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Star Trek Reviewed Article; Maybe these releases should each get their own topic?
Topic Started: Jul 30 2010, 10:12 AM (289 Views)
barbreader
ACP
Ensign
20
The website: <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.startreknewvoyages.com//</a>
Produced by Cawley Entertainment Company (CEC) and Retro Film Studios LLC. the home base is in (Upstate New York) Port Henry, New York.

Star Trek Phase II
(Previously, Star Trek: New Voyages)
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<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/cast-n-crew/kirk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/cast-n-crew/kirk.jpg" /></a></div>

<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
Overview:</span>
</span> Star Trek: Phase II is two parts continuation of The Original Series, one part Galaxy Quest. Anyone who likes The Original Series, but thinks the later series took themselves too seriously, will love Star Trek: Phase II. You will not find better production values anywhere in the Trek fan film universe... and with the reported friendship between James Cawley and J.J. Abrams, you are not likely to find better production values in the future.

In addition, Buck Rogers will be produced by CEC / RFS. Buck Rogers Begins webseries is licensed to CEC and RFS by the Dille Family Trust, owners of the Buck Rogers trademark. This series will be produced and distributed on a for-profit basis at least initially on the web out of Port Henry, New York. Buck Rogers is beyond the scope of this blog, but will have it's own website. <a href="http://www.buckrogersbegins.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Buck Rogers Begins</a>

Here is a overview from another viewer: <a href="http://www.federalproductions.com/2009/12/03/star-trek-phase-ii/">http://www.federalproductions.com/2009/12/03/star-trek-phase-ii/</a>
Here is a rave review of the series in a 2-part video by Christy Daae on You Tube:
  Part I:    <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAP3NL6KvEc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAP3NL6KvEc</a>
  Part II:   <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h_Q2IpIM8o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h_Q2IpIM8o</a>
Portuguese Subtitles: (all epsodes in torrent file webrip xvid spork)<a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6FMTYUGO" link"="" rel="nofollow">http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6FMTYUGO</a>

Introduction (Pilot):

Episode 0 - "Come What May" was produced, but has been withdrawn and is no longer available at the Phase II website. It can still be seen on You Tube, vis:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie6N4pqRS7g&feature=PlayList&p=2A2D59CABF0DD859&playnext=1&pl" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Star Trek Phase 2 - "Come What May" - Part 1(8:50)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoRvX7q2-pg&feature=PlayList&p=2A2D59CABF0DD859&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Star Trek Phase 2 - "Come What May" - Part 2(7:57)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU9si4fWvUA&feature=PlayList&p=2A2D59CABF0DD859&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Star Trek Phase 2 - "Come What May" - Part 3(6:36)</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW7ZGQB_6_k&feature=PlayList&p=2ABE711F37D8488F&index=4&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Star Trek: New Voyages - Come What May, Part 4 (labeled Part 5)(10:50)</a>

This original pilot is not as technically proficient as their other episodes.  It has a convoluted plot which, in many ways, doesn't quite work.  Still, this episode would be the pride of many of the other fan film groups.

Rating: 2.5 or 3. This show introduces us to the new cast for TOS, but the story is convoluted, and not only because there are two sets of entirely unknown aliens who have undefined special powers but also because the main characters, particularly Kirk, act strangely. Kirk trusts an alien woman who has proven herself untrustworthy, and seems to know which of two aliens caused a problem without any evidence.    The writer seems to want to grab the Q and the Borg and bring them, together, back into TOS.  The sets are excellent, the acting is good, particularly considering how weak the script is. The editing is excellent, and the show holds our interest.  The use of images from the TOS shows and movies recast with the new actors helps us in the transition, which, years later, was also made by Paramount.

<span style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">EPISODE 1 - "IN HARM'S WAY"</span>
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This show is better written than "Come What May," and instead suffers from, if anything, a little too much realism. In fact, the repeated, similar problems the crew encounters, in which it takes a few tries to get it right, feels more like real life than like TV.  Maybe just a little too much like real life.  This show is also the beginning of Phase II/New Voyages signature, the use of aged original TOS actors in their films.  The time jumping was hard to follow, but it was in keeping with the Star Trek pre-JJA use of timelines, even if it would have given Captain Janeway a headache.  It was confusing, but coherent, the opposite of "Come What May."  One of the elements of fan films which is commendable is how many, including this one, build on elements from past shows and movies, although the use of Doomsday Machine Wars seems to be a fan film theme which has been done a number of times by various groups.  Given our current worry about nuclear proliferation, that is, perhaps, appropriate as well.  I rate this episode a strong 3.5.

