Yeah, I agree with that mostly. Star Trek has always been about Humanism, I guess. So the journey of an unhuman character towards humanity is a recurring theme (it also happened on Voyager with the Doctor and then 7 of 9). But I think I would say that Kirk AND Spock are the main characters (just like Picard AND Data are basically the two main characters of TNG, and towards the end of VOY Janeway and 7 of 9 became the main characters).

Still, now that you’ve challenged me to think about it, I guess Star Trek has always been about Kirk helping Spock to change, and never the other way around. But in TNG, I think I can remember a few times where Picard or Geordi or someone told Data something to the effect that he helped them to better understand their own humanity (from the outside, so to speak). That’s all I want to see from Spock and Kirk in these movies. I’d like to see Kirk learn a little something about his own humanity from Spock. At the very least, I think they should do what the new Bond movies have done (i.e. take their time molding the younger, rougher character into the older, more suave character we all know and love). It has to take a little longer than just ONE movie for the reckless young cadet Kirk to become the infallible and unbeatable Captain of the Enterprise!

Yeah, I thought about that. I guess my problem mostly boils down to how they treated Spock’s character. After all, Old Spock tells his young self that he wanted him to see all that he and Kirk could accomplish together, but in the actual movie all that Spock does is tag along as Kirk’s little sidekick. Kirk could have taken Scotty with him and accomplished just as much (and it would have been funnier!). Now, I have to say, I’ve always liked Kirk better anyway, and in one sense Spock really just IS his little sidekick, but I think they need to show that Spock can actually benefit Kirk as well, instead of having things be so one-sided. If I had to explain their relationship in one sentence, I’d say that it was about Spock learning to embrace his humanity (which Kirk helps him to do). That’s just fine, but I hope that the second movie shows Kirk embracing a little of his “Vulcan” side.

Now, all that said, I still loved the movie and will watch it no less than 7 times when I get it on DVD, including all the special features and director’s commentary. It was probably the best overall movie in the whole Star Trek franchise. But like I said, I needed to find SOMETHING to criticize, haha.

That video is really funny. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not one of those Trekkies who is upset that they changed the timeline and made the Enterprise look different, etc. I’m very happy with the fact that this movie was made for a wider audience, and like I said, I loved all the action and humor.

I guess the only reason I even felt this was worth blogging about is that: (a) Abrams has been talking about his fascination with the whole “faith and reason” thing for a long time now, so I was anticipating a lot more of that kind of interplay between Kirk and Spock then the movie actually gave, (b) but even more importantly, I seriously think they ran the risk of totally ruining the character of Kirk. Kirk is supposed to be the sort of person who “rushes in where angels fear to tread”, but he always does so with intelligence and purpose (usually because he has Spock helping him). When he stole the Enterprise (in Star Trek 3), you knew why he was doing it and you were rooting for him. When he “steals” the Enterprise in this movie, you start to get the feeling that he just wants to get everyone killed (or at least that he doesn’t care if everyone gets killed).

In any case, this post probably sounded much more critical of the movie than I actually am because it focused on the negative. I still think it was a great film, and I’m glad that it has been successful, because I’m really looking forward to sequels!

As a fellow Trekkie, your post reminded me of this news video:

Trekkies Bash New Star Trek Film

Seriously, you’ve made a good point, though I am sure we could fill books with Christian critiques and worldview analyses regarding the philosophy, ethics, and religious issues in the various Star Trek franchises over the years!