Star Trek Movie Highlights

YOU GET ONE WARNING! This thing is full of spoilers. If you haven't seen the movie, then don't read this. If you do and it ruins the film for you (it won't, you can't ruin this movie) don't come crying to me. I'm not responsible for your lack of self control.

This is a list of my love/hates (although there are really no hates, just not-loves) and favorite highlights. I'm not writing a huge review/plot synopsis. You can just watch the damn movie. Or read what everyone else is writing.

Before you read this and realize that my dislike list is longer and think that I didn't like this movie, let me explain. I'm being damn goofy. As usual. So don't take this too seriously. I loved this movie more than anything I have seen in a long, long time, and I think it might bump The Empire Strikes Back from the #1 spot of my favorite movie list. Yep, "live long and prosper" now trumps "Luke, I am your father".

Things I loved

• The opening sequence. I was moved to tears. Huge explosions, lots of action, and a heartbreaking ending. Had me all set up for everything that was yet to come.
• The humor. I loved the wink wink nudge nudge moments. I mean, there's even a throwback to Enterprise if you are really perceptive ("I beamed Admiral Archer's prize beagle to another planet"). Some things were just so amazingly funny; a huge departure from the "serious" films of the last 20 or so years. (Nemesis, anyone?)
  • Also, Sulu not knowing how to drive the ship. ("Is the parking brake still on?") Where's Tom Paris when you need him?
• Spock and Spock. The scene where they meet gave me chills. And I love Spock 1.0's explanation of how he tricked Kirk into doing all the dirty work. To paraphrase: "I made him believe that there would be a paradox that would rip apart time if we met." "You lied?" "No, I just bent the truth a bit." Nice.
• Kirk 2.0. Just so much more relatable. Not that Kirk 1.0 was a bad guy (I love the Shatner), but you could feel more for 2.0. Kirk 2.0 had the same attitude, but a huge chip on his shoulder. Much more interesting.
• The Kobayashi Maru. The most well-played scene in the movie, in my opinion. You knew, along with Kirk, what was going to happen, so it made it that much funnier to see the confusion of everyone else. His attitude is spot on, however, he probably would have gotten away with it if he hadn't acted like such a pompous ass. But where's the fun in that?
• Kirk's reaction to Spock and Uhura. Awkward city. Who sees a rivalry brewing in the sequel?
• McCoy and Scotty. There was so much more depth to those characters. There was more edge to them, and I fell in love with them both.

Things I didn't love

• Chekov's accent. It was funny at first. I loved how the computer's voice recognition system was like, "What the hell are you sayin' boy?" After that, it just got really annoying. I'm very bad at comprehending some accents (I had a Russian voice teacher once and I'm not sure I ever understood her). Luckily, he didn't have that much important dialogue.
• Scotty's hairless ewok friend. Is this our Jar Jar? Really? I hope it doesn't show up in future films. If it does, please give it a reason to be there. Pretty please.
• The Enterprise bridge sponsored by Apple. Seriously, it looked like the freakin' Apple store in there. I guess in the alternate future Macs win and starships are running on the iTouch platform. 
  • In all honesty, I did like the new ship. I like the shiny whiteness (as opposed to the dull gray of previous Treks). It really established this universe as being completely different, and added a lighter tone to the film.
  • I was a little sad to see the LCARS system go. Instead of having random orange and purple buttons to push all of a sudden there are transparent touch screens. It makes sense, though. We've surpassed that technology already. (Think about it. Padds=iTouch. Basically.)
• Spock and Uhura. Really? It was just... not right. But it was. It made sense in the movie. In fact it was great in the movie. Hell, I'm all for it. They were great together. Perfect compliment to each other. But in the wide world of Trek I hate the idea. If that makes any sense. Basically, if I think of original Spock and Uhura gettin' it on, I want to vom. In the projectile sense. But these two (Spock and Uhura 2.0) made it look so right.
• The destruction of Vulcan. Does this mean it's gone? Forever? No Tuvok? Really?.... *sob* The Vulcans have always been my favorite, so I'll probably pout about this for a long time.
• Missing alien races. Where were the Bolians, Betazed, Klingons (oh wait, this is before the treaty, right?), etc. We got lots of funky-lookin' aliens (ex. the hairless ewok), but not many we know from before.
• John Cho as Sulu. I really like John Cho. I really liked his portrayal of Sulu. But I really think all of his contracts must stipulate that he must say, "MILF" at some point in every movie. I'm sure he would have had he gotten to meet Spock's mom.
• Enterprise continuity still stands. Blah. Of all the shows to keep canon, this is my least favorite.

The coolest thing about the night: the head usher looked like James Earl Jones. And he threatened to take our cell phones away. Damn you Vader!