May 08 2009
Review: The New Star Trek Movie was Great, but not “OMG! Amazing!”
My friends and I went and saw the new Star Trek movie last night at our local IMAX theater, and I must say, we all thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It really was a pretty well executed, action packed thrill ride of a reboot that the Star Trek franchise needed. However, I’ve seen some other friends of mine raving about how “OMG! Amazing!” it was, and I’m just not there with them. Yes, it was great, but isn’t the best Trek movie out there, and it did have some moments that made my friends and I turn to each other and say “WTF?”
If you want to read my detailed review of the movie, click the “read more” link below. But be forewarned, there are spoilers.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
Let’s start from the beginning: the opening sequence of Kirk’s birth and destruction of the USS Kelvin was perfectly done. It was emotionally gripping, visually stunning, powerful, and heart pumping. It reminded me of the beginning of Deep Space Nine’s “Emissary” for all the right reasons. When the title finally came on screen, everyone was clapping, but you could tell they had just been hit by a ton of bricks emotionally.
I was pleasantly surprised at how perfectly these iconic Star Trek characters were recast. I had had some doubts when the cast had been announced originally, but each of the actors proved me wrong. Chris Pine was a great choice for Kirk, and he definitely had some moments where I saw a little William Shatner in there. Zachary Quinto was a perfect Spock, and he delivered a lot of lines that could have been straight from Leonard Nimoy’s mouth. Uhura, Scotty, Chekov, Sulu - they were all well cast. I especially loved McCoy.
But yes, the movie was action packed. It was fun. The dialogue was fantastic. The redesign of the ship and uniforms was slick and cool. I loved that they used the original series sound effects for various chirps, devices, and the doors. The new phasers were totally sick looking. The way the ships went to warp was beyond cool.
So why don’t I think the movie was “OMG! Amazing!”?
1. Spock and Uhura? What were the writers thinking? It didn’t make any sense, and came out of left field entirely. Had it been Nurse Chapel and Spock, it might have made some sense. But Uhura? It didn’t really serve a lot of purpose for the plot, and just didn’t need to be there. I heard a thousand fan girls scream out in agony when those two locked lips.
2. Kirk getting promoted to Captain right after the incident, despite being only a cadet, and almost being thrown out for cheating. Come on now, that wasn’t realistic what-so-ever. Totally unbelievable and a bad call on the writers’ part. Maybe a lieutenant, but captain? And over Spock and all the other officers ahead of him? This may be fiction, but it went way past reasonable suspension of disbelief.
3. The escape from the black hole was really bad science. If they dumped the warp cores, they would have stopped going to warp instantly and would have been immediately sucked into the hole before they could detonate. Even if they could have lasted the few seconds before the cores exploded, the explosion would have destroyed them, not propelled them out. The movie did have science consultants right? I’m not rocket scientist, but even I know that was a totally bullshit solution.
4. I thought Leonard Nimoy’s performance was one of the most lack luster in the entire film. I felt like we got Leonard Nimoy wearing Spock’s ears, but not Spock himself. If you watch Nimoy’s performance in this new film, and compare it to any other (even his episodes in Next Generation), I think you’ll see what I mean. I feel like Nimoy has sort of forgotten how to be Spock, and only knows how to be Leonard Nimoy now. It was a bit disheartening, and made the cameo a bit less impactful than it should have been.
So there you have it. A great movie with some “WTF?” moments that knock it down from “OMG! Amazing!” to just “great.” Will I see it again? Of course. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. But it isn’t the best Trek film ever made, and I do wish some things had been done differently. But a valiant effort on J. J. Abram’s part, and I do hope they do more movies with this cast.
What did YOU think?
Edit: So apparently this review is being passed around the interwebs as some example of a white girl hating on a black girl for getting it on with a white guy. This is complete and utter bullshit. I never said I hated Uhura. I never said she shouldn’t be with Spock because she’s Black. I like Uhura. I love Nichelle Nichols. I met her and had sign my copy of her autobiography, Beyond Uhura, which I have actually read - twice.
