No, lens flare is NOT a 'good filmmaking technique'

I agree it is often overused, but generally, I like the effect. It often gives intensity and depth to a two-dimensional scene. I know many JJ-haters will disagree, but after seeing several hundred Trek episodes (and numerous feature films) using the exact same static camera positions, the technique (along with some mobile camera work) made potentially slow bridge scenes vibrant and exciting. Its Trek, there are going to be bridge scenes. Its easily the most used and can incorporate much (and sometimes all) of the principal cast. But, why not jazz it up a bit? We all get it, the cameras have to be placed somewhere, so tv episodes use the same angle for convenience and expediancy. We accept that. I just think Abrams, as an example, made many basic interior shots that much more captivating. Instead of bland corridors with static cameras showing lackluster crew heading to their duties, we get different camera angles and placement, moble cams and bright reflective surfaces (and yes, lensflare) to give interior scenes more urgency. They're tricks...sometimes even crutches. But, I'll take the occasional lensflare over the ubiquitous Run & Dive from the Fiery Explosion anyday.

Plus, won't lensflare off a lightsabre look badass? 2015, here we come!

I think they used so much flaring to mask all the green-screening. Which I think worked, I guess, cos it didn't look like everything was shot on a stage. I think it's like a magic trick, distract the audience with something (the hideous flaring) to hide the trick (the greenscreen) xD.

I didn't like the JJ Abrams style lens flaring going on, most notably on the Battlestar Galactica and any space scenes with any sort of light whether it be from a star, nebula, or computer console. It's unrealistic, unnatural, and unnecessary.

And it better not be in Star Wars Episode VII, VIII, and IX.

Seems like all the lens flares were a way to follow on the financial success of the 2009 Star Trek movie, for better or for worse. For worse in my opinion. It was definitely distracting. I thought they might limit it to just the first scene or two, but it never ended.

Indeed, B&C had at least five times the lens flares of the most lens flared JJ film. Natural lens flares are usually rare in circular cinematography, and quite more frequent when anamorphic lenses are used. But not that frequent. Clearly a lot of them were artificial, and that's something not even JJ does.

Fanboy : a person who does not think while watching.