ltstanfo said:
I already know that I will have to write two separate reviews:
2. From the perspective of a lifelong fan (having watched it as early as 1972... that I can remember. I was around -but very young- during its original airing).
Should be an interesting review. More later tonight!
Regards,
Ltstanfo
Surprise, surprise, surprise. I really went into this movie expecting to absolutely hate it. The last thing I thought would happen is that I actually (kind of) like it. Go figure. First, a bit about STAR TREK and me. I've watched Trek all of my life. My favorite is the original series, followed by Deep Space Nine and then frankly, I can do without the other series although there are a handfull of episodes from the others that I did enjoy. While I do not "live or die" by Trek "canon", I do take comfort in accepted / established series continuity / "history". Back to the review...
If you live by STAR TREK and it's accepted "canon", do not see this film. You will leave in disappointment. JJ Abrahms has completely undone all that came before and re-written Trek history from the beginning. Only the names and the places are somewhat familiar. As I stated in a previous review, "this ain't your Daddy's STAR TREK". JJ is clearly aiming for a new audience. With that in mind, (*** MAJOR SPOILER ALERT ***) read on if you dare.
1. You have to endure the overplayed and overused "time travel" excuse for how this movie occurs in the TREK universe. We've seen it before withe the Next Gen movie where they time travel back to earth to stop the borg... this plot is somewhat similar but it involves Romulans.
2. All accepted TREK canon is out the window. Don't look for or expect any of it beyond some very topical "hints" that were added in an effort to appease the existing TREK base. How good of an appeasement these topical hints are I leave up to you.
The Good:
- Karl Urban (Dr. McCoy) is quite simply BRILLIANT in his role. From the "get go" he has channeled the late DeForrest Kelley to bring this new McCoy to life and yet he (Urban) successfully makes the character his own. In my book, Urban is one of two highlights to this film. BRAVO!!!
- We FINALLY get a background story on Captain Christopher Pike (originally played by the late Jeffrey Hunter in both the pilot episode and the later re-worked "Menagerie". Bruce Greenwood plays Pike but while (IMO) he looks nothing like Hunter, his take on the character is spot on. Pike is every bit the top captain we have seen and read about over the years. His role throughout the film, while supporting, is important. This (IMO) is the second of two highlights to this film. EXCELLENT!
- Zachery Quinto (Spock) does a good job of taking the reigns from Leonard Nimoy but it just doesn't quite "click". This Spock is more like the pilot episode Spock in that he is subject to emotional outbursts. These outbursts however are not what you might expect. Also, Zachery character from Hero's comes to the foreground every now and again so just who is he trying to play? Still, he makes a good Spock and with a little work will easily take over.
- Sarek (played by Ben Cross) is solidly played here. Even a reasonable likeness to the late Mark Leonard. Good filler material (background) for the movie but not used as well as he could have been.
- The new Checkov and Sulu have a little work to do but they both have their moments of glory and have a promising future in the new movies.
The Bad:
- Scotty (played by Simon Pegg) is wasted in this film. Reduced to nothing more than comic relief, Pegg is not allowed to show just what he is capable of. Though this is not his fault (but the writers) it is disappointing. He tries, but he fails. Better luck in the next one Simon. Hope you have better writers. Scotty had humorous moments to be sure, but that was not his primary purpose.
- Kirk (played by Chris Pine) needs to die now and let's hope for better next time. This Kirk is nothing more than a "bad boy" who cheats his way into just about everything. His only saving grace (IMO) is when we find him in bed with a green Orion (starfleet) cadet. I was actually grateful to see Kirk get beat up on several occasions and was rooting for the bad guy(s) to kill him. Is this TREK or TREK 90210 meets TREK Dawson's Creek? A disappointment and nothing more needs to be said.
- Uhura (played by Zoe Saldana) is not bad per say but just didn't do anything in my book. Hope the writers make her more than 90210 eye candy in the next flick.
The Ugly:
- Already talked about corvettes in the future but let me add being driven by a small child who subsequently jumps out of the vette just as it is about to go over the cliff (Kirk -as a boy- of course).
- Already mentioned the silly bridge.
- Already mentioned the overused time travel plot device... yawn....
The Verdict:
It's worth a matinee showing but not a full price ticket and it certainly won't be added to my collection. My TREK died today and I'll have to console myself with the HD re-release of the classic series. This TREK is for a younger crowd.
4 out of 10.
Regards,
Ltstanfo