The show had a strong 'fun' factor, showing us the space shuttle in a typical one-car garage in a modest suburban home, and bringing us back to where TOS started, with a shot of the injured Pike waiting for his journey to the planet where his life will go on, if only as an illusion.  It is more amaturish than Phase II/New Voyages later shows, but shows significant growth, too.  Much of the plot seems to turn around trying to allow William Windom his return performance.   The idea that the attack of the Doomsday Machines would cause the Klingon alliance to happen earlier is certainly believable.  However, the show has the feeling of trying to just do too much.   You feel their anxiety that this could be their last show, and they are trying to squeeze too much into it.  As time goes on, the confidence of the Phase II team grows, and their product improves with their confidence.

Other people comments on it: <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?topic=7219.0" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?topic=7219.0</a>

<a href="http://scifipulse.net/?p=10705" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 102, 153); color: #336699; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link to Fan Film Friday: Star Trek: Phase II: In Harm’s Way">Fan Film Friday: Star Trek: Phase II: In Harm’s Way</a>

<a href="http://www.thelogbook.com/fanfilms/star-trek-new-voyages-in-harms-way/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">The Logbook</a>
<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 2 - "TO SERVE ALL MY DAYS"</h3>
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<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/news_thumb_1969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/news_thumb_1969.jpg" /></a></div>

Rating: This is either a 4.5 or what I’ll call a 5i.  I for Imaginary Story.  There’s no such thing, of course, in the Trek Canon, (they are all equally imaginary) but I’m an old Superman fan, and when the folk at DC had a really great story to tell that would destroy their timeline, they told it anyway.... but told it as a “what if...”  Story, a story that didn’t happen in their canon, but could have.  If Star Trek had such a construct, this would clearly be a 5, but events happen in this story which would absolutely undermine the Trek canon, and Trek has no such construct, so I’m taking off half a point.  Or, if you, too, are an old Superman fan, and you are comfortable with that construct, you can just consider this a 5 for an “imaginary story.”

Save for the problem set out above, this is the first of the Great Phase II episodes.  The story is well written, well directed, well shot, well acted, the sound, sets, and special effects are better than TOS without disrupting our chain of thought.  It is entertaining and well edited. I got so engrossed in the story that at times I was momentarily startled that the actor was a Phase II actor, not the original TOS actor... that it wasn’t a particularly good TOS episode I had somehow missed.  Like the best of TNG, there are two stories which interact, one about people whose economy depend on war trying to foment it, an obvious swipe at Dick Cheney’s background as a war industry mogul a warrior with no real combat experience, as he did everything in his power (and he had a lot of power) to distort a real story (the attack by Al Quida out of Afghanistan, here represented by the Klingon attack on a small vessel) into an attack fueled by the much more powerful nation of Iraq, which in fact, was an enemy of Al Quida, not an ally of it. This is totally appropriate to Star Trek’s heritage, as a powerful political commentary, not quiet commentary, either.  One only wishes this could have been run on real TV, instead of being part of Phase II’s 30 million downloads.  (current estimates put this at over 100 million, but the 30 million was estimated a few years ago).

The Chekov story is also engrossing.  What would we do if our lives were suddenly cut short, and would be handle it with grace and dignity?  We see the stages of grief, well shown and well acted, as Chekov and his friend, Ambassador Rayna deal with issues of life and death as two good friends facing it together.

Other people's comments: <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=27.0" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=27.0</a>

<a href="http://www.thelogbook.com/fanfilms/to-serve-all-my-days/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">The Logbook</a>



<a href="http://scifipulse.net/?p=12082" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 102, 153); color: #336699; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link to Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: To Serve All My Days [Revised]">Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: To Serve All My Days [Revised]</a>
<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 3 - "WORLD ENOUGH AND TIME"  Rating: 5</h3>
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<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/cast-n-crew/alana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/cast-n-crew/alana.jpg" /></a></div>
A truly great film.  The writing, acting, directing, editing, and CGI are all there, and there is something particularly touching about this Trek remake of The Tempest, referenced heavily in the Episode.  It's hard to sort out if it's the scientific consistency, absent in more recent Trek, the slower pace, which permits you to enjoy and bond with the characters, the original cast member, the touching daughter, the framing of it into the late TOS movie era... Of course, TOS never had the quality of CGI that this show has, but the charm of the show, as in TOS, turns on the human cost of scientific and survival issues in space.

