Re: Star Trek XI
601Yeah, it's pretty underwhelming. I'd rather they had gone with the first image ever released for the movie, which was simply the delta insignia for the Enterprise (not the latter one with the faces in it.)
Time.com Interview Shat says no to Abrams Star Trek screening
Reporter M.J. Stephey interviews the Shat for Time Magazine Online, with behind the scene information on his recent Conan OBrien appearances and he shares this when asked if he has seen the new Star Trek film yet: I havent. Abrams sent me a message through the Web what was it, Twittered me? No. YouTubed me? No, what has he done? E-mailed me. He e-mailed me saying he heard that I hadnt seen the movie and hed set up a private screening, and I declined the private screening and told him Id buy him dinner
First Impressions Of Star Trek Movie Blu-Ray (+ Navigation Screenshots) October 11, 2009
This week Paramount held a press event promoting their upcoming releases for the fall, including Q&As with Star Trek director JJ Abrams (see report), and writers Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (see report). Paramount Home Entertainment also gave a demo of some of the features on the Star Trek Blu-ray release. See below for first thoughts and some iPhone snaps of the navigation screens.
FIRST THOUGHTS on Star Trek 2009 Home Video Release
Navigation
Paramount showed off the navigation for Disk 2 of the Blu-ray set, which will be very similar to Disk 2 for the DVD set, but has some additional features. The menus were very nice with a diagram of the USS Enterprise in the background and a e xp anding tree style of navigation options that was very easy to use.The featurettes on the Blu-ray and DVD are the same, but the Blu-ray has additional branching pods which can be accessed while you are watching the feature (when a little logo appears), or from the main menu.Featurettes
There are a ton of new featurettes, all done in HD. We were only able to see a couple of them, but they were exquisitely produced and filled with interviews of all the major players on the film and the entire cast. One thing that was surprising was the amount of footage from The Original Series that is interspersed with the features, especially the "Casting" segment. The interviews seemed very candid and entertaining, giving good insights into life behind the scenes. For example, in opening "Boldly Go" featurette, there is a branching pod dedicated to the "Shatner Conundrum" where the team (primarily JJ Abrams and Roberto Orci) talked openly about the controversy and about how they tried to find a way to get Shatner into the film. And that is just the tip of the iceberg.Deleted Scenes
The set contains a large number of deleted scenes (both DVD and Blu-ray), and you can watch them with or without audio commentary from JJ Abrams, Bryan Burk, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof. At the event we only watched the two Klingon special features (Klingons Take over Narada and Prison Interrogation and Breakout). The Klingons looked fantastic, although the special effects for the Klingon ships surrounding the Narada were never finished. The interrogation scene is one that goes a long way in e xp osition as to who Nero is, and why the Klingons want his knowledge of the future so badly, but it can be seen how it might confuse a general audience who would wonder who the bad guys were.Starfleet Vessel Simulator
One of the cooler features available only on the Blu-ray is the vessel simulator. You can choose to get a close-up look of either the Enterprise or the Narada, which shows you a beautifully rendered image of the ship, based on the models from ILM. You can zoom in on various parts of the ship (phasers, torpedo launchers, bridge, etc). Some areas let you even do things like fire phasers. All the sections have additional information (like the Borg shielding on the Narada, taken from the "Countdown" comic books). These features really let you get a good look at these ships in a way you never got in the film with things moving around so much. You may even spot things you didnt see before, like how the fins the back of the nacelles of the Enterprise lift up and glow when it goes into warp.Bottom line
With just a few minutes of playing around with this set, it is clear that in November we have hours of fun ahead learning more about this new Star Trek movie. This could easily be the best Star Trek home video release ever.STAR TREK DISK DETAILSDVD:
The STAR TREK two-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. Special features are as follows:
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
- Commentary By director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk.
- A New Vision J.J. Abrams vision was not only to create a Star Trek that was a bigger, more action-packed spectacle, but also to make the spectacle feel real. Every aspect of production from unique locations to the use of classic Hollywood camera tricks was guided by this overall objective.
- Gag Reel Bloopers featuring the entire principal cast.
- Digital Copy
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary
- Spock Birth
- Klingons Take Over Narada
- Young Kirk, Johnny and Uncle Frank
- Amanda and Sarek Argue After Spock Fights
- Prison Interrogation and Breakout
- Sarek Gets Amanda
- Dorm Room and Kobayashi Maru (original version)
- Kirk Apologizes to the Green Girl
- Sarek Sees Spock
- To Boldly Go Taking on the worlds most beloved science fiction franchise was no small mission. Director J.J. Abrams, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof, and executive producer Bryan Burk talk about the many challenges they faced and their strategy for success.
