| Review : |
HERE BE SPOILERS. An amazingly well-done movie that is able to overcome it's shortfalls and plot-holes to reach the same level of Trek greatness as TWOK and FC, "Star Trek" both honors the past continuities and allows for a (almost) anything goes type of future. But enough with the (justified) hyperbole. The best thing this movie has going for it (apart from it's excellent production qualities such as Special Effects) is the cast. Pine is able to bring a Shatner swagger combined with some "Han Solo" rebellion without looking like a parody of either. Quinto dissolves into a young Spock, one who clearly is one who follows logic, but also has that bit of humanity in him. And then there is Karl Urban, who is so much like the late, great D. Kelley that he steals every scene he is in. Zoe Saldana, although not quite Nichelle Nichols in appearance or action, is certainly easy on the eyes and does well with the rather-unexpected romance arc Uhura has in the film. Other members of the crew do well (to varying degrees) but don't get enough screen time to really make a judgment. Of course, the supporting cast is also superb, led by Leonard Nimoy, who is still Spock after all these years. Eric Bana is able to chew scenery with the best of them, although Nero's motives are under-developed if you haven't read the prequel comic series. Bruce Greenwood is great as Pike, really giving you the feeling that he is a pragmatic man who could face down the Talosians and kick ass across the galaxy, but also be a fatherly figure to a crew. The story is good enough, using the "Alternate Timeline" approach to it's fullest in order to keep everyone guessing, killing off a character alive in the universe we've been familiar with and destroying one of the most important planets in trek lore. It's full of crazy coincidences (like the fact that there is a planet near Vulcan that JUST HAPPENS to have the same name as Delta Vega) and such, but it works well enough that you don't care after awhile, since it's such a fun ride. Even better, the writers put in a bunch of easter eggs to Trek fans, such as the Kobayashi Maru, "Admiral Archer" and his love of Beagles, and basically every other sentence that comes out of Nimoy's mouth. And the Courage theme music, which is wisely held back until the end. Overall, I'd rate it the third best Trek movie, behind only "First Contact", and, of course, The Wrath of Khan. |
