Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, you are looking at the first full image of the redesigned USS Enterprise from the new Star Trek movie (you can head over there for a larger version).
As a long time Star Trek fan, whose favorite series is the original, my from-the-gut reaction when I first came across this was:
That is one ugly ship.
|
|
Here is what J.J. Abrams had to say in regards to the new design vs the original:
“If you’re going to do Star Trek there are many things you cannot change. The Enterprise is a visual touchstone for so many people. So if you’re going to do the Enterprise, it better look like the Enterprise, because otherwise, what are you doing?”
I don’t know… maybe it’ll grow on me or it will look awesome while in flight on the big screen, but at the moment it’s not doing it for me. While he went pretty “classic” with the saucer section (that’s “primary hull” for the Star Trek fans out there) the connecting pylon and the secondary (lower) hull just look… incongruous.
If I had to pick one word that comes to mind when I look at that image, it would be:
Taffy.
You know, that stretchy carnival candy? You get it warmed up and then you can pull on it and it stretches and thins? That’s what the secondary hull and the nacelles look like to me. The lower hull looks like it was molded out of clay, rolled between two hands and rolled narrower at one end.
Almost exactly one year ago I wrote a speculative post asking “How radical is the USS Enterprise Redesign?”
Pretty damned radical, it seems.
Here are some comparative images from that post to help put things in perspective:
The Original USS Enterprise NCC-1701
JJ Abrams’ Redesigned USS Enterprise NCC-1701
The USS Enterprise NCC-1701-A
Tell me the new design doesn’t look like the movie Enterprise saucer section tacked onto some completely different alien ship.
In another post, I tried to guess how a redesign of the Enterprise might equate to the modern trend of doing design updates of classic cars. As it turns out, I think my 1960s to 21st century Camaro comparison turned out to be the closest in design ideology:
Classic Camaro
Modern Camaro
At the time I wrote:
“Let me say that I think the new Camaro is really, REALLY hot and from a design standpoint pays homage to the classic version, but that degree of change for the Enterprise would be completely unacceptable.”
Oh well.
Or… is it just me? Do I need to give it time to sink in and see it in action? I’d like to hear opinions from both Star Trek fans and non-fans.
[UPDATE: Thanks to "Spockboy" check out this minor change to the design via Photoshop that makes the new NCC-1701 look FAR better by adding some bulk to the lower part of the ship.]
Star Trek opens on May 8, 2009.
Source: EW.com via FirstShowing.net
Loading ...
275 Comments
“If you see the movie, you will either agree with our final solution, or you won’t. But it’s too early to tell right.”
Yeah, I’ve heard that one from Orci before. It just reinforces my above comment.
meh, ill wait for the movie but it doesn’t make any sense why the ship would be a different ship..if its the same ship
how is this better?
Who says this is the only Enterprise in the film ???
I agree that the new design could have used more….Trekenuity
. But this is just a picture on a computer screen. From everything I have seen and read about the new movie, I still believe it will appeal to the hardcore Trekkers (like me) and the non-Trekkers. One thing though…what the heck are those things right behind the deflector dish protruding from the side?
Nobody seems to be upset by the radical new Shuttle craft design ,;, hmmmm
Ok. The new Star Trek trailer was freaking AWESOME.
I don’t like the white interior and I’m waiting to see how the ship looks in the movie (and whether it’s the only version – I have a feeling there will be another), but the new trailer made it look like this movie is going WORK.
Vic
i havent really looked or read everyones post on here but it seems to me that no-one has said anything along the line of the new enterprise looks like a combination of the original enterprise of shatner and nemoy (saucer section) and the enterprise the series of Scott Bakula (lower section) just bolted together is it just me?
im no treky either but i do watch tng voyager and some of the later movies so im just interested in how this one will pan out.
cant wait for the film or to see zacary quinto and simon pegg in the roles of spock and scotty
Ugh, i equate this new enterprise design to being a kid and looking at the model you just built and realizing you skipped steps 4 and 13…
I cannot find the logic in Abram’s
decision to make this the new E.
I love it. I think it looks great. This movie is gonna be awesome, I’m so happy they’re doing it with the original characters (my fave).
Vic;
Yeah, the trailer was AWESOME. It looked like an action packed movie and just by watching it, I got the feeling that this IS Star Trek in the most original yet true representation. If the movie is as good as the trailer was, we’re in for quite a treat.
