"He's dead, Jim"

Last night, my brothers, some friends and I went to go see the new Star Trek movie at the IMAX and I've gotta say that I really liked. Coming from someone that has liked Star Trek since a kid, this was a good reboot or rethinking of the franchise. It needed a few years of rest. It has been on since the late 60s, so a good rest is what it needed. And along the way, Star Trek fans have been given a bad rep. Jokes of people in their 30s that live in their parents' basement and only watch Star Trek. I've never dressed up or gone to conventions. I never went that far. But really, how different is that from people that paint half their bodies and wear beer hats and scream and cheer at football games? Or people that wear jersies of their favorite players? Or Star Wars fans that do the same? And there were some at the theater last night, dressed up as Starfleet Officers. It was interesting.

As the movie started and throughout there were even some cheers and clapping. And it was a good movie. It captured the spark of the original series, just with a new take on it. What was best of the old series was not the special effects. If you see the old show, the effects, props and even the acting was SO CHEESY. But that's what made it cool. It was funny to see the incredibly fake aliens and effects. But it had a lot of character. It focused on character. And that is what makes something enjoyable to watch. It was the relationship that Kirk had with Spock, Spock with McCoy, McCoy with Kirk. Kirk is the emotional one. Spock is the logical one. And McCoy is the one that who enjoys speaking his mind. And putting those relationships with good stories made the show.

If you ask someone why they like this show, they might say that it gives hope for the future. That there could be no barriers that separate humanity. Because in the show, there is no war, no poverty, no hunger, no racial prejudice. But only on Earth. There is still problems with other races. So that is why many like it.

Of course, as Christians, we know what the future holds and don't need a TV show to give us some hope. The Bible gives a much better future to expect. But it's interesting that there are MANY Trek fans that like the show for that reason. It just goes to show that that is what people want: peace. I saw this report on the Internet announcing a 'march around the world' kinda thing, promoting peace throughout the world. And we all know what the 1 Thessalonians says. When peace is thought to be obtained, the end will come. But, again, it goes to show that peace is desired and for that reason many are responding favorably to the Kingdom Message.

Well, I guess what started to be a Star Trek post, ended with a Biblical point. Interestingly. But all in all, a good movie. Funny, exciting, sad, dramatic. A good example of this type of episode, is "The City on the Edge of Forever". The episode takes place mainly on Earth from the '30s. It's a story of friendship, love, and sacrifice. A huge sacrifice for the better good. It's a sad episode, but one of the best episodes, for me anyway. For your convenience and viewing pleasure, I have embeded the episode here from cbs.com. Just remember that it is from the 60s, cheesy special effects, not very good acting, but classic. It's a a good story. And folks, that's what it's all about.



If you can't see it, try following these links: cbs.com or youtube.com