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Nonsense plan in place to put TOS on HD with new CGI


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They've been banding about with the idea of doing the original series with new CGI for years now, it was originally considered way back when it would have looked truely awful (early 90s) and I think again in light of the Star Wars special editions in 97.

 

I think the idea died a quiet death with the general loss of enthusiasm for the craze of making new versions of old movies, and the bad reception received for attempts to do so to, Red Dwarf being a noteable example.

 

You can read about it here and here.

 

It does seem like one of those things that will never happen but at the same time its not unfeasable. It seems like TOS is a key property for Paramount at the moment with it representing a kind of ironic retro kitch. Although tampering with it would seem to go against this appeal, and can be better seen as a way of drawing attention to the series in conjunction with the upcoming film, as well as making an attempt to modernise it somewhat to create a basis for making a film in its likeness.

 

The second article mentions the idea of allowing viewers to watch original or tampered versions, presumably by seamless branching authoring, this seems likely on account of the probable outrage at only releasing altered HD versions and seems less ridiculous in that it would be nice to have the option to see a new version of TOS but not to be confined to it. But it seems stupid to redo the entire series, maybe a handful of action orientated episodes, that would be a real treat.

 

When it comes down to it, this sort of thing is always ridiculous, and an insult to anyone who appreciates viewing in a hisorical context, and without that, TOS doesn't have an awful lot to offer.

 

It would seem to be evidence of a rather backwards approach to the Star Trek franchise, that it has no potential for new material and it is best to market it in its purest form where it is not tarnished by a plethora of subsequent series. Its funny, I think that this was one of the intended appeals of a prequel series they started work on a few years ago.

 

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To be honest, it sounds more like a ploy for money from old rope - for those that were saying at least Star Trek never "pulled a Lucas"... well, looks as if you'd better get a knife and fork ready and put your words on a play because you might have to eat them.

 

I'm guessing this will be a nice money spinner for paramount, spend a comparatively small amount on doing a little digital tampering and then release them on "special" DVDs, which a great deal of Trek fans will feel obligated to go out and buy and hence make a lot of money with very little risk.

 

So - I wouldn't read anything into it beyond the eternal motive of any for-profit organisation - making money.

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Yeh, but its still feels more reliable than my original source which seemed to be based on the second article from a subsection called 'rumormill.'

 

Take a trip through the total perspective vortex, but maybe give the fairy cake a miss. Its probably not faired well since the early eighties.

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To my mind, it sounds like a stupid idea - why mess around with a classic?

 

But, on the plus side, Michael Okuda appears to be involved, and if anybody is going to do those new CGI effects justice... its him.

 

He's been a scenic artist on the Trek Franchise since Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and co-wrote The Star Trek chronology and the Star Trek Encyclopedia along with his wife, so yeah, the fella's a genuine trekkie.

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Nice, but I don't see much difference. Sure, a few 'special effects', but not really anything of added value. The planetkiller was better though. The origianl was kind of, wel euh, not very impressive,..., for a planetkiller that is. :p

 

Anyway, I don't think this is the kind of thing that is needed to revive old Trek... A good initiative, but nothing I'd pay for...

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LOL @ the TV.com & reliable sentence.

 

This was also covered here http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=37772 Which Id trust a little more than TV.com

 

Personally Im really looking forward to it, Im not the greatest fan of all Star Trek's but Ive always had a soft spot for the classic show, theres just something more vibrant and colourful about the 60's effort than todays shows which I feel are all a little grey, perhaps its just me. I do enjoy the odd TNG & DS9 etc but the sets always seemed 'colourless' and boring, as well as some of the plots. Mind you TOS didnt exactly over-perform in the plot side but it was good honest fun!

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Nice, but I don't see much difference. Sure, a few 'special effects', but not really anything of added value. The planetkiller was better though. The origianl was kind of, wel euh, not very impressive,..., for a planetkiller that is. :p

 

Anyway, I don't think this is the kind of thing that is needed to revive old Trek... A good initiative, but nothing I'd pay for...

I always thought the "planet killer" looked like and old chewed up cigar! What's funny is: it probably was (seeing how medical scanners were salt shakers...etc...).

 

Anyway...leave TOS alone. It's a classic and historical record!

 

c4 :p

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i trust michael okuda with this more than some no name. it'll be premeiring september 16th with Balance of Teror and Miri (sp?). So we'll see how good it is. They redid all the external space shots, added cgi crewman to starbases and other palces they couldnt afford the extras and they rerecorded the theme song with a 28 piece orchrasta i think. so we'll see how it is.

 

also that youtube doomsday machine is NOT offical it was a proposed one from several years ago that was rejected.

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i trust michael okuda with this more than some no name. it'll be premeiring september 16th with Balance of Teror and Miri (sp?). So we'll see how good it is. They redid all the external space shots, added cgi crewman to starbases and other palces they couldnt afford the extras and they rerecorded the theme song with a 28 piece orchrasta i think. so we'll see how it is.

 

also that youtube doomsday machine is NOT offical it was a proposed one from several years ago that was rejected.

Which only means it might look even better. I remember the updated Enterprise they had in Trials and Tribble-ations (DS9). It looked really nice. Then there was the action sequences form In A Mirror, Darkly in Enterprise which had full-blown kill or be killed shots, photon torpedoes, maneuverability beyond moving forward back and sideways (or getting the camera closer to the model). I already have the originals on DVD and would probably buy the updated ones as long as we don't get a CGI blob monster or obvious CGI-injected enemies. Certianly the visuals need alittle polishing primarily the external shots, some of which had crackle lines from filming. As long as they don't update the song to be more now. I love the bongo melody of the original.

 

Question is will they adapt the tribble-sode to include Sisko and co from DS9?

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