We have a pair of quotes that were made by J.J. regarding the upcoming Star Trek film. The quotes were taken from an interview JJ had with the Associated Press via our friends at firstshowing:
“I feel like this is so unlike what you expect, so unlike the ‘Star Trek’ you’ve seen. At the same time, it’s being true to what’s come before, honoring it,” Abrams said. “I can say the effects for ‘Star Trek’ have never, ever been done like this. … I can only tell you the idea of the universe of ‘Star Trek’ has never been given this kind of treatment.”
“It was an opportunity to take what I think has been a maligned world — to sound crass, a franchise — and treat it in a way that made it something that I wanted to see. To take the characters, the thoughtfulness, the personalities, the sense of adventure, the idea of humanity working together, the sense of social commentary and innovation, all that stuff. To take it and apply it in a way that felt genuinely thrilling.”
I want to be careful that I don’t read too much into these quotations. I am already very, very skeptical about his upcoming Star Trek film and don’t want to fan the flames of worry and paranoia with my own bias. The talk of honoring the original series is certainly is comforting to me, but I am still concerned about Abrams admitted apathy towards previous Star Trek incarnations.
I just don’t understand how anyone could not like The Wrath Of Khan. When people tell me they don’t like Star Trek in my day to day life – I get confused, and have a look on my face of bewildered disgust. I have always been a fan of science fiction, loved Star Trek as a young child, enjoyed the films in the theaters growing up, and was pumped when The Next Generation turned out to be an enjoyable show! Roddenberry’s vision on a future where humanity is at peace, and now works together exploring new worlds, is a utopian vision that I want to fight towards. It’s a fantastic story within the realm of a glorious futuristic ideal.
I can see what J.J. is saying, and it’s comforting on some levels. I do agree that the franchise needs a shake up and needs to try new things, but I would much prefer if a fan were at the helm. Not necessarily a die hard fan with all the facts memorized, but someone who has a strong love for the universe. Am I biased, yea…. but I believe that people impassioned about a project always do the best work – Star Trek included.
Abrams is creating a film that he would want to see, and that is fine; I just hope the rest of us will follow suit.