Other people's comments: <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=28.0" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=28.0</a>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://scifipulse.net/?p=13786" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted rgb(0, 102, 153); color: #336699; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link to Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: World Enough and Time">Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: World Enough and Time</a></span>
<a href="http://www.thelogbook.com/fanfilms/world-enough-and-time/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">The Logbook</a>
<a href="http://trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=47bee02d023f0">http://trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=47bee02d023f0</a>
<span style="color: #cc33cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal;">EPISODE 4 - "BLOOD AND FIRE" Pt. 1</span>

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(because Part 2 is not yet final, my review will wait until the entire story can be watched).
Other people's comments: <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=30.0" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=30.0</a>
<a href="http://www.thelogbook.com/fanfilms/blood-and-fire-1/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">The Logbook</a>


<span style="font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold;">EPISODE 5 - "BLOOD AND FIRE" Pt. 2 </span>

The sound is final as of  May 1, 2010, here is a place to download this fan film:
<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/4x05_blood_and_fire_part_2.html" style="color: #ff6fcf; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/4x05_blood_and_fire_part_2.html</span></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> . </span></span>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%20%20" rel="nofollow" target="_new"> </a>
This thread discusses issues at this and other download sites: <a href="http://forums.startreknewvoyages.com/index.php?topic=10707.30">http://forums.startreknewvoyages.com/index.php?topic=10707.30</a>

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">March 5, 2010</span> <a href="http://startrekreviewed.blogspot.com/2009/06/20.html">Phase II</a>  has released the final cut and sound of <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?topic=10555.msg127092#msg127092">Blood and Fire Part II</a> on You Tube.  I have not read about problems viewing it here, although the quality of You Tube is always limited.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXjfmsVOLLA">BAF_PT2_ACT_THREE-FINAL AUDIO - 3/4/10</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdzIgmSYPqU">BAF_PT2_ACT 4-FINAL- 3/4/10</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4lg8DAcMb8">"BLOOD AND FIRE" PART TWO EPILOGUE FINAL MIX -3/4/10</a>

I will be reviewing this final version when I can.  Phase II produces a high quality product, and I have no doubt this is worth your while to watch... even without my review!  But here's a review of all of Blood and Fire that's all done and ready to read:
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span>
<h2 style="font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://scifipulse.net/?p=17266" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #336699; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link to Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: Blood and Fire">Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: Blood and Fire</a></h2>
And here's a review of Part II:  <a href="http://www.thelogbook.com/fanfilms/blood-and-fire-2/">The Logbook</a>

All of the following are not yet available.

<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 6 - "ENEMY: STARFLEET" </h3>
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<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/news_icons/ES_Prod_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/news_icons/ES_Prod_0003.jpg" /></a></div>
A teaser is available.

<h3 class="style1">

</h3>
<h3 class="style1">

</h3>
<div>
Episode numbers may be wrong here:</div>
<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 7 - "THE CHILD"</h3>
<h3 class="style1">
<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/Child_News_Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/Child_News_Graphic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"></span></h3>


<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/Kitumba_News_Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/news/Kitumba_News_Graphic.jpg" /></a></div>
<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 8  - "KITUMBA"</h3>




<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 9 - "ORIGINS"</h3>
Hot from the filming (still happening! June 4, 2010!) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFk2MvZs6I">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFk2MvZs6I</a> (3:14)
Rough cut teaser (July 15, 2010) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA1XXVJBZPE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA1XXVJBZPE</a> (3:30)
<h3 class="style1">
EPISODE 10  - "MIND SIFTER" (not yet certain)</h3>


The following short is currently available for download:

