Rating: 
Summary: It's Not a TV Show, It's a Way of Life!
Review: "Trekkies," a documentary relative unknown Roger Nygard and hosted by The Next Gen's own Denise Crosby, examines the phenomenal effect that Star Trek has had not on society, not on science fiction, but on the score and scores of Star Trek fans in the world. Some are simply "fans," those who might go to a convention or two, or who read the books, or buy the DVDs, or go opening night for the new movies. Then, there are Trekkies (or "Trekkars," as the more elite and effete fans prefer to call themselves), the people who wear Trek uniforms on a daily basis, build models in their basement, and live their entire lives as Vulcans. It is to these fans that this movie is dedicated, and upon whom it is based.Like most documentaries, there isn't anything terribly groundbreaking in the way of effects, cinematography, or editing, but the subject matter is what carries "Trekkies" and other documentary films into the mainstream. And there's plenty to work with here. The film hops from conventions where people pay thousands of dollars for prosthetics used on the show, to a dentist's office run as a starship, to the basement of a young teenager who is preparing his new outfit for a convention. These fans live, eat, and breathe Star Trek, referring to themselves by "ship assignment" (fan-club designation) and rank. For the most part, the movie remains respectful of these people, but when anyone goes this over-the-top, it's difficult to deal with this kind of subject matter and keep an entirely straight face. Yes, normal human beings might consider them psychotic, but not any more so than other people get about religion, or politics, or actresses and actors (and, to date, there has never been a violent episode involving deranged Star Trek fans that I can think of). The film rounds itself out with interview of most of the cast of the original series and the Next Gen, including an excellent interview with Whoopi Goldberg (Guinan) about how Lt. Uhura inspired her to pursue an acting career. But the "stars" are the fans, and the lengths to which they go in their fan-dom. The DVD presentation is a fullscreen 1.33:1 aspect ratio with a standard 2.0 stereo soundtrack. The transfer is acceptable, reminiscent of other documentaries like "American Movie" and "The Atomic Café." There are zero extras to speak of, except for a trailer (yippee). It's a niche movie, though, and even fans of Star Trek will want to watch this before they buy it. It doesn't exactly lend itself to repeat viewing, so try to track a copy down first before buying it "blind." Grades:
Movie: B+
DVD: C-
Rating: 
Summary: Lifelong Trekkies will love it
Review: My fiancee and I laughed our heads off about this movie. It explores the strange phenomena concerning Trekkies (or Trekkers), of which we are both included. The film looks at all ranges of fans, from the loyal to the ones who will strike the world as being rather strange. Yet, it does not humiliate these people, who often face ridicule enough. It simply presents them for who they are, letting them speak in their own voice to the love they feel for Star Trek. There are many funny scenes and many touching ones as well, most any Trek fan should be able to appreciate this movie! If you're using VHS I would wait for the price to drop (it's good but the $'s seems excessive for any tape) but the Trekkie will want this in his or her collection.
Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest documenteries out there!!!
Review: Many years ago I saw this for the first time and LOVED it. Eventually I bought it and it gets better with every watch. I'm not a huge fan of the Star Trek world (although I do like the shows/movies), but this DVD gives you a major look at the Trekkie community. At first it'll make you laugh but when you think about it, it's no different then the community of sports fanatic (Go Flyers!).
Rating:
Summary: A Respectful, Yet Light Hearted Look At Star Trek Fandom
Review: "Trekkies" does an admirable job treating "Star Trek" fans with much dignity and respect, as it explores the cultural phenomenom that is "Star Trek". Still, it is one of the funniest films I've seen in years. One wonders whether most of the "Star Trek" fans interviewed by actress Denise Crosby should heed William Shatner's "Saturday Night Live" advice: "Go get a life!" Among the most unintentionally hilarious segments are those of a Little Rock, Arkansas woman who dressed up as a Star Fleet Lieutenant Commander while serving on special US prosecutor Kenneth Starr's Whitewater grand jury and a Orlando, Florida dentist who has converted his office into a "Star Trek" shrine. Also rewarding are hearing the reactions of various "Star Trek" cast members towards fans. This is an absolute must for anyone interested in trying to understand the "Star Trek" phenomenom.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant, long overdue documentary
Review: It is not simply my love of Star Trek that leads me to highly recommend Trekkies. This is a fascinating film. Certainly, whether one is a fan or foe of ST, the impact the show has had upon popular culture is undeniable. Trekkies is an examination of the extreme. The film highlights the most energetic and high profile fans. Of course there are multitudes of common everyday TV viewers who adore Star Trek without wearing the uniform or attending the conventions and so forth, but these individuals would not make a very interesting topic for a documentary. I have to respect the fans who so lovingly spoke of their Star Trek obsession in a manner that was neither apologetic nor flinching. I can think of no other TV show that produces such a negative reaction from non-fans. Therefore it's nice to see a group of people who are obviously enjoying themselves (although I must confess that several examples of this intense dedication left my jaw gaping open in disbelief). Herein lies the genius of this work. Trekkies has captured a cultural phenomenon and provided us with valuable insight into a particular human behavior; we experience the point when fanaticism becomes a form of self-identity. The snobbery behind the film's Trekkie vs Trekker debate is very telling; this terminology is essential to those who define themselves through their relation to Star Trek. Knowledge and dedication to a pop-culture icon has become the essence of self-definition for these individuals. Undeniably, this identification is a sure-fire way to set oneself up for ridicule. Yet I find the embracing of the status of outcast to be refreshing. In truth, I see no difference between the Star Trek fan in full regalia and the teenager who dresses, speaks, and becomes the embodiment of his favorite musician. Our society tends to praise individualism while nurturing conformist attitudes. In combating this paradox it has become the habit for many to turn forms of entertainment into the basis of our identities. What we like becomes a valuable substitute for who we are. And always, there is profit to be made. For me the most disturbing aspect of Trekkies is the financial exploitation of people's need to be the "worthiest of fans".
