Simon Pegg as Scotty in Star Trek
Actor Simon Pegg is being very critical in a recent Radio Times interview about the Science Fiction genre, one that has brought him his fame and fortune.
Despite his reputation as a poster boy for geeks, he told Radio Times magazine: “Before Star Wars, the films that were box-office hits were The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Bonnie and Clyde and The French Connection – gritty, amoral art movies.
“Then suddenly the onus switched over to spectacle and everything changed … I don’t know if that is a good thing.”
Pegg, who played chief engineer Scotty in the recent Star Trek films, added: “Obviously I’m very much a self-confessed fan of science fiction and genre cinema but part of me looks at society as it is now and just thinks we’ve been infantilised by our own taste.
“Now we’re essentially all consuming very childish things – comic books, superheroes. Adults are watching this stuff, and taking it seriously.
“It is a kind of dumbing down, in a way, because it’s taking our focus away from real-world issues. Films used to be about challenging, emotional journeys or moral questions that might make you walk away and re-evaluate how you felt about … whatever.
“Now we’re walking out of the cinema really not thinking about anything, other than the fact that the Hulk just had a fight with a robot.”
The Mission: Impossible star said he wanted to take on more dramatic roles.
“Sometimes (I) feel like I miss grown-up things,” he said. “And I honestly thought the other day that I’m gonna retire from geekdom.
Now I don't know about you Geeks, but this SciFi Geek was kind of annoyed and offended by Mr. Peggs statement. As if 'we' geeks don't know that 1) it's all fun and games and acting 2) we don't know what else is going on in the world 3) we are all teenagers
No none of the above Mr. Pegg! I am your age probably and I am first and formost a geek who really knows and understands what is going on around me and who cares about others and the world around me. I am sure it isn't meant like it comes across and there's probably more said, but it seems like Simon Pegg belittles his fans and fellow geeks in this short statement. I for one think that geeks as much as any are more aware of what is going on around them. Geeks being set apart themselves for most of their lives and all. They need a way to escape, through films like these but when it's time to face reality they sure can!
Further more I don't agree that it is childish! Why should it? It can be, if you go and dress up and all, but I love being a geek/fan of SciFi Star Trek in particular and not having to be ashamed of it! I am a 47 year old woman and I can be childish but I certainly am not!
I am sure he didn't mean it like I read it, but I just felt I had to say something. As if geekdom is something to be ashamed about. Geekdom is awesome and just be proud of it!
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