Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Countryunexpectedly foreshadows Captain James T. Kirk’s (Chris Pine) favorite song in J.J. Abrams’Star Trekmovies.Star Trek VIis set inStar Trek’s Prime timeline, whereas J.J. Abrams’Star Trek(2009),Star Trek Into Darkness, andStar Trek Beyondare set in the alternate Kelvin Timeline. However,Star Trek VItakes place in 2293, over 3 decades after J.J. Abrams’Star Trekmovies happen in the alternate reality, which span from 2258-2263. Yet the word"sabotage"is curiously relevant inStar Trek VI, which was produced in 1991, 18 years before J.J. Abrams directed his firstStar Trekmovie.
“Sabotage” is a popular song by Beastie Boys, released in January 1994 as the first single from their albumIll Communication. Although “Sabotage” never came close to hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, Beastie Boys' track was a huge hit on MTV thanks to its music video directed by Spike Jonze. “Sabotage” was nominated for 5 moon men trophies at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, and “Sabotage” the song has become a pop culture touchstone in the last 30 years, including beingfeatured in J.J. Abrams’Star Trek(2009)and the Justin Lin-directedStar Trek Beyondin 2016.
Every Star Trek Movie In Chronological Order
With 13 entries in the Star Trek movie series from 1979-2006, there are a couple of ways to watch the films chronologically.
Star Trek VI Unexpectedly Sets Up Chris Pine Kirk’s Favorite Song
Lt. Valeris explains the etymology of “sabotage”
Amusingly,Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Countryexplained the etymology of the word"sabotage,“and it can be seen as an unexpected foreshadowing of Beastie Boys' song inStar Trek(2009) if theStar Trekmoviesare being watched chronologically in theatrical release date order. InStar Trek VI,Lt. Valeris (Kim Cattrall) explains where the origin of"sabotage"comes fromto Lt. Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) and Scotty (James Doohan):
400 years ago on the planet Earth, workers who felt their livelihood threatened by automation flung their wooden shoes called sabots into the machines to stop them. Hence the word “sabotage.”
It’s funny how"sabotage” comes up inStar Trek VI,and then pops up again so distinctively in the form of Beastie Boys' “Sabotage” inStar Trek(2009). Along with pretending Starfleet communications are scrambled inStar Trek VI,another significant act of sabotage occurs inStar Trek III: The Search for Spock.Scotty sabotages the USS Excelsior’s transwarp drive, which allows theUSS Enterprise to be hijackedby Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew.
Beastie Boys' “Sabotage” Makes A Comeback In Star Trek: Beyond
“It’s a good choice.”
Beastie Boys' “Sabotage” being featured inStar Trek(2009) was divisive. General audiences were entertained by the audacity of theyoung James T. Kirk (Jimmy Bennett)stealing his stepfather’s convertible and driving it off a cliff in an act of defiance. Many long-time Star Trek fans, however, didn’t enjoy a contemporary track spotlighted in a science fiction film set in the 23rd century. Butthat didn’t stopStar Trek Beyondfrom reprising “Sabotage”.This time, the adult Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) nods approvingly while “Sabotage” disrupts the swarm army of Krall (Idris Elba), allowing the USS Franklin to attack and destroy them.
Watching theStar Trekmovies can give fans a full appreciation for what"sabotage"means toStar Trek.
The lyrics to Beastie Boys' “Sabotage” are about their producer who"was the worst person ever and how he was always sabotaging us and holding us back,“according to the 2020 documentary,Beastie Boys Story. This fits with the young Kirk stealing a car and blasting “Sabotage,” as Jim hates his domineering stepfather and wants to get away from him. FromStar Trek VI: The Undiscovered Countryto J.J. Abrams' trilogy, watching theStar Trekmoviescan give fans a full appreciation for what"sabotage"means toStar Trek.
Star Trek Beyond
Cast
In the Kelvin timeline of Star Trek Films, Captain James Tiberius Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew return to fight a new enemy who puts everything they and the Federation stand for to the ultimate test. This third installment of the rebooted Star Trek films marked the 50th anniversary of the classic sci-fi franchise.
