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Rating:  -
The above is a quote from one young man who hosts a yearly "Star Trek" "bash." Funny, but not surprising.
As a casual fan of "Star Trek" (yes, we exist) and a fan of Denise Crosby (love her work in horror cinema!), I thought this documentary could be intriguing. Instead, it was strangely repellent. While former cast members were exceptionally generous with their time and patience, the so-called "Trekkers," "Trekkies" and "Spiner Femmes" were horrifically damaged (clearly, they are avoiding some trauma in their lives by enmeshing themselves in an imaginary world ... going so far as to wear phasers and tricorders to work EVERYDAY!) Most of those featured (as you guessed) are socially backward and deeply disturbed (no joke, the documentary ACTUALLY shows one man hanging-out at the local Radio Shack ... you think that's a vicious stereotype, until you see it happen!) Nonetheless, I must note that a dentist and four radio hosts were also featured ... all seemed fairly grounded (as if Star Trek enhanced their lives as opposed to destroying it) (and, it is crucial to note that "Star Trek," per se, did not ruin the lives of these folks ... if not for this show, these people would have found something else on which to irrational attach themselves).
While the interviews with fans were unsettling and grotesque, it was a genuine treat to see LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, and John de Lancie discuss their experiences (all of whom seem as warm and patient as you'd imagine). Likewise, it was quite amusing to behold Brent Spiner and Denise Crosby "tease" their fans with thinly veiled "flirtations" (all for the cameras, of course!!) Wait until you see the fan depictions of Yar and Data in flagrante delicto!! (You'll want to tear your eyes out!)
Finally, I'm not certain I can tolerate one more "Trekkie" or "Trekker" blather-on about how "Star Trek" "predicted the future of technology." While these fragile folks find this flattering to the show, what's even more flattering is the fact that many involved in technological development are fans of the program ... and have been inspired by it. Sooo, for once and for all, "Star Trek" is not the Nostradamus of technology ... it inspired our brightest minds (and, obviously, fostered some very flawed ones, as well).
If high-quality film is not a concern of yours (the film stock is not the best nor is the sound quality), if you have an interest in mental illness, or if you would like to affirm your own sanity, watch this piece. However, I must caution you, when this work ended, I liked "Star Trek" a little less. The deeply disturbed fan-base (isolated, detached from reality, admittedly suicidal, socially inept, etc...) repel the rational viewer.
Rating:  -
You don't have to be a trekkie to enjoy this documentary featuring cast and fans of the orinal Star Trek TV series. Sweet, funny, insightful and a little strange.
Rating: -
... if only for the comment made by the female collector who dressed in the military fatigues. When she said she read too many Conan books as a kid, I just about lost it!
Much like the other reviewers here, I enjoyed this flick a lot. I never really got involved with any series other than TNG, and I definitely never took things as far as some of the folks in this video did. That said, I have to somewhat admire the people in this video for their dedication and flat-out courage. It honestly (I think) takes a lot of guts for these diehards to express themselves the way they do. I can only imagine they catch a lot of grief from the general public, but they stand by their convictions and dedication, and that says something. I think the world would be a much better place if we all stuck by our convictions as much as the fans in this program do. Whether that means Star Trek reaches humanity on a deeper level, I don't know. But I think on the surface, at the very least its a unifying point for many people who may not have one otherwise.
The only hangup I have is the transexual fan - she doesn't really lend any insight into the program or the phenomena of Star Trek. It seems the documentarian(s) put her in for more shock value than anything else. That, and the difference between a "Trekker" and a "Trekkie" isn't really distinguished enough for me, but I'm probably missing something.
Overall, an excellent documentary - well produced, very interesting, and very entertaining. Now where did I put my old Conan mags?
Rating:  -
This expose of Star Trek fandom was interesting and well-done.
I loved Denise Crosby as the interviewer. I remember this movie coming out in '97 and I have finally had a chance to see it--wow, do the eyeglasses everyone wears look huge!
The documentary covered all aspects of fandom and treated the super-fans with respect, despite their eccentricities. We're shown interviews with original cast members, although I would have liked to see some of the DS-9 actors portrayed. Kate Mulgrew does an hilarious Seinfeld-like bit on the difference between Trekker and Trekkie. Brent Spiner and Denise discuss the erotic Trek artwork of fans--especially with humorous regard to their own on-screen sexual exploits. Was it telling that Will Wheaton (the despised Wesley) avoided looking right at the camera during his interview? The young Crusher character was practically a parody himself--hardly one to comment on the fans.
Meeting most of the intelligent fans was fun, though that strange transvestite seemed to serve no purpose whatsoever; I could have done without him. I could also live with less Klingon representation in the documentary.
I thought the teenage boy collector fan was great. He really knew his stuff, knew the value of his memorabilia, and provided a lot of information and intelligent commentary. He gave the impression that he still had a life.
Overall I enjoyed Trekkies and am looking forward to watching the sequel.
