“Which path will you choose?”
J. J. Abrams brings his unique writing to a classic franchise. With Star Trek, he takes by far the most influential sci-fi series of all time and dons a Jedi cloak to reinvent the franchise with more grit, grime, and guts than the classic fare.
Always with my friends was the question, which is better Star Trek or Star Wars, as Abrams claims he was never into Star Trek, I was expecting a darker, more one-dimensional Star Trek – and that is what I got. Even the music had dynamic horns and choir voices reminiscent of John Williams, except for a few scenes. Overall this will not have the same feel as any of the other movies, with the exception of the brutal Wrath of Khan – which we all know was the best of the Star Trek films – until now. Yes, I just said that, deal with it!
I keep hearing, this isn’t your father’s Star Trek, no, it isn’t – this is my son’s Star Trek, and you know what – I am glad. I can keep my dad’s Star Trek on the shelf and dust it off and wax nostalgic over days gone by, or I can engage to full warp and embrace this bold new interpretation on the classic. No reason they can’t coexist.
Star Trek opens up with action almost immediately and only applies the dampeners a few times to fill in compelling story lines that will have you sympathetic to new and familiar characters. Telling the tale of the heroic James Tiberius Kirk and his quick advances through Star Fleet Academy, Chris Pine and Jimmy Bennett both enter the legend’s boots, with dramatic success.
Zachary Quinto and Jacob Kogan both play the pointy-eared bastard, Dr. Spock as he carves out his own destiny by joining Star Fleet Academy against the Vulcan Science Academy’s wishes. Spock is himself a child of two worlds, and is constantly struggling with fitting in wholly anywhere. Logic and science are his guide, while emotions of helplessness persistently haunt his thoughts.
Zoe Saldana plays the vixen du jour, Nyota Uhura – yet another member of S.F.A. Russian born Anton Yelchin naturally assumes the stammering Pavel Chekov with a few chuckle-worthy scenes, but by far my favorite character, then as now is Bones, Dr. Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban). Urban brought a smile to my face as I swear the original DeForest Kelley possessed his body from wherever great souls reside when they reach that Final Frontier. Simon Pegg managed to effectively resurrect another missed old-friend, Scotty – who of course delivered his most famous line, no doubt Pegg insisted on that, can’t say I blame him one bit.
These actors not only held their own, they owned these legendary characters masterfully, let’s face it, it is simply impossible to fill the shoes of the unique William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Pine’s style and charisma comes across as genuine machismo and charm, he even gets to smooch a green-hottie, no doubt he insisted on that, can’t say I blame him either. Not to be outdone, Quinto clearly has some green blood pumping through his veins. The two worked so well together in certain scenes, you forget this is just a couple of actors on the screen, you feel a certain tulpa has been created in the theater. Wonderful job guys; don’t let any Trekkies tell you otherwise.
The casting was superb, kudos to all involved – whatever late night calls were placed at the last minute to pull this cast together, however much sleep was lost wondering if you got that right someone for the part – know ya’ done good, folks.
It’s hard to write this review in my typical non-spoiler fashion, so I will wait until I get some intense debate going here. I really must admit, I was so drawn into this movie, this story, the adventure, that I couldn’t find one fault anywhere. And I gave this 6 stars because I can, I have the con – so to speak.
If you don’t agree that this movie deserves the Blockbuster of the year, I guess you are just too hung up on the changes from the original concepts, the twists that make no sense to the uber-purists, but everything is accounted for in this film, no plot holes can be surmised because of the genius of J. J. Abrams. Let’s not despise the fresh changes, let’s embrace them as new Trekkies are recruited to boldly go where no man has gone before.
***RED ALERT*** – Spoilers below
Ok, you have been advised, you proceed now at your own risk . . .
The fact that Kirk, George commands the USS Kelvin and sacrifices everything to protect his new family is gripping when it happens – as you realize his small, yet crucial role in the Star Trek universe, forged through fire, James T. Kirk is named by his parents as his destiny is written in the stars. Were you a devout Trekkie you would know this is where things change, in the classic universe, George Kirk sees his son command his first ship. I didn’t know though; I didn’t realize things were off until Winona Ryder, Spock’s mother, was killed – I went, wait a minute, something isn’t right here – she is gonna be beamed back any minute now, any minute . . . she wasn’t.
Cameos abound in this film, you will recognize some familiar TV faces and the audience will delight when they see them on the big screen – nice touch and nod from J. J. Abrams to include these actors.
Loved the use of Beastie Boys on the radio as young Kirk rebels against his wicked stepfather by trashing his classic corvette, a scene all trailer followers have seen ad nauseum. Still, nice touch and seeing it again in the film with some new twists you didn’t see in the trailer makes me like Abrams even more. Too many times trailers show the real oomph and leave little to be excited about viewing the film – not so with Star Trek.
The whole use of an alternate reality thing smacks of Lost in the sense that you have to suspend disbelief a tad, but, again, this is a sci-fi movie set in the future where Earth is united and is in a Federation of United Planets – so, suspension of disbelief is a given. Live with it, I did. Also, I thought it was very cool that there was a shipyard in Iowa, where Kirk is looking at the Enterprise being built – never knowing that his destiny and the destiny of millions upon billions of souls will depend on his shrewd command of the legendary vessel.
I have to give credit to the ever impressive I.L.M. for the creatures on Delta Vega, purely terrifying and spine tingling special effects, of course I would expect no less from that team. And I love the little nod to Slave 1 they surely must have used in designing Spock’s red matter vessel.
When the final credits ran I wanted to stay put in my seat like a roller-coaster you just keep riding and riding until the monitor finally kicks you off, or the park closes. I intend to see this over and over and over again, now we just need someone to take us out.
