I took a stance the moment that it was announced that Star Trek would be returning to the big screen featuring the cast of characters that I have loved since childhood: I don’t like it. I’m not happy about it. But I’ll see it opening weekend. And if it turns out to be great, I’ll be the first to sing its praises.
If anyone knows where I can rent a full orchestra for reasonable prices, please feel free to forward the information to me. I am ready to take the stage, and sing I will…loudly and boldly and enthusiastically.
For a non-spoiler review of quite possibly the greatest Star Trek film ever, engage…
James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Sulu, Chekov, Uhura, Montgomery Scott…the names are as familiar as the iconic actors who made them come alive: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, George Takai, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan.
Trust me. If, in childhood or adulthood, you came to cherish these characters and the legacy built upon the foundation of the original adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise, then you know that no one can take the place of these iconic performers. No one.
But J.J. Abrams and crew did something that I did not believe them capable of: they filled familiar roles with new faces and in the course of 2 hours caused me to fall in love with the Original Star Trek all over again! They didn’t replace them, they are them, in an homage that I didn’t imagine was possible.
This film full-on rocks! As the credits began to role, I could not help but turn to my wife in a fit of euphoria and proclaim that the movie was awesome! And indeed it is.
I fully own up to my doubts and give the film makers all the credit in the world for taking those doubts and, within the opening minutes of the film, crushing them into oblivion.
Star Trek is a thing of absolute beauty, both in its visuals and in the performances of the cast. It honors the original series and the fans of Star Trek in ways that I cannot begin to explain. It must be experienced, by you, spoiler free! What surprised me the most about this film was the emotional attachment I formed with it, right from the beginning. There is a scene early on in the film that tugs at the heart strings, and though I did shed a tear in that moment, I am not ashamed to admit that it was merely the first of a number of heart-in-my-throat, tear-in-my-eye moments. The love of the source material, and of the actors who brought these characters to life, was so apparent that the bond formed with the audience was immediate with each appearance of someone we knew of old.
I may have mentioned this earlier, but the performances were brilliant! Again, I feel like even the smallest thing I might give away would tarnish the experience for you, so I won’t go into performances character by character, but I must say this: one of the things that actually stirred up the waterworks was that my first thought when Karl Urban stepped on to the Enterprise was that I really wished DeForest Kelley was alive to see him. Urban’s was a performance of love.
That small child who sat watching the adventures of James T. Kirk on Saturday nights in his home in Nebraska, who started reading Star Trek novels for the first time in his early twenties, who just recently fell and fell hard for Deep Space Nine, was standing up inside screaming throughout the film as moment after moment made you want to get out of your seat and cheer. I honestly haven’t been this excited about a theater experience in a long time. I literally wanted to turn around and watch the next showing, and it has been awhile since I have been willing to part with my hard-earned money more than once to see a film during its first run. Star Trek is going to have to be that rare exception.
I said there was no way that they could reboot the franchise with a film like this. I said the trailer looked really cool but it was likely the film would be a disappointment. I said a lot of things.
I was wrong.
If you love the Star Trek universe, then it would surprise me greatly if you did not love this film. I have no doubt that a whole new generation of fans will be born from the seeds planted by J.J. Abrams, but quite frankly I believe the people who will get the most out of this film are those who have already pledged themselves to the Federation, body and soul, and have done so for decades. The most recent ads aside (those that seemed to want to pull new viewers in by distancing this from its source material), this is a film for the fans and I suspect it will be embraced by fans in much the same way that I have embraced it.
5 Huge, Colossal, Space-the-final-frontier stars out of 5! Give us more J.J. Give us more!!!
Oh, dear… Every other review and interview I’ve read has had me convinced that the movie was crap and not worth seeing. Plus I’ve had so many great memories ruined by remakes, and TOS is probably my best memory. Now I don’t know if I should see it or not… curses.
Fate, you must not have been checking out Rotten Tomatoes then, the site that collects reviews from major and minor news outlets, etc. It has a 96% rating right now. 210 positive reviews and only 9 negatives. For critics who usually loathe genre films, the praise for this one is overwhelming.
I’m afraid I’m one of those cynics who thinks overwhelming praise is as bad as a bunch of bad reviews. 🙂 I don’t think Star Trek can be improved upon and all of the reviews telling me how much better it is than the original don’t do anything to convert me. Neither do the ones talking about what a great action movie it is… I don’t watch Star Trek thinking “Gee, if only there was a planet exploding and a few more fight scenes…”
Fate: “I’m afraid I’m one of those cynics who thinks overwhelming praise is as bad as a bunch of bad reviews”…I feel that way a lot as well, but not generally with genre films. The majority of critics don’t seem to ‘get’ these films and in reading many of these reviews this one has just what it needs to reach through that usual bias and actually excite them. I think that is a good thing. Sure, there is a good deal of action, but this film really is, in my opinion, all about reintroducing these great characters and that is where the film has its more profound and lasting impact.