<h3 class="style1">
VIGNETTE 1 - "CENTER SEAT"</h3>
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<a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/Trailers/CS_Thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/images/Trailers/CS_Thumb.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h3 class="style1">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">Rating: 5 </span> In sharp contrast to ' vignettes' I've seen at other websites, this one tells a short and interesting story with a seat-of-your-pants moment as well as introducing a character. It's well written, well directed, well acted. The cgi work is very good, the always welcome excellent Phase II sets are as welcome and excellent as always, it's entertaining, well edited, and consistent with physics.</span></h3>

Other reviews:

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<a href="http://scifipulse.net/?p=30071" rel="bookmark" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 102, 153); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #336699; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link to Fan Film Friday: More ‘Star Trek’ Vignettes">Fan Film Friday: More ‘Star Trek’ Vignettes</a></h2>

<a href="http://www.thelogbook.com/fanfilms/center-seat/" rel="nofollow" target="_new">The Logbook</a>

You can watch an interview of James Cawley on Star Trek XI here:
<a href="http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v3299904gWXrExam" rel="nofollow" target="_new">http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v3299904gWXrExam</a>

In addition to producing new episodes of TOS, which cannot be done for profit, James Cawley has acquired rights to produce new episodes of <span style="font-style: italic;">Buck Rogers in the 25th Century</span> which would mean the production company would have a means to make some money. However, that project will be outside the scope of this website.  If you wish to see this effort continue, you can contribute to it.  Information on how is here: <a href="http://forums.startreknewvoyages.com/index.php?topic=4808.0">http://forums.startreknewvoyages.com/index.php?topic=4808.0</a>

Here is an article about this group:
http://foreignfilmstar.com/?p=2160

YOU TUBE shorts released without official status.
Here is a scene cut from Blood and Fire but released on You Tube:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_FTNxATwuM" rel="nofollow" target="_new">BAF DELETED SCENE, about The USS Kobayashi Maru(2:52)</a>
Some people like it better than JJA's version.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdAUh8GdFj4&NR=1" rel="nofollow" target="_new">Kirk promotes Chekov(2:10)</a>

The following thread offers a 20 minute films of 'behind the scenes' footage.  Like so much at Phase II, the quality of it is evident.  I don't generally include this type of 'extra' in these pages, but I enjoyed it so much I had to make an exception:  <a href="http://vimeo.com/11692514">http://vimeo.com/11692514</a>

Here are some locations of Phase II in other languages:
Japanese: <a href="http://starshipclass.net/modules/startrekphase2/">http://starshipclass.net/modules/startrekphase2/</a>
WEaT: <a href="http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/Japanese/">http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/Japanese/</a>

Spanish,  <a href="http://www.trekminal.com/">http://www.trekminal.com/</a>
Downloadable episodes:  <a href="http://www.trekminal.com/phase2/index.php">http://www.trekminal.com/phase2/index.php</a>
WEaT:  <a href="http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/Spanish/">http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/Spanish/</a>

Brazilian Portuguese WEaT:  <a href="http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/BrazPort/">http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/BrazPort/</a> .  Others here:
<a href="http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6FMTYUGO">http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6FMTYUGO</a>

German: <a href="http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/4x00_come_what_may_-_pilot.html">http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/4x00_come_what_may_-_pilot.html</a>

Italian: <a href="http://www.fanfilms.it/">http://www.fanfilms.it/</a>

If you do not speak English as your first language and would like to offer to provide Phase II with a translation into your language of their script for subtitling, this thread discusses that topic: <a href="http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?
Edited by barbreader, Aug 1 2010, 09:27 AM.
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barbreader
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OK, that didn't work!
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barbreader
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I have to do some, well... work! But at least I know that doesn't work!

By the way, it looks like the Phase II website is down right now.
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Temporal Agent
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Well upcoming releases or breaking news actually go right at the top in announcements. They can also go in the respective forum too but I want new releases and release dates in announcements.
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Temporal Agent
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Saturday, June 27, 2009
(20) Star Trek Phase II or Star Trek New Voyages
20
The website: http://www.startreknewvoyages.com//
Produced by Cawley Entertainment Company (CEC) and Retro Film Studios LLC. the home base is in (Upstate New York) Port Henry, New York.

