Hitting that Universal Theme

I had another blog planned - one that's half-written - more feelings about self-digital publishing and trends and all that, but as usual, something much bigger reared it's head and eclipsed that post, demanding this mini-post instead.  I'll try and post the other blog either later today, or tomorrow.

For some reason, I've been consumed with the third trailer for the 2009 Star Trek reboot today.  Was such an awesome, almost moving film.  Which is funny, because though I grew up on the novels, I never really liked the TV series or the films.  But this one got to me, and ironically enough, my usually science fiction-avoidant wife liked it, too.

SO I've been watching it, over and over.  First of all, it's just a great trailer.  Wonderful music selection, and you can't help but get struck by these two iconic characters - James T. Kirk and Spock.  But the thing that got me the most is this movie's universal  thrust towards all audiences, something I think all the other Trek moves - The Next Generation ones, included - missed.

Check out the trailer below.  

 

Right there, starting at 20 seconds: 

"Your father was captain of a starship.  For 12 minutes.  He saved 800 lives, including yours.

I dare you to do better."

What made the reboot SO good was this: a universal thrust we can all understand. How many of us - guys - have struggled in the long shadows cast by our fathers?  How many people have tried to live up to the expectations of their parents, forever plagued by the fear that they'll just never be good enough?

That sort of thing goes beyond genre and fan boys.

That's just great storytelling.  That's what draws in fans - and readers, in fiction - that aren't necessarily genre fans....

...but fans of great storytelling.

And now, it's time for a nap....