When I first heard about Star Trek: New Voyages, I was blown away by the concept. Getting together at a convention is one thing - making your own show is really something else.
I knew going in that I had to sort of open my mind to watch New Voyages. After all, James Cawley is not suddenly going to become Shatner as he was in the 60's. None of the actors here were going to transform into the actors from the original show. With that in mind I watched a couple trailers and one of the episodes.
The first actor I adjusted to is the guy who plays Spock. Sure, he looks nothing like Leonard Nimoy, but he has a dry delivery that really works for me. I'd say his interpretation of Spock is... er... quite logical. Next I began to adjust to the new Captain Kirk. My biggest problem was the Elvis Hair - I realize that Mr. Cawley is an Elvis impersonator, but the hair distracts from the Star Trek feel. He's sort of "doing" Shatner's Kirk, complete with pauses, but with some character exaggerations. But that's okay. I got used to it - really.
The two characters I never really was able to let become the original characters for me were the New Voyages Scotty and Dr. McCoy. I didn't see any of McCoy's folksy crustiness or Scotty's depth. But I'll keep trying.
I could nitpick all night long, and it wouldn't change the fact that this show so far is more than the sum of its parts. The enterprise is magnificent as is the concept of a fan-driven show and the dedication that went into doing it. Honestly the effects are much better than the original show's effects, the acting isn't much worse and the plots are fun to watch develop. And I hope that it goes without saying that it was wonderful to see the actors from the original show, as well as David Gerrold and professional talents like effects people, directors and makeup people working on this project.
The webisodes are fun to watch, engaging, and the effects are wonderful. I look forward to the next one to be released. One thing Star Trek is known for is bringing fans together, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the New Voyages episodes.
I knew going in that I had to sort of open my mind to watch New Voyages. After all, James Cawley is not suddenly going to become Shatner as he was in the 60's. None of the actors here were going to transform into the actors from the original show. With that in mind I watched a couple trailers and one of the episodes.
The first actor I adjusted to is the guy who plays Spock. Sure, he looks nothing like Leonard Nimoy, but he has a dry delivery that really works for me. I'd say his interpretation of Spock is... er... quite logical. Next I began to adjust to the new Captain Kirk. My biggest problem was the Elvis Hair - I realize that Mr. Cawley is an Elvis impersonator, but the hair distracts from the Star Trek feel. He's sort of "doing" Shatner's Kirk, complete with pauses, but with some character exaggerations. But that's okay. I got used to it - really.
The two characters I never really was able to let become the original characters for me were the New Voyages Scotty and Dr. McCoy. I didn't see any of McCoy's folksy crustiness or Scotty's depth. But I'll keep trying.
I could nitpick all night long, and it wouldn't change the fact that this show so far is more than the sum of its parts. The enterprise is magnificent as is the concept of a fan-driven show and the dedication that went into doing it. Honestly the effects are much better than the original show's effects, the acting isn't much worse and the plots are fun to watch develop. And I hope that it goes without saying that it was wonderful to see the actors from the original show, as well as David Gerrold and professional talents like effects people, directors and makeup people working on this project.
The webisodes are fun to watch, engaging, and the effects are wonderful. I look forward to the next one to be released. One thing Star Trek is known for is bringing fans together, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the New Voyages episodes.