Film Review - Star Trek 2009
Okay let's give out a review spoiler in the opening paragraph; why is everyone so easily caught up in the hysteria and hype that can surround a film release? Star Trek has shot into the top 100 on imdb. Sigh. It's really not that good, even though it was quite fun. So let's get on with things shall we?
As you'll all know this is a reboot of the franchise so everything's a bit different. Kirk is someone who's had a sex change, Spock has an unfortunate heroin addiction and Uhura is a prostitue (Cut that out now! - Ed). Well maybe things aren't quite that different but just slightly different enough. I don't think you really need anymore info. You can find that elsewhere. Now I've wasted your time with yet another pointless paragraph I'll continue.
Problems. That's what this bit's going to be about. Modern film-making. That's the main problem. I don't like the way it's put together. Rapid editing, excessive full screen face close ups, a camera that is never still (if it isn't whooshing round following people walking it's jittering unnecessarily), too many close shots of things passing the camera, not allowing time for certain scenes to sink in (we see a lovely shot of the space station which McCoy points out but it barely lasts a second). It's all pacey stuff to attract your attention but for me it just detracts from my ability to pay attention. If I'm feeling sick and dizzy and confused, I'm not enjoying myself. Other problems I'd say were certain actors trying desperately to copy the style of the old series. Karl Urban desperately trying to be Deforest Kelly (McCoy in case you don't know) and Simon Pegg doing an impression of Scotty (and having a stupid comedy sidekick who, while not irritating, is unfunny and as I say, pointless. Though I dare say it wouldn't use such excessive punctuation). Also, I'm about the only person to say this but I never really found myself liking the new Kirk.
So with all that out of the way, can I tell you of some good points. It is actually rather good fun. The story's not bad if rather an excuse for a reboot of the series. Syler (I've told you before, that's NOT the actor's name) is good as Spock. The new Uhura is strangely strong on screen. I've not been able to quite put my finger on it as to why but she really makes a good impression. Um that's about it. Actually Sulu was quite good too. Checkov was different but had no particular character so I can't really comment.
So yeah, it was fine. It's enjoyable sci fi action fun with a few silly cliches and some awkwardness. Go see it and you'll probably enjoy it. It's just not something that's really worthy of being in the top 100. But then I'm probably wrong about that, everyone tells me I'm wrong about films all the time SO WHY BOTHER READING THIS? EH? WHY NOT JUST GO AND READ SISKEL AND EBERT OR SOMETHING WHO TOTALLY MISS THE POINT OF WOLVERINE AND PROBABLY LOTS OF OTHER THINGS. GO ON I DON'T CARE. I HATE YOU ALL ANYWAY.
But you know, I KNOW the emporer's naked.
As you'll all know this is a reboot of the franchise so everything's a bit different. Kirk is someone who's had a sex change, Spock has an unfortunate heroin addiction and Uhura is a prostitue (Cut that out now! - Ed). Well maybe things aren't quite that different but just slightly different enough. I don't think you really need anymore info. You can find that elsewhere. Now I've wasted your time with yet another pointless paragraph I'll continue.
Problems. That's what this bit's going to be about. Modern film-making. That's the main problem. I don't like the way it's put together. Rapid editing, excessive full screen face close ups, a camera that is never still (if it isn't whooshing round following people walking it's jittering unnecessarily), too many close shots of things passing the camera, not allowing time for certain scenes to sink in (we see a lovely shot of the space station which McCoy points out but it barely lasts a second). It's all pacey stuff to attract your attention but for me it just detracts from my ability to pay attention. If I'm feeling sick and dizzy and confused, I'm not enjoying myself. Other problems I'd say were certain actors trying desperately to copy the style of the old series. Karl Urban desperately trying to be Deforest Kelly (McCoy in case you don't know) and Simon Pegg doing an impression of Scotty (and having a stupid comedy sidekick who, while not irritating, is unfunny and as I say, pointless. Though I dare say it wouldn't use such excessive punctuation). Also, I'm about the only person to say this but I never really found myself liking the new Kirk.
So with all that out of the way, can I tell you of some good points. It is actually rather good fun. The story's not bad if rather an excuse for a reboot of the series. Syler (I've told you before, that's NOT the actor's name) is good as Spock. The new Uhura is strangely strong on screen. I've not been able to quite put my finger on it as to why but she really makes a good impression. Um that's about it. Actually Sulu was quite good too. Checkov was different but had no particular character so I can't really comment.
So yeah, it was fine. It's enjoyable sci fi action fun with a few silly cliches and some awkwardness. Go see it and you'll probably enjoy it. It's just not something that's really worthy of being in the top 100. But then I'm probably wrong about that, everyone tells me I'm wrong about films all the time SO WHY BOTHER READING THIS? EH? WHY NOT JUST GO AND READ SISKEL AND EBERT OR SOMETHING WHO TOTALLY MISS THE POINT OF WOLVERINE AND PROBABLY LOTS OF OTHER THINGS. GO ON I DON'T CARE. I HATE YOU ALL ANYWAY.
But you know, I KNOW the emporer's naked.