Sure, there are going to be many who say it is better than the original, but you cannot fault people for doing that. I don’t know a lot of people who didn’t grow up with the original, in its original run or, like me, in syndication, that have the passion for the original series like I do. Even at its cheesiest I just plain love it. And why? Because of the characters…that is what it is all about.
This movie, in my opinion, isn’t about how Star Trek can be improved upon, it is about moving on with the franchise in a way that I personally wasn’t on board with until I saw the film. I’m on board now. Because the movie I saw early Saturday morning was a full blown action AND character love letter to the characters from the original series while not simply doing something that is a regurgitation of the other great Star Trek series.
I certainly respect your trepidation since it is one of your favorite memories. Watching the original series with my younger brother on Saturday evenings is one of my favorite childhood memories as well, and sharing that love of the original and some of the later series with my wife and with good friends continue to be enduring memories. I certainly went into the movie with an open mind, but also with the idea that it had to be good or I would be unmerciful with it. I loved it. I think anyone determined to not like it will probably find fault all over the place. That is true with any film. I love how hard the writers and actors worked to channel the spirit of the original actors into these roles. The film certainly honored MY memories of TOS. That’s probably the best I can do with giving you an opinion on whether you should see it or not. In the end it is just a film, but if you are going to see it at some point anyway I think it would be a travesty to miss it on the big screen. It seems to be the popular criticism today to label any movie with action in it as somehow not worthy and not full of story (and I’m not speaking to you here, this seems to be the prevalent theme in any negative review of a genre film. Action=bad. Quite frankly, that is poor reviewing…but don’t get me started on critics!!!) . I disagree. I think action sequences, etc are part of the wonder and spectacle of the movie going experience, but it was the first viewing of that great name ‘Enterprise’, and the voice of Leonard Nimoy, and the introduction of characters who are old friends that had me both choking up and smiling a gargantuan smile all at the same time.
So, let me get this straight. Did you like it? 😉
*This Trekie, is hoping to find the time to see it today!*
Carl, fantastic review, I was already extremely excited about seeing this in (approximately) 6 hours from now, but you’ve ramped things up for me. I was never quite so invested in Star Trek as many others but I always enjoyed it, and it sounds like JJ Abrams doesn’t disappoint. Can’t wait!!!
First off: I am very happy you liked this movie so much.
Without seeing it I can help you with it’s praise.. my son did see it and called me right away! I took a deep breath and asked him MY all important question: “was the guy who plays McCoy good?”… there was silence for a moment and then he spoke: ” Let me put it this way mom… if you closed your eyes…he WAS McCoy!”
Well.. that did it for me!! I can’t go see it right now.. only because it would cost me 24.00 in taxi fees to get to and from the theater..but you can count on the fact that I WILL see it eventually and moreover.. OWN it!
Bart: Ummm….. 😉 Ha! I probably could have shortened my review by simply saying that later that night, after friends had left, I went downstairs and pulled and old Star Trek novel, Prime Directive, off the shelf and sat all my other reading aside and started reading it!
Bride: I hope you enjoy the heck out of it! I cannot wait to see it again.
Deslily: I’m glad you already heard because I was going to email you about that. I thought of you right away. I agree with your son, but at the same time if you closed your eyes you would miss the brilliant mannerisms that Karl Urban does that really mimic Bones! I’m really looking forward to you seeing this.
I am dying to see this. I am a fan from the time I was a child. We can’t go see it till Tuesday (Hubs day off), and I am champing at the bit and trying not to read spoilers LOL!
I, too, enjoyed the movie. I loved all the characters and references to the original show…it was just a great, fun movie. I really hope that Abrams continues with the franchise, especially now that it appears we have (SPOILER) an alternate ST world to work with. I really want to see it again; I’m hoping I’ll be able to drag my mom along with me, because I think she’d like it, too. It’s not just a Trek movie – any fan of sci-fi or action would have a good time, I think.
Now I’m even more eager to see this! I was a big Star Trek fan when I was little; it was something my parents and I did together. We watched TNG every week, we caught reruns of the original series, and we saw all the movies. I’ve drifted away from it over the past fifteen years or so, but I really, really want to see this movie. It looks amazing, and your review has got me hardcore excited about it!
