In Review: Star Trek: Boldly going where no Trek has gone before...

     From it’s exciting beginning to the fantastic end, J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek moves at break-neck speed, rejuvenating a tired franchise and creating a near-perfect summer action thrill ride that excels in all areas, making for what could possibly be the best movie so far this year.

     Chris Pine stars as the famed Captain James T. Kirk, a brash hell-raiser who enlists in the federation. Kirk is born under chaotic circumstances and lives on the edge until his past calls him towards his destiny. Intertwined with Kirk’s story is the introduction of Spock who, as a result of being half-Vulcan, half-human, is seen as disadvantaged by a society that demands perfection. Zachary Quinto plays Spock, who enlists in the Federation as one of its top minds before meeting Kirk. The two develop a relationship that ultimately rests at the heart of the film. A distress signal from Vulcan sparks the plot as the planet is attacked by Romulans, an alien race headed by vengeance-seeking Nero.

 The Federation sends out its flagship vessel, the Enterprise, bringing to the screen a time-bending, mind-blowing journey that results in one of the best Sci-fi movies ever.

      With Star Trek, J.J. Abrams has likely made the best movie of the summer.  Weaving an intriguing journey, Abrams has created a tale that creatively spans 40 years of story lines, making Trek accessible to an uninitiated generation of moviegoers. The film was even marketed with that sentiment in mind, the ads reading, “This isn’t your father’s Star Trek”. Along with some great action, the film brings an arsenal of entertainment to the big screen. Chris Pine deserves praise for both capturing Kirk’s trademark humor and making the Captain very much his own in the process. Quinto, meanwhile, becomes Spock with calm confidence, playing into his limited talent, and the rest of the cast also shines. Simon Pegg and Karl Urban provide welcome comic relief as Scotty and Bones, Eric Bana brings a sinister tension to the movie, and Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, brings a wise calmness to the story, as well as providing a bridge to the original film and television series. However, where Trek really lights up is in its technical achievements. The visual effects are amazing, and Trek offers up one of the best movie soundscapes of all time.

     “Star Trek” leaves a rather indelible mark for the year’s upcoming blockbusters, and that’s saying it lightly. It perfectly combines an sensible story with special f/x driven action and believable performances, all led by fantastic direction from Lost creator, J.J. Abrams. Fans old and new will find something to love, and not much more could be asked of from a movie as amazing as this one.