Geekspace for Women

Posted by ubergeeke on May 5th, 2008 in blogpost

Well, that may be overstating it a bit. She gets to say something more than “Incoming communication from Star Fleet, Captain”, anyway.

Before I go any further with this, I want to make a few things clear. I do not own a replica Star Fleet Uniform. I do not speak Klingon. I do not have a “Vulcan Science Academy” sticker on my car. I am not *that* much of a geek.

Ok, who am I kidding? I love me some Trek! I’ve been watching Trek in one form or another for 30+ years. I don’t think one can tinker with computers and electrical engineering and miscellaneous geekery and *not* watch Star Trek. It’s in the by-laws or something.

Anyway, the place where Uhura finally gets to speak in more than short, clipped sentences is in “Of Gods and Men”. Now, finish reading this post before you go madly clicking - like the mad Trek fiend that you are - because there are some things you need to know.

It kinda, well, sucks. I mean, the camera shots are too tight. The graphics are nothing to write home about. The folks over at the Mecca that is Skywalker Ranch would probably laugh themselves to death at some of these special effects. The script is, at times, clunky, which forces the actors to overdo it a bit. But that’s not the beauty of it.

Look who’s in it! There are actors from almost every Star Trek show in this movie. Tim Russ (who’s also the director) and Garrett Wang from Voyager, Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols from TOS - even a few great cameos that I won’t spoil. The thing is, even if it were terrible (which it’s not; it’s just kinda weak. I can’t bring myself to slam it), I’d still have to watch it, because it’s an instant classic. If compared to any version of a fully funded and produced ST series, it pales. But if compared to all the fan-based series out there, “Of Gods And Men” is pretty damned good.

Only the first two of three parts have been released, but I’m recommending that you check it out now anyway (and here’s some more background info, with minor spoilers). Fun stuff to watch late at night while you’re madly trying to meet a deadline.

After you watch it, drop me a line at ubergeeke@dotfiveone.com and tell me what you think.