DISCLAIMER: I was a Trekkie (hem hem, technically a "Trekker") long before the new Star Trek film was even in production, so you might want to take my subsequent gushing with a grain of salt.
Back in 2005, I heard rumors that J.J. Abrams was in talks for creating a new Trek movie that would feature the crew from the original series as young adults. Reports said it would be, "The O.C. meets Star Trek." I was terrified. Mixing the mature, philosophical Trek with a melodramatic teen show seemed as good of an idea as mixing orange juice with milk. I couldn't have been more wrong.
In a single word, Star Trek is amazing. Sure it's also fun, thrilling, sexy and (yes) fresh, but "amazing" is the only way I can describe the pleasant shock that kept my mouth agape during most of the film. Abrams, who was already a sci-fi whiz ("Lost," Cloverfield, "Fringe"), has outdone himself: He breathed life into a wayward franchise while still honoring the Trek mythology. You don't need to be a Trekkie (heck, you don't even have to know what the U.S.S. Enterprise is) to enjoy the film, yet there are plenty of old-school allusions for the fans.
Surprises and plot twists are half the fun of Star Trek, so I will be sparing in the details I share. Despite the smooth special effects and the imaginative glimpses of alien worlds, the highlights were definitely in the performances. Karl Urban nailed the cantankerous "Bones" McCoy to an eerie (yet hilarious) degree that made me think he was channeling DeForest Kelley himself. Chris Pine's portrayal of James T. Kirk proved that this pretty boy can act — he embodied Kirk's devil-may-care attitude toward rules without the hokey Shatnerisms. And while Kirk was portrayed as a sort of Casanova on the television series, his womanizing habits are a great source of humor in the film. Funnyman Simon Pegg clicks as the clever and colorful Scotty while Zoe Saldana adds some feistiness to Uhura while maintaining her quick wit and compassion.
But out of all the cast, Zachary Quinto shines the brightest as a young Spock who must continually struggle with his emotions while questioning which world — Vulcan or human— he truly belongs to. The actor held his own, quite a feat considering the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy, made an appearance. In addition to Nimoy, Winona Ryder, Ben Cross and Jennifer Morrison from "House" have cameos. Perhaps they are closet Trekkies?
All the strings that might have constrained Star Trek in past are cut here. In the various television incarnations, plot continuity and fixed budgets kept the stories grounded; in previous films, the age of the actors (usually in their 50s and up) kept the action safe. But there are no limits in Abrams' reimagining of Gene Roddenberry's original vision — and that's Trek at its best.
Still not convinced to give Star Trek a try? Then check out Jimmy Fallon's interview with the two Spocks (Quinto and Nimoy) and learn how to act during a starship attack.
Until next time, live long and prosper.
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