Star Trek

Franchise reboots are the latest Hollywood fad. Nowadays, when the excitement for a film series dies, the most popular path to resuscitation is starting over at square one. After the James Bond series devolved into mindless explosions and painful one-liners, Daniel Craig reignited the franchise with the terrific Casino Royale. After Batman digressed into ice skates and bat-nipples, Christopher Nolan reinvented the caped crusader with the brooding Batman Begins. And now comes Star Trek - the latest lifeless series to receive the cinematic defibrillator. But was the resurrection worth the effort? In a word: absolutely. Not only does Star Trek stand proudly alongside the best reboots of recent years, it also provides a breathtaking return to form for the science fiction genre - reclaiming the excitement, grace, and awe of film’s most cherished space adventures.

Let’s get one thing straight: I am not a Trekkie. In fact, obsessive devotees of Star Trek scare me - going to conventions, speaking Klingon, flashing Vulcan salutes. No thanks. The truth is I’ve never had any interest in Star Trek. I chose Star Wars early on as my space series, and never looked back. And that is precisely the monstrous challenge the director of an updated Star Trek faced - pleasing a rabid fan base as well as the uninitiated. I may not be able to speak from a Trekkie standpoint (although the online fan reaction has been unanimous praise), but I can say that as a complete novice to the series, I was blown away by the film from start to finish. And when you’re dealing with a franchise this massive - this rooted in history and context - that takes a talented director. That takes a director like J.J. Abrams.



There was a moment early on in Star Trek that proved I was in the hands of a gifted director. At the end of the opening sequence, a character commits an act of sacrifice so moving, it had in me in tears. Literally. Now keep in mind, I had no previous connection to the series, I had just been introduced to this character, and the moment occurs no more than 10 minutes into the film. That’s the kind of raw talent J.J. Abrams possesses - a director that can cut to the heart of his audience with a prologue. And it’s only a taste of the emotional highs to come. Abrams was born to direct this material, and his hand is evident in every frame.

But Star Trek is more than a one-man show - Abrams is joined by a remarkable cast that make every screen second count. Designed as the introduction to a series of Star Trek sequels, this entry is all about setting up the crew of the star ship Enterprise. By the end of the film, we have gained an intimate glimpse into every member of the ship, making us primed and ready to follow each adventure to come.

While all the actors bring something memorable to their respective roles, two deserve special mention. First, Zachary Quinto as Spock. Known by most as Sylar from Heroes, Quinto is an inspired choice for the role - possessing both a physical similarity to the original Spock and a particular flair for non-verbal acting. Since Spock is frequently torn between expressing emotion (his human side) and withholding it (his Vulcan side), Quinto’s ability to speak volumes with merely a facial expression proves essential in bringing this beloved character to life. But the highest praise goes to Chris Pine as the Enterprise’s captain: James T. Kirk. Oozing energy, cockiness, and swagger, Pine is nothing short of electrifying. And his Kirk becomes Star Trek’s Han Solo. Pine may have joined the film with an unremarkable filmography, but he emerges a movie star. Put simply: this guy‘s going places.



However, a film of this magnitude would be nothing without its special effects. And once again, Star Trek doesn’t disappoint. The digital effects on display here are absolutely outstanding. Space collisions, warp speed, black holes - even a bird’s eye view of a planet imploding - are all rendered with masterful precision. Everything feels purposeful, and everything feels big. This is what the summer movie season is all about.

And yet, beneath Star Trek’s bells and whistles, lies an inspiring message for our world today. A central theme of the Star Trek universe is unity. Every race depicted in the film has different characteristics and customs, but they are all unified by a common belief: that life is precious, and that only by working together will they obtain universal peace. This is an attitude sorely lacking in our present day reality - especially in America. Our nation has become the self-imposed watchdog of the world. We determine what’s best for other countries, and if there‘s a conflict of interest, we declare war. Some Christians have taken this even further, declaring America a “Christian nation,” and justifying the slaughter of foreign lives because God is on our side. If only the world was like the star ship Enterprise; people from every race, creed, and religion putting aside their differences, and banding together for the peace and justice of all.



I’ve mentioned Star Wars several times throughout this review for a reason. I’ll never forget watching A New Hope as a child, and taking in such glorious concepts as spaceships, light speed, and a galaxy far, far, away. Star Trek conjured up the same feelings inside me. For the first time in a long time, I felt child-like wonder, and I can’t wait for a second dose. What J.J. Abrams has accomplished here is no small feat. He took an ancient franchise that was dead in the water, and injected it with 21st century relevance. And most importantly, he made a film to fall in love with. When the credits rolled on Star Trek, I realized I had formed an indelible bond with these characters. I can’t wait to hitch more rides on the star ship Enterprise - traveling into the far reaches of space, discovering new worlds and species, and boldly going where no man has gone before. In the words of Spock, I say to this rebooted series: live long and prosper.

Grade: A