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Release Date: May 8
Director: J. J. Abrams
Writer: Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, based on the television series created by Gene Roddenberry
Cinematographer: Daniel Mindel
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nemoy, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg
Studio/Run Time: Paramount Pictures, 126 mins.
While (technically) taking place in the same continuity as all of the old Star Trek shows and movies, J.J. Abrams’ turn at the series is in every other way a reboot that takes what’s most familiar about Star Trek and throws out nearly everything else. As I’m not an old Star Trek fan, I can’t really evaluate how the film holds up to what was important in the previous movies and television shows, or how the new actors and roles stand up to their predecessors, or any of a million other comparisons. But with or without that foreknowledge, the new Star Trek film is everything a summer blockbuster should be: exciting, dramatic and intelligent enough to be more than mere spectacle. So while its qualities as a work within the Star Trek canon are really outside the scope of this review, what’s evident in any case is a movie that any series would be proud to boast of.
But unlike films by Michael Bay, an influence that looms large in Star Trek’s background, Abrams’ speed is one of economy and streamlining rather than stereotypes and incoherence. Through scenes that speak loudly with their actions coupled with strong performances, Star Trek casts its net broadly but intelligently—not many action films would let something like the protagonist hanging onto ledges be a motif. Occasionally the seams on Star Trek show, but with its blazing pace and smart dialogue these are glossed over long before they become a real problem. Trek fan or not, only a person who hates action movies entirely could hate Star Trek.
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I am a fan of the original series. I watched it when it originally aired, in re-runs, in all forms of Trek since TV and movie- good, bad, and ugly. I saw the new movie yesterday with my wife, son and daughter-in-law, granddaughter and grandson. From age 64 to six, we all loved it.
The new actors were perfect casting. The in jokes were funny, especially the fun poked at the ultra serious command test the Kobayashi Maru. The action and effects were a joy to watch. This is my favorite Trek movie to date including Khan.
This had what every other original series Trek movie has never had: effects limited not by tech or budget but only by the imaginations of some very inventive people; a young, talented, and able-bodied cast capable of drama, comedy, and action; and infinite possibilities ahead due to the cleverly written changes in the original series timeline.
So forget the so-called fans who won't see it out of thickheadedness or those who do only to complain about what is different. Gene Roddenberry was a big fan of innovation if ever there was one. He would be grinning ear to ear today. Kirk and Spock are back and boldly going again; and we're all invited along for another ride.
I, too, am a long-time fan, and I thought the film was excellent. Some of the "alternate timeline" events (especially the big one,and I'm not going to be a spoiler) took me out of my Trek-lore comfort zone, but it was entertainingly and intelligently done, and hey folks, it's FICTION, which means Abrams and company can do whatever they want with the story line. The cast was great: Karl Urban's McCoy is so dead-on it's uncanny, and Chris Pine's Kirk and Zachary Quinto's Spock (who got Nimoy's hearty endorsement) are also excellent. I like the romantic element between two of the main characters as well. Chekov's character was a bit annoying, but then, he was a little irritating in the original series too. Eric Bana's villain feels too much the generic Trek villain - not quirky enough, perhaps - but that's my only criticism of the film. The effects, of course, are out of this - I mean, they're great. Your "90" rating is just about right.