Star Trek

07 Sep 2009
Critics rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Reviewed by Tom Charity, LOVEFiLM

Wow! JJ Abrams just kick-started the summer movie season with a smart, thrilling blockbuster that exceeds all reasonable expectations.

My first impression: this is the best Star Trek movie ever.

Like Abrams, I wouldn’t call myself a Trekkie (let alone a “Trekker”). I liked the original show, found the subsequent movies hit-and-miss, and skipped most of the Next Generation. Still, I’m pretty sure the Lost guru has come up with a formula that is going to click with diehard fans and those younger moviegoers who don’t know a Vulcan from a Romulan.

Boldly going back in time and back to basics, Abrams and screenwriters Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Alias) gets things off to a pile-driving start with the birth of James T Kirk mere seconds before the heroic, self-sacrificial death of his father at the brig of an out-gunned Starfleet vessel.

Cast details

They proceed apace to juvenile delinquency here on earth, Jim hot-rodding in a vintage convertible, boozing in a bar and chatting up sexy space cadet Uhuru (Zoe Saldana), who in a fun running gag refuses to reveal her first name.

These sequences are brisk and snappy, and they run parallel with Spock’s childhood on the distant planet Vulcan. He’s an outsider too, bullied and patronized because of his half-human parentage (his mom is Winona Ryder).

The strands converge when rebellious Starfleet Academy recruit Kirk (Chris Pine) and esteemed faculty member Spock (Zachary Quinto) clash – Kirk has cheated on an impossible test devised by the Vulcan. Kirk’s disciplinary hearing is interrupted by an SOS mission on which the fate of both men will rest.

In classic Star Trek fashion an accommodation between Spock’s cold logic and Kirk’s fiery gut instinct will be the key to saving the Enterprise and both their home planets – or not, as the case may be.

It’s great fun seeing these characters most of us are deeply familiar with in this fledgling state. Abrams has cast it very cleverly. They’re the same but different. Karl Urban (Bones McCoy), John Cho (Sulu), Yelchin (Chekov) and, blimey, Simon Pegg (Scotty) are close enough to evoke their counterparts from the Gene Roddenberry days, but they’re not the finished article, which is where a lot of humour comes in. Not that the movie is a comedy, but Abrams ensures the action flows thick and fast enough that even the lightest comic gestures resonate. This is a movie with a perpetual twinkle in its eye.

Star Trek: Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine

Chris Pine – who seemed unremarkable in Bottle Shock and Smokin’ Aces – really knocks it out of the park. He doesn’t posture, but nails that recklessness and authority that allowed William Shatner to boss it before he got old and irredeemably pompous.

Zachary Quinto (from TV’s Heroes) immerses himself in Spock. He certainly doesn’t supplant memories of Leonard Nimoy, a more polished, poised actor who remains the definitive version (as this movie demonstrates), but the notes of self-doubt Quinto finds in the role make sense in this context.

Unlike the original, the movie positively gleams with big budget production design and deep space sfx.

Reservations? I think Orci and Kurtzman have assembled a succession of very nifty scenes and found a clever way to evolve (and devolve) a series that seemed to have gone stale, but I’m not convinced the plot will hold up to a second or third viewing. I’ve been careful not to tread into spoiler territory here, but there’s a pivotal exposition scene about two thirds in that’s awfully contrived and laborious (again, a casting stunt allows Abrams to get away with it).

I wouldn’t make great claims for Abrams as an action director, either, though I think it’s fair to assume the repeated man-wrestling scenes are intended as an ironic tip of the hat to the 60s TV show. What he does have is a sure sense of how to build up a sequence, always upping the ante and keeping us on the edge of our seats.

Unlike the original, the movie positively gleams with big budget production design and deep space sfx. The new Enterprise is a joy to behold – it will make you feel young again, and eager to embark on future explorations. If the studios are smart they’ll be lining up to get Abrams to rejuvenate every other washed up franchise in town.

Reviews

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  • Critics' reviews of Star Trek

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  • 4 stars out of

    Cheerfully bucking the trend for dark, miserablist blockbusters, Lost creator JJ Abrams has updated the Star... read more on Time Out

    • Tom Huddleston, 
    • Time Out
  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Star Trek

    View all
  • 216 out of 251 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Oh dear...

