Everything you need to know about the next Star Trek movie
J.J. Abram’s Star Trek is the one of the biggest buzz in the entertainment industry. Attempting to bring Star Trek back to its original roots, the next film will center on the original Federation starship U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701, with no bloody A, B, C, D or E and J) and how the core crew of the original series came by together.
Having the crew recast was the only option, since two original actors have long since passed away.
DeForest Kelley, who played ship’s doctor Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy was the first member of the original cast to pass away, and the second was James Doohan, who played the Scottish engineer Montgomery ‘Scotty’ Scott.
Nevertheless, the rest of the original actors were way too old to portray their roles, with the exception of Leonard Nimoy who is famous worldwide for playing Mister Spock, the U.S.S. Enterprise’s half-human half Vulcan first officer. Unlike us humans, the Vulcans of the planet Vulcan have an average life expectancy of over 200 years, so having Mr. Spock appear in the 24th century, still alive although very old, is very plausible.
Of course, having the premise ‘how the core crew of the original series (recast by younger better looking actors) came together’ sends the impression “Oh great, just another prequel story. Been there, done that.” Heck, even George Lucas started this whole prequel thing with his Star Wars episodes I-II-III, then apparently it became a trend… there’s Smallville, then there’s Hannibal Rising (origin story of Silence Of The Lambs), Fast and Furious (fourth film of the series, which is actually a midquel = sequel to The Fast And The Furious and 2 Fast 2 Furious, but a prequel to The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift). Oh, don’t forget the re-imagination of Battlestar Galactica.
Yep, even back in 2001 there was a prequel series titled Enterprise (named such way so the viewers can associate the series with Star Trek without using the word Star Trek) which was renamed into Star Trek: Enterprise (which beats the whole purpose of the naming it Enterprise in the first place). Set in 2151-2155, the series takes place 90 years after mankind’s first official contact with the alien Vulcans and before the founding of United Federation of Planets.
Still with the theme of exploring the stars and putting humanity’s mark among the stars, Enterprise (later renamed into Star Trek: Enterprise) was challenged with scrutiny by many hard core fans (and some considered in direct violation with established continuity). Because of low ratings, the show was eventually canceled in the fourth season. In fact, the last episode of the series titled These are the voyages… was considered by many fans and cast members alone the worst episode ever written as a series finale.
Okay, so back Abram’s Star Trek.
Things you really need to know:
1. It is set around the 23rd century, some time before Captain Kirk’s famous five year mission.
2. While some sources stated it as a remake or reboot, writers Alex Kuzman and Robert Orzi of Transformers (2007) fame, went to considerable effort to honor the established timeline and essense. If you want me to spoil things for you, let’s just say that the story does involves Leonard Nimoy back as (a much, much older Mr. Spock).
3. The U.S.S. Enterprise will be very different from the one seen in the original series or movies. One reason of this more-than-cosmetic differences would perhaps be explained in the opening act.
4. Star Trek’s message of a hope for a bright future and peaceful exploration among the stars will still be the core theme.
As a Star Trek fan who lives in Indonesia I can’t help being a bit worried. In fact, very worried. I’m worried because of the assumption Star Trek isn’t as popular here as it is in other countries.
Also, our film distributor companies have a reputation of not showing films that have low market potential (example: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek Nemesis). Worst cast scenario, they won’t show it at all. But it might not come to this as I saw the movie poster in Blitz Megaplex last month.
Arvin at Blitz Megaplex, Mall of Indonesia. Jan 26 2009.
Still, it would be the best interest if the subtitling guy do not screw up the film’s translation into Bahasa Indonesia.
Heck, I’ll volunteer myself to make that translation/subtitling if the person involved is inexperienced with Star Trek.
-Arvin N. Chandra