I still think the Uhura/Spock thing was out of left field, and an attempt by producers to throw sex appeal into the movie to drive up revenue, and not to further the characters. Why did I mention Nurse Chapel? Because I thought her and Spock had something going on in the original show. I didn’t see anything more than a friendship between Uhura and Spock in the original. If you think otherwise, good for you, that’s your opinion. Since there’s nothing canon to confirm either way, all there can be is interpretation, which is subjective.
But implying I am a racist for not liking S/U is like saying I’m prejudiced against blondes because I don’t like 7 of 9 and Chakotay as a couple! Or that I’m biased against robots for not liking Data and Yar as a couple. I just didn’t think they were plausible, given what we knew of the characters, to pair any of them together romantically. OMG there must be some horrible prejudicial reason why!
Of course, some members of these forums/LJs are already so convinced that everyone who dislikes S/U is a racist that I doubt anything I say will convince them, which is just really sad and unfortunate for them.
My thought when I was watching the movie was that it wasn’t so much Star trek as Galaxy Quest: The Serious Movie
Well said. I’d say the cadet to captain thing bothered me most, but the Porthos mention canceled that out.
Well, I was one of the OMG people. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t perfect, I did have some minor quibbles with the movie, but the OMGness of it far out shined the WTFness.
My first thought when the credits hit the screen: In your face Star Wars Episode One you giant Lucas Turd! This is how you do a prequel!!
Kirk being promoted so young and fast didn’t bother me any more than when he was demoted from Admiral so he could be the Enterprise Captain again….
Spock/Uhura didn’t bother me either because I had already figured out that this was the young Spock who hadn’t quite…Vulcanized yet. I figure in the future when he does, it’s gonna be some heartache.
Also, you have to keep in mind that this is the new, time altered future. That can explain away any minor differences etc. Which I’m sure was the point of doing it. I also dug the fact that time was altered, things did change, some things only had minor changes, somethings did have major changes, but unlike most time paradox story lines it didn’t send the universe spiraling out of control. It just changed some stuff. Also, qudos from me for NOT making the plot about fixing time and putting everything back. It would have been so easy for them to have written it that way. Since the change happened when Kirk was born, and so much time had passed, this was these people’s real lives from their prospective so everybody, including Spock Prime, accepted the changes and moved forward. So in the end if Kirk is more edgy, this is why, if Spock is more human, this is why, if Scotty is MORE Scottish, this is why…..and it doesn’t bother me
I am in the OMG-camp. Yes, there are a few problems with the plot. The biggest being McCoy taking a “sick” Kirk on board. Why would you let a sick anyone board the ship in the middle of a crisis?
The characters were the MAIN draw and the Spock/Uhura really worked for me. That scream you heard - may not have been agony…
“1. Spock and Uhura? What were the writers thinking? It didn’t make any sense, and came out of left field entirely. Had it been Nurse Chapel and Spock, it might have made some sense. But Uhura? It didn’t really serve a lot of purpose for the plot, and just didn’t need to be there. I heard a thousand fan girls scream out in agony when those two locked lips.”
And some of us fangirls, especially those of us of the darker skinned, kinky-haired variety screamed in approval. I think my exact words to Uhura were, “Get it, girl!”
@Witchsistah
I thought the romance totally cheapened what was looking to be a strong independent female character (and the ONLY Starfleet female character at that). Now she’s the love interest, that’s her plot contribution. She’s the one romantically involved with her superior officer. If anything, it did the character a major disservice.
@dreadpiraterose
I thought it was great to see a Black female character be strong, independent, intellectually FIERCE AND feminine, loved and desired. All things that American society and Hollywood believe canNOT co-exist in Black women’s bodies and minds. I don’t think the romance cheapened it at all. I think it would have if they didn’t show Uhura being badass at her job or if all they gave her was her TOS role of space telephone operator.