    I didn't think things could get much worse that the Scott Bakula vehicle of 'Enterprise', but it looks like they just have. Bring back Patrick Stewart!

      • A customer from Edinburgh
  • 66 out of 78 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    Not Star Trek....

    Well, friends, whatever *that* is, it ain't Star Trek.

      • A customer from Caerphilly
  • 47 out of 51 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    One to look forward to

    This trailer looks great and breathes life into the clunking Star Trek machine. I have a illogical human feeling that this could be a real winner. If the makers of the film want to bring back those sexy sixties mini-dresses, particularly on Ulhuru, then thats fine by me!

      • A customer from London
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Star Trek

    View all
  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    We're Star Trekkin!

    This is a new venture in this genre where other Star Trek films didn't deliver like the last Nemesis. It's an excellent film really down to the special effects and the way all the characters are introduced. What stood out were the Romulents as Eric Bana portrayed a real vilain even though he did seem to talk without opening his mouth. Whether there will be sequels we will have to wait there have been a little too many Star Trek films as this as a prequel and whether it then continues might work or it might not.

      • lucpicard from Blackburn
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Live long and prosper

    What a reboot. JJ Abrams has managed to cleverely kick start a stalling franchise into the Hi-Def generation.

    First up the choice of actors across the board is perfect. No-one lets the side down. The new James T Kirk is stand out as a power force of a captain, reckless, womanising, basically the perfect counter-balance for Spock. Who both old and new performs to the best of his logic ability. McCoy, Scotty, Uhura, all fantastic. And a special mention has to go to the captain of the Romulans, Nero.

    The story is a genius example of how to restart a franchise from the beginning and not alter what has gone before. I shall say no more other than the Lost formula works well.

    There is a fantastic blend of character building, thrill ride, touching moments, drama, and there is splashes of good comedy throughout. Many many nods and winks to the old series and films.

    I took my g/f to this who does not like Star Trek at all and she really enjoyed it. JJ Abrams brings you Star Trek for the masses. I hope all the die-hard trekkies enjoy it too because this is a great summer film.

    Enjoy.

    • Dragilex
      • Dragilex from Manchester
  • 216 out of 251 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    Oh dear...

    I didn't think things could get much worse that the Scott Bakula vehicle of 'Enterprise', but it looks like they just have. Bring back Patrick Stewart!

      • A customer from Edinburgh
  • 66 out of 78 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    Not Star Trek....

    Well, friends, whatever *that* is, it ain't Star Trek.

      • A customer from Caerphilly
  • 47 out of 51 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    One to look forward to

    This trailer looks great and breathes life into the clunking Star Trek machine. I have a illogical human feeling that this could be a real winner. If the makers of the film want to bring back those sexy sixties mini-dresses, particularly on Ulhuru, then thats fine by me!

      • A customer from London
  • 31 out of 40 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 0 stars

    Oh dear....

    I would only go to see it for Simon Pegg alone, looks really cheesey and awful.

  • 23 out of 24 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Star Trek

    all i can say is sweeeeeeet anyone who wont give this a chance should just shut up :)

      • Spidee from Kettering
  • 20 out of 23 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars

    I SO can't wait

    I so can't wait for this film and it breating new life in to the franchise I have loved all the other films and series and that includes enterprise I just widh it hadn't been delayed oh well roll on may 09

      • A customer from Bedford
  • 19 out of 19 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Star Trek Returns

    There are those that like Star Trek and those that don’t and there are Trekkers and Trekkies. I’m an old Trek fan favouring the Deep space nine series for its darker element. However the films have always portrayed the message better and obviously the effects with the exception of Star trek 5. As for this its clear to see Star Trek’s franchise will re-open with new stories on screen small and big. From what I’ve seen of the trailer its clear to see they are taking Star Trek in a newer direction and focusing more on the world of star trek. However you never can get much from a trailer except anticipation and sometimes waiting too long for something hyped up can be a let down. Myself I think the film will be wroth seeing and if you’re a true trekker or Trekkie you’ll love the film for what it is. I also believe it will bring in a new audience.

