The good ship Serenity

I've been watching my DVD boxset of the much-missed Firefly (sob!) lately, and realising all over again what a brilliant show it was. So, after posting a pic of the sleek new Enterprise in my last blog, here's a totally different kind of spaceship: a bit old, a bit ricketty, held together by chewing-gum and string, and available for various dirty jobs if the price is right - I give you Captain Mal Reynolds' pride and joy - Serenity.

Shiny!

Set phasers to thrill!

I went to see the new Star Trek movie last night, with my mate Kev. And LOVED it.

Now, I've never been a Trekkie/Trekker/Trekk-ite (?) although I watched the Classic Series as a kid

( of course ) and occasionally caught an episode of Deep Space 9. Kev, on the other hand, has always been a fan of the Starfleet boys and girls in whichever permutation they beamed down in. So I think he found this reboot a bit harder to take than me, what with its "alternate timeline" and all.

( Whoops...spoilers! )

So the viewpoint of a non-fan: Wow! The film starts with a massive, pre-credits spaceship battle and doesn't let the pace slacken from then on. You get action, spectacle, humour, a minimum of exposition and some economical introductions to the characters. The movie never gets too bogged down with backstory or Starfleet Directives ( so mercilessly mocked in Red Dwarf ) and just barrels along until the end when you're left wanting more. Compare and contrast with any random 1980's or 90's Trek episode: people with bumpy foreheads debating, er, something; cheesy moralising; endless beige starship corridors. Brrrr!

My only real complaint is that Simon Pegg didn't have a lot to do as Scotty, other than provide a few laughs. Hold out for the sequel, eh? Most of the other cast members seemed to be having a whale of a time ( or was that Star Trek IV? ), especially Zachary Quinto as Spock and Karl Urban as Bones, who were both perfect. Oh, and Uhura's Hot. Just thought I'd mention it.

Live long and prosper, or at least get one sequel.

Curse Of The BSOD

My home PC is still ill ( as Morrissey might put it ) : previously the internet was the only thing affected, but now it's displaying the ubiquitous Blue Screen Of Death and NOTHING is working. Hopefully we'll get something sorted soon but, until then, blogging is on a when-I-get-the-chance-and-the-boss-ain't-watching basis only. I've got some posts in mind about scratchy old Punk 45's, recent reading updates and dodgy 1970's SF mags, so I'll try and sort them out when I get the opportunity. Until then, Hang Loose!