Paul and I finally got to see the new Star Wars movie on the weekend. We went as non-Star Trek fans (sorry all of you trekkies out there). We went as summer movie fans though - you know what I mean, those big over-the-top, spectacles that seem to be rolling into the theatres with great frequency throughout the summer. We weren't expecting much more than entertainment - we got that and a whole lot more!
Let's start with a plot summary courtesy of that good folks at Rotten Tomatoes:
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!
Hmmmm - and to think I am accused of using superlatives! *smile*
Like so many of the 'great' movie franchises, Star Trek had lost its way. New characters added that no one cared about and the shows/films moved farther and farther away from the intent of the originally TV series. Not unlike Batman. Many wondered if this film would revitalize the series like Batman Begins revitalized the dark tales of the caped crusader.
This is the Star Trek true fans have been missing, but barely dared hope for: a return to the original characters, in all their giddy glory and with all their hilarious hubris. Director J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible III, TV's Lost and Alias) delivers a solid reboot to series creator Gene Roddenberry's 1960s ideas about life in "space: the final frontier."
We haven't seen all of the movies in the series but of the ones we have seen this was one of the best, ranking right up there with such character-driven triumphs as The Wrath of Khan and The Voyage Home. The special effects were seamless.
The casting was inspired with a careful return to the characterization that many remember from the now 'ancient' TV series. The emphasis was wisely placed on talent (including good comic timing - which was used to great effect) rather than on marquee recognition or resemblance to the original cast – although in some cases, the likeness is uncanny.
The film's main thrust is to get Kirk from the point where he's a drunken rebel without a clue in one-horse Iowa, stealing cars and acting like the juvenile delinquent he is, to the point where he's ready to take flight and assume the command of the Starship Enterprise.
How Kirk gets to assume the helm fills so much of the movie, and involves so many convoluted plot twists, it's almost the screenwriting equivalent of mixing matter and antimatter. It should all explode, or at least fuse your dilithium crystal. But it's all done with such verve, and such good humour, that you don't mind sending common sense into deep space - now if that isn't a characteristic of a great summer movie I don'y know what is!
Abrams respects the past, but he's no slave to it. Kirk and Spock are both hot-blooded in the film, getting bedroom action only hinted at in the past – especially for Spock, whose romantic entanglement will cause a sharp intake of breath for any Trekkies who haven't already Googled all the spoilers.
By boldly going back to where it all began, J.J. Abrams has taken Star Trek exactly where it belongs.
Jerry, though not particularly a Star Trek fan I would be interested to see this film esp. after your review. Probably will save this for a Netflix but will definitely see. Thanks for a needed review.
Posted by: barb cabot | May 27, 2009 at 09:31 AM
I was never a big trekkie, but I've heard so much about this movie, that I'm kind of curious to see it. I'm hoping that by the time I fly back from Italy in a few weeks, it might be showing on Air Canada!
Posted by: sandrac | May 28, 2009 at 03:25 PM
That's more info than I got out of David, who got to see it in Sacramento with the son, like in the old days when Matt lived at home - male bonding time. I can pass, never was a trekkie myself.
Posted by: Marcia | May 28, 2009 at 04:25 PM
You're welcome Barb. I never think these 'big' summer films translate well to the small screen. Mind you, I guess if you have a huge TV it might work. :-)
That would be a nice flight home then Sandra.
Marcia - I'd be interested to hear Dave's 'review'. I don't know any Trekkies at all so am curious to hear what they thought.
Posted by: Jerry | May 29, 2009 at 06:39 AM
I am a Trekkie and I LOVED this film and want more with the same actors.
Posted by: Wendy Hirschegger | January 21, 2012 at 04:03 PM