    In a nut shell Star trek started with Captain Kirk and co. And since the actors are getting on and dropping to their graves its only fair to bring in newer actors and start from the very beginning. So it started with Kirk and Co and finally returns to Kirk and Co.

    JJ Abrahams is an excellent director and I think with him at the helm he will really take star trek places.

    Personally I always wanted to see a series based on Enterprise B with Captain Harriman but this is just as good. And I like the fact they have kept those original uniforms incorporating them into a modern style. I think Eric Bana will make a fine addition to the growing list of villains and probably stand out much like Kruge (Chrsitopher Loyd.)

    As for critique on the film that can only be given once the film has been seen.

    As for those that dislike Star Trek for no reason other than the name Well Life would be boring if we all liked the same things now. But slating it simply because of the title Star trek is just daft.

    Star Trek is a franchise that will never really die and will be a round for a very long time to come.

  • 18 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    * * * This review contains spoilers * * *ShowHide

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Fan-bloomin-tastic!

      • Jeniviel from Smethwick
  • 17 out of 17 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    New Star Trek film

    I cant believe some people who have already watched this trailer have rubbished it off before seeing the film. As a big trekkie who has followed through the series from the original 60's to Enterprise and all the motion picture films I must admit to be absolutely amazed by this short sneak peak trailer. Yes its brief and its meant to be a sneak peak and a bit of a tease - what on earth were people expecting from this trailer when they rubbished it off!.

    The film looks fantastic from the trailer and has been getting some very positive reviews and from test screenings with mixtures of audiences. I must admit to being a devoted trekkie of the original series and Next Generation but warmly welcome a fresh look and direction to this franchise - clearly it was needed as those who boast that its not Star Trek well the same was said about the first Next Generation episode 'Encounter at Farpoint' which aired back in 1986! and look at what happened there! A Major success.

    The trailer shows an exciting new twist to the Star Trek franchise - a fresh clean look, great looking characters, special effects and direction which sadly no offense to the former production crew and Rick Berman the whole setup was getting a bit stale and repetitive. Nemesis was a disaster and so was Insurrection.

    Good luck to the new film, its actors and despite having to bite my lip on a few decisions that J.J. has made with the film after watching the trailer - Worst decision is Simon Pegg & what the hell is the Enterprise being built on Earth for! hmmm I think it was built in Space! oh and what the hell is a Romulan doing back in it? we had those in the last film! surely a Klingon would have been better? make them savage killers to build on Kirks hatred with Klingons. However in a positive end note, if this movie helps to re-generate the Star Trek franchise and to pull in non-trekkie's into the cinema to watch this film then hopefully Paramount might make a decision to launch a new Star Trek series which is long overdue.

      • A customer from Cardiff
  • 16 out of 16 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Looks great!

    Having just watched the trailer for this new film I think it looks great and it may the first film in 4 years that I actually 'Go Boldly' to the cinema to see to get the full effect. I think it is an inspired idea to get Zachary Quinto to play Spock as the resemblance to Leonard Nimoy is very similar, plus he is a great actor. Not sure about Simon Pegg as Scotty though, but time will tell.

    At this moment in time my only worry is that the film may 'turn weird' with strange unanswered questions, as it is directed by J.J Abrams (Lost/Fringe) and that would be irritating.

    I do not understand the reviewers that can dismiss and rubbish a film that they have not even seen yet solely on the basis of a 2 minute trailer. It is only meant to be a taster of the film and would be pointless if all the best clips were put into a short trailer, as most Blockbuster films seem to do these days. It's rather ridiculous to dismiss a film before even seeing it, so an informed opinion can be made.

    On a final note, I hope the doors on the Enterprise still make that funny Whooshing noise.....!!!!

      • A customer from OTLEY
  • Critics' reviews

  • 4 stars out of

    Cheerfully bucking the trend for dark, miserablist blockbusters, Lost creator JJ Abrams has updated the Star... read more on Time Out

    • Tom Huddleston, 
    • Time Out