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posted 04.21.99
delsyn@email.msn.com writes:
On your advice I've begun watching the Horatio Hornblower movies -- you're right, they're most enjoyable.
Regarding your Hornblower vs. Kirk comparison, would you be interested in a contrasting opinion? The initial character of Pike, Kirk, and Picard as written and designed by Roddenberry were based on Hornblower, however, to answer your statement about Roddenberry's control over the original series and why he kept talking about it even after it Kirk's character was changed:
- Captain Kirk was hijacked by William Shatner almost as soon as the series began. Shatner demanded his character be made "more heroic" and spent a lot of time rewriting scripts to be more in line with his own ego. That's why a lot of the cast hates him to this day.
- Roddenberry was at heart a carnival huckster who happened to have one good idea that he exploited for all it was worth for the remainder of his life. After season one of both the original show and Next Gen Roddenberry faded into the background -- the first time voluntarily because he was interested in exploiting the show and making a lot of money through his Lincoln Enterprises company. The second time he was pushed back by Paramount and Michael Berman when they realized he was killing Next Gen. However he was never above claiming credit for things he didn't do and rewriting history to make himself look better.
The worst parts of Kirk are William Shatner. He's the one who gave Kirk his ego, his arrogance, his womanizing nature, and the annoying luck that never let him feel the results of his lunatic stunts and cowboy mentality.
Picard was Roddenberry's creation as well, and that character as well as everything else on Next Gen was his chance to do Star Trek "right," so he revisited his original concepts -- things like the Hornblower character (which Patrick Stewart has commented that Picard was based on), Number One, no conflict among Starfleet officers, and the annoying "everything's better in the Federation" attitude. Much of the first season sucked because of Roddenberry's heavy hand. It wasn't until Roddenberry was pushed into the background that the show started getting better, only this time the captain character was developed by a more talented (and probably nicer) actor than William Shatner -- and remained truer to Hornblower.
Anyhow, that's my 2 cents -- keep up the good work.Best,
Allen
The Flick Filosopher responds:
There you have it: the definitive word on Captain Jerk, er, Kirk.
posted 04.19.99
lbrap@ultinet.net writes:
I just saw your comparison between Captain Kirk and Horatio Hornblower. I don't think that it is Hornblower who will eventually behave like Kirk. Rather, Kirk's original personality was probably supposed to be more like Hornblower's. If you look at early Star Trek episodes, including the pilot, the captain, Kirk and Pike, do indeed question their ability and right to command. Even wishing they didn't have the responsibility. A nice bit of characterization that was dropped from the Kirk character early on.
The Flick Filosopher responds:
Well, that was sorta my point, that if Hornblower was the inspiration for Kirk, it didn't stick. Roddenberry used to make such a big deal out of the fact that Kirk was based on Hornblower, and since Roddenberry had such tight control over the original series, you'd think he'd either stick to his inspiration or stop talking about it.
posted 04.19.99
sunfell@aristotle.net writes:
OK, maybe Gene Roddenberry used Hornblower as an inspiration for Kirk -- but you're right about the two characters not having much in common. (I'm not much of a Kirk fan, either.) I think that the better Hornblower echo might be the wonderful Captain Picard, who displays the same mixture of rambunctiousness and gravity as young Horatio. Take another look and see if you agree.
Lorie
The Flick Filosopher responds:
You're right! In fact, it occurred to me after I posted my review that Horatio is very like Picard (whom I always liked much more that Kirk!). Of course, perhaps Kirk was like Horatio when he was younger and got knocked on the head or something...
posted 03.22.99
ml83@cornell.edu writes:
I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy reading your site. Though I rarely agree with your reviews, I find them well-written, thoughtful, and intelligent. You always back your opinion with understandable reasons. I do find it amusing how rarely I agree (the only ones I can think about are The Truman Show and Oscar and Lucinda) but how much fun I have reading your reviews nevertheless.
The Flick Filosopher responds:
If I can keep someone who so totally disagrees with me coming back for more, I must be doing something right! :-)
posted 03.22.99
respect@aros.net writes:
What the hell is everyone's deal with this thing [the Star Wars trailer]? I mean, sure the trailer is cool... so was Titanic's. However, with all this hype, there is only one outcome: disappointment. You can give me every single argument against this, it will be a huge disappointment. There's no way around it. If the film is actually good, I will be surprised. I'm not a Star Wars fan... I don't see why it's such a phenomenon. I thought Return of the Jedi was a horrible film. I've seen all three films at least twice, and it still boggles me. Each time I watch them, the less impressive they become. Frankly, I can't wait for Austin Powers 2... it looks infinitely better, and at a much lower budget too.
Boyd Petrie
The Flick Filosopher responds:
You explained it yourself. You don't get it because you're not a fan. There you go.
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