Star Trek vs. Star Wars

Several months back, I wrote a similar article called Star Wars and Star Trek. Originally, it was there to explore the differences of each saga and then decipher which one was actually better. As I look it over, I see I fell short of my goal in every way. My roommate (responsible for the infamous roommate rants) pointed out that although it was well written, there wasn't anything of substance within the article.

He was right. It was fluff, to put it nicely, and it only addressed certain aspects, most noticeably the pros of each. Additionally, it was just general information and in the end it came down to...blah, blah, blah.

This time it's going to be different! I promise to give a comprehensive (in depth) analysis of each epic, trek and wars, while providing an honest critique based on facts and opinion. Here we go!

Hands down, the Starfleet galaxy class starship USS Enterprise is a far better space vessel than the almighty Imperial Star Destroyer (even the one Vader was on).

Reasons:

The Enterprise has better a defense system. The galaxy-class federation starship has a powerful force field that can take on a heavy load before the shields eventually fail.

On the other hand, although the Star Destroyer has a force field of it's own, it is relatively simple to take out the control tower responsible for them. (Want proof? In Return of the Jedi, an a-wing star fighter blasted a control tower destroying the main bridge deflector shield of a star destroyer. Look at the video to the right...start time around: 6:10.)

The main advantage for the Enterprise is that all the controls and power configurations are protected inside the Starship, while the control tower is located on the outer haul of the Star Destroyer.

The Enterprise has a better weapons system. The bigger starships, such as the USS Enterprise, carries two primary weapons, photon torpedoes and phasers. Both carry a lot of weight and would create havoc on a star destroyer.

On the other hand, The Star Destroyer has one primary weapon, blasters. I understand that Imperial blasters are powerful and can take out any Rebel vessel, but there is no way you can convince me that a blaster would be that effective on a Starfleet spacecraft, much less the Enterprise!

To sum it up, the Enterprise has a better defensive and offensive system than anything the Imperial Star Destroyer can throw at it.

Arguments against me:

The Star Destroyer's sheer size advantage. Upon opening credits of the classic trilogy, everyone is witness to the Destroyer's massive size. They are gigantic, no doubt.

However, the motto bigger is always better doesn't apply when it come to technology and maneuverability. With the Enterprise, there is no contest. The uss enterprise wins...period.

The Tiefighters: Yes, yes...for all of us Star Wars geeks, there are over 100 Tiefighters aboard a single Star Destroyer (On Vader's ship anyway. I believe your standard run of the mill Star Destroyer has 72 Tiefighters on board).

Big deal! They are delicate little star fighters, to say the least, and barely inflict any damage. I say send 500 hundred of those suckers and the Enterprise will still prevail!

I say this with no hesitation, "the Jedi Council wins every time."

Reasons:

The Jedi are flat out better. No matter how one spins it, the Jedi possess powers that would wipe out 2 and even 3 away teams in a heartbeat. They have the light saber which could deflect any Federation phaser (be it a hand-held pistol or a rifle) even if they set their weapons to "maximum setting".

Then of course, there is the way of the force, where the Jedi can manipulate objects that would dismantle the Trek crew with little effort. To sum it up, It wouldn't be much of a match at all.

The Jedi are better fighters. Most members on the away team are not skilled at hand to hand combat. Take away the force and the light sabers and the Jedi are still better fighters.

They are trained to fight like knights! Starfleet officers are trained for light skirmishes and minimal hand to hand combat. The jedi would mop the floor with them.

Luke Skywalker vs. Captain James T. Kirk

Well, when it comes to acting they are both equally horrible. However, Shatner and Hamil did eventually grow into their roles and 'became' the character. With that said, I would have to say Captain Kirk is better. I find him more compelling and more interesting than the Luke Skywalker farm boy story.

Don't get me wrong, Luke's backstory is cool and his father is by far the best villain ever, but Kirk is more dynamic. Kirk was Captain the U.S.S. Enterprise. He explored new worlds and new civilizations. Luke was a brat who learned the ways of the force through an aging Jedi. Sorry, Luke falls short.

I mean, Kirk even kissed O'Hara for crying out loud! Luke kissed his sister...and that's just gross.

Character quotes:

Kirk: "Khaaaaaaaaan!"

