by J. Marie Ruen

Created on: June 11, 2009

Deciding the better Captain Kirk in the Star Trek franchise isn't as straightforward as debating between Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig as the superior James Bond. We can use Ian Fleming's books as a measuring stick by which to judge the better Bond. When it comes to Kirks, however, there is no definitive source with which to compare. So, the question becomes a matter of who better embodies the character's spirit. Who tells the more satisfying story?

Shatner's Kirk was introduced as an adult, already established as the Enterprise's captain. Through the course of the original Star Trek series and the subsequent films, Kirk's character evolved little from the brash, intelligent, dedicated warrior first introduced to audiences in 1966. Through aging, promotion, demotion, fatherhood, the loss (and subsequent return) of his friend and colleague Spock, and until his own death, Kirk is ever the passionate action hero. While this provides a reliable and entertaining character, there is little room for growth.

As played by Pine, Kirk passes through the various stages of the "hero's journey," a familiar series of events and transformations that through folklore, religion, myth, and literature has become ingrained in the cultural psyche. The stories of heroes such as Odysseus in Greek mythology, the Lord of the Rings' Frodo Baggins, Star Wars' Luke Skywalker, and Neo of the Matrix trilogy also follow this form.

The classic format of the hero's journey as told by comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell begins with a call to adventure, which the hero often refuses. He then crosses into an unfamiliar world, where he faces many trials and finds help from a supernatural power. He is then exiled, and he fights to expand his consciousness until he is ready to return, often with magical aid. Upon his return, he shows mastery of his reality and the reality of the other world in order to defeat his enemies and achieve completion.

Pine's Kirk is immature and irresponsible until he receives his call to adventure from Captain Pike. He initially refuses the call, but eventually he takes it up and leaves his mundane world to cross into the unfamiliar world of Starfleet. Kirk passes through several trials in Starfleet as he struggles with his arrogance and impatience - most notably the "Kobayashi Maru" test. His greatest obstacle is embodied by Spock, the personification of the discipline and logic that runs counter to Kirk's mindset. This conflict continues aboard the Enterprise,

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>