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What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
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avoidz
05/14/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
The message of this Star Trek was: We took your ticket money, suckers! Sign of the times?
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dry-roasted-peanuts
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
So what was the message of this movie?

Nokia and Budweiser are going to be around for another 200 years, so buy them now!

Also, get your kids into a plumbing school ASAP because in the future, starships are going to have water treatment plants in their bowels.
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Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
05/13/09

@dry-roasted-peanuts: That was a brewery they filmed in, not a water plant -- thus the Bud plug.
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HashMaster9000
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
I find it interesting that the message of this Star Trek entailed Kirk Murdering a Crew of Romulans.

The thing that bothered me was the fact that when MY DAD grew up with TOS and I grew up with TNG, DS9, and VOY, Trek was all about the betterment of mankind, the scientific progress, and how humanity had learned form its wisdom and finally become merciful. Picard said it best: "In my century, we don't succumb to revenge. We have a more evolved sensibility... "

And whereas he was talking out his ass in Star Trek: First Contact, it was on the whole, true. Starfleet's prime mission is not so much a military organization as much as a scientific and exploratory one. When Kirk gives the ultimatum to have Nero evacuate the Narada, and Nero refuses, Kirk should have disobeyed his wishes to die and beamed them directly to the brig. If the Romulans decided to kill themselves out of their code of honor, so be it. But Kirk, with his order to "Fire Everything We've got" at a defenseless ship, is tantamount to murder.

That's not my father's Star Trek. That's not my Star Trek. And that's not something that I want to be my (future) kid's Star Trek.

That's NOT what Star Trek was about. At all.

Anyone can defend it any way they want, but I have the same question for JJ Abrams, Orci, and Kurtzmann that Lily had for Picard: "Where was your evolved sensibility then?"

It by no means ruined the movie, but to me that shows the "action element" over the importance of the message. It's just so sad that was featured in a Trek movie.

~JYH
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Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
05/13/09

@JYHASH: I wish there was some way I could vote this up instead of it being here on the second page.

It's a good point.
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Evil Tortie's Mom: R.O.A.C.H.
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
Why they didn't just 'fess up and say, "No message, we wanted 'splosions. Maybe next time?"
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twophrasebark
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
"So what was the message of this movie?"

There wasn't one. It was a great fun movie. But there was definitely no message as there was in Trek II, IV or VI.
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Grey_Area
05/13/09

@twophrasebark: Wasn't the message of the fourth one: "Whales are Nice"? Either that or, "Turn Off your Damn Boombox on the Bus".
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B
05/13/09

@Grey_Area: R.O.A.C.H.: The lesson of IV was save the whales, or the space whales will destroy the planet. I'm not sure how relevant the lesson really is, though.
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TrueCrime
05/13/09

@B: I thought the message was maybe that dude was the one who invented transparent aluminum in the first place, so chill the hell out about messing with the timeline. Also, save the environment, and don't be afraid of spacemen.

It's not fair to say II and VI don't have capital-M messages, though. Two picked apart the perils of waging vendetta, and, as someone else deftly said it here, portrayed Kirk as an aging Lothario whose own son couldn't stand him. Six was all about the end of the Cold War, and our obsession with finding atavistic enemies to constantly battle.

If anyone can find a comprehensible message in either Generations, Insurrection or Nemesis, I'm all ears.
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MrTim
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
Why do people say there was always a message in Trek? Where's the message in "The Trouble With Tribbles?" "Bread and Circuses?" "Operation - Annihilate!?" Heck, even "Space Seed" doesn't really have a message besides "our heroes are better than superhuman tyrants." Sure, a lot of the best episodes have messages, but it's never been a case of *every* episode having a message, and a lot of good ones really don't.
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Meredith Woerner
05/13/09

@MrTim: I don't think we meant always.
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Matthew Weflen
05/13/09

@MrTim: Some episodes have "big messages", some don't. But the over-arching "message" of the show is that humanity will make it to a future in which we no longer prey on one another, we dedicate ourselves to personal and social improvement, and we use knowledge and wisdom to improve the lot of all. This over-arching message was supported by creating a relatively consistent universe of stories with a coherent backdrop, the Federation of Planets.

Which was shat upon in several ways great and small by the new movie.
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Buskerjim
05/13/09

@MrTim: The idea is that Star Trek DIDN'T hit u over the head with overt morals, but hmm, let's see. "Bread & Circuses" was essentially about betrayal & about the prime directive. "Space Seed" was about how u don't have to be genetically enhanced to beat the baddies. "The Trouble With Tribbles"...? Don't be a naughty Klingon...? It's a COMEDY! So I suppose they didn't ALL have overt messages, other than the underlying optimism for our future.
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Theoutlet
05/14/09

@Matthew Weflen: " But the over-arching "message" of the show is that humanity will make it to a future in which we no longer prey on one another, we dedicate ourselves to personal and social improvement, and we use knowledge and wisdom to improve the lot of all. This over-arching message was supported by creating a relatively consistent universe of stories with a coherent backdrop, the Federation of Planets."

Which, by the way, is a completely unrealistic message. I never understood how anyone could trick themselves in to thinking that mankind could move beyond currency and work for the "greater good". Give me a fucking break people. The whole concept of Star Trek loses all credibility in that single idea.
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Theoutlet
05/14/09

@Buskerjim: Yes, but his point is, that since they didn't all have messages aren't you holding it up to an unreachable standard? How can you expect one movie to be the best of a mostly ridiculous show?

Come back to me once the trilogy has been made and than you can start the bitching.

Until then you should all be glad that Star Trek isn't six feet under.
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frankenstoen
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
So Nero (the coal miner from the future) is Osama Bin Laden AND Hitler all rolled into one?