Star Trek Phase II
(Previously, Star Trek: New Voyages)

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Overview:
Star Trek: Phase II is two parts continuation of The Original Series, one part Galaxy Quest. Anyone who likes The Original Series, but thinks the later series took themselves too seriously, will love Star Trek: Phase II. You will not find better production values anywhere in the Trek fan film universe... and with the reported friendship between James Cawley and J.J. Abrams, you are not likely to find better production values in the future.

In addition, Buck Rogers will be produced by CEC / RFS. Buck Rogers Begins webseries is licensed to CEC and RFS by the Dille Family Trust, owners of the Buck Rogers trademark. This series will be produced and distributed on a for-profit basis at least initially on the web out of Port Henry, New York. Buck Rogers is beyond the scope of this blog, but will have it's own website. Buck Rogers Begins

Here is a overview from another viewer: http://www.federalproductions.com/2009/12/03/star-trek-phase-ii/
Here is a rave review of the series in a 2-part video by Christy Daae on You Tube:
Part I: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAP3NL6KvEc
Part II: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h_Q2IpIM8o
Portuguese Subtitles: (all epsodes in torrent file webrip xvid spork)http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6FMTYUGO

Introduction (Pilot):

Episode 0 - "Come What May" was produced, but has been withdrawn and is no longer available at the Phase II website. It can still be seen on You Tube, vis:
Star Trek Phase 2 - "Come What May" - Part 1(8:50)
Star Trek Phase 2 - "Come What May" - Part 2(7:57)
Star Trek Phase 2 - "Come What May" - Part 3(6:36)
Star Trek: New Voyages - Come What May, Part 4 (labeled Part 5)(10:50)

This original pilot is not as technically proficient as their other episodes. It has a convoluted plot which, in many ways, doesn't quite work. Still, this episode would be the pride of many of the other fan film groups.

Rating: 2.5 or 3. This show introduces us to the new cast for TOS, but the story is convoluted, and not only because there are two sets of entirely unknown aliens who have undefined special powers but also because the main characters, particularly Kirk, act strangely. Kirk trusts an alien woman who has proven herself untrustworthy, and seems to know which of two aliens caused a problem without any evidence. The writer seems to want to grab the Q and the Borg and bring them, together, back into TOS. The sets are excellent, the acting is good, particularly considering how weak the script is. The editing is excellent, and the show holds our interest. The use of images from the TOS shows and movies recast with the new actors helps us in the transition, which, years later, was also made by Paramount.

EPISODE 1 - "IN HARM'S WAY"

This show is better written than "Come What May," and instead suffers from, if anything, a little too much realism. In fact, the repeated, similar problems the crew encounters, in which it takes a few tries to get it right, feels more like real life than like TV. Maybe just a little too much like real life. This show is also the beginning of Phase II/New Voyages signature, the use of aged original TOS actors in their films. The time jumping was hard to follow, but it was in keeping with the Star Trek pre-JJA use of timelines, even if it would have given Captain Janeway a headache. It was confusing, but coherent, the opposite of "Come What May." One of the elements of fan films which is commendable is how many, including this one, build on elements from past shows and movies, although the use of Doomsday Machine Wars seems to be a fan film theme which has been done a number of times by various groups. Given our current worry about nuclear proliferation, that is, perhaps, appropriate as well. I rate this episode a strong 3.5.

The show had a strong 'fun' factor, showing us the space shuttle in a typical one-car garage in a modest suburban home, and bringing us back to where TOS started, with a shot of the injured Pike waiting for his journey to the planet where his life will go on, if only as an illusion. It is more amaturish than Phase II/New Voyages later shows, but shows significant growth, too. Much of the plot seems to turn around trying to allow William Windom his return performance. The idea that the attack of the Doomsday Machines would cause the Klingon alliance to happen earlier is certainly believable. However, the show has the feeling of trying to just do too much. You feel their anxiety that this could be their last show, and they are trying to squeeze too much into it. As time goes on, the confidence of the Phase II team grows, and their product improves with their confidence.

