Star Trek

(2009)

Directed by

J.J. Abrams

Review by Terry Plucknett

I am not a Trekkie.  I have never been a Trekkie.  I have never had any desire to be a Trekkie.  I have never had any desire to see any of the Star Trek movies or any of the what seems like thousands of spin-off television shows.  When I heard they were making a new Star Trek movie, I had absolutely no desire in seeing it or hearing anything about it.  However, after hearing some things about it, and seeing the trailer, I thought it might be worth checking out.  I am glad I did.

Slight disclaimer . . . In not being a Trekkie, I do not know some of the background and references made in the film.  My review and viewing of this movie was my first experience with these characters and this world.  If anything is inaccurate to the whole of the Star Trek story, I apologize.  It is simply how I saw it as a Star Trek virgin, if you will.

This film goes back to the beginning of it all.  The opening sequence shows the death of George Kirk and the birth of James Tiberius Kirk.  Jim Kirk (Chris Pine, who bears a scary resemblance to Michael Weatherly, better known as Agent Anthony DiNozzo from NCIS) grows up as a rebel on Earth.  At the same time, Spock (Zachary Quinto) is growing up trying to prove himself in a society that does not quite accept him because his mother is human.  This lack of acceptance leads to him joining Starfleet instead of the group of his people.  Kirk, after getting in a bar fight with some Starfleet cadets, is persuaded to do something with his life and enlist in Starfleet as well.  The first time these two iconic figures meet is after Kirk beat one of Spock’s unbeatable simulation tests by cheating.  Eventually, Kirk and Spock both end up on the Enterprise, Spock as First Officer and Kirk as a stowaway.  Eventually, through a series of events, they have to try and put their dislike for each other aside to work together and save the galaxy.

This movie is fun for those who know Star Trek and for those who are having their first experience with it.  The reasons for this are the script and the cast.  The script is very cleverly written.  It never takes itself too seriously which almost makes it easier to buy into the alternate world it creates.  Also, the cast put together to revive this franchise is top notch.  Chris Pine is perfect for the role of James T. Kirk, and Zachary Quinto is very strong as Spock.  A lot of the fun with the cast, though, is all the supporting characters and who portrays them.  This includes Eric Bana, Simon Pegg as Scotty, Winona Ryder, Jennifer Morrison, Karl Urban, John Cho, Clifton Collins, Jr., Tyler Perry, and even an extended cameo from Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock.  It almost becomes a game.  Who else can you find in some random role in this film?  There obviously must have been a lot of actors that are Star Trek fans that wanted to be in the movie no matter what the role was going to be.  Whatever the reasoning, it is fun to see so many names and recognizable faces in the small minor roles.

This film is just pure fun.  It is the most fun I have had at the movies so far this year.  If you are a fan of the series, I am sure you will love this, but especially if you are not (like me), it is a very entertaining film that will thrust you into the middle of Trekkie-Mania.

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