The Star Trek Post

I will come right out and say it; I have never liked Star Trek. It’s a little odd that I dig Star Wars, but not the ‘Trek I suppose, but when you consider that all the action and drama in Star Trek’s past has been presented with wiggly camera, flashing red lights and constant yelling to ‘use full shields’…maybe it’s not that big of a stretch. What my predisposition does prove though, is that JJ Abram’s reinvention of the brand a high caliber, because I really, really enjoyed this movie. The characters where all great casting jobs and where instantly likable, Kirk in particular (Chris Pine) was terrific thought the movie, and Zack Quinto’s Spock was exactly what he needed to be. My favorite part about the movie though was that the action was gritty and frantic while still having an air of futuristic sophistication about it- a nice fresh take on what I have always thought to be a stifled aspect of Star Trek as a whole. Yeah we’ve got laser beams and spaceships, but sometimes its all about throwing fists!

I don’t want to spoil too much, but it’s safe to assume that no Trekkie would ever read an amateur blogger’s review at the expense of camping out on opening night for a new Star Trek so I feel safe telling you that the plot involves time travel. More specifically Spock’s time travel and the effects he has on all the cannon Star Trek characters. This is a really clever way of both meshing this new franchise with the old while a the same time completely separating it. Spock Prime (played by a returning Leonard Nimoy) serves as a central plot point and lip service to the old-school fans, while at the same time taking a back seat to the Next Generation (yeah I said it). It works well and is something not often seen these days. Perhaps cutting all ties to previous efforts and starting with a complete reboot is the coward’s way out? If so Trek deserves recognition for its accomplishments in this regard.

It’s not a perfect movie however…. The bad guy; Nero is terrible and pretty weak to be honest with you. He wants to avenge his planet that he thinks is destroyed. But the guy doesn’t think to go and check on it, which he really should do because he went back in time and the thing is just fine. Does he go and look for survivors? Nope, he hangs around in space waiting for Spock to get revenge. Sure he uses his Death-Star-wannabe ship to take out a whole planet; but he just doesn’t seem like the kind of villain to pin a franchise relaunch on. Why not stick in some Borg-Klingons? All we get is Eric Bana with Darth Maul face paint flying around in a space-laser… meh. Besides that though everyone does a bang up job and are instantly likable. Simon Pegg wins though with Scotty, but Kirk is a close second.