Other people comments on it: http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?topic=7219.0

Fan Film Friday: Star Trek: Phase II: In Harm’s Way

The Logbook
EPISODE 2 - "TO SERVE ALL MY DAYS"

Rating: This is either a 4.5 or what I’ll call a 5i. I for Imaginary Story. There’s no such thing, of course, in the Trek Canon, (they are all equally imaginary) but I’m an old Superman fan, and when the folk at DC had a really great story to tell that would destroy their timeline, they told it anyway.... but told it as a “what if...” Story, a story that didn’t happen in their canon, but could have. If Star Trek had such a construct, this would clearly be a 5, but events happen in this story which would absolutely undermine the Trek canon, and Trek has no such construct, so I’m taking off half a point. Or, if you, too, are an old Superman fan, and you are comfortable with that construct, you can just consider this a 5 for an “imaginary story.”

Save for the problem set out above, this is the first of the Great Phase II episodes. The story is well written, well directed, well shot, well acted, the sound, sets, and special effects are better than TOS without disrupting our chain of thought. It is entertaining and well edited. I got so engrossed in the story that at times I was momentarily startled that the actor was a Phase II actor, not the original TOS actor... that it wasn’t a particularly good TOS episode I had somehow missed. Like the best of TNG, there are two stories which interact, one about people whose economy depend on war trying to foment it, an obvious swipe at Dick Cheney’s background as a war industry mogul a warrior with no real combat experience, as he did everything in his power (and he had a lot of power) to distort a real story (the attack by Al Quida out of Afghanistan, here represented by the Klingon attack on a small vessel) into an attack fueled by the much more powerful nation of Iraq, which in fact, was an enemy of Al Quida, not an ally of it. This is totally appropriate to Star Trek’s heritage, as a powerful political commentary, not quiet commentary, either. One only wishes this could have been run on real TV, instead of being part of Phase II’s 30 million downloads. (current estimates put this at over 100 million, but the 30 million was estimated a few years ago).

The Chekov story is also engrossing. What would we do if our lives were suddenly cut short, and would be handle it with grace and dignity? We see the stages of grief, well shown and well acted, as Chekov and his friend, Ambassador Rayna deal with issues of life and death as two good friends facing it together.

Other people's comments: http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=27.0

The Logbook




























Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: To Serve All My Days [Revised]

EPISODE 3 - "WORLD ENOUGH AND TIME" Rating: 5
A truly great film. The writing, acting, directing, editing, and CGI are all there, and there is something particularly touching about this Trek remake of The Tempest, referenced heavily in the Episode. It's hard to sort out if it's the scientific consistency, absent in more recent Trek, the slower pace, which permits you to enjoy and bond with the characters, the original cast member, the touching daughter, the framing of it into the late TOS movie era... Of course, TOS never had the quality of CGI that this show has, but the charm of the show, as in TOS, turns on the human cost of scientific and survival issues in space.

Other people's comments: http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=28.0
Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: World Enough and Time
The Logbook
http://trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=47bee02d023f0
EPISODE 4 - "BLOOD AND FIRE" Pt. 1


(because Part 2 is not yet final, my review will wait until the entire story can be watched).
Other people's comments: http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?board=30.0
The Logbook


EPISODE 5 - "BLOOD AND FIRE" Pt. 2

The sound is final as of May 1, 2010, here is a place to download this fan film:
http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/4x05_blood_and_fire_part_2.html .

This thread discusses issues at this and other download sites: http://forums.startreknewvoyages.com/index.php?topic=10707.30

March 5, 2010 Phase II has released the final cut and sound of Blood and Fire Part II on You Tube. I have not read about problems viewing it here, although the quality of You Tube is always limited.
BAF_PT2_ACT_THREE-FINAL AUDIO - 3/4/10
BAF_PT2_ACT 4-FINAL- 3/4/10
"BLOOD AND FIRE" PART TWO EPILOGUE FINAL MIX -3/4/10

I will be reviewing this final version when I can. Phase II produces a high quality product, and I have no doubt this is worth your while to watch... even without my review! But here's a review of all of Blood and Fire that's all done and ready to read:

Fan Film Friday: Star Trek Phase II: Blood and Fire
And here's a review of Part II: The Logbook

All of the following are not yet available.

EPISODE 6 - "ENEMY: STARFLEET"
A teaser is available.