Luke: "But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!"

Wow, this one is really tough. I, personally, think Captain Picard is the most interesting character in all of Star Trek. However, Obi-Wan is my favorite Jedi and we all know Jedi Knights are freaking awesome!

But this trek vs wars comparison isn't about popularity or personal biases (well, maybe a little). This article, although based on opinion, is a comprehensive analysis of which character is better and why.

So, I'm sorry to say, but I think Obi-Wan is more compelling. His relationship with Anakin and their overall demise is an incredible back story.

Again, I admire Picard and his ambitious background, but it doesn't compare to Obi-Wan's strife and his overall importance to the Star Wars universe.

Character quotes:

Picard: "Nooooooo!!...I will not sacrifice the Enterprise. We've made too many compromises already, too many retreats. They invade our space, and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further! And I will make them pay for what they've done!"

Obi-Wan (I could go with the obvious but...nah): "You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine."

Wow, another back-breaker! Yoda's background is a little sketchy. We know that he was THE Jedi Master, head of the Jedi council, was Luke's mentor/teacher, and a puppet who eventually turned CGI. If that doesn't spell cool, I don't know what does.

Spock, on the other hand, was Captain Kirk's right hand man and single-handily saved the Enterprise through personal sacrifice.

The reason this one is tough is because they both are icons with overwhelming importance to their universes respectfully. What would Kirk do without Spock? Who would Luke be without Yoda?

Kirk would go from mission to mission as a total renegade...all heart, no conscience. Comparatively, Luke would've faced Vader completely clueless, seeking advise from a dead mentor.

So, who is better? Ultimately, I have to go with Yoda. As a character, a jedimaster, and as a puppet, Yoda sits a notch higher than the half human/half vulcan starfleet ambassador.

When Yoda comes on the screen, the audience's ears perk up, anticipating what the little green guy has to say. When Yoda whipped out his light saber in Episode II, everyone went nuts. I said something to the effect of: "Holy shit! No Way!"

Yoda: "For my ally is the force and a powerful ally it is. Life creates it. Makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. You must feel the force around you...here...between you, me, the tree, the rock, everywhere...yes...even between the land and the ship."

Spock: "Don't grieve, Admiral. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few...or the one."

Okay, we all know that this one is a bit obvious, but let's just stop and think about the 2 mighty opponents. Khan was a great villain. He was ambitious, driven, and wanted Captain James T. Kirk to suffer...to die. Khan's thirst for vengeance ended up destroying not only himself but also his crew, reminiscent of the Herman Melville classic: Moby Dick. It's a great story.

On other hand, Darth Vader wanted to rule the galaxy. His quest for power ultimately destroyed him, leading him to the path of the darkside and forever a servant to Darth Sidious, better known as Emperor Palpatine. Vader betrayed his code, his mentor, his lover, and eventually his master...over on thing alone...power.

Now, both characters have great stories and belong to the classics. But, Vader outshines Khan in every category. Vader makes Star Wars click. Without the greatest villain of all time, Star Wars is just another adventure movie about a farm boy and a wizard's quest to take on an evil emperor.

Unfortunately for Khan, you could take it or leave it. His character is only important to one person alone, Kirk. In the large scheme of things, Khan doesn't measure up to Vader's importance.

First off, let me say that I love both franchises. As a Star Trek fan, it sometimes baffles me when I hear a Trekkie say they hate Star Wars. I mean, isn't Star Wars just a fun version of Trek, with a few wacky lines and lovable characters?

Additionally, I don't get how any Star Wars fanboy can say that 'Trekkies' are a bunch of low life nerds! From outsiders looking in, we are all the same...dorks!

Okay...(drum roll)...From my analysis, Star Trek vessels would destroy any Star Wars craft. On the other hand, individual Star Wars characters would put a beat down on Trek guys. As far as character comparisons go, I'm sorry, but Yoda, Obi-Wan, Darth, and Luke are more interesting, more lovable than Kirk, Picard, Spock, and Khan.

So, 2 out of three. I'm sorry Trekkies, I really am. Before I took on this venture, I thought the 'earth' bound characters would be more interesting than those mystical characters far, far away.

Winner: STAR WARS