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KHAAAAAAAN!


This past weekend I attended a showing of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan which of course is my favourite Star Trek film (isn't it every Trekkie/Trekkers?) and also ranks in my personal top ten films of all time.

The showing was part of day long Star Trek event for the anniversary so the cinema was dominated by Trek fans (I now regret not wearing my red "Expendable" shirt), so I felt a little out of place among all the Andorians, Klingons and Starfleet officers.

It was the first time I'd seen Wrath of Khan on "the big screen", so initially I was a little disappointed with the quality of the print. The cinema had to be using one of the original prints from the original release in 1982... the sound was choppy and crackly, and the film was splotchy and had a brown/orange tint to it throughout... but I have to say it was still one of the most fun events I've ever been to and a very memorable viewing of Star Trek II... mostly because of the fan presence of all things.

I've never actually been to a Star Trek event with fans before... I'd always imagined conventions and the like to be a rather strange and surreal gathering; but now having dipped my toe into the waters so to speak, I was taken by surprise by all the genuine positive energy.

You haven't experience Wrath of Khan until you've watched it along with other fans. All that cheering as the film began is infective. I get the feeling that this must be something what people feel like going to church... like minded individuals all gathering together to enjoy something they believe to be interesting and significant... Wrath of Khan however being bigger and more interesting than Jesus* and Star Trek fans being slightly less fanatical than Christians (at least while there aren't any Star Wars fanatics present).

Ironically, the best part of the film was when the sound complete cut out for three minutes (just as Kirk and company beam down the the Regula 1 space lab) and everyone began filling in the lines, or ad-libing new ones. Best ab-lib: "Awww... we're all wearing red shirts".

I'm looking forward to my next "fan" experience... although you will never catch me sporting pointy ears!

*Good thing I don't have any records to burn.


Comments

  1. ChaosAdventurer10 September 2012 at 10:20

    We will get you to the full conventions yet, you will be assimilated no matter what Jedi mind tricks you use :)
    There is nothing like being with such a group of like minded people, it is such a high!
    I got to see some of the Classic Trek episodes on 35mm film in a church function room back in college, tonnes of fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Xorton12 September 2012 at 09:27

      I have a feeling that resistance is futile. Better put new batteries in my phaser.

      Delete
  2. Unknown2 October 2012 at 20:48

    That was the BEST viewing of Wrath of Kahn I have ever been a part of. I loved the print. I loved the crowd.

    ReplyDelete

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