And I’m sure all those outraged fangirls will modify the situation in their fic. I’m forseeing a lot of fic with a dead Uhura and Kirk “comforting” Spock over her loss or with an Obsession-type fight between Uhura and Chapel with Chapel the victor and thereby winning Spock.
Honestly - ppl need to get over the Spock/Uhura thing. What a poor review! It was clear from the movie’s outset that in this timeline, Spock was actually beginning to value his Human heritage equally to his Vulcan side - something he NEVER did during the original series. In fact, I’d have said that the Spock in the original timeline would have let his parents die if Vulcan was attacked. This has precedence in TOS, ‘Journey to Babel’ - Spock was going to let Sarek die before giving up command of the Enterprise as Kirk was too ill to lead. Meaning that Spock’s response to leaving the Enterprise in the movie is already a stunning departure from Spock Prime, and an acknowledgement that he doesn’t want to fully shut off his Terran side.
I say all this because surely THIS is what you should have issue with from a WTF perspective? The Uhura thing is derivative from that. (NB: there’s precedence for this as well in the first TOS season - Uhura did flirt with Spock and he didn’t exactly recoil from it as he did with Nurse Chapel…)
It’s reactions like yours that make ppl cry ‘race much?’ because if you’re really a Trek fan as your post suggests you are, then why focus on them getting together?…
@IvoryUhura
So let me get this straight… because me (and a ton of other Trek fans btw) don’t like Spock/Uhura, it makes us racist? Are you fucking serious? It has absolutely nothing to do with that, and to suggest it does indicates YOU’RE the one with some race issues. Because their races never factored into my reasons for not liking the pairing.
I didn’t like it because it seemed to come out of left field (even with the time line changes), and it cheapens the characterization of Uhura, because it turned her into a romantic plot device to service drama for the leads. The writers just had to give us a romantic plot line to “spice things up” - a cheap move to add some sex appeal to sell the movie. It was UNFAIR to use Uhura this way, in my opinion, and still didn’t match the new Spock they were formed. Post-Vulcan destruction Spock, maybe. But not before that. And they were clearly a couple before it.
And you better be careful calling every anti-S/U Trekkie a racist. Trekkies support Gene’s message of equality, and it is so incredibly insulting for a person to throw out that kind of absurd insult at a fellow fan, especially when it is utterly unfounded.
@IvoryUhura
Your reply makes no sense whatsoever…
I’m pretty sure that nowhere in the article was racism even remotely implied. It doesn’t have anything to do with the color of her skin, and the objection would have still existed if Spock had hooked up with Nurse Chapel.
The point was that the scenes were extremely out of character for Spock (even young Spock!) and if they had insisted on giving him a love interest it should have been less openly passionate.
The way it was executed in-film, it smacked of “let’s throw this in there, the movie needs some relationship drama!”
You’re right that Spock valued his human side more than he does in the Original Series, to be sure, because I believe that he will end up going back towards his Vulcan heritage later in life.
At the same time, I don’t believe that his scenes with Uhura were appropriate even given the precedence set in TOS episodes. Many, many people feel that it didn’t sit correctly with the rest of the film, or the rest of Trek.
And again…. it has nothing to do with Uhura’s race. What strange, and insulting accusation to make.
@dreadpiraterose
Still don’t see how giving Uhura a love life IN ADDITION TO beefing up her communications credential is cheapening her character. But to each his own.
Oh, and being a Trek fan does not innoculate one from racism. Being a Trek fan doesn’t guarantee that one is not racist like having a Black friend/dating an Asian woman/having had Latinos over for dinner /being gay/being pagan doesn’t either.
Guys - I did NOT call everyone who dislikes the pairing racist. You guys are taking it there.
All I said was, that there were several WTF points about the Spock character that should have raised your objections far more strongly than Uhura. I even listed them.
Focusing on the effect of a major change (Uhura) and not the cause (taking Spock in a more human direction) is what ppl will focus on, and that is what I said would cause ppl to question any racial subtext to the objection.
