# Star Trek (the new cinematic reboot) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 7, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278 "2009-04-07T18:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/61 "2009-04-23T19:32:41Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > [There’s a thread on the film already](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=513267). Sorry. It wasn’t on the first three pages of Cafe Society, so I assumed I was the first. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/62 "2009-04-23T19:37:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > [Variety](http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117940096.html?categoryid=31&cs=1)liked it. So did the[Hollywood Reporter](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/film-review-star-trek-1003964428.story). I was glad to read these, but beware of spoilers! ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/63 "2009-04-23T19:55:37Z")
I read it and had a Shatner question based upon a spoiler in the article… [spoiler]I read a while ago that Shatner as Old Kirk was not to appear in this movie because Kirk died in Generations and they couldn’t find a way to write Kirk into the script without a serious contortion. However, I see that the only reason Nimoy appears as old Spock is via time travel of the young characters to the future. QUESTIONS: 1. Why not have the young characters travel to a point in the future BEFORE Kirk died in Generations? 2. If the story is a “quasi-reboot” anyway, supposedly casting a lot of continuity aside, why not just reboot old Kirk back to life?[/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/64 "2009-04-23T19:59:11Z")
bumping ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/65 "2009-04-23T20:31:41Z")
Valid questions. Dunno the answer… but Shatner was a real jerk about not being properly asked back, though, so I guess they weren’t bending over backwards to include him. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/66 "2009-04-23T22:09:24Z")
The last couple of Trek movies were very disappointing to me, but I am pretty pumped about this one. At first I thought it would be too strange seeing new actors playing the original characters, but the trailers have shown that this reboot will be different enough in scale and style that I won’t be constantly comparing them in my mind. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/67 "2009-04-23T22:14:59Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I read it and had a Shatner question based upon a spoiler in the article… > > [spoiler]I read a while ago that Shatner as Old Kirk was not to appear in this movie because Kirk died in Generations and they couldn’t find a way to write Kirk into the script without a serious contortion. However, I see that the only reason Nimoy appears as old Spock is via time travel of the young characters to the future. > > QUESTIONS: > > 1. Why not have the young characters travel to a point in the future BEFORE Kirk died in Generations? > > 2. If the story is a “quasi-reboot” anyway, supposedly casting a lot of continuity aside, why not just reboot old Kirk back to life?[/spoiler] I’ve seen it a couple times already, and while I make a point of not writing anything about films until they’ve been released, I will tell you that your initial premise in your spoiler is not correct - and when you see the film, it will make more sense. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/68 "2009-04-23T23:10:07Z")
When I first heard of this movie I thought “Oh boy, what a total crapfest _that_ will be.” That’s pretty bad coming from a guy like me because apparently (judging from you guys on this board.) my Sci-Fi standards are pretty low as I pretty much like all the Star Trek movies that have come out. (Except for Generations.) But I saw the trailer since then and now I can’t wait to see it. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/69 "2009-04-23T23:15:41Z")
My friend made all the Vulcan and Romulan ears for this production. He said that everyone was very excited and had good feelings about it. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/70 "2009-04-23T23:16:35Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > [There’s a thread on the film already](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=513267). The threads have been merged. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/71 "2009-04-23T23:53:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The threads have been merged. Resistance is futile. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/72 "2009-04-24T00:12:28Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > So? You note the single character who isn’t being played by someone years younger than the orginial actor. > > Old Kirk was 35, new Kirk is 29 > Old Spock was 35, new Spock is 31 > Old Bones was 46, new Bones is 37 > Old Scottie was 46, new Scottie is 39 > Old Uhura was 34, new Uhura is 30 > Old Chekov was 30, new Chekov is 20 Huh? I was pointing out a pretty obvious flaw to the blanket “Muppet Babies” generalization you made. At no point was I trying to prove that the new cast isn’t _somewhat_ younger, _on average_. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/73 "2009-04-24T00:21:45Z")
