“Sabotage” in Star Trek? Here’s why
Teenage James Tiberius Kirk was a hellraiser. Fatherless and wreckless, he had a habit of joyriding his uncle’s antique Corvette while blasting equally ancient music. Specifically, “Sabotage” by The Beastie Boys. I felt that the music fit the scene perfectly, but others did not. Perhaps if they knew why it was chosen.
There’s an infamous clip of Shatner doing voice over work in which he pronounces the word “sabo-TAAGE” and, when corrected, states that he’s never pronounced it “sabotage.” You can listen after the break.
Abrams insists that the song’s selection was pure coincidence, but I’m not buying it. As an Easter Egg, it’s just too delicious to attribute to chance.
To my ear the series clip when he is talking to the vixen, he pronounces it somewhere in the middle (between sabo-TAAGE) and the more common sabotage).
Having said that, very interesting insight into the possible background for that song selection, thank you for posting.
Brandon, I agree that the scene w/the girl sounds like a unique, third pronunciation. Oh, Kirk. You’re so full of surprises.