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Jeff's Review of:
Trekkies
May 23, 1999

Documentary, 1998, 1 hr 27 minutes, Rated PG. Dir: Roger Nygard. Cast: Denise Young (Narrator/Interviewer), Majel Barrett Roddenberry, LeVar Burton, James Doohan, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Walter Koenig, Kate Mulgrew, Nichelle Nichols, Leonard Nimoy, Brent Spiner, George Takei, Wil Wheaton.

I got the chance to see Trekkies at a free screening Wednesday, May 12, but am only able to write the review now, May 23. I was a little busy pursuing my passion for my other sci-fi love, Star Wars. Is that sacrilige to put aside one for the other? I don't think so. I just think the makers of the documentary could have released Trekkies two months earlier or later so as to not get lost in the shuffle, because its a MUST for science-fiction fans.

The format for Trekkies is a little different than what most moviegoers are used to, but since its a documentary, you'll catch on quickly. There is no beginning or ending, just a random sampling of interviewing stars with the more extreme of Star Trek fanatics. There is a lot of humor, whether intended or not, so if you're a Trekkie, then go into the film with a sense of humor. Odds are, you're not this kind of Trekkie, even though one day I would rather enjoy going to a convention dressed as a Klingon. Sounds like fun, no?

The interviewer/narrator is Denise Young, whom you might remember as Tasha Yar on "The Next Generation." I'm sure she had a great time on this, and even spent a few minutes on film showing us the items Trekkies have sent her, mainly drawings. Some are strange, but mainly she holds a lot of affection for the people who loved her character.

The one you'll remember most is Barbara Adams. You might recall seeing her on many television newsmagazines a few years back, because as an alternate juror in the Whitewater trial, she wore her Star Fleet uniform everyday. That's humorous, but disturbing when we find out she wears a phaser and communicator all the time, and has co-workers refer to her as Commander, because she is a Lt. Commander of her local fan club. But when hearing her talk, it sounds as if she really believes that she's in Star Fleet.

Anne Murphy, the "Spiner-Femme" is the scariest of the bunch. At first, she seems like a normal female who happens to have a thing for an actor, in this case Brent Spiner, aka Data from "The Next Generation." At first it's similar to a teen crush on James Van Der Beek, then is merely frightengly obsessive with tons of pictures that all look the same, and all Spiner collectibles stored in a lock box in the closet as if someone will want to steal her set.

But hands down the best was the family that designed their dental practice around "Star Trek", creating Star Base Dental. On the walls and desks are hundreds of collectibles, and all employees wear Star Fleet uniforms. I would actually enjoy getting my teeth worked on in that office.

The conversations with the actors from all Star Trek franchises (the original show, TNG, DS9 and Voyager) were very interesting, ranging from touching moments where they touched a fan's life or were similarly moved by their fans, and some very humorous moments where the cast explains their amazement at how popular the franchise really is and how overwhelming it can be to be its star.

All the actors and actresses come across as blessed to be a part of something so big, and have nothing but respect for Trekkies. A couple were almost moved to tears recalling fans who expressed their fondness for the show and how it kept their lives hopeful. Others related hilarious tales about conventions, such as the actor who played Q from TNG, who told of how when sick one day at a convention, the auctioner sold the glass of water he had been drinking as "Q's virus", and a fan bought it for $60 and promptly drank it, proclaiming "I've got Q's virus!" Of course, that fan has nothing on the Trekkie, dressed as a Klingon, buying a head piece from one show at an auction for over $1,000. There was actually a bidding war!

Non-Trekkies will laugh out loud hysterically several times, and Trekkies who go into it with a sense of humor about their fan status will also have fun. If you're a die-hard Trekkie, though, and don't like it when others tease you, stay away.

The verdict: -- A must for science-fiction fans, especially Trekkers/Trekkies or just "I enjoy Star Trek" viewers. Non-fans will also have a good time.

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