Reviewed by Gerri Maynard

Whether or not you are or were an original series Star Trek fan, Star Trek: Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, or none of the above, the new Star Trek movie is a must see. Director J.J. Abrams has masterfully pulled together all the puzzle pieces to provide viewers with a truly satisfying movie experience that goes far beyond the expectations of even the most die-hard Star Trek fan.   Although I’m not a “Trekkie” per se, I found myself quickly being seduced by the familiar characters who first enticed us in Gene Roddenberry’s original science fiction television show. Indeed, much of the pleasure that comes from this movie relates to both our familiarity with the characters and how over a period of time they suddenly discover things about each other that we learned watching the four decade-old show and its newer counterparts.  

Once again, we are drawn into the adventure – when the universe (as we know it) has to be saved from disaster. Part and parcel are the multiple layers of dynamics that unfold as we recognize our favourite characters. Spock must deal with a major personality crisis while his nemesis, Kirk who is depicted as a rebellious thug comes to grips with his past. What really captivates the audience however, is that we are brought into the lives of these familiar and likeable characters not on the bridge of the Enterprise; but instead, we see them through the eyes of adolescence and then when they meet and clash as at the training Academy. Over the course of the interactions we climb into the skin of a young and frustrated Spock (Zachary Quinto) who must somehow come to grips with his half human, half Vulcan persona while becoming acquainted with a young James Kirk – a cocky and attractive hothead who is forced to face his destiny through the character of Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood).

A fascinating and brilliant scenario is created, which combines the past and future as an alternate, parallel "Star Trek" universe in which Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman play with our realities by bringing us back and forth between the adult characters and their childhood predecessors.  As we become comfortable once again with our favourite heroes, we are also forced to deal with a renegade Romulan named Captain Nero (Eric Bana) who sports a modern day bad guy look that includes a Captain “Nemo” underwater attire complete with facial tattoos. We are drawn into his evil plot which seeks revenge through destroying all the planets in the federation.  

In somewhat classic Star Trek fashion, Nero's first order of business is to attack and destroy a starship and in the process brings the plot forward as we see the untimely and heroic death of the Captain (“for only 12 minutes”) who happens to be Kirk's father (Chris Hemsworth) while Kirk’s mother narrowly escapes death and gives birth to our hero just in the nick of time.   As the plot to destroy the universe thickens so do the various familiar aspects of the characters. We see them come together bit by bit as Abrams begins to connect one to another through a series of events that bring us into a true adventure in space.  Whether it’s Sulu and Kirk in combat while attempting to dismantle a Romulan mega weapon, or it is Dr. McCoy aka ‘Bones’ (Karl Urban) and our delightful Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) debating medical semantics aboard the starship, each character is cleverly brought into play with surprising ease and to our delight, as we begin to recognize them.

The film Star Trek has its own dynamics however, and at times the true Trekkie connoisseur may have a better chance of pulling all the puzzle pieces together since there are some slight lapses where we are left wondering what’s going on now? This is evident during the battle scenes that begin to look a bit more like Star Wars and less similar to the traditional captivating Star Trek.  The only other small hiccup occurs with the appearance of Winona Ryder as Spock’s mother; who seems out of place given the synergy that Abrams has created with all the other characters.  The relationship between Spock and Uhura comes as a surprise and in some ways seems totally out of character.  However, it does add a new and interesting dimension that rides on the back of Spock’s own relationship crisis based on his strict upbringing.  Just the same, these interesting nuances help to support the scope of the budding relationships between each character as they meet over the course of the movie. Kudos go to ‘Chekov’ (Anton Yelchin) for his flawless intellectual appeal as a native Russian and ‘Bones’ (Karl Urban) for his outlandish impatience which borders on impudence. The cameo appearance of the older frailer Spock meeting up with the younger Spock brings both a new dimension and continuity to the story.

This movie is not so much another account of a battle against a deadly enemy, as it is a story of how the characters come together as a team, as they move past their own personality quirks and conflicts to save their planet. What is truly satisfying and brings the story to a new emotional level occurs when you suddenly realize that you are on the deck of the Enterprise – full of light and magical special effects that are replete with a fresh new appeal.  What is more wonderful however, is when you realize that the entire crew is aboard and there is that sense of traditional Star Trek camaraderie that brings a smile of recognition as you view the younger version of the original cast.  Although a brief image, you suddenly feel the whole movie has come full circle and spanned the decades in such a way that you are indeed home on the Enterprise.