- Casting The producers knew their greatest task was finding the right cast to reprise these epic roles. The cast, for their part, talk about the e xp erience of trying to capture the essence of these mythic characters. The piece concludes with a moving tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
- Aliens Designers Neville Page and Joel Harlow talk about the hurdles they faced creating new alien species, recreating the Romulans and Vulcans, and designing the terrifying creatures on Delta Vega for the new Star Trek.
- Score As a fan of the original series, composer Michael Giacchino embraced the challenge of creating new music for Star Trek while preserving the spirit of Alexander Courages celebrated theme.
- DVD-Rom:
- STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for XBOX 360
- Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PC
- Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PlayStation Network
The STAR TREK single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. The single-disc DVD includes the commentary, A New Vision and the gag reel.
BLU-RAY
The STAR TREK three-disc Blu-ray is presented in 1080p High Definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital with English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles. Special features are as follows:
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
- Commentary By director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk.
- NASA News This BD-Live feature gives viewers access to the latest NASA news about real space e xp loration. Learn about new mission developments and check out featured imagery from around the universe.
Disc 3:
- To Boldly Go See description above.
- Branching Pods:
- The Shatner Conundrum
- Red Shirt Guy
- The Green Girl
- Trekker Alert!
- Casting See description above.
- A New Vision See description above.
- Branching Pods:
- Savage Pressure
- Starships Abrams and production designer Scott Chambliss were careful to pay tribute to the design of the original Enterprise, but they also wanted to make it futuristic and cool for a modern audience. This chapter focuses on the unique stories behind the creation of the films starships.
- Branching Pods:
- Warp E xp lained
- Paint Job
- Bridge Construction Accelerated
- The Captains Chair
- Button Acting 101
- Shuttle Shuffle
- Narada Construction Accelerated
- Aliens See description above.
- Branching Pods:
- The Alien Paradox
- Big-Eyed Girl
- Big Bro Quinto
- Klingons
- Drakoulias Anatomy 101
- Planets From the frozen landscape of Delta Vega to the desert plains of Vulcan, Scott Chambliss and the art department had a number of radically different planets to create. Abrams desire to shoot on real locations whenever possible led the production team to a number of strange and surprising locations.
- Branching Pods:
- Extra Business
- Confidentiality
- Props and Costumes Property master Russell Bobbitt had the unique challenge of designing props that were both true to the original series and pertinent to todays technology. Likewise, costume designer Michael Kaplan talks about how he designed costumes that paid homage to what came before yet were relevant and timeless.
- Branching Pods:
- Klingon Wardrobe
- Ben Burtt and the Sounds of Star Trek When famed sound designer Ben Burtt was hired to create sounds for the first Star Wars film, he took his inspiration from the original Star Trek series. Burtt jumped at the opportunity to pay tribute to the sounds that sparked his career with the sounds he created for the new Star Trek.
- Score See description above.
- Gene Roddenberrys Vision J.J. Abrams, Leonard Nimoy, previous Star Trek writers and producers, and scientific consultant Carolyn Porco describe and commend the optimistic and enduring vision of Gene Roddenberry.
- Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary See details above.
- Starfleet Vessel Simulator E xp lore extensive data on the U.S.S. Enterprise and the Romulan ship, the Narada. Submerse yourself in breathtaking 360° views and close-ups and review detailed tech information.
- Gag Reel See description above.
- Digital Copy
- STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for XBOX 360
- Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PC
- Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PlayStation Network
PREORDERS
Star Trek home video releases are coming November 17th. You can pre-order your copy or copies below.
Title Blu-ray DVD Star Trek 2009 3-disk set
3-disk set w/ replica
3-disk set w/ badges
Best Buy gift set $39.99
2-disk
1-disk
[font=arial, helvetica, courier, *]Blu-ray Review[/font]
[font=arial, helvetica, courier, *]Blu-ray Disc review by Bill Hunt of The Digital Bits[/font]
[font=arial, helvetica, courier, *]STAR TREK
2009 (2009) - Bad Robot/Paramount (Paramount)
Released on Blu-ray Disc on November 17th, 2009
Also available on DVD and Amazon-exclusive BD box
Film Rating: A
Video (1-20): 19.5
Audio (1-20): 19.5
Extras: A
I'm going to be completely honest: When I first heard this film was being made, I really thought the idea of re-booting or re-imagining the Star Trek franchise was just a terrible idea. Having seen Paramount release one mediocre Trek movie after another, and then basically abandon the Star Trek: Enterprise TV series, I just had no hope for this new incarnation whatsoever.[/font][font=arial, helvetica, courier, *] I mean, sure... I'd enjoyed some of director J.J. Abrams' work in the past, but none of it really excited me or gave me confidence that he and his team were up to the task of re-launching Trek. I just feared this film would be an utter disaster, and I say that having been a fan of Star Trek since the very early 70s - not quite the beginning, but close.
