Comparison of Star Trek and Star Wars
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The Star Trek and Star Wars franchises are established rivals in geek canon. Fans and scholars of the two fictional universes frequently debate their comparative merits while merchandisers compete to sell the rival products.[1] Media critics and analysts have compared and contrasted the two works in particular because of their great impact and many similarities.
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[edit] Similarities
Both franchises are set in outer space, both titles feature the word "Star" at the beginning, and feature voyages and battles involving space ships such as the Millennium Falcon and the USS Enterprise. The universes contain many aliens and exotic planets such as Tatooine and Vulcan. The protagonists and villains wield futuristic technology such as lightsabers and phasers. Their stories have grown from a small start to become a huge body of work comprising many episodes, movies, comics, novels, games and animations which make up billions of dollars of intellectual property providing work and entertainment for millions of people.[2]
[edit] Differences
Star Wars was inspired by the Flash Gordon adventure serials of the 1940s[3] and presents an elemental struggle between good and evil.[2] Star Trek was conceived in the style of the TV western Wagon Train but adopted a more adult tone, providing an idealistic, utopian prospect of future human society. Richard Ho, writing for The Harvard Crimson, states that the heroes of Star Wars such as Han Solo and Luke Skywalker have a swashbuckling style while the protagonists of Star Trek such as Captain Picard and Mr. Spock resolve their challenges with science and intellect.[2]
Star Wars is set in the far past as stated in the opening text that it was simply "long time ago" and deals with more fantasy elements than science fiction, stating that the tone is more mythology based. Star Trek is set in the 23rd Century in the same galaxy where Earth is, where Star Wars is set in "a galaxy far, far away" and has no known connection with Earth.
[edit] Critical commentary
SF author and commentator David Brin contrasted the moral and political messages of the two works in his article "Star Wars" despots vs. "Star Trek" populists.[4] He characterised the philosophy of Star Wars as elitist and authoritarian, as compared with the more progressive and egalitarian spirit of Star Trek. This interpretation has been criticised.[5] George Lucas stated his political point in the The New York Times saying, "That's sort of why I say a benevolent despot is the ideal ruler. He can actually get things done. The idea that power corrupts is very true and it's a big human who can get past that."[6]
In 2001, Star Wars vs. Star Trek: The Rivalry Continues was released on DVD by Passport Video.[7] The documentary covers a brief history of the development of both franchises, including behind the scene interviews with several cast members.[8]
The movie Fanboys has a scene that has Trekkies fighting with the movie protagonists, who are Star Wars fans.
[edit] Popularity
Each franchise's popularity is marked by a drop in another. During the 1970s, Star Trek was planning to return the series to television called "Star Trek: Phase II", but Star Wars was released in 1977, the Star Trek series had yet to even produce a film and instead turned "Phase II" into Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). When the Star Wars Trilogy ended in 1983, Star Trek's popularity rose with the release of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986), which many non-Trekkies considered watchable due to its comical modern setting, and the advent of Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, when the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy was released from 1999 to 2005, they broke box office records, while the last two Next Generation films had mixed reception and the ratings for each succeeding television series got lower. In 2008, the animated film, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, flopped at the box office, while J. J. Abrams' Star Trek has been getting universal acclamation by movie critics. Star Trek has also broken box office records. [9]
[edit] References
- ^ David M. Ewalt (2005-05-18). "Star Wars Vs. Star Trek". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/business/2005/05/16/cx_de_0516match.html. Retrieved on 2007-09-13.
- ^ a b c Richard Ho (May 14, 1999), "Trekkers VS Lucasites", The Havard Crimson, http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=130035
- ^ John M. Whalen (January 11, 2001), Adventure films ride back out of the sunset, The Washington Times, http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-69003346.html
- ^ David Brin (June 15, 1999), "Star Wars" despots vs. "Star Trek" populists, Salon, http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/feature/1999/06/15/brin_main
- ^ http://stardestroyer.net/Empire/HateMail/Brin.html
- ^ Orville Schell interviewing George Lucas (March 21, 1999), 'I'm a Cynic Who Has Hope for the Human Race', New York Times, http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E5D71E3EF932A15750C0A96F958260
- ^ Perry Seibert. "Star Wars vs. Star Trek: Overview". Allmovie. MSN Movies. http://entertainment.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=69781. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
- ^ Nicholas Sheffo. "Star Wars vs. Star Trek – The Rivalry Continues". Fulvue Drive-in. http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/822/Star+Wars+Vs+Star+Trek. Retrieved on 2007-09-16.
- ^ Andy McDowell (2008-12-27). "The matter/antimatter link between Star Trek and Star Wars". National Post. http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/12/27/cultural-lessons-the-matter-antimatter-link-between-star-trek-and-star-wars.aspx. Retrieved on 2008-12-27.
[edit] External links
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