example, I sometimes can't handle conflict in fiction. Yeah, I know, it's stupid; it is fiction, after all -- and it's doubly weird considering I have no problem writing it. It's that whole writer-reader disconnect, I guess -- but let's say I have this strong sense of secondhand embarrassment, which can especially grow whenever a character is doing something particularly cringeworthy. It's just like, "Dear God, no. Don't do this. For fuck's sake..." And yet there's a certain sort of joy in it because...well, I want to see what happens next) -- stuff like the fight on the Narada drill, for example, storming the Narada, and so on and so forth. And I really loved (and this is such a little detail, but it really just adds to the urgency of it all) the running-through-the-ship scenes. Chekov, for example (complete with "I can do zat! I can do zat!"), as well as Kirk and McCoy trying to warn the others on the bridge about the Romulans. Hell, that sense of urgency -- well, it really gets me to keep reading/watching/generally caring. Plot isn't...well, simply plot. It's pace and twists and turns and thrills and excitement, and it's actually pretty damn cool.
Even between the action, there were some great emotional moments. I know, for example, the evacuation of Vulcan -- which, by the way, sheer Nightmare Fuel. I know that TV Tropes might have said that the Star Trek 2009 movie might not have been as scary as some of the other movies, but I think that there's something about that long-ass spiked drill, plus the planet caving in, plus the matter of Nero (who actually sent me into a bit of a BSOD while writing about him. And he's using the very Red Matter that Spock Prime proposed to stop the supernova from consuming Romulus -- which, really, adds that extra layer of tragedy to what Nero did to Spock Prime, which I'll get to later -- it helps that there's an extra layer of suspense to it all, what with Chekov (can I add that the poor kid is just seventeen years old? Imagine just being seventeen and enduring that) beaming everyone up, Spock trying to get everyone else out, and then, at the crucial moment, Spock loses his mother. There's something about that, IMHO, that's very wrenching. Just Spock's reaction...that poor man. And it really just speaks volumes about Zachary Quinto's sheer skill at acting that he can show everything that Spock is thinking and feeling with only his eyes. He doesn't have to break down sobbing -- it's not very in-character for Spock anyway -- but there's that flash of vulnerability in his eyes that is just...ouch. ;.; Not to mention the other crew's reactions -- just a well-done moment, and the crew's reactions just sell it. Seriously, they got a whole troop of talented actors and actresses for the parts. Not to mention later, after Spock loses control after Kirk goads him, when he confides in Sarek about how he feels, and Sarek tries to comfort him. Not to mention when Sarek says that he married Spock's mother because he loved her. Just...oh, Sarek. ;.;
Not to mention Spock Prime's predicament. Basically, stranded and helpless on a distant planet, having to watch his home be destroyed by Nero because of Nero's own desire for revenge, with the Red Matter that he himself thought up -- in all actuality, it's perfectly fitting in Nero's eyes, and it's horribly wrenching enough for Spock Prime. His home, his family, destroyed in Nero's quest for revenge, while he has to watch. And I can imagine him blaming himself, in a way, for seemingly failing Nero by not getting there in time to save Romulus. It really reminds me, in a way, of Ricardo Montalban's Khan and his words in WRATH OF KHAN: "I have done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you." In Nero's eyes, killing Spock Prime would be too kind. In Nero's eyes, having Spock Prime truly experience Nero's grief was the best revenge he could have against him -- well, prior to his breakdown in the climax where he shouts about wanting younger Spock dead. Honestly, after being stranded here for a long time, living with his grief and his guilt, seeing Kirk again (and the fact that he basically says that it's good to see Kirk again after the events of that day) was the first sliver of hope for him (although I can imagine, in a way, that it would be wrenching for Spock Prime as well because in a way, it isn't really the Kirk he remembers. ****** And yet it becomes Heartwarming in Hindsight because he does good in the end -- paving the way for Kirk to become the famous Captain that we knew too well, as well as the crew, sparing Earth the same fate as Vulcan, and inspiring younger Spock to rebuild Vulcan in a way while still staying on the Enterprise).
*Sighs*
Man, Spock Prime is giving me feels. Here's a TARDIS transformer: http://cheezburger.com/7651773696.
