Star Trek

Synopsis
Those prepared to hate the reboot of STAR TREK--whether they’re diehard fans or those in the anti-sci-fi camp--may be convinced to lower their shields after seeing this fun, action-filled film. Best known for creating mythology-driven series like LOST, J.J. Abrams has imbued his version with the elements that have made his shows such mind-bending entertainment while still keeping the soul of the saga intact. STAR TREK begins with an attack by an impossibly advanced Romulan ship captained by the tattooed, snarling Nero (Eric Bana). Among the survivors is the infant version of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), who grows up to wreak havoc on the Iowa countryside. When Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood) meets an adult Kirk, he encourages him to join Starfleet, giving him the opportunity to meet Spock (Zachary Quinto), Uhura (Zoe Saldana), and the rest of the characters audiences have loved for decades.

Abrams has assembled a fine cast who seem to be aware of their predecessors but never resort to impressions. Both Quinto and Pine do a fine job with their portrayals of Kirk and Spock, and Karl Urban couldn’t be better as Leonard McCoy. The supporting players--Simon Pegg (Scotty), John Cho (Sulu), and Anton Yelchin (Chekov)--all capture the essence of what drove their characters, though their screen time is limited. STAR TREK manages the nearly impossible: it pleases hardcore fans with plenty of in-jokes and references (and an appearance by the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy), but it doesn’t alienate newcomers with tons of technobabble. The action and effects rank with any other top-tier summer blockbuster, but there’s plenty of humor to balance the excitement. For anyone who (wrongly) felt he had to hide his trekker tendencies, this undeniably cool version of STAR TREK offers a chance to wear the "geek" label with pride.

Reviews
"Paced at warp speed with spectacular action sequences rendered brilliantly and with a cast so expert that all the familiar characters are instantly identifiable..." (Hollywood Reporter)

"[T]he new and improved STAR TREK will transport fans to sci-fi nirvana....STAR TREK rockets along like a beautifully engineered vehicle you can't help but admire for its design and performance....This reincarnation is dynamic..." (Variety)

4 stars out of 5 -- "Abrams goes back to the series' '60s roots...and laces this origin story with a youthful zest and some enjoyable self-parody. The intergalactic vistas and pop art interiors are constantly stunning." (Box Office)

"The 2009 STAR TREK film goes back eagerly to where STAR TREK began....The special effects are slam-bam." (Chicago Sun-Times)

3 stars out of 4 -- "It's an energetic sci-fi extravaganza, with spectacular action sequences and nifty visuals....When it comes to sheer spectacle, STAR TREK as re-imagined by J.J. Abrams, delivers." (USA Today)

"[T]his STAR TREK has in general bridged the gap between the old and the new with alacrity and purpose." (Los Angeles Times)

"[A] clever and infectious reboot of the amazingly enduring sci-fi classic....With a crew like this, you can welcome the future." -- Grade: A- (Entertainment Weekly)

"A bright, shiny blast from a newly imagined past....The spirit of adventure and embrace of rationality that define the show are in full swing..." (New York Times)

"[I]t is, undeniably, a reconsideration of what constitutes STAR TREK, one that deemphasizes heady concepts and plainly stated humanist virtues in favor of breathless action punctuated by bursts of emotion." -- Grade: B+ (A.V. Club)

"It's a movie that is correct enough to appease the most hard-core buffs, while opening up the final frontier to a new generation of fans....Pure pop pleasure." (Washington Post)