I’ve been dying to see this film. I’ve got both girls hooked on the franchise and they both want to see the film. I hope to clear a space in our calendar so we can all go.
I am supposed to go see this movie tonight. I am a bit worried about it, but I am going to be brave! I hope I end up going… The plans are a little up in the air at the moment! I didn’t really read your review because I want to try and go in with an open mind. 🙂
I agree: it WAS awesome. And that the actors managed to inhabit the roles without trying to do some impersonation. And I loved it all. I’d happily go again in a heartbeat. (Although, I’m a bit worried about the sequel: can Abrams do it again as spectacularly as he did this time?? I hope so…)
I went & saw yesterday. I really enjoyed the movie. I actually had no intention of seeing it, my dad invited me at the last minute. I was a next generation fan, so I didn’t think I’d enjoy this movie. I was wrong & your review is spot on!
I’m so relieved! I was wishy-washy on this. I just loved, loved, loved the movies. My absolute fave is The Wrath of Kahn. I liked the preview but was afraid it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. Thanks for making me want to go see it!!
It sounds stupid.
James, you crack me up!
Tonya: You’re welcome…unless of course you go in and end up not liking it! 😉 In that case, I offer no money back guarantees!
Ginny: Well hooray for dad!!! I’m so glad he took you to it and that you enjoyed it.
Melissa: Couldn’t agree more! And lets not start worrying about the sequel yet (and I chide you because I had the exact same thought yesterday! Ha!)
Kailana: Boldly go! And if you end up not liking it, ditto on my comment to Tonya! 🙂
Suzanne: That is what your sister said yesterday. I hope you and the kids end up going to see it. Soon.
Memory: I hope after such a long absence from it that this film renews your relationship with it. I was surprised at how much this film made me want to come home and watch Star Trek and read Star Trek.
Jessi: “any fan of sci-fi or action would have a good time”, I totally agree. I hope your mom goes with you and enjoys it.
Astaryth: I feel your pain, but Tuesday is just around the corner!
I have to admit that I was only a casual viewer of the original and ensuing shows, but I actually really want to see this. Unfortunately, I have no one who’ll go with me. 🙁 I hadn’t realized that Eric Bana was in it, and I swear I did a triple-take at the pictures before saying, huh, that is him. And now that your review has made me want to see it that much more, I think I’ll go sulk for a while. Or do some serious cajoling.
Chelle: I hadn’t read much about it before seeing it, and so I didn’t know that was Eric Bana until I read the credits at the end! He is certainly unrecognizable. Sorry you don’t have anyone to tag along with. I personally don’t mind seeing films by myself, but this is one that is certainly more enjoyable with someone you can immediately turn to and start talking about.
Ditto to everything you said! While TNG and DS9 were the Star Treks I grew up with the Original series is the one I love the most. I too was worried about the new movie and how it would play out, but also like you I fell in love with the characters all over again.
@Fate For whatever it’s worth, as much as I loved the new movie I don’t think I’d ever agree that it’s “better” than the original – just differently done and handled. Plus I still think “Wrath of Khan” is the best Star Trek movie ever made – as does my brother who also loved this movie.
The movie was great! My husband and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Mari: I am so glad that you did.
Jen: You just can’t top the original series. I’m not sure, in most cases, that anything can be ‘better than the original’ anyway, as the reality is that it is built on the original and that has to be taken into account. This was a great film, but if there hadn’t been three seasons of the original tv series and several films then this latest wouldn’t have any of the emotional resonance that it does. You are right. It isn’t ‘better’, it is just differently done. And I’ll probably always think Kahn and Undiscovered Country are ultimately better films, once this newness has worn off, but this is certainly one of the top two or three for sure!
I’m with Carl and my love of this film. I will give it a 5 out of 5 as well. When I initially heard they were rebooting the film and going backward with the story instead of taking it forward I was disappointed and skeptical that I would love the new film. Even as all the great reviews poured in I was hestiant. In fact I was actually worried the night before I went and saw the new film because it was getting so many great reviews. I just thought how is it that so many ” regular ” people could love a SCIFI film with all the stigma that comes with liking any thing SCIFI or fantasy. Well I was blown away with JJ’s movie. I don’t want to say anything spoilerly at this point either. Hey Carl maybe in two weeks after we go see it again 🙂 you can open up a spoiler review thread were we can all gush over what we all loved so much.
I am glad you liked it! I saw it Saturday on IMAX (cause that’s how we roll here in Nashville lol) and i thought it was fantastic. I agree with Jeff on the spoiler thread! I want to talk details with someone who really knows the original series.
Oh I’m so glad you liked it!
