The not-smart-ness was pretty evident in the first reboot film, so that doesn't surprise me, though it continues to disappoint me. Not that the original series was all that smart, but the episodes/movies were at least generally trying to say something. My impression of the reboot films is that they're really nothing but flashy colors and action sequences.
Yeah, that's really all they are. Action films set in space. They're perfectly watchable if you turn your brain off, but they don't have anything to say or any reason to exist beyond capitalising on people's nostalgia. It's kind of weird, really. I think Star Trek produced some good stories, but if anything it could be over-earnest - sometimes preachy. They smack you in the face with their themes, and then just in case you missed the point they shout them in your ear as well. These movies reuse old lines, images and sometimes whole scenes ... which make no sense when lifted out of their thematic structure. I didn't think it was possible to miss the point in a Star Trek story, but the film-makers seem to be unfamiliar with the idea that you should have one.
I was surprised at your comment on Vulcans being absurd, though.
Okay, I should clarify that because it was 3am and I was grouchy and hyperbolic. :)
I have no problem at all with the concept of Vulcans. Only ever with the execution. I think a lot of actors fail to pull it off, and it tends to look stupid. That said, my Star Trek viewing is hardly comprehensive, so I am no doubt missing a lot of good Vulcan stories. When it works it can be interesting.
I do think Mr Spock is probably the most interesting character on the show, and usually does pull it off quite well. Though I think his lack of emotion basically has two settings: a) I am genuinely confused about what is happening due to cultural differences and b) I understand what is going on perfectly, but I think if I maintain this bland, innocent expression for another 30 seconds I will be able to make literal steam come out of McCoy's ears, and that's way too much fun to miss. :)
But I was really bothered by it all after seeing the film. I think the 'emotionless being' trope can be badly misused (in sci-fi in general, not Star Trek specifically) as an excuse to rhapsodise about the wonders of human emotion, and how our way is always better than their way. Inventing aliens (or robots or whatever) so humans can be superior to them just makes me embarrassed for my entire species.
And ... the only possible theme I was able to dredge up out of Into Darkness is 'Gut responses are always best. Trust your instincts and go for it!' At the beginning, Spock doesn't quite grasp why it is a good thing to nearly get your crew killed saving one man (which doesn't strike me as 'unemotional' so much as 'not batshit'), and Kirk tells him off for it. But at the end of the movie his friend dies and he has to do really stupid stuff to save him. So now he gets it! The reactor scene is not Spock quietly slipping away to do the rational thing that everyone would throw fits over if he discussed it first, it's Kirk doing the big impulsive hero dash as part of an extended action sequence - MY LIFE FOR MY CREW!
It all just fits into a bigger picture that just validates everything Kirk thinks, says or does. Spock must be taught to think like Kirk, because Kirk represents the wonders of human instinct and apparently only villains make plans. And ... yeah, at that point I was completely behind retroactively scrapping the entire trope as painful idiocy. Now I've calmed down a bit, I think I was a bit harsh. :)
Yeah, that's really all they are. Action films set in space. They're perfectly watchable if you turn your brain off, but they don't have anything to say or any reason to exist beyond capitalising on people's nostalgia. It's kind of weird, really. I think Star Trek produced some good stories, but if anything it could be over-earnest - sometimes preachy. They smack you in the face with their themes, and then just in case you missed the point they shout them in your ear as well. These movies reuse old lines, images and sometimes whole scenes ... which make no sense when lifted out of their thematic structure. I didn't think it was possible to miss the point in a Star Trek story, but the film-makers seem to be unfamiliar with the idea that you should have one.
I was surprised at your comment on Vulcans being absurd, though.
Okay, I should clarify that because it was 3am and I was grouchy and hyperbolic. :)
I have no problem at all with the concept of Vulcans. Only ever with the execution. I think a lot of actors fail to pull it off, and it tends to look stupid. That said, my Star Trek viewing is hardly comprehensive, so I am no doubt missing a lot of good Vulcan stories. When it works it can be interesting.
I do think Mr Spock is probably the most interesting character on the show, and usually does pull it off quite well. Though I think his lack of emotion basically has two settings: a) I am genuinely confused about what is happening due to cultural differences and b) I understand what is going on perfectly, but I think if I maintain this bland, innocent expression for another 30 seconds I will be able to make literal steam come out of McCoy's ears, and that's way too much fun to miss. :)
But I was really bothered by it all after seeing the film. I think the 'emotionless being' trope can be badly misused (in sci-fi in general, not Star Trek specifically) as an excuse to rhapsodise about the wonders of human emotion, and how our way is always better than their way. Inventing aliens (or robots or whatever) so humans can be superior to them just makes me embarrassed for my entire species.
And ... the only possible theme I was able to dredge up out of Into Darkness is 'Gut responses are always best. Trust your instincts and go for it!' At the beginning, Spock doesn't quite grasp why it is a good thing to nearly get your crew killed saving one man (which doesn't strike me as 'unemotional' so much as 'not batshit'), and Kirk tells him off for it. But at the end of the movie his friend dies and he has to do really stupid stuff to save him. So now he gets it! The reactor scene is not Spock quietly slipping away to do the rational thing that everyone would throw fits over if he discussed it first, it's Kirk doing the big impulsive hero dash as part of an extended action sequence - MY LIFE FOR MY CREW!
It all just fits into a bigger picture that just validates everything Kirk thinks, says or does. Spock must be taught to think like Kirk, because Kirk represents the wonders of human instinct and apparently only villains make plans. And ... yeah, at that point I was completely behind retroactively scrapping the entire trope as painful idiocy. Now I've calmed down a bit, I think I was a bit harsh. :)
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