This post is about the 2009 Star Trek movie and may contain spoilers and/or ending details. If you have not already seen the movie, do not continue reading.
I just saw the new Star Trek movie. To sum it up in one word, epic. This is exactly what the franchise needs right now – and J.J. Abrams et al. have delivered. Major plot changes have been made, but sometimes the ends do justify the means, and they’re worth it here. Much of the essence of the original characters has been preserved, but much has been added. The result is a modern, funny, exciting movie that I’ll enjoy time and time again.
All of the characters are deeper, more interesting and more human than before (especially Spock). Kirk is a rough-around-the-edges rebel with a hidden talent for leadership. Spock is torn between two worlds (even more so after the destruction of Vulcan). McCoy is dry as ever. Scotty is funny. Chekov’s accent is great as ever. Sulu is the loyal warrior. And Uhura undergoes possibly the greatest transformation. Rather than being the communications officer mostly relegated to the background in the original series, she serves as a focus for the rivalry between Kirk and Spock, and a deep and interesting character in her own right.
The Enterprise has gotten a makeover that makes it seem more modern and more futuristic, while the utilitarian corridors and engine areas make it seem practical and pragmatic. The touches like the warning in the transporter room give it an air of realistic fantasy. The design is marvellously executed, period.
The main storyline is a little out there, but no more so than any previous Trek storyline. The changes in the timeline – especially the destruction of Vulcan – make a new universe radically different from the past. The world of Shatner’s Kirk, Stewart’s Picard and so forth has ceased to exist, replaced by a more modern view of the future – one united by tragedy.
The atmosphere of Starfleet is more realistically military than before. In the old Star Trek, it was not quite a military organization in the sense we think of today. In the new one, it absolutely is. That said, the process by which Kirk, still a cadet, is granted command of the Federation’s flagship, along with a ragtag team of other cadets and such, is a bit of a stretch. As is it is that the Federation’s entire fleet is tied up at one location such that the only competent Starfleet officers to crew 7 ships are cadets. But I’m willing to overlook these and other minor transgressions – after all, it’s Star Trek.
The scale of the movie is awesome. The portrayal of characters is remarkable. The risks taken were well-chosen. This is exactly what Star Trek needs right now and with J.J. Abrams at the helm, I’m confident it’ll end well. I look forward to the next Star Trek movie, which I’m sure will be equally interesting, funny and exciting as this one.
Beam me up, Scotty.
Mail?? i think u mean e-mail
Yeah, we went to the 10pm one, it was great, i think they should’ve used maybe a higher resolution projector? seriously, my monitor looks like it has a higher pixel count. I’m definately buying this movie when it comes out on dvd. Ohyeah, are there plans for another movie?