And then I saw that third preview trailer. The one where Bruce Greenwood starts out "I couldn't believe it when the bartender told me who you are..." What I saw stirred something in me - a spark of hope that maybe they'd actually gotten it right. Hope that I hadn't dared to e xp ect. So I actually began to feel real excitement... and managed to go into an early press screening with a largely open mind. The film BLEW ME AWAY. The opening sequence alone had me hooked. It's one of the best 5 minutes of film I've seen in years - gripping, emotional, poetic and filled with the spirit of Trek at its best. I was really stunned. Abrams and company just nailed it. The audience - jaded movie geeks and/or movie critics all - were left cheering by the end of it. Boy had I been wrong to doubt. And BOY am I glad I was wrong!
What's clever about this Star Trek, is that it's both a reboot AND it manages to respect all the Trek continuity that's come before. Everything that's good and pure about the franchise has been retained, while all of the techno baggage ("Quick, flux the deflector dish with anti-thalaron particles to reverse the field matrix!") has been left back at the Spacedock. The actors are all spot on as their characters - Pine, Quinto and Urban make you BELIEVE they're the younger Kirk, Spock and McCoy. The other cast members are good too, especially Greenwood as Captain Pike (inspired casting, if I may say so, and one of my favorite roles in the film) and Eric Bana as the film's villain, Nero. The production design is spectacular and ILM's CG effects are absolutely top-notch. This is definitely Trek on a more epic scale that we've never quite seen before.
There are a couple things you longtime Trek fans will just have to go with... like the fact that it seems to take only ten minutes to warp from Earth to Vulcan, and the Enterprise's engine room looks like a boiler room. But there's so much that's good here - so much that's fun - that you can easily forgive those things. The film is exciting, action packed, occasionally funny, occasionally poignant. It's even very slightly campy, in keeping with the tone of the classic show. This definitely FEELS like Star Trek - no doubt about it. But I'll tell you... this film managed to do something that Trek hasn't done in a long time: Truly surprise me. This Trek is a whole different ball game. What's even cooler about this is that, because this is a reboot of sorts, many of the events that longtime fans know happen in the Trek universe can happen again... but in a whole different way. So somewhere out there, there's a Doomsday Machine destroying planets. Somewhere out in deep space, Khan and his army of genetic supermen lie sleeping in the S.S. Botany Bay, waiting to be discovered again. All those possibilities have me very excited for what might come next.
The A/V quality of Paramount's Blu-ray version is spectacular. It's one of those discs you'll definitely want to use to dazzle guests in your home theatre. The colors are rich and vibrant - from the cool hues of the new Bridge to the ruddy earth tones of Vulcan. There's abundant detail and fine texture in the image, without it ever feeling edgy or overly filtered. And yet it retains all those gritty, glinty and occasionally soft tones offered by the use of the anamorphic optical process. Contrast is superb, with dark blacks and yet the brightest areas of the image are never blown out. Sonically, the disc's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix delivers an appropriately wide, e xp ansive sound field, with natural staging, deep bass and highly active surrounds. Clarity is excellent, and there's just a rich tapestry of background sounds layered into the mix that draw you right into the film's fictional environments. A perfect example is the firefight that erupts when Kirk and Spock beam over to the Narada - the ping and sizzle of phaser bolts zip all around you. Sound designer Ben Burtt has even managed to honor The Original Series in the almost musical quality of computer sounds, equipment noises and the like. Best of all, Michael Giacchino's thrilling score is woven perfectly throughout film. When his new "Kirk/Enterprise" theme crashes over the film's opening titles, you'll have chills running down your spine.