Back to the point: what do you think of the implication of where Spock’s character may be headed? and does this imply a shift in Kirk’s character? Because I think that all bets are off with this movie entry - i.e. what’s “in character” and what isn’t, and that we shouldn’t expect to see any convergence between the two timelines such that everything is nicely reconciled back to the original.
And BTW, the only thing I need to be careful of, is assuming that ppl aren’t sensitive to race when talking about Trek. Your responses tell me that was a mistake.
@Phillyfan
The comments here sound a lot like the comments here so I don’t find it all that strange to think there is a racial component to the complaints. It is established onscreen that this is an alternate reality with all new destinies so why on Earth are people insisting on comparing it to TOS as though those characterizations are the only ones that matter? The only reason Uhura didn’t have a relationship in TOS was because of racism. Roddenberry bowed to the pressure of the time. In fact MLK actually talked Nichelle Nichols into staying with the franchise despite the racism she was facing from….Trek fans. Just because you watch this show doesn’t mean you’re magically immune to racism.
And just to be clear, this alternate reality angle has potentially altered the *entire* franchise: from the comics to the books…everything:
As a diehard Trek fan, I was appalled at the following:
- Destruction of Romulus (so yeah, they’re no longer a big bad, but what an impact on the later TNG franchise)
- Destruction of Vulcan - Vulcans was Earth’s most prized ally, and now they are (as Spock the New put it) an endangered species.
Such big knockouts will change the face of how established fans approach Trek, and potentially create a very deep fanbase schism with all the new folks seeing this movie as the Abrams Action spectacle that it is and think that *it* is better than whatever preceded it. And what about the impact on the other elements of the Trek franchise, esp ppl who write books (e.g. Peter David). Example: If someone writes a book now which involves the TOS characters, will they have to qualify which timeline they’re writing about? As you (should) know, Paramount and the Roddenberry estate have been quite strict on how the Trek universe is represented in print. Surely this movie installment will add more complexity to an already complex process?
See, this is what I’m talking about: the bigger picture of Trek being affected, yet seemingly the most controversial element is Spock/Uhura? Ridiculous.
@ Witchsistah– I have GOT to agree with your overall approval of Uhura. I was really worried that she was going to be a sex object. I’m still not buying the whole Uhura/Spock thing entirely, however I think they showed that she was top her her field. Being a professional communicator means you’re not necessarily empathic or anything, but you’re going to be empathetic, and I think they approached it from that angle.
I was also talking about film noir earlier today. What I like about females in those films is that they’re allowed to be badass/femme fatale and can use their gender to get what they want–but they also get a level of respect. You just don’t find that in a modern Bond flick. This incarnation of Uhura totally fits. As a female, I’d rather be that person, admired as a wholly awesome individual rather than one thing or the other.
Tara/The Costumer
@ IvoryUhura
I disagree with dreadpiraterose’s opinion on the Spock/Uhura get together (honestly probably because I’m less of a purist when it comes to TOS), but I am positive she did not have any racist intentions there. I think you should re-read the original post to gain understanding of what she meant.
Kirk, for example, is awesome–but he was still a womanizer. I can see the desire to change that a bit in the films by balancing it out with strong females…and I think that would include Kirk and Spock’s mothers.
I think the entire movie was really a lot about not just ‘the experience’ of living, but about motherhood itself…from the goddess/pagan design of the Vulcan’s spiritual space and clothing to the focus on Kirk’s birth. For me, that kind of justified using Uhura as part of the romance in the movie–the film had already touched on and addressed that issue for me.
I really think dreadpiraterose just had an issue with the romance as part of the plot or part of the series, nothing more.
“And again…. it has nothing to do with Uhura’s race. What strange, and insulting accusation to make.”
If you claim to be fans, true Trekkers to the hilt, then why are so many blind to that particular aspect of TOS canon? Yes, I said Spock/Uhura was TOS canon. As it was the 60’s it could not be explored as Gene would have wanted, even though Spock was “alien”.
