Star Trek

Even though I'm no trekkie, I was still excited for the reimagining of Star Trek. It has a notable director in J.J. Abrams, a great cast, and a massive budget. The question was whether this lagging franchise could be reinvigorated. The answer is a resounding yes.

The film begins with the U.S.S. Kelvin being attacked by a massive ship. After the captain is captured by the attacking ship, George Kirk takes over the reins, manually flying the ship while the crew and passengers escape. His wife, who is in labor with their child, watches as the ship crashes into the larger vessel, saving many of the passengers.

Fast forward several years and a young boy has stolen his step-father's antique sports car. He drives it off a cliff, barely managing to escape, yet he stands up to the police officer asking his name. It is James Tiberius Kirk. Only a handful of years later, Kirk is a young man and approached by Captain Christopher Pike. Knowing Kirk's family history, Pike sees Kirk's potential. He offers him a chance to join the Federation and match his father's great contribution. It is this encounter that leads Kirk to join the Federation and fulfill his destiny.

In order to make the reboot, the writers found a brilliant way of making this reimagining make sense. The villain, a Romulan named Nero, is from the future, thrown into the past while his homeworld Romulus was destroyed by its sun going supernova. He seeks vengeance, his ire directed at the half-Vulcan Spock and the Federation. In this way, the writers have changed the destinies of all the main characters, erasing the safety the audience feels about these beloved characters. It is a fun approach at making this new version of Star Trek make sense in the existing universe.

What really makes Star Trek work isn't the great battles, the awesome effects or even the intense action scenes. It is the characters which this new version wholly recreates. Fans of the original series are bound to go ga-ga over how well Star Trek captures the essence of those original characters. It is really a joyful experience watching them come back to life, this time with effects that will truly blow you away.

The special effects in Star Ttrek are strong and seamless. While some green screen effects blur edges of faces at times, this becomes a pittance of complaints when compared to the believable destruction of a planet. Also, the action scenes manage to be tense and exciting. Remembering the original series, many of the fights were robotic and unbelievable, while the gunfights made sour by their wimpy phasers. While the wimpy guns remain, the fight choreography is ratcheted up. Even Kirk's first fight with a group of Federation cadets is almost too brutal, especially seeing its aftermath.

Star Trek also has a welcome cameo from a beloved actor of the original series. Brought in to make the time continuity make sense, seeing this actor come face to face with his younger version by film's end is an exciting moment.

Star Trek will not only make fans of the show, but all viewers, very happy to be part of this take on a beloved franchise. It is appealing for any action fan. Watch this film and be prepared to be excited.