So the planet Vulcan is the World Trade Center and the Vulcans are the Jews?

And this means that the Romulan Empire is Saudi Arabia and/or Germany?
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Grey_Area
05/13/09

@frankenstoen: I forgot, what represented the economic crisis? I'm pretty sure the little guy with the goggle hanging around Scotty was Swine Flu.
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Grey_Area
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
If there was a deep socio-political message they didn't put a veil over it as much as a paper bag.

But I didn't mind that this movie was all about the gee-whiz and pew-pew. It's about time we stopped exaggerating the Deep Meaning and Artistic Integrity of Star Trek.
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92BuickLeSabre
05/13/09

@Grey_Area: R.O.A.C.H.: You clearly just don't take science fiction seriously enough.

Wait...what...you do?

How. Can. This....seemingcontradiction...Be?
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Grey_Area
05/13/09

@92BuickLeSabre: Well Captain, let's just say I take my frivolous escapism Very Seriously.

Logic? Logic is a tweeting bird in a meadow...
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TheAlmanac
05/13/09

@Grey_Area: R.O.A.C.H.: I always thought of logic more as a wreath of pretty flowers that smell bad.
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Grey_Area
05/13/09

@TheAlmanac: It's a grey area.
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♪
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
How could they make another movie when they've created an alternate universe where essentially all Trek lore is rendered moot? Whatever man, I stopped caring when Kirk started acting like a frat boy.
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twDarkflame
05/13/09

@♪: ""How could they make another movie when they've created an alternate universe where essentially all Trek lore is rendered moot? ""

Yes, how could they possibly make a movie where we dont know whats going to happen in advance >_<
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Theoutlet
05/14/09

@twDarkflame: I'm just starting to think that people don't know what the meaning of "reboot" is.

I mean, how can you go in to a reboot not expecting them to fuck with canon?

Also, it's not like they somehow destroyed all the previous shows and movies because of this new one. You can still watch it and geek out over it.

What's the big fucking deal?
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ManchuCandidate
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
Message of Star Trek

1) JJ Abrams puts his stink/stank on a project

2) Lens Flare

3) ????

4) $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!
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Annalee Newitz
05/13/09

@ManchuCandidate: I think you forgot the "stealing underwear" part.
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Evdor
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
My summary of the question/answer:

Orci/Kurtzman: Oh man, yeah, we totally dug the fact that Star Trek had messages! It was like, awesome how every story had a message about something?

Interviewer: So, what was the message of yours?

Orci/Kurtzman: Uhh... well, it's uh, *mumblemumble*, and ya know... uh... uh.. 9/11, and.. *mumble* and... dude, did you see that AWESOME SPACE BATTLE!? It was like, POW ZING LASERS OHNOES ROMULANS GUYS!

Say it with me guys. 'We really weren't concerned with a message, and just focused on creating an entertaining film that gives the characters a platform to be interesting and set the stage for possible sequels.'
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NotArthurPDragon
05/13/09

@Evdor: 'We really weren't concerned with a message, just focused on creating an film that set the stage for possible sequels.'

Fixed it for you!
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Theoutlet
05/14/09

@NotArthurPDragon: God forbid someone disagrees with you.
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Belabras: now with Kung Fu grip!
05/13/09

In reply to What Was The Message Of Abrams' Star Trek?
So, it will delve even more into Kirk and Spock's messed up childhoods?

Man, count me out.
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Meredith Woerner
05/13/09

@Belabras: Come on they were kidding!
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Magicant
05/13/09

@Meredith Woerner: Maybe it'll spark a series of children's books dealing with abusive parents and the racial insensitivity they faced growing up.

"See Spock run. Run, Spock, run!"
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Grey_Area
05/13/09

@magicant: Chekov has Three Mommies
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TheGreat&PowerfulTurtle
02/09/09

In reply to Coraline Rules, Push Survives... And Fanboys Flops
Push was absolutely awful. The dialogue made me wince several times ("I know she prefers you over me, champ"), the exposition ham-fisted (We get it, Chris Evans. She's a fucking watcher. Watchers see the future. Put the 15th damn explanation of their abilities down and back away slooooowly) and I personally hold Charlie Jane Anders responsible. I should've trusted Rotten Tomatoes instead of his damn io9 review on Friday.

Matinee or rental. And barely that.

Coraline, on the other hand, was a marvel. Don't see it without 3-D.
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Charlie Jane Anders
02/09/09

@TheGreat&PowerfulTurtle: I don't know who this "he" you're speaking of is, but I'm sorry you didn't like the movie. I did actually say it was "cheerfully nonsensical" in my review, but I also found it fun and stylish.
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ChantalOebalus
02/09/09

In reply to Coraline Rules, Push Survives... And Fanboys Flops
Fanboys flopped? It got a higher per-screen average than Pink Panther 2, which spent more on TV ads than the entire budget of Fanboys. Do the math, Anders.
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Charlie Jane Anders
02/09/09

@ChantalOebalus: Well, Pink Panther 2 also flopped, to be fair.
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zenpoet
02/09/09

@Charlie Jane Anders: As well it should have. When the only funny part of the first movie was a guy mis-pronouncing the word "hamburger," you know it was destined to fail.
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deleteboy
02/09/09

In reply to Coraline Rules, Push Survives... And Fanboys Flops
I want to know where I can get some o' them there big old candy hearts with printing on them. There's a boss I'd like to send some carefully worded hearts to... heh heh heh!
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tetracycloide
02/09/09

@deleteboy: arguably the best useage would be to get a giant one that reads 'these candies are chalky and unpleasent.'
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