As an FYI, there’s a comic prominently advertised as a tie-in to the film out that discloses, among other things, the origins of the Big Bad. The fact that its plot takes place many years after the end of TNG and DS9 should tell you something about some of the film’s plot/nature. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/74 "2009-04-24T11:16:01Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > As an FYI, there’s a comic prominently advertised as a tie-in to the film out that discloses, among other things, the origins of the Big Bad. Oh dear, I just read it. I was pretty excited about the film, but if that’s the foundations on which it’s built, I’m having doubts… The whole story is absolutely preposterous. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/75 "2009-04-24T11:47:27Z")
Rotten Tomatoes is showing 100% fresh based on 8 critic reviews. > **[Star Trek](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_trek_11)** > > Aboard the USS Enterprise, the most-sophisticated starship ever built, a novice crew embarks on its maiden voyage. Their path takes them on a collision course with Nero (Eric Bana), a Romulan commander whose mission of vengeance threatens all... I’ll be seeing it regardless, but I’m somewhat hopeful. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/76 "2009-04-24T12:23:10Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Oh dear, I just read it. I was pretty excited about the film, but if that’s the foundations on which it’s built, I’m having doubts… The whole story is absolutely preposterous. ☹ Care to fill us in? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278/77 "2009-04-24T13:14:43Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Care to fill us in? 😕 Well, you can read more complete summaries at [memory alpha](http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Star_Trek:_Countdown_(comic)), but, for the gist of it: Basically, the Romulan empire is threatened by an exploding star, which is totally cooler than the Klingon empire being threatened by an exploding moon, besides, in due time, we find out that it’s not just the Romulan empire, but actually the whole galaxy, nay, the whole universe that is somehow about to be consumed by this star, though exactly why is never explained (this is even pointed out, but left unanswered, but Spock’s sure it will). Ah yes, ambassador Spock – Federation ambassador, not ambassador of Vulcan, which is made clear in an incredibly hamfisted bit of dialogue where Nero (yes, that’s the future baddie, and yes, the Romulan empire is about to burn and the guy’s actually named Nero) basically just asks whether he’s the Federation or Vulcanian ambassador to prompt an important bit of clarification about Spock basically being disowned by his folks on Vulcan, which later contributes to him being denied the phlebotinum by the High Council. Oh, and due to Spock just being his genius self, he’s so far the only one to have realized the danger emanating from the super-dupernova; well, actually, Nero has, too, since he was leading a mining operation on some planet in the soon-to-be nova’s system, where he and his crew witnessed a flare-up causing the total destruction of the planet and them to only narrowly escape with their lives. But fear not, Spock also has the solution at hand! Informing the Romulan Senate, his proposition is more or less to refine decalithium (which is totally five times as rad as boring old dilithium) into ‘unstable red matter’, which when tossed right into the middle of a supernova creates a black hole that gobbles the whole thing up. Of course, the red matter refinement tech is on Vulcan, and there’s just no way in hell that the Romulans would let their valuable decalithium fall into Vulcan hands, so Spock and Nero team up to illicitly mine some, are attacked by a few Remans who serve no other purpose than to remind the reader that yes, even Nemesis is included in current continuity and to get pummelled by a suddenly-arriving Enterprise E under the command of Captain Data, so there’s a bit of cheer and long time no see, and then they fly to Vulcan, where obviously nobody’s gonna help traitor Spock, but ambassador Picard shows up to ensure that he’s at least allowed on the planet. They go to the High Council, the High Council decides to never let their leet red matter/black hole technology fall into Romulan hands so they’re not gonna help despite pretty much knowing they’ll be fried by this mother of all supernovas – well, long story short, they still manage to get their red matter, and luckily enough, Geordi’s just built a ship capable of flying into super-dupernovas for whatever reason, Spock embarks on a suicide mission to deliver the red matter with it, but he’s a little too late and can’t save Romulus, whose destruction is witnessed by Nero, who then decides that this is really the Vulcan’s fault and just goes apeshit and kills everybody. Oh, and on the way to Vulcan he stops at some super-secret Romulan outpost that’s stocked with retrofitted borg technology and turns his little mining ship into the Ultimate Weapon, blasts through a Klingon fleet led by General Worf, of course, nearly kills him, then encounters the Enterprise, beams the still somewhat alive Worf over for no good reason and blows off after the Enterprise manages to withstand the first blast from his ship, citing other commitments as a reason. Those turn out to be getting sucked into the black hole Spock just created, alongside the latter. End. Interestingly, it seems that everyone else loved it, so maybe I just broke my disbelief suspension. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-the-new-cinematic-reboot/492278.md?page=3)