While Star Wars was set in the distant past (not to mention a completely different galaxy) Star Trek is set in our not so different future. While the characters in Star Wars tended to solve problems using violence in Star Trek diplomacy and ingenuity were go to methods of conflict resolution. While Star Wars was about a plucky band of rebels on a mission to topple an evil empire, Star Trek (While it had its share of memorable villains, KAAAAAAAAAAAHHHN!) was more about discovery "going where no man has gone before" and introspection.
However for all their differences the two series had one thing in common; memorable characters. With the possible exceptions of Seinfeld and The Simpsons few franchises have created characters that continue to resonate in our collective consciousness. Who hasn't looked at their own friends and felt a tad depressed at how boring they are compared to our favorite sci-fi heroes. Who among us would hesitate to end our earthly relationships to play spacechess with Chewbacca (and wisely heed Han Solo's advice to let him win) or to argue the merits of the prime directive with Captain Kirk? I don't think I am alone in claiming that some of the most memorable discussions in my life have been with these characters. (In my brain of course!)
The fact that these characters are so indeliby imprinted on our minds is why the decision to "reboot" the franchise and try to recreate the Star Trek magic with an entirely new cast was such a risk. Did it succeed? Keep reading to find out!
The plot, courtesy wikipedia.
In the year 2387, the galaxy is threatened by an unusually volatile supernova. Ambassador Spock pilots a ship carrying "red matter", intending to create an artificial black hole to consume the supernova. Before Spock completes his mission, the supernova destroys the planet Romulus. Captain Nero of the Romulan mining ship Narada attempts to exact revenge on Spock whom he blames for the destruction of his homeworld and its inhabitants, including his wife and unborn child; however, both ships are caught in the black hole's event horizon and travel to different points in the past. The Narada arrives first, 154 years earlier, and attacks the Federation starship USS Kelvin. As the Kelvin is evacuated, acting-Captain George Kirk stays behind to provide cover for the fleeing shuttlecraft. George pilots the Kelvin into the Narada in a last ditch kamikaze attack, moments after George's son, James Tiberius Kirk, is born aboard a fleeing shuttle. Spock arrives 25 years later only to be captured by Nero and marooned on the planet Delta Vega so that he can witness the destruction of Vulcan.
Kirk grows to be a young man who is intelligent, but reckless and cynical. After Kirk is beaten badly in a barfight while attempting to pick up Uhura, Captain Christopher Pike tells him of his father's heroic efforts and convinces him to join Starfleet. En route to Starfleet Academy, Kirk befriends fellow cadet Leonard McCoy. In his third year at the Academy, Kirk is accused of cheating on the Kobayashi Maru test by its programmer, Commander Spock. At the resultant hearing, Starfleet receives a distress signal from Vulcan that indicates the appearance of a lightning storm in space, and the cadets are mobilized to help crew the ships in orbit. McCoy brings the grounded Kirk onboard the USS Enterprise as a patient under McCoy's care.
I'll stop here because any further would be getting into (Spoiler alert!)Its the standard "heroes journey" deal where the protaganist starts off as an arrogant orphan who follows his own rules and has destiny thrust upon him and ends up learning about responsibility and friendship before he blows up the bad guy etc. etc.
The plot I would give a 6.5, it gets the job done but hasn't really broken any new ground and bears a striking similarity to another famous sci-fi film I alluded to at the beginning of this review http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1910892
The cinematography was excellent, a feast of visual delicacies that would rival even the most elaborate Betazoid banquet. Daniel Mindel is in my top 10 list of cinematographers working today and his skilled work here does nothing to discredit my list. Mindel has an impressive resume which includes The Bourne Identity and Enemy of The State and J J Abrams was wise to entrust the visual aspect of the film to Mindel instead of an untested newcomer.
The characters were excellent, although he is still young Chris Pine has crafted a Captain Kirk worthy of being included in the same breath as William Shatner. I only hope that future incarnations of the films develop Kirks more introspective philosophical side, Kirk must learn that all problems cannot be solved with a solid left hook and cocksure attitude even though they got the job done this time.
Zachary Quinto as Spock was a delight, everything that made Leonard Nimoys interpretation of the character so iconic is present in Quintos interpretation. From the detached logical attitude to the unintentional comic moments that aspergian attitude creates. (As someone with aspergers I identified greatly with this character) When
It would take too long to evaluate every character in this film, suffice it to say they range from adequate to excellent.
Actually "adaquate to excellent" is an apt. description for this movie. If I were to meet J J Abrams I would shake him warmly by the hand and offer to drink a bottle of Romulan ale with him (actually whiskey died green) and contemplate the future of mans place in this endlessly vast universe. A man can dream can't he?
Overall 8.1
