Star Trek

Rating:  

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Eric Bana, Leonard Nimoy

Plot Synopsis:

The greatest adventure of all time begins with Star Trek, the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind.The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before! [Paramount]

Review:

Star Trek has been something I’ve known my whole life.  At a very young age, I used to watch the original episodes with my grandpa whenever I visited (which was often since we lived next door).  In 1987, when I was 9 years old, my Dad and I got hooked on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  This was a fond Dad/Son time we’d share, staying up late to catch the new TNG episode after the late night news (since it began in syndication).  I’ve seen/own every Star Trek film (the good and the bad) and while I’ve never considered myself a Trekkie/Trekker (or whatever), I’ve always considered myself a fan of the Star Trek Universe (with the exception of the spin-off shows: Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise).

With all that said, J. J. Abrams Star Trek is the shot of Romulan Ale the Star Trek Universe needed after 2 lack luster feature films in the Star Trek franchise.

Now, there are people who absolutely HATE some of the Star Trek feature films.  Star Trek V: The Final Frontier was clunky, poorly plotted film directed by William Shatner, although it did have some great character moments between Kirk, McCoy and Spock.  Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis were the last two feature films (featuring The Next Generation cast) and they didn’t feel cinematic.  They felt like longer TV episodes and didn’t do anything to further the series.  Some felt Star Trek: Nemesis officially killed the Star Trek Franchise.  While I feel like those 3 least-liked films were not the best, I still enjoy them for what they are and I enjoy spending time with the characters.

J. J. Abrams Star Trek is a fresh start.  A new beginning.  However, because of an ingenious plot device, it doesn’t discount Star Trek Canon.  Star Trek catapults the more thought provoking aspects of the Star Trek Universe (such as exploring the new Socialist-like government system, commentary of race relations and predjudice, space exploration and science), strips it down and focuses on character, action and humor.  J. J. Abrams has given us a sort of “origin story’ and succeeds in bringing new people into the Star Trek universe without alienating the long time Star Trek fans.  If you think about it, this is a major feat.  One of the most divisive properties in the last 40 years has opened it’s closed doors and can finally usher in a whole new generation of fans.

Hands down, this is the best looking Star Trek film ever.  You could take any of the space scenes, frame them and have some sweet artwork for your walls.  Colors are vibrant, the ships are massive and have scale, ILM was the main effects house used and the effects are near flawless.  Forget the shoddy CG work from Wolverine, the bar for Summer Movie special effects has been set through the roof.

Screen writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Mission Impossible III and Transformers) have been given a lot of shit based on their past efforts.  Here, they’ve turned in their best work to date.  Think about it.  They had to take 40 years of plot and character, backtrack to the beginning and create a fresh take on this world and characters.  Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman may not have given us anything super intellecual here plot-wise, but they were able to weave a story that doesn’t discount any previous Star Trek mythology or canon.  It’s all here, it makes sense.  If you’re a Star Trek super geek, you may have some things to nitpick about and some plot-holes to uncover.  But, this is the most taut and fun Star Trek film in the series.  I dare you to look back at all the previous films and have as much fun as you’ll have with the new Star Trek.

Like I’ve said, Star Trek has always been about characters.  Here, casting is pitch perfect.  Everyone brings their game and knocks all the characters out of the park.  Chris Pine as Kirk is great.  He brings the arrogance of young Kirk to life and, yeah, Kirk can be a dick! But, Chris Pine is able to present the arrogant Kirk with a tinge of endearment.  You do get the sense that Kirk will become a great captain.  Zachary Quinto as Spock is jaw dropping.  First off, the similarity to him and Leonard Nimoy’s Spock is staggering.  Quinto brings us the confilicted young Spock with an amazing subtlety.  He’s tough and cool, yet beneath the surface you can sense the internal struggle of Spock.

The supporting cast here is so good, I could keep writing and bore you all to tears.  Let me just say that everyone avoids the feared Saturday Night Live impersonation here.  These are fleshed out characters, which embody the spirit of the classic crew with a fresh, yet logical spin.  Most notable are Simon Pegg as Scotty and Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy.

Star Trek is a perfectly paced Science Fiction/Action film that is respectful of the source material and one of the best Science Fiction films I’ve seen in recent memory.  This is the first film in a long time where I’ve wanted to immediately stay in my seat and watch again.  I’d go back to the theater to see this in a heart beat (and probably will) and I can’t wait to own the Blu-ray so I could revisit the film again.  This is the most accessable Star Trek film and that is a good thing.  I really have nothing bad to say about J. J. Abrams’ Star Trek.  Could I nitpick? Probably.  Does that take away any enjoyment of the film?  No.

Why are you still reading this? Get out and see Star Trek in the theater.  It’ll be the most fun you’ll have in the theater this year.

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence, and brief sexual content[See Full Rating]