Because I might have cried if you didn’t like it.
Ok, maybe not really, because I never watched the original series. (Or any of them, actually – yes, I know, I know – I am a wooly Nature Girl, not a Sci-Fi Girl, because I cannot suspend disbelief in that way that sci-fi often requires, and, say, unicorns do not. I know I’m being ironic about the unicorns here. Or something.)
But still!!
Ah, Carl, you make me wish I was any good in a movie theatre… I’ll have to wait for the DVD release, though. *sulk* Most movies pass me by completely until they’re on dvd, really, because I’m not a movie going person. They’re too loud and the shifts in lighting on the screen usually too bright/painful for me to pay a lot of attention to the movie itself. So no cinema for me. And then sometimes I’ll come across a post like yours and go “Oh, if only!” But I’ve learned my lessons. I’d rather spent twice the cost of a cinema ticket and be able to follow the movie. ^-~
Like Memory I was a huge Star Trek fan when I was little/a teen, which isn’t really all that long ago and just… drifted out of it. (But our channels here are complete and utter failures when it comes to scifi series, so it’s easy to fall out of things.) I’ll have to keep this in mind and pounce on it when the dvd is released here!
I’m so much more excited about this now. I felt like Wolverrine was a bit of an Xman let down, last week, so I was getting worried that Star Trek might be more of the same. I’m looking forward to it and it will help me to get over my disappointment at the fact that there will be no new episodes featuring Sam from Quantum Leap.
I’m with you 100% on this one! Co-workers and I went Friday afternoon, and 5 minutes in, one of them was bawling she was soooo happy! By the time the credits rolled i had tears in my eyes too. Though i’m afraid i always bawl when i hear Lenard Nimoy do the voice-over. This movie is FABULOUS!!!
Got home and called my brother and informed him that he HAD to see this one on the big screen. He generally waits for dvd releases and then asks “are you gonna buy that? or do i need to?” His response was is it just a lot of crash-bang-boom? and i said “yep, but it’s also got the heart of the original Trek cast – plus – a plausible storyline, it’s fabulous!”
so happy it won you over, i want Deslily to go for McCoy, but. she needs to take a lot of kleenex! everyone was genius in this movie!
So, you liked it? It does look great.
We get to lose the kids for the whole weekend the weekend after Mem. day so we are going to ‘movie up’ for a whole day.
Sounds like I might need to budget for an extra showing for this. One reviewer recommended seeing it twice for all the little nid-bits.
Tom: Oh Tommy boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling….
So glad to see you emerge from the crypt to comment here! Yes, definitely a great flick and one I’ll be seeing again. Sounds like you have a great Mem. Day weekend planned. Kid free! Woo-hoo!!!!
SG: I want Deslily to see if for that same reason. And I agree with the Kleenex statement. If you are in any way soft-hearted about these characters then you cannot help but tear up. The fact that I did so also when the camera panned across the top of the ship and I saw “U.S.S. Enterprise” for the first time just shows how big of a geek I am.
Jodie: I heard similar things about Wolverine. It sounded like a fun movie that was ultimately just a bit of fluff. I didn’t feel that same way about Star Trek.
Shanra: I am so sorry for you. The theater experience is one that I have treasured since childhood and this is one of those movies that is just marvelous to see on the big screen. Probably not the case if the lights cause you pain though! No sense paying for a miserable experience. I am sure you will enjoy it on DVD, and at the rate these things come out anymore it probably will not be a long wait.
Elizabeth: No need to cry for me, I was thrilled!!! A suspension of disbelief is definitely needed for sci-fi!
Melanie: I would love a spoiler thread as well. There is so much I too would like to discuss. I would like to see this on IMAX too, but Saturday it wouldn’t have worked out well for us all to travel to the closest IMAX. That and we were all trying to save money!
Jeff: Ditto, ditto, ditto!
Hey Carl! I did end up seeing the movie last night and I REALLY liked it! I am not a huge fan of the Original series, I am more of TNG fan, so I am not as attached to the original as others. 🙂 Anyway, since you are keeping your review spoiler-free, I am keeping my comments spoiler-free. If you want to discuss in detail, because we all know how much of a nerd I, well, both of us are, feel free to email me! Have a great day!
I loved, loved, loved the movie! The actors did a great job of keeping me from rushing to judgment as their characterizations were so true to TOS (of course the writers and directors may share some of the glory too). I grew up watching the TOS with me brother and Dad, and I didn’t want this movie to trample on my memories. I was not disappointed.
Carl, I am so pleased to be married a man who shares my affinity for Star Trek culture.
