Star Trek (Theaters)
Four Stars, Movies, Second Take — By CRS on May 8, 2009 at 9:36 pm | 127 VisitorsStar Trek is perhaps one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. After countless movies and tv series spinoffs, the franchise was in dire need of a reboot. Let me start off by saying that although I have seen ALL of the Star trek movies, I’m not much of a fan. To be honest, I’ll take Star Wars prequels over a Star Trek film any day. However, once I saw the trailers for J.J. Abrams recreation of the Star Trek mythos, I was instantly hooked. I was lucky enough to catch a showing on opening night. We got there super late and I had to sit in the very front row. Despite the fact I’ll probably have to go see the chiropractor from looking up for so long, the experience was definitely worth it.
I won’t give anything away plot wise, but this is definitely NOT the Star Trek you remember. Perhaps my biggest problem with the older movies is the lack of action. Sure some of the films had interesting plots, but the culmination of the action amounted to not much more than a bunch of old men sitting in arm chairs pretending to be rocked by incoming torpedoes only to cut to some shot of an explosion taking place somewhere on the ship. This remake is definitely the shot of adrenaline the franchise needed. There is action, there is ass kicking, and above all there are the multi-layered complex character relationships the series is known for.
The movie starts off at a fairly medium pace as it has to set up the formality of giving back stories on the main characters. However, once all of that is out of the way, things really take off- no pun intended. Although the characters are just being introduced in this film and their bonds are nowhere near as close as those seen with the original cast, you can’t help but expect big things from them.
James Tiberius Kirk is played excellently by Chris Pine. This isn’t the same price line negotiator Kirk that we’ve all known over the years. Pine’s Kirk is young, rebellious, and in many ways has more in common with Han Solo than with Shatner’s Captain. Despite these differences, Pine captures the immense likability of the character along with his natural leadership ability. The new Kirk is far from perfect and doesn’t strive to be. This makes him seem all the more human and real than his predecessor.
Spock is played by Zachary Quinto who also does an excellent job. Where the original Spock (played by Leonard Nimoy)was constantly puzzled by the irrationality of human logic, the new Spock seems more accepting of it. This is more fitting, seeing as Spock is half human and half vulcan. Quinto’s Spock is calm and calculating for the most part, yet far more human than Nimoy’s take. My only gripe with this is a few scenes where Spock is portrayed as a bit too human. I won’t give anything away but once you see his scenes with Lt. Uhura, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Also, Quinto doesn’t have nearly as demanding a screen presence as Nimoy. This is evident towards the latter part of the film. Regardless, Quinto still gives an outstanding portrayal.
Karl Urban is also great as Dr. “Bones” Mccoy. He emulates the original Bones, while providing just enough of his own take to make it fresh. Unfortunately, he is given relatively little screen time. Eric Bana is perfect as the villainous Romulan Captain Nero. Like Bones, he is not given nearly enough screen time, which is a shame as he is such an interesting character with a great back story. Still it is understandable as the focus is definitely on the Enterprise and her crew, as it rightfully should be.
The other cast members fill their original roles nicely. There wasn’t anyone who seemed to be out of place. I was a bit concerned that some of the classic Star Trek lines would be painfully forced down our throats, yet they managed to work some of it in successfully without it seeming too contrived. ‘Set phazers to stun” “I’m giving her all she’s got Captain” being the two main culprits, however the way they were worked in was hardly noticeable and kept the cheese factor to a minimum.
If Wolverine didn’t fully kick off the summer blockbuster season last week, this movie definitely will. It’s got great action, special effects, and just enough humor to mix things up. I am not a trekkie or even close, but if this new movie is any indication of what the future of the franchise has in store, you can definitely consider me a fan. While it probably won’t be the best movie I’ll see this summer, I definitely wasn’t disappointed and will most likely check it out again.
Tags: Bruce Greenwood, Chris Pine, Eric Bana, Four-Stars, J. J. Abrams, Karl Urban, Leonard Nimoy, Movies (Theater), Second Look, Simon Pegg, Winona Ryder, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana
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My interests are jiu jitsu, MMA, video games, sports, and movies. Keep Chamorru Lands in Chamorru Hands! Save Sasayan Valley!!
17 Comments
I was hoping for a lot more from this film CRS. I loved the action at the beginning of the film but the generic bad guy, the ice planet BS, plus the older Spock did nothing for the film and just dragged it down.
First Contact and Generations are better than this film. Hands down.
