Star Trek

The resurrected and reinvented Star Trek hits theatres today with a young, mostly unknown cast and a turbo-charged injection of JJ Abrams behind the camera. The story is sharp, but not dense. It takes the space-time continuum and quantum mechanics and delivers it in a way that us non-Trekkies can understand and appreciate. It also doesn't dwell on the specifics of the story as much as the novelty and the set-up for the next big action franchise.

The writers found the appropriate balance of homage to the original, and 2009 special effects laden action porn. Abrams continues to amaze me with his delivery of seamless visual effects and quality storylines. He is truly the George Lucas of the 21st century. This film shirks the stigma of the 70's and 80's renditions and goes straight into territory where no Star Trek has gone before - mainstream hipness.

The cast assembled could have been more convincing. I don't take issue with any of the choices, as none are A-list stars, but some of the supporters were odd choices - most particularly Scotty, Bones, Chekov and Sulu. They just didn't quite fit, even as a younger generation of themselves. Where the film struck gold was with the two leads. Kirk and Spock were both exceptional choices, and Chris Pine as Kirk opened doors for him that he probably never knew existed. He carries the role with confidence fitting of the man who dethrones Shatner. He is an underdog and a rebel, and is convincing as both.

As the story progresses, there is a distinct familiarity to the universe that the characters live in, and that creates some nostalgia, but there is also a very exciting and palpable freshness to it as well. This version is what Gene Roddenberry envisioned it would be like in the future. It is worthy of carrying on the Star Trek torch.

I would recommend this movie to Trek fans and film fans alike. It walks the line between a gratuitous sci-fi action film and a serious attempt at art. Nothing nerdy about it. This is the first great film of the year, and hopefully the hits will keep on coming. 9/10.