Rating: -
Before this review, my Trekkie statistics:
1. Seen every episode? Yes (I think).
2. Watched all the series? Yes, all except for "Enterprise" (the Abomination).
3. Love Star Trek? Yes.
4. Ever been to a convention? Yes.
5. Ever dressed up in a Star Trek uniform? Yes, on several occasions. My favorite was on Western Day in high school. People were confused but I just told them, "Hey, space IS the final frontier!"
6. Ever been in a local starship chapter? Yes, but not currently.
7. Own a lot of Star Trek memorabilia? No.
8. Can speak Klingon? Stovalcore! Blood worms! Qa'pla! (No, not really.)
So there you go. Now you know where I'm coming from as a Trekkie, Trekker, or whatever. (I try not to get involved in the whole "debacle.")
I really enjoyed this movie. It really tried to show the subculture of Star Trek in this country, and in a non-judgemental way. But some of the people in the show, while they seemed nice, also seemed... well, really really WEIRD.
"Am I in that group? Is that what I'm all about?" That's what I kept asking myself as I watched. And the answer is, to some extent yes. All Trekkers (Trekkies, Treklians, etc.) each share one thing together and that is Imagination. With or without all the moralizing, the stories just really spark the imagination. And that just really resonates with a certain group of people.
And what separates Science Fiction from Fantasy is the fact that Science Fiction usually tries to show something that could actually be possible someday. It shows the impossible made possible, through technology and imagination. That appeals to a lot of Star Trek fans.
Other Star Trek fans are drawn to the morality portrayed in the show, with humanity united as a whole with an end to hunger and disease. It shows a hopeful future for mankind and not a bleak one. This many find very appealing.
So I identify with all of that. What I DON'T identify with is:
1. People who want to fill their houses full of Star Trek "collectables" until they are literally buried in junk.
2. People who wear Star Trek uniforms and equipment in their daily work and social lives.
3. People who are seemingly obsessed with making exact replicas of cheesy paper mache props used in an old TV show from the 60's (eccentric behavior to say the least).
4. People who, when under stress, like to pause to meditate on their favorite Star Trek actor (a "Brent Moment", so to speak).
5. People who send gifts to actors who frankly have better things to do and don't give a rat's ___.
6. People who own photo albums filled with identical multiple shots of their favorite Star Trek actor. (I mean, how many long-shot portraits of a guy standing on stage do you really need?)
7. People who somehow have the time and resources to travel around the country attending Star Trek conventions.
8. People who like to write erotic literature or draw erotic art of ACTORS.
9. People who want to get their ears changed to points.
10. People who want to have serious discussions about political issues while dressed in a Klingon Uniform. (Did you see how The Shatner flinched when that lady teacher was talking to him? I don't blame him. It's hard to take people seriously when they look so ridiculous. She may as well have been wearing a clown suit.)
11. Cross-dressers who like to wear Star Trek uniforms, makeup, and God-awful wigs.
12. Lastly, people who are into "filking." Particularly said cross-dressers. (Star Trek Folk Singing = Filking? Seems like it would be "Strefinging" instead.)
Okay, now there will be die-hard Star Trek fans who will hate my review and will now belittle me. "That's not inclusive - that's not what Star Trek is all about!", they will say. Well, there is being inclusive toward people and then there is just taking notice when people are being downright weird. Is it bigoted to notice when people are acting in a strange manner? I mean, liking a TV show is one thing, but making it central to your life is another. That kind of behavior is just plain weird NO MATTER WHAT TV show we are talking about!
It is no wonder that some of these people feel ostracized by society. To the average person, what they are doing is weird!
I quit going to the local Star Trek starship chapter because it was filled with people like this who are just so dang strange. And I hate to say it, but a lot of them did not have a very good family life (not that they necessarily had any choice), some had problems with their sexuality, and worse, many did not have any real career aspirations or ambition. To some extent, the extreme fringe of Star Trek fandom has become a type of church. It is a place where everybody feels good because they can all be strange together. After all if we are ALL strange, then nobody can single ME out. Except that this attracts people that the organized church doesn't even want. Is that a good thing? I personally would rather hang around with people who are more mentally and emotionally balanced.
Lots of nice people, to be sure, but some very weird people too. It's the weird ones that drove me out. Call me a snob if you will.
But maybe I'm being too harsh. As Brent Spiner said in this movie, "Aren't we all a bit peculiar?" (or something to that effect). That IS true.
Some Trekkers, like the guy in the movie who wore the uniform to the grocery store, are very nice. I mean, you could tell that that is just a very nice man. He was extremely likeable, with a warm and charming personality. But... (Reality Check). Come on man, you're wearing a Star Trek uniform to the GROCERY STORE!
In conclusion, this is a great movie and I recommend it. Sure it shows some crazy people, but aren't we all crazy? It is still very good to watch. I especially liked the Star Trek standup comedy at the end. That was hilarious.
A good movie. Recommended.
P.S. Denise Crosby is hot and you know it!
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