And in a way, though he also horrified me (and Pike's "We have nothing to discuss" sort of summed up my feelings perfectly), I couldn't help but pity Nero as well. The matter of him mentioning his wife, who died along with most of Romulus when the planet was engulfed in a supernova (did I mention that she was expecting his child as well? Yeah...). That and the fact that he started off (according to the comics) idealistic and generally good and believing that Spock Prime could save them, going from that to having nothing left but his vengeance (as he says, basically)? Yeah, he's a monster, there is no doubt, but there's something about that that's, like I said, really depressing. That and something I noticed when the Narada is torn apart by the Red Matter -- as it's happening, Nero's got his eyes sort of closed, and he looks almost peaceful. It wasn't terribly clear -- it all happened pretty quickly, really -- but in spite of some of the Khan parallels (besides him shouting "SPOCK!" a la Kirk in WRATH OF KHAN; not really surprising considering that the screenwriters named Khan, along with the Borg, as their favorite STAR TREK villains), he isn't going out cursing Spock or anything. He just seems almost resigned. Thinking of what must be going through his head at the time...yeah, again, depressing. Here's a DOCTOR WHO/TOY STORY crossover: http://cheezburger.com/7645349376.
In terms of other really powerful scenes, I loved George Kirk (who is put in charge as Acting Captain after the previous Captain is called over to the Narada by Nero for negotiations -- and by "negotiations" I mean, interrogated-by-Ayel-speaking-for-Nero-(who-apparently-took-a-vow-of-silence-according-to-the-comics)-and-then-killed-by-Nero-after-he-doesn't-give-Nero-his-desired-answers) ultimately evacuating the KELVIN, before ultimately having to make the sacrifice to ram the KELVIN into the Narada to seemingly destroy it, and his final conversation with his wife as she's giving birth on the escaping shuttle. Just talking with her about what to name their son, telling her that he loves her...yeah, that broke my heart. Almost got me crying, really. Just well-acted, well-shot, well-scored...just brilliant, really.
I also liked the spots of humor in between, such as with Bones' plan to get Kirk on the ENTERPRISE (just priceless. XD), Bones' metaphor about the horse and Spock's reply...just to name a few things. And the bits of Nightmare Fuel in there, like the matter of the Red Shirt Lieutenant Olson's death (and I will admit, I was a bit sad about his death as well. Yeah, Red Shirt, but still sad. Especially with his conversation with Kirk in the shuttle about kicking Romulan butt. I have odd minor character attachments, I really do), and Pike's torture on the Narada (I know that Nero forcing that bug down his throat...yeah, that was the part where I was just like "No, no, no, no" -- I am really squeamish about things being forced down throats, amongst many things -- and my mom was basically "It's okay if you want to look away". Maybe it's advice I should follow more). On the other end, I really loved Kirk busting Pike out (after Spock mindmelds with that one mook to find out where the Red Matter and Pike are), Spock Prime saving Kirk, and the ending -- just because of how honestly lovely and hopeful it was. Sort of like even after all that's happened, everything will be okay in the end. Another thing that we need more in fiction, IMHO.
* More specifically the Prequel Trilogy novelizations.
** Let's say it was in IMAX. Back at home watching it on the couch it's not that bad, but in a seat in the IMAX theater...yeah.
*** Although it really wasn't Spock Prime's fault; he just didn't get there in time.
**** And come to think of it, I'm starting to wonder if Marcus himself might have been a good man once before he decided to start a war with the Klingons in order to "protect" Starfleet. Probably a stupid question, but I can't help but wonder. Also, I kind of noticed that the villains in the STAR TREK reboot series -- well, what I love about them is that they're not given the whole "they're just evil" thing for their actions, but they're driven by a desire for vengeance (Nero and Khan -- and it's kind of an odd sort of overlap that both their desires for vengeance involved their family, albeit in different ways), a love for their family (Khan, with his crew, which is pretty fitting considering Khan in the original -- say what you will about him, but he did care deeply for his crew; see also his reaction after Joachim dies), or a Knight Templar mentality (Admiral Marcus, who I believe Wil Wheaton compared to Jack Nicholson's character in A FEW GOOD MEN minus the scenery chewing. Kind of see him as Star Trek's version of Rassilon from DOCTOR WHO). But yeah, I really love that in the reboot. Evil for evil's sake...let's say it can be done well (see also the Joker in THE DARK KNIGHT) but villains who are driven by a twisted vision of the world, twisted ideals, personal pain, etc...well, it makes them scarier because they're all the more human and thus, all the more real.
***** And I like that idea too. Because Kirk is far from perfect; he has very real and very human reactions, emotions and faults. He can be reckless, he can be arrogant, he can be too certain of his abilities -- and really, I like that because he feels more real that way. Besides, I severely doubt that a Captain who is completely saintly and never messes up would be terribly interesting, to be perfectly honest.
****** That and there's the fact that the Kirk Spock Prime knew died a long time ago in Spock Prime's timeline. Which kind of makes Spock Prime even more of a Woobie. Perhaps in a way, just
seeing Kirk again, even if it's just *a* Kirk, is any sort of
solace after everything that's happened.
Honestly, it was an awesome movie. I know some may not necessarily agree (it's rather polarizing, after all), but honestly? In my opinion, it's fantastic. Definitely recommended. :)