Gene Roddenberry's Trek is back, but, not. Where the old Trek tended to be a bit dry, and even stilted at times, JJ's Trek is much more the full throttle popcorn film. Its not particularly high minded, which is something the series is to be credited with in the past. Rather, this film is essentially a 'pilot' to sell a new generation on the new voyages of the Starship Enterprise. The origins for every character have been reworked and motivations established anew. The creative team was clever in their decision get around the rules of canon following and the hindrance it would be in establishing a new series by literally dropping in a giant, giant, god damn space ship and blowing the fuck out of all the rules straight away.
What we get from this newfound freedom is an opportunity to see a very rebellious and ballsy young James Tiberius Kirk take the Federation by the ovaries and confidently say 'You know you want it. Take it.' Sure he has to slap it around a little first, but it eventually gives in. The audience is placed in a very similar situation. This new crew/cast is dropped in your lap and your left with the choice to either love it or retire to your conventions as the lonely curmudgeon complaining about the film's lack of reverence for the original show. While the film isn't perfect by any means, there's so little wrong with it, my complaints are hardly worth voicing. But I will anyway, since this is a bloody review.
I'll get the flaws out of the way first. It might have been fun to see a little more crew interaction, or maybe some more insights into what StarFleet academy was like. Also I would like to have gotten a little more of the action in clear view, on a wider scale on screen. A good deal of the action is viewed from very close, moving, chaotic angles. Its used to great effect, but some more, big establishing shots would have helped simply by pleasing the eye. But that is something the original films and series. (Is there a multiple form for series? Serieses?Seriess?) tended to abuse, forcing us to just watch models float through space gracefully, even in battle sequences. Also, Rachel Nichols is far too hot to be covering in green paint, but one can't complain too much about getting her into her skivvies. The green stains on the sheets are something I could accept.
What did I like? First and foremost, the cast. You've gotta hand it to Mr. Abrams and company for their impeccable job casting this new crew. They didn't take it on aesthetically, rather, they just went and found themselves the best young actors on the scene, gave 'em some DVDs and said “Action!” a few weeks later. Pine and Quinto have you sold from beginning to end that they are their characters. In roles unfortunately small for the film are Simon Pegg and Karl Urban. Both of whom steal every scene they're in. Cho, Saldana, Greenwood, Bana and Yelchin all should not escape without commendations. The effects are top notch and the films written and directed at a breakneck pace. What felt like a racing 44 minute episode of the best funded TV show ever, turned out to be a 126 minute action packed blockbuster that is too damn fun for its own good.
Like Iron Man who preceded this film in an almost identical summer slot, this is the film that will kick the summer movie season's doors open in a big way. This is the movie that will be in the back of your mind until it comes out on DVD and you wear out the poor disc. I can honestly say I will have to actively try not to go see this movie again for at least a week, so it'll feel a little fresher when I inevitably schlep myself out to Providence for the IMAX experience.
iRate it: A-