OK, I’m sold. The trailer was awesome! This looks like it may be better than I thought it would be
As a young 5 year old watching TOS Star Trek with his daddy, I was always amazed with the original series programs. The USS Enterprise was a ship I fell in love with. Every phaser fire, or launch of a torpedo was excitement to me. In the late 70’s, when the Motion Picture was introduced, I was not too thrilled. But when I saw it, and the glorious appearance of the refit Enterprise, it was love at first sight. I was severely crushed when the Enterprise was set ablaze as it burned up on the Genesis planet. But none was more excited than me when the USS Enterprise returned in Star Trek IV, in honor of Captain Kirk (Demonted from Admiral).
It’s about the autombile to me. We love our cars; it’s look, drive, appeal, and excitement. That’s how I view the USS Enterprise, both TOS and Motion Picture. Both are still very attractive.
Having said that, this new design does nothing. There’s no beauty, and it’s certainly NOT love at first sight. I personally hate this design all-together. No, it’s not because it doesn’t look like the original, or the Motion picture (except the primary hull), but because it reminds me too much of that floppy movie 2001 Space Odyssey. 2010 Space Odyssey set to clear things up, and was a dramatic improvement to those of us who could not understand the first one (2001), which seemed as though it was designed to fit those high on drugs; it made absolutely no sense.
JJ Abrams, I hate to say this, but this design of yours seems to attract an audience that knows nothing about Trek. If that’s your goal, then I bid you God Speed and the best of luck. But trust me. Most of those anti-Trek fans will not, and cannot be won over. Their minds are not accustomed to dreaming, which is what made our Country great. The real kicker is if the Enterprise was real, these anti-treks would be the first to enlist in the new military, to be in that sharp looking car, and that fast ship with kewl guns. Thus, until this becomes reality, the only reality they will embrace is what they acheive on Friday nights.
In conclusion, I hate this new design because it has no appeal, might be fast, but is nothing more than just flat out weird. It is NOT love at first sight.
Long live the USS Enterprise….no A, B, C, D, or E.
Joseph
@Joseph
“JJ Abrams, I hate to say this, but this design of yours seems to attract an audience that knows nothing about Trek.”
That IS the goal, bro. Because based on the last few movies and the last TV series the existing fanbase is obviously NOT enough to make Star Trek movies a very profitable venture.
Since you mention automobiles, you might be interested in this post I did a while back comparing the Enterprise redesign to the new trend of doing updated retro versions of classic cars:
http://screenrant.com/classic-enterprise-update-vs-classic-cars-update-vic-1114/
Vic (another TOS fan)
I strongly suspect this version of the Enterprise will be what the Mach 1 was to Iron Man .
I am sure to many non fans ,
the Mach 1 appeared ugly and clunky.
and by the end of the film The Mach 1 was gone,
replaced by a version of Tonys Armor that we recognize .
Gary said,
November 16th, 2008
I strongly suspect this version of the Enterprise will be what the Mach 1 was to Iron Man .
“I am sure to many non fans ,
the Mach 1 appeared ugly and clunky.
and by the end of the film The Mach 1 was gone,
replaced by a version of Tonys Armor that we recognize…”
Hello Gary. You know, I hope you’re right, because that was what I was thinking yesterday. I thought perhaps JJ was trying to tease us. But when James Cawley stated in his article that this was the same ship he saw, I then realized that this was no spoof, unless he too is being spoofed.
I’ll give it a chance, but I just don’t see this movie being successful. Anti-Treks will never jump on board because they think it’s too nerdy, or dorky. Yet they themselves would be the first to jump on board if Trek was a reality. It’s ironic that these very same non-dreamers who redicule those of us who continue to dream, contribute nearly nothing to society. It’s the dreamers who embark on scientific study, to make lives better and easier for mankind. It was dreamers who enabled the Apollo missions to set man on the moon, while the hippies celebrated in orgies and cocaine. *Laughs* Isn’t it wonderful how the so called “geeks” contribute so much to scientific discoveries. Look at Bill Gates, who is the richest “GEEK” in the world, and look at who depends on his software to govern their lives.
It won’t happen in my life time, but I’m certain that one day in the future, Trek will become a reality, where mankind will be able to travel to the stars, explore new worlds, even if it’s not on the beloved USS Enterprise….after all, there’s nothing wrong with dreaming.