That first interracial kiss? was supposed to be between Spock and Uhura.
There are clips on youtube, quotes from Nichelle and Nimoy to the effect…
So, then what is it? Some weird denial? If it has nothing to do with race why then is was going FOR TOS canon, such a sin?
And why is Uhura/Spock the biggest sin?
Please, enlighten me?
@ Lily
I think you need to reread what has been written. Did I say ANYWHERE that it was a “sin” for Spock and Uhura to be together? Nope.
Did I say it was my biggest complaint? Nope. In fact, I wrote far more about the science problems and Nimoy’s performance than anything.
As for the first interracial kiss - it wouldn’t have mattered if it was Spock or Kirk. Because it still wouldn’t have canonized a romantic relationship, given that the characters were being forced. Did you watch that episode in its entirety?
The fact is, HAD there been an original series relationship between Spock and Uhura, I would have had NO problem with it being in the new movie. THAT IS MY ENTIRE POINT. That throwing it in the movie didn’t seem to jive with what we know of the characters from the original series, and that it was just used as a way to interject a romance sub-plot into a movie.
And yeah yeah time travel resets everything, etc. etc. It reset Kirk’s life, but that doesn’t mean that everything else in the universe changed. Is Spock different NOW as a result of everything in the movie? Yes. With Vulcan gone, etc. etc. But that doesn’t explain him having a relationship with a non-Vulcan woman prior to those events. Because prior to those events, he should have been the same Spock from the original series, a Spock that would not have been having a relationship with one of his own students at the Academy - no matter who she was. Hence the “this came out of left field” feeling that the whole romance between those two left me with.
Wao. Some comment drama. -wry- Honestly, I think anyone thinking of it as anything other than two intellectuals getting together is probably being racist. You can be positively-racist or negatively-racist… But I think the problem (for me) in this case was it was awkward.
And I thought it was awkward, for a few of the mentions dreadpiraterose mentioned. E.g. teacher/student…I ship SnapeXHermione, but I’d be quite surprised if that were canon. (Even if it were seventh-year or something.) We’re all entitled to our opinions, ya?
You like it, good for you. I personally think both actors were hot. Individually. But the chemistry didn’t work for me.
If we’re on racism, why aren’t Asians, Russians, or even Scots saying they’re portrayed with a cliched character? Or even green people?! XD Relaxo. Is film.
On the others..
2. Kirk getting promoted to Captain right after the incident, despite being only a cadet, and almost being thrown out for cheating.
I went, ‘o.O’ at that as well. Fast track!
3. The escape from the black hole was really bad science.
I agree, but that’s only cos I had no idea what was going on. Had to ask the boyfriend. XD (He seemed to know what was happening…)
@ Josie
That incident at the beginning about “not showing favoritism” was the indication of a pre-existing relationship.
I got to agree that Uhura and Spock’s intimate moments took me by surprise. Then I remembered some of the old shows where Uhura would really look up to Spock with what looked like more than mere admiration. Who knows?
Overall, the movie was excellent with great casting. The most memorable characters this time (aside from Spock) was Chekov as a 17 year old. Casting for McCoy was perfect. I could see him as Spock for the next ten movies or more.
Woof, sorry I’m late to the show here.
Totally agree. Great popcorn movie, Scotty was fantastic, Kirk was a lovable ass, and his promotion made no sense. It was fun, I enjoyed it, I’d be willing to see it again with friends (HINT HINT), but it was not mind blowing or anything.
The ships blasting off into warp was my guilty pleasure - those things had AFTERBURNERS, and that was just cool.
- Jay
PS - You’re totally racist.
PPS - But not me. I thought that green chick was WAY hot.