Mary: and elf culture!!! 🙂
Kailana: I will certainly do that, if not before my vacation then afterwards.
I thought that the movie was fabulous too! I really want to go to the theater and watch it again, but I probably won’t be able to (because it’s not just the ticket cost for me, it’s babysitters fees too). I’m definitely going to buy it when it comes out on DVD. I have been pulling out old Star Trek episodes to tide me over. 🙂
It’s so great to hear from other long time Trek fans that they enjoyed it. I have read so many FLAME wars on this and how if you liked the movie you weren’t a reall fan…blah blah blah. This movie is what Trek is all about. Fast action, morality conflicts and HOT HOT MEN…I mean…spaceships!
I’m like you. I thought it was great. You’ll never have the original cast back but this one does just fine. And it’s a lot of fun. Doesn’t get much better than that.
After practically begging, Mike took the kids and I to see this on Sunday. I used to love the old Star Trek episodes. I watched them all with my dad when I was little (reruns). But I never really got much farther than that. I mean, I watched the first couple of movies, and they bored me senselessly!! And I also never got into any of the “next generation” stuff. Looking back now, I probably would have enjoyed them. Bygones.
But since I hold the original show in such high regard, I was determined to go see this. I LOVED it!! Fantastic. And the casting was spot-on! I can not wait for the next one!
Stephanie: Great that you all got to go as a family and I’m thrilled you all enjoyed it.
SQT: I agree with every word!
Me: I think people who chose to not like this because somehow they feel they are being disloyal are just being close minded. Surely future films and tv series have the opportunity to go far afield from the way things have gone before, and hopefully that won’t be the case. If Abrams or anyone else went out of their way to completely change up the basic structure of what Roddenberry created it would be disappointing, but so far they stayed true with what went before and did an admirable job of making the changes they did make work within the framework of the story. Enjoy it! It may be a long time before Star Trek fans get another movie of this high caliber.
Alyce: The babysitter fees are definitely a killer! I will no doubt be watching some original episodes myself as I await the DVD.
I caved and went to see it… I enjoyed it. I still think they shouldn’t have made it, but I’m really glad I went to see it, so thanks. 🙂 I’ve been watching TOS episodes ever since…
Hmmm …. so you liked it a little bit?
I saw it on Monday, and while I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it. I couldn’t get past the whole *spoiler I guess* time travel being cheating thing. I mean, it worked and all, but ….
I actually thought they traded story for really big explosions *ducks*
On the other hand, I’m really looking forward to Terminatior Salvation, so what do I know? 🙂
I went to see it last night…I’ve been waiting to read your review until after I saw it! I relly liked your phrase, “emotional attachment”; that’s exactly what I felt and mentioned to a friend. There were so many places in the movie I laughed when I heard “Dammit Jim” or other equally typical phrases! I totally wanted to stand up and clap at the end 🙂 Loved Scotty the best, I think …
Janet: Wasn’t it great! I wanted to give it a standing ovation as well. I am really hoping to get out to see it again very soon.
Maree: Just a little. 😉 I’m looking forward to Terminator Salvation as well. Sorry you didn’t like it as much. Normally I would agree with the time travel cheating thing but I really felt this was the only way that the franchise could be rebooted with existing characters without completely pissing off everyone who loves the continuity presented in all the existing series and films. As much as I loved it I still wish they were going in a new direction with a new show that fit in with continuity. That said, I am still very pleased with the film.
Fate: I’m glad you saw it. As you can see in my response to Maree I am still have some of those same feelings. I loved DS9 so much and, having just finished watching the series a few months ago, I would have been more pleased if they could have pulled off something this cool that was actually with new characters in continuity with the existing shows. But since they didn’t ask me I will stick with the fact that I was blown away by the film.
ah i tot it rawked too! i loved it. 😀
The best Star Trek movie ever, imo. Being an original fan from when it was first aired in the UK in 1969, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but went with an open mind. I was blown away and am now desperate to see it again. I loved, loved, loved Zachary Quinto’s Spock and that was the character I was most concerned about. I needn’t have been – he and all the rest of the cast were wonderful. Hopefully there will be more *very* soon!
Cath: Yes indeed! So glad you enjoyed it, especially since you are a long time fan of the original series. The cast was terrific!
Aichaku: It did rock! 🙂
The movie was entertaining but it was a idiot plot. I enjoyed the film but is it too much to ask not to have to shut off my brain to be able to watch it?
Sorry you felt that way about it David. I found the plot to be quite entertaining, especially as an ‘introductory’ storyline. I’m going to see it again this Friday night and cannot wait!