Who Am I?

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A nobody; a nitwit; a pilot; a motorcyclist; a raconteur; a lover...of life - who loves to laugh, who tries to not take myself (or anything) too seriously...just a normal guy who knows his place in the universe by being in touch with my spiritual side. What more is there?

20 May 2009

Star Trekkin'

Okay, I have seen the new "Star Trek" movie twice. Enjoyed it immensely both times. This, despite the fact that I’m really not a big fan of science-fiction. But I was a fan of the original TV series, and wanted to see how this prequel would handle this...this...this institution we've all come to know and love. Well, some of us.

The thing to remember about this version is that the story exists in an alternate universe. This allowed the writers quite a bit of latitude and flexibility, because the canon of the legendary franchise is well known. Loyal purists don’t like it messed with.

Anyway, I thought it was a fun, funny, exciting movie that took liberties with the past while staying true to the characters’, well…character. The actors cast who play these sci-fi icons are terrific. Karl Urban, the guy who plays Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy is especially good. And not to worry, all of the familiar catch-phrases and trademarks are present and accounted for. Young Spock arches an eyebrow and says, "Fascinating," Scotty says, "I'm given it all she's got, Captain!" and Dr. McCoy says, "Dammit, I'm a doctor, not a physicist."

I can’t wait for the sequels. Or maybe I can.

The boss and I were flying…somewhere…the other day, listening to the 70’s channel on the XM radio. The d.j. came on and mentioned that the new “Star Trek” movie was still breaking box-office records in its second weekend of release. “What’s strange about this,” he cracked,” “…is that so many people have seen the movie..." (pause) "and none of them brought a date!”

Ouch! I laughed because it’s true. Thinking back, I remember not noticing a whole bunch of couples. Even I had gone with my buddy Matt, an unrepentant trekkie. It is definitely a guy’s movie, not a chick-flick.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting piece of trivia..."Scotty" is based not on a Scotsman, but on "Scotty" Scoltidas, a Greek, who had been Roddenberry's [fkight] engineer during WWII...........MdeM

Bob Barbanes: said...

(Imagine my face in a puzzled, Carson-like expression.) I did not know that!

But then...why did they give him a Scottish accent? I'm sure James Doohan (the original Scotty) could just as easily have done a Greek accent. "More power, Captain?! Who loves ya, baby, you got it!"Roddenberry was cool. He created this incredible premise that captivates and fascinates us still.

Anonymous said...

Don't know why he went Scot....but THE Mr. Scoltidas lived three doors from my Mom in Sea Cliff on "the" island..........Mike

Bob said...

I'm also not a science fiction fan but watched Star Trek reruns in law school late at night for an escape. Loved the acerbic wit of Spock, the curmudgeonliness of Bones and the sexual tension between Captain Kirk and Lt. Ohura (sp)! Looking forward to seeing this; thanks for a good review.

Bob Barbanes: said...

Review? Oh heavens, no. My original post on this movie was waaaaay longer and went into much more detail about it and why I liked it. This wasn't a review. For me, this was merely mentioning the movie in passing.

But I will say that if you liked the original TV series, you'll probably like the new movie. It explains a lot of things.

Then again, it *is* set in an alternate, parallel universe...