A Brilliant Reboot

Rating: 10/10 (10 March 2013)

This film shows what Hollywood premier talent can do with a franchise that previously was on its last legs.
I saw this movie when it opened a little less than four years ago. I admit it: I'm an avid Star Trek fan and have been all my life. I had a very good feeling about this movie going in, and when I walked out, I could not be happier that my emotions had been justified.
One does not remake, reboot, or re-anything an entertainment phenomenon as long-lasting as Star Trek without dedication and skill. The director, J. J. Abrams, manifested both qualities in abundance.
The movie began with the time-travel conceit that has been a staple of many a science-fiction story. Abrams ably used it to his advantage to create a new version of the Star Trek universe with characters that both old and new. He gave us a combination of a young Kirk and a familiar setting, with more than enough innovation to make Star Trek new and exciting once again.
With decades of history already written, recorded, and enjoyed by hundreds of millions, the world of Star Trek was running low on fuel. It looked as though "Star Trek: Nemesis" would be the last of a singular breed, at least for quite a while. And it had been years since "Star Trek: Enterprise" had gone off the years after a shortened run. Even die-hard Trek fans were asking themselves whether Star Trek had finally depleted its deuterium reserves.
Along comes Abrams, with his New Hollywood hustle, with the bustle of new productions under his belt, and a reputation as a daring and adventurous filmmaker. The day that Paramount inked its contract with Abrams for a new Star Trek movie was the day that the franchise found new life.
What do we see in "Star Trek" (2009)? As the new sequel draws near, it behooves us to remember: A brash and untried Kirk, a young-yet-cantankerous McCoy, and an ever-logical soon-to-be-best-friend, Spock, whose human side has yet to fully emerge. Together with the rest of the crew, the new cast brings an energy that the previous cast no longer had.
Do yourself a favor: Rather than reading yet another review of "Star Trek" (2009), buy, download, rent, or stream the movie for viewing once again, or break out the discs you purchased, and enjoy this movie for the spectacular it is. I saw it numerous times, including at the theater, and enjoyed every viewing. You will see why the consensus is that this is one of the best films in the Star Trek universe, and why it would be a crime against science fiction moviedom not to catch the new sequel at least once when it comes out this May.
Great entertainment like this doesn't come around too often even for those of us who are lucky enough to live long and prosper.