And here's a surprise: The extras on this Blu-ray aren't the typical cheesy fare we usually get on these Star Trek film discs. The special features team (led by producer Mark Herzog) have crafted the kind of bonus material you'd actually WANT to see! For one thing, they don't pander to Trekkies as though they'll be excited by any old geeky thing. They've actually created a thorough look at the making of this film, both for film fans in general and fans of THIS film in particular. Through multiple, in-depth featurettes, you learn about the difficulties in rebooting the Trek universe, and the challenge of re-casting characters that are so beloved. You'll learn how the writers and producers approached the story, how the production design team worked to update everything from the Enterprise itself to the iconic props and uniforms. (I have GOT to get me one of those Starfleet badges, man!) There's a cool piece here on Ben Burtt's effort to research how the sounds for the original show were made, and another piece on the score. The alien races, the various planets - even Gene Roddenberry's original vision gets documentary attention here. You even see Leonard Nimoy's first and last moments on the production, and a couple of the other original actors visiting the set. Each of the documentaries have branching sub-featurettes of their own that e xp and on the overall topic. As a whole, the documentaries offer great attention to detail, without ever feeling weighed down or taking themselves too seriously. And yet as a Trek fan, you get see a ton of the stuff you WANT to see, like up-close looks at the new phaser, tricorder and communicator props in action (you barely get a look at them in the actual film), as well as the new Enterprise's Bridge dedication plaque! (It's quick, but in HD you can pause and read the text!) One of the only things that's not here that I wanted was a better look at the other Starship designs in the film. There are 3 or 4 other designs (other than the Enterprise and the Kelvin) that you see only very briefly as the fleet departs for Vulcan. And I would also have liked to see the script pages for the unused Shatner/Kirk scene that was briefly considered for the end of the film. But those are really about my only complaints, and they're nitpicks at that.
On top of the documentaries, you get some 13-minutes worth of deleted scenes in full HD, a gag reel, the film's trailers and more. There's well over three hours worth of behind-the-scenes video material here, and that doesn't even include the excellent commentary with Abrams, writers Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and producers Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk. Not enough for you? You also get BD-Live access (which so far includes NASA RSS news feeds - a nice touch), a Digital Copy, an Xbox 360 demo for the Star Trek D.A.C. game, and the ability to interact with the Enterprise on your computer screen via webcam (much like the Optimus Prime E xp erience on the recent Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Blu-ray).
STILL not enough for you? Okay... how about this: You also get the best BD-Java feature I've seen yet on a Blu-ray. It's called the Starship Vessel Simulator, and it lets you get a MUCH more detailed look at both the Enterprise and Narada. You can navigate around the ships, and go up close to different parts. You can fire the phasers and torpedoes, and even take the ships to warp! And all of this is in FULL HD, using the original ILM CG models from the film. I only wish it was even more detailed, and there were more ships! But as it is, it's still completely badass. I hope the producers e xp and on this idea for the sequel BD. Taken as a whole, these Blu-ray extras are a blast - almost everything you'd want them to be. My hats off to the whole team involved in creating them.
For my money at least, this new Star Trek is just a completely fun movie. I can't begin to tell you the pure joy I feel in the idea that this vision and these ideas, that so inspired me as a kid, are fresh and bold and new again! But you don't have to be a Trekker to watch this film. ANYONE off the street can thoroughly enjoy themselves. It's just a rip-roaring good time at the movies - a classic summer blockbuster that transcends its genre while managing to honor and respect the franchise. It's also easily one of the best Blu-ray releases of the year. If you buy only one new film on the format in 2009, Star Trek is definitely the one to get! [/font]
Exclusive: Read The Star Trek 2009 Scene Written For William Shatner
Most fans can remember that one of the biggest debates around JJ Abrams Star Trek movie was about if it would (or should) include William Shatner. The film makers spoke of how they tried to find a way, but in the end felt it wouldnt work. However, JJ Abrams revealed that Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman did write a scene for Shatner, and today we have that scene for you to read.
Putting Shatner into Star Trek (2009)
TrekMovie received the scene below from one of our trusted sources and it has been verified to be the scene written for Shatner (but never shown to Shatner). The Alternate Scene B actually creates alternative versions two scenes from the end of the movie: the moment between Spock Prime (Nimoy) and Spock (Quinto) in the hangar, plus the award ceremony with Kirk (Pine), Pike (Greenwood) and the Commandant (Tyler Perry).
Including Shatner would have made alternatives to these ending scenes
Shatner would have played Kirk, but would have appeared as a recording. The timing of the recording is not stated, but would have have been before Star Trek Generations and therefore not violate the canon that Kirk was killed in Generations. JJ Abrams has often noted that dealing with Kirks death was one of the hindrances of including him in the new Star Trek.
Shatner in "Star Trek Generations" (1994), his last time in the chair
The Scene
Here it isALTERNATE SCENE BSPOCK PRIME
Then I ask that you do yourself a
favor put away logic, and do what
feels right. The world youve inherited
lives in the shadow of incalculable
devastation but theres no reason you
must face it alone.