Joseph
“Anti-Treks will never jump on board because they think it’s too nerdy, or dorky”
I think you’re way wrong on that point. There was nothing “nerdy or dorky” about that trailer and I think that’s the whole reason Abrams was brought in – to get Star Trek away from that reputation.
Vic
Hey Vic, with all this positive buzz, I’m betting Paramount is regretting pushing the film to 2009.
It looks like if they had originally released it in December they would have O compatish.
You’re probably right Vic, and I apprecate JJ with trying to make Trek attractive to non-Treks, but Star Wars was the most fabulous science fiction movie ever filmed, yet it too died because of our modern day movie fans. They are just not in to this kind of film. And pervertin star trek to meet their desires is not the answer. If JJ does try to make a film based on their desires (nudity, hip-hop, profanity, etc) it just won’t work, nor would it even be considered a Trek.
You and I understand that Trek isn’t dorky, but even adults are governed by peer-pressure and accuse fans like me to be dorky. I showed my highly detailed models to a few friends of mine who wanted to see them, and one of my friends, “Joe I didn’t know you were a Dork!” *Laughs*
In some ways, Trek fans are considered Dorks by tradition, and not by truth. Peer-pressure has a lot to do with that.
Any form of science fiction will be considered dorky by non-treks, or even non-star wars folks. I just accept it.
I love Trek because I love it, and not because someone told me I was cool for liking it. Probably like you, I am not governed by peer-pressure, or a popularity contest.
Now I haven’t seen this new trailer yet, but I do feel that this new Enterprise just doesn’t do it for me. It’s very ugly, and has no appeal. Sure the movie might be good, but the design is just unattractive. I’m sorry guys, but that’s how I feel. It’s flat out ugly.
Joseph
Joseph ,
Nobody is Perverting Trek.
A new approach is being attempted to Save Trek.
what I saw in that trailer yesterday
was an honest effort To focus on a Character based aventure story.
Paramount spent a lot of money marketing Iron Man to a public that was mostly Unaware of the character.
I trust they will do the same here.
Trek isnt doomed .
It may very well be on the verge of being reborn.
I’ve been a Star Trek fan since the early seventies. The original series being by favorite. I like this design and I can’t wait for this movie!!! The problem I see is the stagnation of a generation that can’t look ahead. Everybody is whining because it looks different. That’s the point!!!! It’s a modern day look at the possible near future. To quote William Shatner himself: ‘Get a life’!
@Joseph
Well we’ll have the trailer for you tomorrow, Monday morning.
Vic
Kirk, James T
I live to criticize, it’s what I do. While many of us complain to no end about how much we dislike all sorts of things about this movie, I seriously doubt anyone here is losing any sleep over this!
Seriously though I can’t wait to see the trailer in glorious HD and up close. I think I might just spend some time pausing, rewinding and trying to fully soak in all the info the trailer offers us. And if you haven’t seen it on the big screen, you don’t really know what you are missing. It completely changed my perception of the film!
Kind of like that awesome Phantom Menace trailer all those years ago…
The original Enterprise is a beautiful design, and while the original model may be a bit lacking in detail such as hull plating and the like, it is the most believable spacecraft design out of any of the Star Trek shows. Look at the old Apollo-era spacecraft–I think the original Enterprise captures that spirit: Functionally designed, beautiful in its simplicity. The refit is pretty, but not as realistic. Everything after that is pure garbage. As for the movie itself, I definitley think they have lost the spirit of Star Trek. The original show was about the bold spirit of exploration captured in the speeches of John F. Kennedy. It was about an intelligent exploration of what deep space travel means to humanity–NOT about things that go boom! If J.J. Abrams wants to make yet another stupid popcorn action movie, that’s fine… but please don’t rape Star Trek in the process!
I agree with Jon. There was nothing wrong with the Enterprise, and we don’t need a new one; you don’t fix what wasn’t broken. Changing the model or design isn’t going to bring in new fans, merely because its a new ship carrying the legionary name.
Regarding William Shatner’s “Get a life” quote. Come now, how reasonable is that? I have a wonderful life. I serve my country well in the USAF, and I am near retirement. I have a great family, with three kids, although one is on her way to college, and my other two are straight “A” students. I’d say my life is quite awesome, although not without its negative moments, as is to be expected with all families.
