Trekkies

source: Trekkies

I am not a fan of Star Trek, but I thought this movie was hilarious, and very well made. I never realized how much Star Trek fans loved that show. Some wear Star Trek uniforms to work. Some wear "phasers" every day. Some are fluent in Klingon. There's a full translation of Hamlet in Klingon language. A dentist has outfitted his entire office as if it were aboard the Enterprise. Who knew? This is wacky and funny. Trekkies doesn't relentlessly mock its subjects, but shows them sympathetically. Still, it's hilarious. I recommend it to anyone at all familiar with Star Trek. It is NOT only for Star Trek fans.

It seems that the dissatisfying depths sunk to by The Phantom Menace have caused the sci-fi pendulum to swing wildly back into the Star Trek camp. First we're given Galaxy Quest, a fictional spoof on the Star Trek convention sub-culture, and now the Trekkies, a dead-pan documentary that manages to take the spoof further than any fiction could. The premise is simple; former Next Generation cast member Denise Crosby wanders the desolate plains of science fiction conventions with camera in tow. What she uncovers is often fascinating, frequently disturbing, and almost without exception, incredibly sad. In case you've missed one of the best-documented cultural phenomena of the past two decades, convention attendees notoriously devote their time and energy to emulating what they've seen on the screen, which usually means playing dress-up. Some are obviously out to have fun, but most seem to invest a great deal of their self-worth in the creation of their characters. Even this can provide good entertainment, but it often seems unbearably vacant; many of these folks express admiration for the society of equality and freedom depicted by Trek, but instead of actually doing something in the real world to make the vision come to life, they put on a wig, paint their face blue and go to the con. Not surprisingly, the pretense clung to by the Trekkies (or Trekkers, as some prefer to be called) rings false much of the time. The Star Fleet officers they strive to mimic are members of a hierarchical, pseudo-military organization, in which people presumably ascend in rank through merit and achievement. The sad sacks running around in Trekkies have the luxury of defining themselves as they wish. Logic would dictate that such a scenario would produce many more Lieutenant Commanders than Yeoman, and Trekkies provides ample proof. What's especially hard to comprehend is the gleam of pride so evident in the eyes of these people. What's to be proud of? They did nothing to earn their store-bought uniforms or pips, except, of course, purchase them. I got the impression that 20 years ago, these same folks would have been nudging me on the school bus, offering to tell me tales of their 20th-level Paladin, his +5 Holy Avenger, and the contents of his Bag of Holding. Thankfully, we are also offered a few brief interviews with many of the cast members of the original series and its progeny. The descriptions of the "original" Trek convention are intriguing. Most admirable is Brent Spiner (Lt. Cmd. Data from Next Generation), whose dry humor and cynicism seem appropriate.

The execution of a movie that HAD to happen could of so easily misfired. Thankfully, its execution was pretty good. Somewhat respectful of the series and the fans, it doesn't shy away from the kooks. Watchable by Trekkie, Trekker, or civilian was a tough trick to pull off. Granted, it is difficult to feel the tone of the movie at times. Maybe because the movie itself never knows what it wants to be. I guess the big cause of the identity crisis is Denise Crosby. Possibly I am just jealous seeing someone who CAN have her cake AND eat it too. Making money while making fun of the fools giving her loot AT THE SAME TIME would make any producer or director schizophrenic. It sure filled me with awe and envy. She should get into politics were such defects of character would be an absolute boon. Oddly enough, that does not take away from the movie. Out of all the cast members, Brett Spiner comes across as the most 'down to earth' (pun intended) and likable. I sure hope the crazy red- head never tries anything BAD. George Takei is always gracious and unflappable, even on the Howard Stern show. But what about the titular "Trekkies"? Fear not. Barbara Adams, the transvestite, and the mullet- kid using the biggest words he can think of are a blast to watch. The prize for most irritating is a three way tie between the smarmy jerk who allegedly created the Klingon language, the goofs who actually attend a Klingon language workshop, and the group of 'Klingons' featured in the film. A scene where I suppose they are supposed to be intimidating is so bad, it is embarrassing. Get real, wannabe toughs. They make Paul Lynde seem downright tough. Too bad, the Klingons of both series are pretty interesting. 2nd place goes to the cat who plays "Q". He does not come off as particularly likable or even moderately talented. Speaking of minuscule talent, the radio morning show guys were a living parody. The machine on the Simpsons could easily replace that duo. Finally, to the stooge who purchased the "Q" virus*, hangovers are not communicable. It is hard to determine who deserves more contempt. The huckster who put it up for sale, or the unnamed, & thankfully unknown moron* who bought it? If you watch it, that statement will make sense. BY ALL MEANS, check out "Trekkies". Before the haters start dogging this review, I watched ST:TOS in 1974. As an 12 year old paperboy I had to buy a 13" b&w because the reruns were on the same time as the news. And ST:TNG was about the ONLY thing worth watching on SPIKE-TV. There are so many things that could of been dropped, especially Janeway interviews and 60% of the alleged fans. *You know who you are, doofus. PS James Doohan lost his finger on D-day. The dentist and Denise's joking about it is aggravating to this veteran. Gardening accident? ggrrrr

