Space action-adventure that's good enough on its own merits.

Rating: 6/10 (25 September 2014)

I won't be comparing this with Star Trek canon or the previous films and shows. Suffice to say this film delivers a non-stop rush of sci-fi action and special effects that is sure to satisfy anyone's thirst for the stuff.
The acting and characterisation of the main protagonists, Kirk and Spock, are well captured and delivered, though they are not consistently likable cadets. They bring out a lot of human qualities to the film that people can associate with. There's good chemistry and charm between them that keeps you interested throughout the roller-coaster story. The rest of the cast are serviceable but not outstanding, although Bones does a good job at injecting some world-weary cynicism and humanity to an otherwise tense plot.
Kirk's rise to captaincy and the relationship with his crew is actually more interesting than the heavy-handed revenge scenario that takes itself a little too seriously and tries to be too clever for its own good. Unfortunately, the elements of highbrow sci-fi become too confusing and silly and this let down the decent drama built up over the course of the film.
The main villain, Nero, gives the film an air of menace whenever he's around but his personality and motivations are poorly fleshed out and not rationalised very well. In essence he and his crew take the role of one-dimensional villains that receive very little screen time.
Overall, Star Trek does a good job at maintaining excitement and interest but at the same time delivers a flawed and unnecessarily complicated story.