A lot of people are missing so many details of what this relationship means in the context of the movie, as well as TOS canon. I’m surprised that more people don’t know that Gene Roddenberry himself wanted this relationship from the get go. But with it being the 60’s and what not (racism, prejudice, etc)…well. They didn’t even want Nichelle Nicholes on the show, so this relationship never had a chance in TOS. They did keep subtleties of the relationship in tact as has been mentioned in the episodes “Man Trap”, and “Charlie X”. But people are forgetting other episodes as well. Such as when Spock reacts to Nomad when he wipes out Uhura’s memory. He became very agitated when Nomad referred to her as a “unit”. Spocks reply: that “unit” is a woman. In “Space Seed” when one of Khan’s henchmen slaps Uhura for not abeying his orders; look at who’s the first one to jump up with Bones a close second. Spock was jumping to her defense, and it’s important to note that he was in full Spock mode by then (as well as the aforementioned episodes). Also the episode “Is There in Truth No Beauty?”. The Madusen ambassador addresses three of the crew members as Spock knows them:
Spock: This is delightful! I know you! All of you!
James Kirk, captain and friend for many years.
And Leonard McCoy [affectionate laughter], also of long acquaintance.
And Uhura, whose name means “freedom.” She walks in beauty like the night.
McCoy: [to Kirk] That’s not Spock!
Spock: Are you surprised to find that I’ve read Byron, doctor?
The Medusen was addressing each relationship as Spock see’s these individuals. So now we know that he reads poetry in regards to her.
The other episode(s) is “The Immunity Syndrome”. When Uhura almost faints because of a high pitched frequency that resonates all over the ship causing multiple crewmates to become ill; look at who grabs her to take her to her seat. Spock is so concerned, that after he sits her down (after her brief conversation with the captain), that he stands over her for a few seconds with much concern in his face. In another episode “Who Mournes for Adonais” I believe; Uhura is asked by Spock to do some repairs to the communications console. Spock tells her that he can think of no one more qualified to do the job than her. This is very high praise coming from a Vulcan. There are multiple instances all throughout the series where is this relationship is definitely canon; but people obviously missed it.
Fast forward to this new Star Trek……..
Let’s start with the reassignment of Uhura from the Faragut to the Enterprise. This is where you first get the knowledge that this is a mutual attraction relationship in some form. Look at Spocks face when he turns to face her when she states:
Uhura: Where you were well aware of my desires to serve on the Enterprise; I’m assigned to the Farragut?
(Hint no.1: She’s very angry, and he’s “well aware” of what she wants to do with her career).
Spock: “It was an attempt to…….. (he stopped talking and paused to keep the passing crewman from hearing their converstion. He breaks eye contact with Uhura until the crewmen passes)…..avoid the appearance of favoritism”. The favoritism concern could only mean that he has displayed too much emotion regarding her if other people know that he “favors” her. But she refuses to be punished for his favoritism/attraction. She is the best in her field so she “deserves” to be put on the best ship.
Uhura: “No; I’m assigned to the Enterprise”.
Spock behaved like the typical human male in that he didn’t want to upset his woman. So he caves in. He obviously has some feelings about Uhura that transends his Vulcan stoicism.
*Next: When Kirk, McCoy, and Uhura runs on the bridge to see what Kirk is about to reveil regarding the lightening storm in space; Spock is not going for Kirk’s story until Uhura gets involved. Look how long he stares in her direction before his gaze rejoins Kirk and Captian Pike in the discussion. He also takes the opportunity to reiterate to Capt. Pike how good she is as a Xenolingist.
*Uhura leaves her station to inquire of Spock where he’s going when he tells her he’s beaming to Vulcan to rescue his parents and the council. In the mist of the turmoil, he actually pauses to explain to her what his intensions are. Look at her eyes as the turbolift doors close.
*After Vulcan is destroyed, Uhura is staring at him because she knows he is hurting. When she follows him to the turbolift, we get the first sure fire knowledge of what’s going on between them for those who didn’t catch the other stuff beforehand. This wasn’t their first kiss. Look at him the second time she kisses him. It is actually him that leans into her and prolongs the kiss as she’s pulling away.
