And apparently JJ Abrams has been spending a bit of time watching Spanish novellas on television, as far too many scenes are exactly out of the novella playbook, including the watching of the reactions of others in the background while the hero(ine) of the scene stares off into space and forces tears, right into the camera.
From the opening scene, you are ordered to suspend all disbelief. And the nonsense doesn't stop there, but continues throughout the movie. Vast dark plans around conflict, secret installations and plots, all to start the inevitable war.
Trek fans will find lots in this movie, but like Muppet Show fans, the reincarnation of the Babies doesn't lead to the same enjoyment of adult humor mixed in with childish comedy. Too much of the time in this movie, it is a parody of Wrath of Khan, rather than an alternate history.
And the Star Trek movie curse is rebooted, this time it appears the even numbered movies will bomb. I had a hint that this was going to happen - rarely do I ever watch broadcast TV, but I've watched a couple hours in the last two weeks - every commercial break had a Star Trek commercial. Hollywood doesn't waste that kind of money unless they're trying to bleed whatever they can out of the opening weekend, expecting social media to tank it in the second.
But I swallowed my instinct, especially when reviews started pouring in, most sounding positive. It wasn't until after I watched the movie that I actually read those supposed positive reviews and saw how many shots were actually taken at the movie.
Is it worth watching? Yeah, it is. Is it worth paying $10 for the privilege? Not really. You'll likely gain by waiting for this to come out on blue-ray.
Note, I saw this on a normal screen, not 3D - thankfully. I'm sure if I saw it in 3D, I'd have every actor's nose print on my glasses.
Saw it yesterday in 3D. (Got a free pass from a radio station)
I got more of a drone metaphor than a specific Bush-was-wrong vibe, but that’s just me.
I really doubt most folks will pick up on any political agenda unless they go looking for it. It’s a summertime blockbuster-type film...lots of CGI, explosions, fights, and guns.
I think it will be a big hit.