Star Trek

"It's not your parent's Star Trek". That was one of the marketing tag lines. I was never a Trekkie. In fact, the only other Trek film I have seen was the 1979 "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" film. So this whole world was new to me, a long-time Star Wars fan.
That was going into the theater.
Sitting in a dark room for two hours, after having invested a fortune into the film, Abrams better not disappoint me again.

This movie does not disappoint. I have to say, it almost makes me want to go catch up on my Star Trek lore. Simon Pegg's appearance kept me laughing, the story was worth the action, and I have always been a sucker for things like time travel and alternate realities. This movie has plenty of both.

Ok, now for my complaints and disappointments. I am not a big fan of Zachary Quinto as Spock. All I can see is Sylar from Heroes. Annoying. But as the plot develops and characters start arcing, Quinto fades, and Spock appears. Throughout the film, Spock's emotions continue to surface, which I am told is a contradiction to the old, rigid Vulcan our parents knew. But the filmmakers knew what they were doing, and they carefully acknowledge Spock's emotions, explaining them, and making his struggles with them a key part of the film. Well-handled, I do say.
The other thing was that I didn't like the beginning or the end. Frankly, there was too much action. I was expecting a slower, earth-stuck opening, introducing the characters. But instead it opens with a bang, and never really slows down. But you do get used to it. Once your mind catches up to the pace, the film is very entertaining. The only problem, though, is that they max out their accelarometer in the beginning, so by the time the climactic scene comes on, the action and intensity isn't as impressive as it should be.

Even though the film is about Kirk earning his place in the captain's seat, the story is really Spock's. He is the one who learns the film's ultimate lesson, which is that sometimes you have to do what feels right, instead of following logic. Interesting...

But the film is recommended. Abrams doesn't disappoint. (But can't he hold the camera still for a SECOND?? Even during a CONVERSATION scene!!)

4 out of 5 stars.