Episode numbers may be wrong here:
EPISODE 7 - "THE CHILD"


EPISODE 8 - "KITUMBA"




EPISODE 9 - "ORIGINS"
Hot from the filming (still happening! June 4, 2010!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFk2MvZs6I (3:14)
Rough cut teaser (July 15, 2010) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA1XXVJBZPE (3:30)
EPISODE 10 - "MIND SIFTER" (not yet certain)


The following short is currently available for download:

VIGNETTE 1 - "CENTER SEAT"
Rating: 5 In sharp contrast to ' vignettes' I've seen at other websites, this one tells a short and interesting story with a seat-of-your-pants moment as well as introducing a character. It's well written, well directed, well acted. The cgi work is very good, the always welcome excellent Phase II sets are as welcome and excellent as always, it's entertaining, well edited, and consistent with physics.

Other reviews:

Fan Film Friday: More ‘Star Trek’ Vignettes

The Logbook

You can watch an interview of James Cawley on Star Trek XI here:
http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/entertainment/watch/v3299904gWXrExam

In addition to producing new episodes of TOS, which cannot be done for profit, James Cawley has acquired rights to produce new episodes of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century which would mean the production company would have a means to make some money. However, that project will be outside the scope of this website. If you wish to see this effort continue, you can contribute to it. Information on how is here: http://forums.startreknewvoyages.com/index.php?topic=4808.0

Here is an article about this group:
http://foreignfilmstar.com/?p=2160

YOU TUBE shorts released without official status.
Here is a scene cut from Blood and Fire but released on You Tube:
BAF DELETED SCENE, about The USS Kobayashi Maru(2:52)
Some people like it better than JJA's version.

Kirk promotes Chekov(2:10)

The following thread offers a 20 minute films of 'behind the scenes' footage. Like so much at Phase II, the quality of it is evident. I don't generally include this type of 'extra' in these pages, but I enjoyed it so much I had to make an exception: http://vimeo.com/11692514

Here are some locations of Phase II in other languages:
Japanese: http://starshipclass.net/modules/startrekphase2/
WEaT: http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/Japanese/

Spanish, http://www.trekminal.com/
Downloadable episodes: http://www.trekminal.com/phase2/index.php
WEaT: http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/Spanish/

Brazilian Portuguese WEaT: http://videos.startrekphase2media.com/WEaT/BrazPort/ . Others here:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6FMTYUGO

German: http://www.startrekphase2.de/en/4x00_come_what_may_-_pilot.html

Italian: http://www.fanfilms.it/

If you do not speak English as your first language and would like to offer to provide Phase II with a translation into your language of their script for subtitling, this thread discusses that topic: http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?topic=9921.new#new
Posted by Barb at 11:38 AM
Edited by Temporal Agent, Jul 31 2010, 09:27 AM.
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Temporal Agent
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That didn't quite work out like I hoped but try just copy and pasting the articles without the source code. Here is the code to add images as well. Try to edit this post to see the code then you insert it where you want in the article.

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barbreader
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First of all, I admit I have yet to watch B&F I and II, but I have not heard of any strong sexual content in this series at all. Kissing and hunging is NOT strong sexual content.

I'm going to try to set up separate topics, one for the series, and one each for each release. Let's see if that works any better!
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barbreader
Aug 1 2010, 07:32 AM
First of all, I admit I have yet to watch B&F I and II, but I have not heard of any strong sexual content in this series at all. Kissing and hunging is NOT strong sexual content.

I'm going to try to set up separate topics, one for the series, and one each for each release. Let's see if that works any better!
Well the scene is clearly pg-13 but the fact that it is between 2 men led to the warning. I'll explain further. When you said a religious group uses your site and you post warnings for it, I have come to find out most religious groups frown upon gay interaction and thus the warning. I personally think the scene is only rated pg-13. But if you don't think a warning is needed in this case I will take it off the forum. Let me know. I am in the chat box and making more forums as well.
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barbreader
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At Star Trek Reviewed Gay content is simply marked with a purple color but it's not rated higher than strait content. That leaves it up to the viewer what to think. In the New York Gay community, purple is the color of gay pride, so marking the episode purple is like marking Christian stuff with a Cross or Environmental or Islamic stuff green. It's their own symbol, so I'm not passing judgement. And I don't want to judge, although I do sort. The purple lets gay people find the things they want, and Christians avoid it, without telling them what to do.
Edited by barbreader, Aug 1 2010, 09:23 AM.
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