Therefore, telling someone to “get a life” merely because we love Star Trek doesn’t mean we don’t have a life. In fact, using past legionary names to bring about a new life in Star Trek, ISN’T A LIFE AT ALL! For someone to rant and rave how much he wasn’t a fan of Star Trek, yet bragged so much about the Refit design of the Motion Picture, is kind of selfish, to say the least.
Here’s an honest question. What makes any of you pro-new-trek folks think that this new design is going to win over a new crowd? Name one single ship that won a crowd over merely because of a ships design. You and I can name every single science fiction movie ever produced, but what non-science fiction movie critic ever became a pro-SC/FI lover? Not a single one.
The 70’s and 80’s were good to the SC/FI base. But today, it’s all about hip-hop, thongs, and cell phones. That’s not to say that some Star Trek fans never listen to Hip-Hop, but most of the fans that I know (of Star Trek) are based from the original series era, with a few fans of TNG.
If JJ Abrams wants to introduce a new Trek to please the non-treks, then more power to him. But any new Trek outside of Trek Canon, or history, IS NOT Trek at all, but merely another movie.
Look at what they did to James Bond! How popular is that movie? It’s not popular at all. Batman isn’t popular either. But what about Spiderman? That move is popular. But why is spiderman popular? Because they didn’t change the character, or the story line. Sure they’ve added some new thrills, but the story line is the same, as is the character. Could you imagine what would have happened to spiderman if JJ Abrams made a Spiderman film, and decided to change his uniform? *Laughs*
I’ll give some of you credit. You’re certainly hopeful. But Trek is not as dead as you seem to think. Just look at the millions of fans who are enjoying non-profit films by James Cawley. Look at the TOS characters volunteering to participate in making some of his films.
How many stars, except Nemoy, are assisting JJ Abrams with his production. I’ve wondered why Nemoy would participate in this, and to be honest, he’s the only reason why I’m going to see the movie.
I’ll make my judgments when I see the trailer, but the FAKE ENTERPRISE is not an enterprise. It violates the tradition of Trek, and doesn’t match anything of the sort, and will cause traditional Trek canon to be wiped out; This movie seeks to destroy Trek Canon, and history. You can’t give rebirth to a legion by destroying it with its new splendor.
Joe
@Joseph
Bringing up the new James Bond in defense of your article = bad idea. Quantum of Solace made the most money of any Bond movie EVER on opening weekend, by far.
Vic
You’d be surprised how many opening shows generate money, but then later falls flat. Many opening shows generate so much plublicity, that millions flock to see it. Afterwards, when rumor spreads how much it stinks, the attendance dies down. The same thing happened to Clover Field (Film by JJ Abrams). It was thought to be a smash hit movie, but quickly died.
Trek fans are the kind who go back more than once, to absorb as much as they can. I watched Star Trek the wrath of Kahn six times while it was in theater. I watched Star Trek III (Search for Spock) almost 10 times, and nearly the same for Star Trek IV. After Star Trek IV, William Shatner did a terrible job with number V. The last one was okay, but did not have the same Trek feel.
Now looking at the Next Generation episodes, which ones were the most popular? You’ll find it was those few episodes that contained elements of TOS. The same applies to DS9 and Enterprise. You’ll find clips all over youtube with folks searching for traces of the original series.
In conclusion, Star Trek the original series continues to have the strongest base and support EXCEPT by paramount. I’m glad that they are giving JJ a healthy budget for his film, but with all of that money, I’m certain a better design could have been used. Here’s one that I believe would have fit nicely:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/Phoenix_56/SOTL_Reimagined.jpg
That redesigned Enterprise would have been better than the one JJ is trying to introduce.
Joe
You might also want to consider the amount of fans generated by James Cawley. What about them?
Joe
I am PRO TREK!
I believe that a good faith effort is being made to revive the franchise .
And I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt,
At least until I see the finished product.
I dont think Abrams is shutting out Trek fans in favor of new ones.
But he is trying to expand the Fanbase ,
and that MUST HAPPEN IF Trek is to survive.
New trailer is up:
http://screenrant.com/official-hd-new-star-trek-trailer-vic-4243/
Plus I address the old vs. new Trek controversies.
Vic
What's your opinion? Leave a Reply!
Go to Gravatar.com and upload your own (we'll wait)!