Star Trek

On September 8th, 1966 the country heard a now familiar voice proclaim for the first time, “Space, the Final Frontier…these are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise.” Four nights earlier I was born. Yes, I’m as old as Star Trek!!

For geeks my age, Star Trek was our defining show. Growing up in Detroit meant a re-run of the show every Saturday and Sunday night. I collected Star Trek books and used my legos to create an arsenal of phasers for my room. Earlier in my Christian walk I always hoped that while other Christians are having “mansions” prepared for them in heaven, I would be given command of the Starship Enterprise and told to explore the galaxy. (I’m not unconvinced that still might not happen 🙂

Over the years there have been new Star Trek spin-offs with varying levels of success. But ultimately even the fans started to grow weary of yet another alien race with a funky forehead. The Star Trek franchise was like a vineyard that had been over used. The 2002 film Nemesis , although a good film, failed to hit at the box office. There needed to be a rest to allow a very fertile soil to revive.

Enter director J.J. Abrams who was recruited to re-imagine the original Star Trek series with a young Captain Kirk. I have to admit, I’m excited. Abrams is the man who brought us Lost which is one of my favorite shows. He has a way of focusing on human interaction and development that will make Star Trek a hit.

This week, the new trailer was released and I have very high hopes. There are, however, a couple things in the trailer that give me pause for concern:

1) I hate a lot of CGI. There is a tendency to overuse it. Often less is more (Something George Lucas has NEVER learned) The battle clip in the trailer could look cartoonish if not done right.

2) I don’t like the obvious overt sex shown in the trailer. There has always been a subtle “sexiness” in Star Trek with some of the characters but it has always been just that…subtle. Overt sex in Star Trek detracts from the show and brings a crassness that I personally don’t want to see.

Having said that though, I am SO looking forward to this movie and to once again “boldly go where no man has gone before.”