In 2012, Star Wars movie ‘The Phantom Menace’ was rereleased in cinemas. To science fiction fans, the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek is as clear as water. Here’s some information about the origins of these totally different worlds for us amateurs.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Science fiction is something typical of the sixties (of the twentieth century). Fashion was futuristic, James Bond had incredible gadgets and storylines were set in a faraway future. People dreamed of a feasible and better world in a time of tensions between the western world and Russia, and the communist threat. Special effects techniques had improved and were used by film directors for futuristic scenes. Science fiction rose high above the somewhat clumsy special effects of the well-known puppet show The Thunderbirds.
Everything is better in the future
Inspired by the spirit of these times, but one having nothing to do with the other, Star Wars and Star Trek were created. Even though the names are very much alike, the contents of these shows are poles apart. Star Trek is set in the 23rd century. All social issues such as hunger, war, pollution and poverty have been solved. The spaceship with its passengers mostly undertakes peaceful exploratory expeditions throughout the galaxy. Star Wars on the other hand, is set in the past, and in another galaxy. Intergalactic wars, the battle between good and evil, and a mysterious power called The Force, are the most important components of the Star Wars movies. The Skywalker family is the focus of these epic tales. Gene Roddenberry created Start Trek during the Cold War, and with his show he wanted to convey the message that people can work together in harmony, as long as they want to.
The series was broadcast for the first time in 1966 but after only three years on television it was cancelled, due to disappointing ratings. The many reruns and the relevant topics had the show gain more and more popularity though and the amount of fans grew steadily. Ten years later Hollywood was ready to produce the first Star Trek movie, which was a huge blockbuster. Shortly after, a new season of the television series was released. The Star Trek adventures are still very popular and five different versions of the show have been developed, each one taking place in a different century. Sequels to the movie followed soon after and since 1979 eleven Star Trek movies have been released. At this moment, movie director J.J. Adams is working on the sequel to the 2009 Star Trek movie.
Movies, cartoons and gadgets
Star Wars started out as a film series. Parts four, five and six were the first to be released, from 1977 onwards. Parts one, two and three, chronologically set in times previous to the ones of the later parts, were created in the late nineteen-nineties. Creator George Lucas was responsible for the long period of time between the releases of the two trilogies. He had written and directed all the movies himself and this had cost him his marriage. The audience wanted more after the first series, but Lucas had had enough. When the Star Wars star rose again after a cartoon series had been released in the early nineties, Lucas decided to start working on the first parts of the movie series. They were a big success and Lucas consequently rereleased the older movies, with new special effects. Star Wars fans cannot get enough of their favorite show, which is proved by the fact that in 2012 part I, The Phantom Menace, was rereleased in 3D.
Star Trek: Spock plays chess
Even after 50 years, science fiction is still hot. For those who can’t get enough of Star Wars and Star Trek there are cartoon series, books, toys, interactive fan days with the actors and fan clubs. And, of course, chess games. The Chessmen Museum owns various futuristic chess sets, such as the one from the Star Trek series, with a multi-level game board. There is also a Star Wars chess game, so there is plenty to discover.
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