I thought the storytelling in this doc. was incredible. Never does the narration, the interviewing, or the framing poke fun at the bizarre, unconventional -- you know, I'm not even sure what other word works to describe these people -- fans who have made incredible adjustments in their lives in order to pay homage to Star Trek. Yes, they are strange. Yes, they seem to sometimes proclaim the supremacy of Star Trek with a vehemence that only suggests the alternative is enough to topple their worlds. But at the same time, this film, I think, takes a gentle, even respectful look at their strange personal universes. If you want to laugh, that is your prerogative. But I think this doc. is motivated more by fascination than by indignation or disgust. Trekkies (and Trekkers) are a cultural phenomenon. One that deserves the care and depth used in the presentation of this documentary.

When my friend and I rented this movie, we sat down with the intent that it was going to make fun of trekkies. But after watching it, my opinion actually changed about them. And for the better. This movie not only shows the fans, but it talks about the culture itself. I ended up actually respecting the Gene Roddenberry trekkies because Roddenberry wanted an upbeat future. Something where humanity was actually better over all. And the fans that followed his idea are very friendly and accepting. Even the ones that emulate the war like Klingons are still a lot more friendly than other sci fi fans you will meet. I'm not saying all of the fans are like this. I've met some of the more egotistical ones, but that is mainly on the inet where you have a tendency to run into people that have very little social skills. But the people in this movie are actually quite normal! As for the movie, Denise Crosby does a great job as both host and interviewer. She asked questions in a non-biased way, which is the most we could want in a reporter. I liked Star Trek: The Next Generation but not the other series in the franchise so I wouldn't call myself a trekkie. I never went to a convention and don't plan on ever. So this movie was an eye opener. I'll deal with theses Roddenberry fans over any other TV show fanatics any day of the week. In fact, I'll take these fans over sports fans as well. Trek may be dorkie, but I never heard of a trekkie booing the first black Star Trek actor like Philly fans did to Jackie Robinson in baseball. Oh, and as a side note. During the Klingon language class scene, my friend and I had to stop the tape and rewind to watch it again. The one woman in the class was hot. We were dumbstruck by the fact that an attractive female was trying to learn Klingon :P

