(Before I start this review, a note: Yes, I know this first post is actually not in keeping with what will be the true spirit of this site, but I did wait three whole weeks before posting this. It’s kind of what inspired this whole blog in the first place. So, on with the review!)
So, Paramount just couldn’t let it go. I’ll admit that when I heard JJ Abrams had taken over the reins to create a new Star Trek movie, I was confused as to what Paramount was looking for. A parable about the dangers of mankind’s wanton development of science/technology? A semi-mystical story where the Enterprise crew gets stranded on an uncharted planet in some warped version of Brigadoon? Should I risk paying to see it opening weekend? Well…
***SPOILER ALERTS AHEAD*** (That’s for those 5 of you who haven’t seen it yet, but honestly… what am I spoiling at this point?!)
Synopsis
Short and sweet: How the Enterprise gang got together, starting from both Kirk’s and Spock’s independent upbringings through their first interaction at Starfleet Academy through this mighty adventure which shows off Kirk’s chutzpah and proves his right to be the only starship captain under the age of 30 in the galaxy!
There’s also a story there that involves a ship that looks like Satan’s Onion Blossom, time travel, and a sizable role by Leonard Nimoy… but let’s face it, is that really why we watched it?
Evaluation
Pros:
- They established a whole new universe in a way that honors and maintains the current accepted canon of the classic Trek universe. Not all the efforts have been as caring. (That’s right, Enterprise… I’m looking at you.) JJ and his guys have given themselves a clean slate to change everything while not changing anything.
- The actors were all really well cast. Their portrayals really showed a lot of the essence of who these people are (as established by Shatner et al, but circumstances defined their differences from the original. (See previous bullet point or watch the movie to understand.)
- A lot of the classic catchphrases were placed so well into the script that you couldn’t help but laugh/applaud when they came up.
- An interesting situation is set up for the sequels — how will the Federation be impacted by the near-genocide of the Vulcan race? Vulcan and Earth have always been the linchpins of the Federation. For one to be gone creates some great potential for political turmoil in this new future.
- Uhura and Spock. An intriguing combination that adds an new extra dimension to the Kirk-Spock-McCoy manfest of the original series. Should be fun to watch if Kirk keeps trying to hit on her…
- Scotty… all I can say is Simon Pegg FTW!!
Cons:
- There were a few parts of the film that felt forced in there, primarily because they were plot devices to set up something later in the film. First, there was Kirk in bed with the Orion cadet at the Academy. She apparently is Uhura’s roommate, which allows her to foreshadow some info while created some alleged sexual tension between them. Second, was stranding Kirk on the ice planet. Yeah, that’s where he runs into Nimoy and Scotty but it doesn’t smack of proper Starfleet protocol. The monsters that chase Kirk were also just a waste of screen time… could’ve saved a good two minutes off the film by cutting one of them out.
- The scene of the young Kirk with the stolen car was even more annoying in the movie than it was in the trailer. Even a well-placed cameo by Greg Grunberg (who is quickly becoming the Bruce Campbell of JJ’s projects) isn’t enough to save this scene. It doesn’t really establish anything that wasn’t far better represented by the subsequent bar fight scene a few minutes later.
- The villain Nero… well, he sucked. He was honestly one of the most one-dimensional villains I’ve ever seen and I’ve watched every episode of MST3K ever made. His motivation didn’t really play well on the screen and became even flatter once they revealed what his motivation actually was. It was obvious that the goal of the script was to reintroduce the main characters and get them to their accepted roles.
- Chekov. Don’t get me wrong, I like the character; he just really wasn’t needed in this film. They should have waited for the sequel to bring him on board, because Anton Yelchin was just wasted in that role. He was the only one that didn’t get any effective screen time except for a couple of cutesy moments that distracted from the pacing.
- Scotty’s little Ugnaught-looking pal. W… T… F?! Okay, I’ll reserve judgment for a sequel, but that is treading dangerously close to Ewok territory and I won’t have it!
Favorite Moments:
- I’ll just say… Kirk, McCoy, an allergic reaction and clownishly large hands.
- Any scene with Scotty in it. Again, Simon Pegg FTW!!
- Sulu’s fight scene and that telescoping sword was very cool.
- The destruction of Vulcan was well done and a great effect to watch.
- The two Spocks talking near the end of the film. A really great moment that made it obvious that the elder Spock was not going to go gentle into that good night. JJ, bring him back for one of the sequels, even if it’s just a cameo! He’s the only character that can connect with the audience when exploring all the differences between the two versions of the story.
Judgment
If you’re a fan of Star Trek… see this movie!
If you’re not… see this movie!!
Is it perfect? Heck, no, but most Trek movies had something wrong with them. Most movies in general do. But this is a solid jump-start to an aging series that should give it juice for years to come as long as JJ keeps the creative reins.
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