And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that
until now, weve only caught glimpses of. Places it on
the table beside his younger self. The feeling in his
eyes is profound
SPOCK PRIME (CONTD)This was a gift to me. Representing
a dream. One we were unable to fulfill.
(softly)
The way you can now.
And moves to the door. Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:
SPOCK PRIME (CONTD)
As my customary farewell would appear
oddly self serving, I will simply say
good luck.
Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the
corridor. Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a
beat, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Looks to the
pendant and realizes its a HOLO-EMITTER. After
considering a beat, he hits an activation button and a
MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him:
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always,
brash, wry, confident and SINGING:
KIRK/ SHATNER
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to
you
(stops, grins)
I know I know, its illogical to
celebrate something you had nothing to do
with, but I havent had the chance to
congratulate you on your appointment to
the ambassadorship so I thought Id seize
the occasion Bravo, Spock they tell
me your first mission may take you away
for awhile, so Ill be the first to wish
you luck and to say
(beat, emotional)
I miss you, old friend.
and were PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the
image of Kirks future self, the message, but above all
the clear, unquestionable friendship these two men had
INT. CORRIDOR CONTINUOUS
As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes
right by a man conferring with a nurse the man pauses,
turns its SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that
the stranger whos just passed him is oddly familiar.
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I suppose Id always imagined us
outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching
life swing us into our Emeritus years
INT. STARBASE ONE HANGAR ETERNAL NIGHT
MUSIC BUILDING glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at
dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing.
Standing at attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW
over four hundred of them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS TRACK
DOWN the faces, all proud:
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I look around at the new cadets now and
cant help thinking has it really been
so long? Wasnt it only yesterday we
stepped onto the Enterprise as boys?
That I had to prove to the crew I
deserved command and their respect?
And we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, proud. A
man. And to every fans delight, finally wearing his
YELLOW SHIRT. The FEDERATION COMMANDANT stands at a
podium:
COMMANDANT
This assembly calls Captain James
Tiberius Kirk
Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the
hangar past UHURA SULU CHEKOV SCOTTY. All
Beaming. Notably absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the
stairs, snaps to attention:
COMMANDANT (CONTD)Your inspirational valor and supreme
dedication to your comrades are in
keeping with the highest traditions of
service and reflect utmost credit to
yourself, your crew, and the Federation.
By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby
directed to report to Commanding Officer,
USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief.
Kirk turns. Walks to PIKE. In a wheelchair now,
wearing an ADMIRALS UNIFORM. Overnight, his hairs
turned totally grey but despite his trauma, his
prides overwhelming. They SALUTE each other:
KIRK
I relieve you, Sir.
PIKE
I am relieved.
He opens a BOX in his lap glorious in repose, a MEDAL:
PIKE (CONTD)And as Fleet Admiral, for your unique
solution to the Kobayashi Maru, its my
honor to award you with a commendation
for original thinking.
Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirks
chest
PIKE (CONTD)
(a touch choked)
Congratulations, Captain.
KIRK
Thank you, Sir.
Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE.
OUR MUSIC SOARS. Bones leans in to Sulu, rolling his
eyes:
BONES
Same ship, different day.
As Kirk rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we
go to the BACK of the hangar SPOCK PRIME. Watching.
Moved beyond words. He turns and leaves them to it as
he goes
KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)
I know what youd say Its their turn
now, Jim And of course youre
right but it got me thinking:
INT. STARFLEET HOSPITAL EARTH DAY
Our montage comes full circle as we END on Kirks
transmission:
KIRK/SHATNER
Whos to say we cant go one more round?
By the last tally, only twenty five
percent of the galaxys been chartered
Id call that negligent. Criminal even
an invitation. You once said being a
starship captain was my first, best
destiny if thats true, then yours is
to be by my side. If theres any true
logic to the universe well end up on
that bridge again someday.
Stops, grins. Because this is the part he needs to say
most
KIRK/SHATNER
Admit it, Spock. For people like us, the
journey itself is home.
Young Spocks face. Lost in feelings that flood through
him.
But would Bill have done it?
Even if the Abrams team had decided to go ahead with this scene, there is no guarantee that Shatner would have done it. He had stated he does not do cameos and the above scene appears to fall into the cameo category. Abrams had also stated that this no cameos position of Shatners was part of their decision process not to include him in the film. Now that the scene is public, maybe Bill will make another one of his video blogs about it. One thing is for sure, this is not the last word on Shatner and the new Star Trek there is still the sequel.
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