I own all the movies, I own the soundtracks, a few novels, I own the entire Next Gen and am working on Voyager and the original series (DS9 sucks). I own posters as well, but I must say, I would never own a uniform unless I wore it for pajamas, and if I ever went to a convention, I would NEVEr dress up. Seeing Trekkies and this sequel has made me kind of embarassed to be a Star Trek fan. Why do people feel the need to take things to such extremes? Just wondering is all. Later.
I'm sure every franchise has it's share of overly-obsessed fans. It makes me wonder why the attention seems to be entirely focused on Star Trek. For example, I'm about as much a Harry Potter fan as you are a Star Trek fan. I own all five books, the first two movies (with plans to get the third when it's released on dvd), the soundtracks (although this is probably more due to me being a fan of John Williams), and some video games. Once again, there are more obsessive fans, and this is probably true of all popular franchises (Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix). It boggles the mind that Star Trek fans are the primary target of ridicule.
I'm curious, though. Among Trek fans (or movie critics), I often hear of the "even number rule" (Where the odd-numbered Trek films are bad, and the even-numbered ones are good). Since you own all the films, and since you are a movie critic, would you say that rule is fairly accurate?
A Columbus/Cuarón film: the best of both worlds (faithfulness and artistry).
The even number rule holds up fairly consistently withan exception or two. I am personally a huge fan of the original movie, but that is a personal thing, the movie is deeply flawed so it DOES fall victim to the even numbered rule. Other than that, Generations is TOLERABLE, but still falls victim to the even numbered rule. The only odd numbered Trek that solidly beats the even numbered rule is 9, also known as Insurrection, which is a movie that dared to do something different (mainly slow down and tell a more personal story) and pulled it off in a great way. Insurrection ranks in the top 5 Star Trek movies. The only even numbered Trek film to dissapoint? In a word, Nemesis. It's not terrible, but it didn't exactly blow my hair back either. There's a reason it was the first Trek film to flop. All in all, the rank of Star Trek films, from best to worst, as far as I'm Concerned, goes as follows.
1) Star Trek 4: The Voyage Home 2) Star Trek 8: First Contact 3) Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country 4) Star Trek 9: Insurrection 5) Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn (over rated, but still a worthy entry) 6) Star Trek 10: Nemisis 7) Star Trek: The Motion Picture 8) Star Trek 7: Generations 9) Star Trek 3: The Search for Spock 10) Star Trek 5: The Final Frontier
As far as I'm concerned, that is the order, best to worst. Voyage Home is amazing, one of the best sci-fi films ever made, First Contact isn't far behind, while Star Trek 5 is unwatchable, and Search for Spock is barely watchable. Later.
How can you say DS9 sucks? Probably the best series of them all. I grew up on TNG, loved me some Voyager, but after watching DS9, I must say its hard to compete with...such depth and density throughout the entire series, great secondary/recurring characters and continuous storylines...enough said.
DS9 was a direct rip off of Babylon 5 which hands down was far better. JMS approached Paramount before going to Warner Brothers. Paramount shot down the B5 idea and launched Deep Sleep 9. Hell due to the war on B5 being successful DS9 had to mimic it.
If one good deed in all my life I did, I do repent it from my very soul. Aaron the Moor
I have wondered the same question about of sports fans. Why do they wear sports Jerseys with someone else's number on them? Isn't that odd, dressing up in someone else's work uniform? Why wear a baseball cap unless you are playing baseball? Sports fan's paint their faces and go to games. There is violence at games by the fans too. They watch the games and when a team wins, they claim that "they" won. When a realtor who lives on my street sells a home, I never think to say "we sold a house!" cause I had nothing to do with their success although I am quick to congratulate them.
But sports fans are excepted. I would take the Trekkers or Trekkers over the sports fans any time. At least they embrace an ideal of a bright future and acceptance of all.
The bottom line here, is if you are into Star Trek then go with it. Those who make fun of those who do, have serious problems of their own. Often the people who make fun of those with interests not their own, it's because they have nothing going on in their life they feel passionate about. Anyone who has ever accomplished anything noteworthy had a passion for something in life. It's a positive thing.