Film-Book dot Coms last blog post..Star Trek Fans Bash J.J. Abrams’ Film as “Fun, Watchable”
Your a fan of the original series and that bogs your perception on the film down IMO. CRS and I are not trekkies at all, so I came into the film with a far more open mind. It was refreshing to see the SCI FI genre come back to life this way. I thought it was a great start to a possible new trilogy.
Im buying this one on BLU RAY for sure!
It does not. Sorry. I have no problem with canon being manipulated because of time travel. I am used to the phenomenon.
“It was refreshing to see the SCI FI genre come back to life this way.”
The sci-fi genre is alive and well Trench. Your horizons need to be broaden beyond North American, wide release films. Check out Sunshine, Chrysalis, Moon (when it comes out), Natural City, Dark City: The Director’s Cut, Casshern for starters.
Looks like I am going to have to review Star Trek (2009). Christ.
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Yes, SCI FI in the more underground sense. I understand where you are coming from, but the general public do not watch films the way we do… SCI FI in general hasn’t been huge in mainstream theaters in years! Not since the PREQUELS for STAR WARS.
Are these summer blockbusters that make millions? hardly. I’m talking about movies for the masses!!! Star Trek has done well and entertained well for many already. You are the minority in this case!
I thought the quality of the sci-fi films was under discussion not how much they made or how much attention they garnered.
I will happily be in the minority on this one and watch superior Minority Report, another great sci-fi, than watch Star Trek (2009).
You can find my minority report on Star Trek (2009) on my site.
Film-Book dot Coms last blog post..Film Review: Star Trek (2009)
I think what I liked about it is that there is a definite Star Wars influence. The film is unique enough to be called its own movie, but it definitely borrows some elements. I liked Bana as the villain, even if his character borrowed heavily from past Star Trek villains. I’ve seen this movie twice now and the 2nd time was even better than the first.
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Bana’s Nero was so bland I could not believe it.
Film-Book dot Coms last blog post..Film Review: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
I have to agree with you on this one. Nero wasn’t “menacing” enough.
choco*fishs last blog post..Star Trek (Theaters)
it would seem that Chris Pine’s Capt. Kirk encapsulates all that Capt. Kirk was meant to be more than William Shatner’s version
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I’m a major fan, but I don’t like the first one with Captain Kirk. Like you said, not much action. It’s too technologically-challenged.
@ Trench: I agree. Minority Report was excellent but I thought the plot twist at the end seemed a bit forced and it brought the movie down a couple notches for me. Star Trek may not have had the greatest plot, but its presentation, pacing, and characters were just awesome.
CRSs last blog post..Entertainment Wrap #12
There was no plot twist.
Everything had been leading up to that moment. You were given clues to the realization all throughout the film.
Film-Book dot Coms last blog post..Film Review: Star Trek (2009)
Not better than Star Trek? Wow. You have got the blinders on.
One of the movies forces you to think AND dazzles you with visuals. One has an original premise.
Which “one” am I referring to?
Film-Book dot Coms last blog post..Film Review: Star Trek (2009)
@ Film book: Maybe your skills of detection are much sharper than mine. I could see that the clues were hinting towards the boss’ implication, but I didn’t know all the details of how he was involved. I don’t think many people were able to pick up on everything. To call it a twist or not is pretty much arguing over semantics. I’ll just leave it at ” the end took away from the rest of the movie for me.”
CRSs last blog post..Entertainment Wrap #12
star wars? yuck! star wars to me is all bullshit pseudo-politics.
star trek has really always had weak movie plots and if it was changed then the fans woulda looked at this movie differently. it goes the same for this one but, i loved it. i love how it ties in the original spock to the current spock. i like how kirk’s character was developed(though there coulda been more- but then it woulda been a longer movie). i like Spock’s story development- his struggle to be “true” vulcan and yet, the his true humanity and character shows in the way he “loves” his mother.
this story has so many layers and message but what i took of it is that life overall and the memories we create/experience is above all, most important. that same argument would go with, the “bad guy’s” character and his reasoning.
there are no bad guys in this movie. there are only reasons why.
You finally decided to show up on 7milesdown! haha. Always good to see new faces on the site. You watch more movies than I do, and your honesty on the comments are great! Hope to see you more often!
Minority Report was a incredible film. I enjoyed that one 100%. I still can’t see it being better than Star Trek. On the same level? Perhaps. Superior? No.