I've read many reviews before I actually saw Trekkies and I must admit that I was pleasingly surprised! It isn't as bad as many people want to make you believe... actually I find it very interesting and entertaining. True, there are some really weird people in it, but weird also means NOT boring. And I don't mean only in the film, I also mean in live! I think, only StarTrek fans who take themselves too much serious, believe that the people who are shown in Trekkies were portrayed as freaks. I agree that they picked up some real extreme examples of StarTrek fandom, but as mentioned by Peanuthead before, that's what makes the film so interesting: "It's capacity to make you think!" And anybody who thinks that they better had shown some "cooler" fans is missing the point! StarTrek fandom isn't about being cool or stylish, it's about enthusiasm, about devotion and about being what you want to be. It's about being yourself and enjoying it, to stay to yourself and not denying what you are or what you love. Not every fan has to live it out like that, but everybody who wants to, is free to do! Sometimes people actually want to be different, not necessarily to be someone special, just to be not like everyone else... Sometimes this can cause extreme examples, but think about it, where does the term "fan" come from? ...right, it's the short form of fanatic! (And that's not necessarily always a negative term.) At one or two occasions of the film I had to bear in mind the StarTrek/X-Men-Crossover-Novel "Planet X", where the character Archangel is pushing it over the edge with Captain Picard to test this unknown community of the future, which claims itself to be so liberal and tolerant... Think about it and you probably think about yourself. Greetings LoganSan P.S.: Don't mind my bad English... :)

I've known a number of sci-fi geeks over the years, and it is fascinating to see a whole movie about them. I've never been able to develop that sort of all-encompassing passion for anything, be in the New York Mets or The Grateful Dead, but it's fascinating to see what this obsessiveness produces. I think Trekkies and sci-fi fans in general consist of people who have been pushed so far out of mainstream society - these are almost invariably the people (like me) who were tortured and marginalized growing up - that they have an almost insane attracting to alternate societies. So they go to sci-fi conventions, joining the Society for Creative Anachronisms (you'll also find that there is a major overlap between fans of Lord of the Rings and Star Trek with people who are into S&M or polyamourous relationships. I wish someone would make a documentary about the whole alternate geek lifestyle thing). Anyway, this movie is very funny and covers a lot of ground in a pleasantly chaotic fashion, jumping from merchandising to fan fiction to people making it through hard times via their obsession with the show. It is very much worth watching.

As somebody who grew up watching Star Trek (TOS) and who enjoys all of the subsequent series, I appreciated this documentary about the followers of Star Trek and the profound influence of the Star Trek franchise more than most. It;s only flaw, in my opinion, was its focus on the more recent generation of Star Trek writers, and the down-playing of Gene Roddenberry's role in the first three series. But this isn't a film about the franchise. It's a film about the people whose lives it changed for the better. While the film does light-heartedly poke fun at Trekkies, it also celebrates them - simultaneously noting the weirdness of people who do their grocery shopping in Star Fleet uniforms and celebrating their courage and conviction. Although this is a funny film, and one with a big heart and even some intelligent social and political commentary, I do not believe it will satisfy everybody, and I am not sure everybody will see it as inoffensive fun (some of us get a little too sensitive about our dedication to Star Trek). So, I can't really recommend this film to people who are neither Star Trek fans, nor people who do not know any Star Trek fans. Having said that, I am now wondering whether any such person could exist.

Finally, something new and fresh. This documentary needed to be made. It's very funny, scary, weird, touching and always interesting. Although the pace drags at times, it's entertaining and *gasp!* educational. I'm no trekkie, I do enjoy the movies though. Although I can't relate to the trekkies featured here, one can't help but admire their devotion. Oh sure, we laugh when we see some klingon's going to a fast food restaurant, get a tad freaked out by a transvesite in a Starfleet uniform, and shake our heads at "Spinerfems". But guess what, they aren't hurting anybody! In fact, from what I saw, local Trekkie chapters do a lot of good for their community. Klingons even visit children's hospitals! Is it weird to see someone in public wearing a phaser and a star fleet uniform? Yes, to so-called 'normal' people. Yet it's considered perfectly acceptable for an armchair jock to wear major-league baseball caps and jerseys of their favorite players in public. Hey, if a trekkie married couple has a succesful dental practice, do they need to "get a life"? Maybe the guy who spends his Sundays at the bar watching football all day needs to get one. Hey, I laughed at it most of the time. I admit it. The candid interviews of some of the ex-cast members are a riot! And near the end of the video, there was one interview with a Radio-Shack-Trekkie (the worst kind, I think) where I could not stop laughing. I mean it, he was such a GEEK. But then, this guy has invented something useful, I haven't. There you go.