*After the fight scene with Spock and Kirk (look at her face when that fight is going on, and the compassion she displays as she follows him to the door. Look at him when he pauses to look at her), and Spock rejoins everyone on the bridge. When he states “also my mother was human (he’s looking at everyone when he say’s this), which means earth is the only home I have left”. Right when he says “earth is the only home I have left, he pulls his eyes to her. That’s right folks; he’s picked a mate. He plans on making earth his home with her. The transporter room scene is self explanatory. He knows he may not come back (even though he reassures her that he will), so why not at least let her know something of how he feels? Also; look at the way they bring their forheads together. This seems to be some kind of bonding action between them. His voice is more tender and loving in this scene, and he is most definitely kissing her back. Also we can not forget the scene where he thought he wasn’t going to make it back. In that instance he didn’t say Jim tell my father……….. he said “please” tell lieutenant Uhura……….. He was not going to let the woman he loves and cares deeply about not know of his feelings as I’m sure part of his turmoil regarding his mother’s death is that he most likely never told his mother these words, (and in his mind), she died without knowing. He was not going to take that chance with Uhura.
This is a deep relationship between the two characters. I think it’s a great idea, and it adds so much depth, complexity, and beauty to these characters. Spock and Uhura’s character’s always deserved more than what has been done with them previously, and I hope Abrams and co. moves forward with this relationship.
Bravo JPT010!
That is the best analysis I have seen on the web!
Their relationship is much more than just eye candy or a ‘thrown in for entertainment’ gag. I honestly don’t think Spock and Uhura kissed before the turbolift scene but I’m sure back at the Academy, there were alot of quality time spent together. Body language spoke volumes in this film and each gesture/look/movement was a statement about their mutual respect for each other. Spock and Uhura are more alike in personality than most people realise. Spock is intelligent, intense, hard working and competent at his job and so is Uhura! Why was it such a surprise to fans that these two would be attracted to each other? I can’t wait to see where this relationship goes in the sequels.
As a black female myself, I’m so glad that Uhura was cast as a bright, articulate and competent Star Fleet officer. I’m SO SICK and tired of the ‘angry black woman’ stereotype that prevails in most movies! Sick of it! It’s like mainstream movies can’t wrap the idea of an intelligent, calm, loving black female in their script!
Mainstrem movies don’t seem to think the ‘Michelle Obamas’ do exist! Well Uhura, show them we black girls have a brain and can rock a Vulcan’s world too! lol!
To the original poster, I understand you commentary on the movie and don’t see it as racist at all. You argued your points why you didn’t like the movie and hopefully you will like the sequel!
Uhura and Spock, ROCK ON!
Thank you Sandra!
Uhura was a great character in the movie, and in my opinion, did so much more than she ever has. We find out she’s a genius basically, at the top of her game, (and she’s so phenomenal), that she replaces the senior officer on the bridge; as well as snags the smartest no-nonsense guy on the ship. I love her! Great characters, and I hope that S/U moves forward in a great way. If Abrams and co. drops the ball on this relationship is will be quite a shame.
I say rock on S/U as well!
And I agree; it’s absolutely great to see a black woman in a non-stereotypical characterization. All these pokes and jabs at certain racial groups (be it entire groups or gender wise), are so old and antiquated it’s not even funny. Enough already! Too much time has been wasted on race fail.
I look forward to the sequel!
I mostly agree with dreadpiraterose.
Spock and Uhura is just WRONG!
But I don’t think that because I’m racist. I think in TOS, Uhura was great because not only was she a woman, but she was black, and she was smart (considering when it was made).
I think it’s wrong, and unrealistic (well, unrealistic in the fake world of Trek) because Spock was raised on Vulcan embracing the Vulcan ways. Does this match not scream ILLOGICAL?? Even if he was vulnerable after his mom died, he would never EVER show it, let alone date, especially a human. Hello, ever heard of Ponn Far? At least normal Spock wouldn’t. Now that’s gone out the window, he’s a total emotional sap these days.
It’s not new Spock’s fault (Quinto), just the writers. I think he did a really good job with the character, I just don’t like what they made him do.