Star Trek – a Trek You’ll Want to Take
First off, let me just say for the record I am NOT a Trekkie. I repeat, I am NOT a Trekkie. So, why did I go
see yet another version of the television series from the 60’s? Well, to be honest, the trailer got me and then upon finding out that J.J. Abrams (television’s Lost) was directing it, that hooked me in. I wanted to see what Abrams’ take on the decades old phenomenon was really going to be like. And I’m happy to say folks, I have boldly gone to where no woman has gone before (ok, that’s stretching it) – the second row, second seating of a darkly lit theater to catch what turned out to be a truly amazing flick.
I Tweeted yesterday right after the film saying, “Star Trek was probably THE BEST Sci-fi I’ve seen since Dark Knight” and I meant every word. Abrams took the traditional elements of a science fiction movie, the stories we have all seen before, and intertwined them with some ultra-modern special effects and a whole lot of actual drama. That’s the key. There was a story behind the story.
True Trekkies will tell you it wasn’t entirely accurate but at the same time, they’ll also tell you that the story kept them interested from the very first scene to the very end. As a non-Trekkie, I wasn’t looking for total accuracy. I was looking for a story. That’s what I liked about the newest series take on the Batman franchise when Christian Bale came in taking over the role of the Batman in Batman Begins. What Christopher Nolan brought to the character, the backstory he created, in a sense touched viewers. He made the character of Bruce Wayne real. After seeing the trailer for Star Trek, I got the feeling J.J. Abrams was doing the same thing with the characters from Star Trek. And I was right.
Bringing together the entire crew of the USS Enterprise once again – Captain James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Dr. McCoy (Karl Urban), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Sulu (John Cho), Scotty (Simon Pegg), and Uhura (Zoe Saldana) – this time we got to see their very humble beginnings. The story concentrated on the relationship between Spock and Capt. Kirk, two very inspiring and intelligent minds that spent more time differing and arguing than coming together until it was necessary to do so. It was the dynamic between the two main characters that set the tone for the rest of the film. Of course, add in there a really egotisical maniac of a villian, Nero (played brilliantly by Eric Bana) and you’ve got drama, suspense, action, a bit of comedy, and yes, a story.
On (somewhat of) an aside here, I absolutely loved how the actors in the film were all cast so closely to their original counterparts. The likenesses were striking. Even the likeness between George and James T. Kirk was amazing. I had to do a double-take when Cadette James T. Kirk took the scene thinking that it was the same guy that played his father, George Kirk. Thank goodness it wasn’t or we would’ve had an oedipal theme in there as well. Definitely not PG-13 material, in that case.
This take on an old classic was beautifully done. From direction to cinematography to script to graphics and of course, the acting, was magnificent. I give Star Trek
For the record, I gave Dark Knight 4 reels as well. I don’t give them out that often but when I see something that has all the makings of a truly entertaining flick, I can’t help but give it all the credit its due. Star Trek ranks right up there. However, let me also say that if I were handing out numbers on a scale of 1-10, I’d give Knight the 10 and Trek a 9. Knight’s Heath Ledger as the Joker sealed the rating for that one.
Until next time, see YOU at the movies!
Lisa 
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Comments
I’m a long time Trekkie fan. When I go to Vegas I always make the pilgrimage to the Star Trek Experience. Anyway I loved this film … LOVED IT!
I’m going to see it again which I rarely do. In fact I can’t remember the last time I went to see a movie twice.
The acting was fantastic. The casting department did a phenomenal job. I agree about your comment regarding the resemblance between George and James T Kirk. In fact when I saw the actor playing George I couldn’t help but think of William Shatner.
I actually cried during two scenes in the film — I won’t say which ones since it’d be spoilerish.
One thing . . . I kind of wish the voice over at the end of the film had been original recipe Kirk; it would have been a nice salute to the “new” crew . . . imo.
Michelle…yeah, I thought of that too but you are right…we would’ve had an extra LONG movie if that were the case.
Perri…I love your idea for the voice over at the end. You are so right! It would’ve made a really nice tribute to the original Capt. Kirk, (more affectionately known as William Shatner).
Good thinking, Ladies. Thanks for the comments!
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I have to tell you as another non-Trekkie, I was a little apprehensive about going to see Star Trek. I thought it looked very cool from the trailer, but was worried that it would be filled with inside shout outs and that I would be lost. But I went anyway and was pleasantly surprised with how much I really enjoyed it. Your review is completely spot on. My only complaint was that we didn’t get to really know some of the other characters. Of course, that would mean a movie that was hours long to go into all of them so I accept what we got.
This summer’s lineup of the “blockbuster movies” is looking to be a great one for the moviegoers.