I have read so many different comments in the past that highlightedthe cult following that both of these space series have, that I felt Ireally needed to cast my spin on it. Throughout the past 20 plus years, two science fiction cult classicshave tried and failed on several occasions to out do each other on the bigscreen and television series.
They both have followings of loyal fans thatrival any sports team in America. You name it and both have it from lunchboxes, to t-shirts, masks, bed sheets, and oh yes, figurines!Star Wars and Star Trek share many similarities, both are sciencefiction movies but only to occasional watchers, to the dedicated fan thisis where it stops. Star Wars and Star Trek are arguably different. Theyare both stunning examples ofmodern science fiction but, are not the same. Star Trek and Star Wars eachposse different general concepts and motives. First of all, and the most appealing, the technology of Star Trek ismore along the lines of what we would most likely see in the immediatefuture for mankind.
The technology that is displayed in Star Wars is so farahead of what we can conceptualize, that it is hard to digest. We canvisualize stun guns that would fit in our hand and be the size of a cellphone but lightsabers? A highly dignified glowing sword that can slicethrough titanium doors is like nothing we can imagine! Not to mentionplanet destroying canons and a spaceship the size of our moon. The biggest difference has got to be the magical and mystical allpowerful “Force”. We can be conned into really anything right up until thispoint; light speed, laser cannons, radically shaped battle ships, andbattle stations, but the force thing is just too far out their. Star Trek has the more realistic approach to technology with tasersthat look like garage door openers, but can be set to stun to preserve lifeinstead of vaporizing it. The Star Trek vessels also posse shapes and formsthat we can better relate to.
The main aspect of being a captain also isbeing able to beat your opponent to a pulp without the aid of technology. Han Solo’s only display of fist fighting was in “Return of the Jedi” whenhe flipped over a scout trooper as Luke and Leia sped off. Captain Kirk onthe other hand has fought many people hand-to-hand weather it was throwinga Klingon commander down a lava pit, or beating Khan to death with leadpipe. Kirk is the winner here, and you know how much we like a winner!Lets get to the real difference, Star Trek is trying to “Boldly gowhere no man has gone before” while Star Wars is trying to defend thegalaxy from the Dark Side. The entire realm of outer space has beenexplored and now needs defending while Star Trek is trying to spread mankind’s knowledge of the universe and again goes back to the aspect of aconcept that we can better relate to for our immediate future. The final comparison has got to be the fans.
The so called Trekkie isone of the most tireless nerds that you will ever meet. Most will stand ina line for 10 hours or more just to get an autograph from someone theydon’t even know outside of a costume. The Warsie will have anyoneassociated with Star Wars sign their arm and then go off to tattoo it andhave it immortalized and the Warsie also quotes entire movies and collectsmillions of dollars worth of memorabilia and he may even pursue the forceas a religion and learn all 7 forms of lightsaber skills using a hand madelightsaber made from a flash light and cardboard tubing.