Rating:
Summary: Live Long and Prosper
Review: Before I watched this film I wondered if the makers might make fun of Trekkies. They didn't. The movie is very sympathetic towards its subjects. Are the people in it strange? Not particularly. Mostly, they have an all-consuming hobby. If I had to sum this film up in one sentence, I'd say it's about community, one that Star Trek fans have made for themselves. Maybe in real life some might be a bit on the ostracised side, but in Trekker world everyone is family. As one man says, "We are always recruiting." Essentially, I'd say everyone is trying to take that "sense of wonder" feeling that many 12-year-olds got
watching Star Trek and extend it throughout out every day of their lives. Not a bad thing at all. Everyone was invited, no matter what they were or looked like. One disabled woman probably summed it up best: "For one hour a week, watching the program, I was free." Indeed.
Rating:
Summary: Funny but not cruel
Review: With the emergence of reality tv and Michael Moore's ambush documentaries, the documentary format has taken a beating. Instead of using the real moments in a phenomenon to weave together a story, some documentarians have delivered "look at the freaks" mockeries, indistinguishable from the mockumentaries that once parodied but now imitate. Even good documentaries like American Movie will fall into the "aren't my subjects so funny in their stupid ways" trap. By contrast, Trekkies presents a subculture subject to much mockery but never mocks them. The director isn't capturing his subjects at their most foolish. Yes, decorating a dentist office to look like the Enterprise or wearing the uniform to work is a bit weird, but the director doesn't play up the weirdness so much as allow the individual Trekkies to present themselves as themselves. Nygard avoids the wretched stereotypes (dateless, maniacal, obsessed) and presents intelligent, likeable, obsessed people who have enough insight to know that their hobby is silly, but they have fun with it. Much of the skill comes from the omissions. Nygard doesn't dwell too long on either the fan fiction or the Trekker/Trekkie debates. The less sane examples of fandom get a few minutes on screen and no more. Everyone has encountered the self-righteous humorless geek without a shred of insight. I'm certain Nygard met a lot of them in research. His unwillingness to use them is a sign of respect that anyone with a geeky obsession can appreciate. The one exception is the obnoxious 14-year old kid. He complains about the deficiencies in a uniform that someone worked very hard to make for him. He yells at his friend calling him on the phone because he's busy. He uses many impressive words whose pronunciations elude him. In a lesser director's documentary, he would have been a horrible stereotype. Nygard gives him enough screen time to come off as sympathetic. You might laugh at him but only because he reminds you of yourself at that age. If you find his Web site, you'll see an introduction indicating that he's rather embarrassed and chagrined . He need not be since all 14-year olds are horrible and he was at least interesting. (Besides part of the reason why I'm looking forward to the sequel is to see him as a grown up.) The only caveat is the presence of the Trek people. Some of them provide interesting insights while most of them just rehash the same old interviews from Star Trek programs past - including the tired old story about the actress playing Uhuru meeting Martin Luther King jr. Denise Crosby does a workable hosting job but many of her reaction shots undercut the respect the movie has for the fans. On the other hand, that Data/Tasha Yar picture was a bit much.
Rating:
Summary: A Respectful, Yet Light Hearted Look At Star Trek Fandom
Review: "Trekkies" does an admirable job treating "Star Trek" fans with much dignity and respect, as it explores the cultural phenomenom that is "Star Trek". Still, it is one of the funniest films I've seen in years. One wonders whether most of the "Star Trek" fans interviewed by actress Denise Crosby should heed William Shatner's "Saturday Night Live" advice: "Go get a life!" Among the most unintentionally hilarious segments are those of a Little Rock, Arkansas woman who dressed up as a Star Fleet Lieutenant Commander while serving on special US prosecutor Kenneth Starr's Whitewater grand jury and a Orlando, Florida dentist who has converted his office into a "Star Trek" shrine. Also rewarding are hearing the reactions of various "Star Trek" cast members towards fans. This is an absolute must for anyone interested in trying to understand the "Star Trek" phenomenom.
Rating:
Summary: Trekkies
Review: This is probably a must see for Trekkies, or Trekkers, or whatever. Or simply for anyone who remembers the series and wonders what all the fuss is about. As I write this (May 2004) a sequel, TREKKIES 2, is being released.
Rating:
Summary: A comprehensive study of the world that is Star Trek
Review: When I first saw Trekkies the DVD at my video shop, I figured it was another dig at us poor trekkies, showing the world what sad geeks and nerds we all were. I was therefore happily surprised when I realised that the point of Trekkies was to show the world the impact Star Trek has had on people and their lives. Granted, there were some people on Trekkies that defied belief, but overall, most of the fans you see on Trekkies are people who have found something that not only entertain them, but enrich their lives as well. Trekkies is a must see for anyone interested in learning more about the magic that is Star Trek.
|
