Unbelievably Brilliant!

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2009)

Clearly this new Star Trek is not for the purists, those that feel that absolutely nothing should ever change from the original series, and nothing should ever diverge from the ongoing ideals, steadfast beliefs and unswerving viewpoints of Trekkie and Trekker traditionalism. However, I can certainly say that am blown away by this latest offering and thoroughly enjoyed every action packed, pulse raging, sci-fi second of it.
And before I find myself shot down by the Star Trek fraternity for not towing the devout Gene Roddenberry line, I should mention that I was indoctrinated into Star Trek back in 1972 when I was four years old. I waited on tender hooks in the 1980's for the release of Star Trek the Next Generation, watched every episode of Star Trek Voyager during the 1990's with avid interest. I engrossed myself in Star Trek Enterprise with joy, and even tried to keep up with Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I own every Star Trek motion picture and consider myself to be a real fan, not a Trekkie or even a Trekker, but someone who simply enjoys Star Trek because it was good.
Yes this new motion picture is a tangent away from the original Star Trek series. Yes it does deviate from the established character doctrines and the classic good verses evil and we all live happily ever after outcome, but why the hell not? Lest it missed anyone's attention the last motion picture, Star Trek Nemesis, did not fair quite so well at the box office, and Star trek Enterprise was brought to a close after only four seasons. Why, because Star Trek has become predictable, unsurprising, and dare I say it, humdrum, but not for much longer it would seem.
Yes I found myself laughing and chuckling throughout the movie, and yes I was swept away by each panoramic shot of a new Enterprise, so adeptly replicated for the twenty-first century audience that it defies any kind of criticism from the Trekkie/Trekker perfectionists. I found every character, from Spock (Zachary Quinto), through to the dumb burly security officer was eminently portrayed, with exceptional performances by Simon Pegg (Scotty) and Karl Urban (Bones). Even Leonard Nimoy clearly enjoyed his part in this mind-blowing feast of special effects, stunningly crafted sets, and fast paced cinematography. Even the hand phasers that have been perfectly redesigned, combining the old with the new offer a science fiction geek like myself the chance of seeing a Star Trek as it should have always been, not the cardboard and balsa-wood archetypes of the 1960's that are woefully outdated.
Chris Pine was simply outstanding in his role as the young captain Kirk, a character so historically entrenched in the minds of all Star Trek fans it seems impossible to imagine anyone else but William Shatner playing that part. Yet within minutes of his appearance I was not only able to accept this youthful usurper, but found it difficult to separate the idea that Chris Pine was not indeed William Shatner himself, somehow magically rejuvenated just for this movie. Again, Zoe Saldana who played Nyota Uhura was tremendous, still sporting that bizarre earpiece that has always denoted Uhura's position as communications officer, and just as stunning as Nichelle Nichols in the original series. Admittedly the relationship between Nyota Uhura and another well known bridge office was something of a difficult twist to accept, but it still brought something special to the new Star Trek.
Congratulations J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman you have done the impossible and done it well. I and all of my friends are once again in awe of Star Trek and biting our fingernails in anticipation of the next Star Trek blockbuster movie. Don't disappoint us.