Ever since news broke that J. J. Abrams would be directing the next three episodes of the Star Wars saga, fans of Star Trek and Star Wars were perplexed to say the least. However, I think that this is one of the greatest ideas in the history of cinema. There are many reasons why this move can lead to good things, but the one important aspect people should realize is that both franchises can now share a common bond, i.e. J. J. Abrams.
When I was growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, I was not really familiar with Star Trek. At this time the Star Wars prequels were showing in theaters and some on television. I was young then and I enjoyed them somewhat. Now I can only stand to watch Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith more than once.
I was introduced to the world of Star Trek when I started watching Star Trek Enterprise at the age of 11. The show was okay and I didn’t hate it. However, at this point in my life I was not a fan of either franchises because neither one were that special. I didn't start to appreciate them until I was a teenager.
Nostalgia
In the early 2000s from 2003-2005, Cartoon Network aired 2 minute Star Wars animated shorts. They were awesome. These shorts, which wound up becoming a full length cartoon show called Star Wars: Clone Wars was directed by Genndy Tartakovsky. Star Wars: Clone Wars was brilliant and far more entertaining than the Star Wars prequels. This was the beginning of the Star Wars Universe expanding beyond the six live action movies and TV shows. It demonstrated a world with characters and stories that have never been seen or told before.
I finally had seen all six Star Wars films by 2005. Star Wars Episode V: Empire Strikes Back directed by Irvin Kershner was my favorite because it had the most memorable and shocking climax of the series. It had the best writing, direction, and acting. There were battles in the snow, Jedi training, Master Yoda, Darth Vader, Cloud City, Lando Calrissian, double crossing, surprise reveals and action. There was also a love story.
As I have gotten older, I realized what I liked about Star Wars. I did not care for Darth Vader but I loved the Jedi’s and their lifestyle. So when Tartakovsky made Star Wars: Clone Wars on Cartoon Network, I fell in love because it heavily focused on Jedis and the Sith. It also developed Anakin Skywalker’s character better than the prequels ever did.
Genre and Fan Bases
When it comes to these franchises, most people believe that they are the same. However, they are nothing alike. Star Trek is considered a space western, but it really is not. This franchise is more like a futuristic 'Age of Discovery'. The Enterprise spaceship can be compared to Christopher Columbus’ fleet of ships venturing into the "New World". In this case the "New World" is a planet. Star Trek is a voyage and a more optimistic story than Star Wars.
Star Wars is a space opera on the same scale as Flash Gordon or Buck Rodgers. It has a massive storyline with multiple perspectives and various sub-plots. Star Wars was influenced by samurai movies(the Jedis are like samurais), fantasy epics, The Bible and has a political message. Star Wars is every epic tale warped into one huge story, set in space.
Star Trek is about the crew of the USS Enterprise going to strange worlds contracted by the United Federation of Planets as described on wikipedia. The story focuses on the conflict between the crew and the inhabitants they encounter on planets they visit or discover.
Star Wars's conflict on the surface is between the Force and the Dark side, good versus evil. But the underlying political conflict in Star Wars is between new and old ideas; democracy versus totalitarianism. Jedis and councilmen of the Republic lead a Democracy while Siths try to take over and rule the Galaxy with totalitarianism.
Conclusion
J.J. Abrams is a very competent director and producer. In 2009, his take on Star Trek made me a fan of the franchise. The characters were fun and smart, the action was well done and the story had a good emotional focus. In all honestly, I believe that J.J. Abrams' Star Trek film was on par with Empire Strikes Back. I think that his take on the Star Wars Universe will be refreshing. I also think that J.J. Abrams will give the Star Wars live-action films an energy and edge they never had when George Lucas was directing and producing.
The debate over which is better is foolish because these franchises are not even in the same sub-genre. I think that people should be fans of both, neither, or one of the other, and be content because that is what entertainment is for. Enjoy what you enjoy and don’t judge others for what they like.