Where Star Trek has never gone before.

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2009)

So, I just saw this movie yesterday. I'm not much of a Star Trek fan. I mildly enjoyed a few of the films like The Wrath of Kahn and First Contact. Never seen the shows. I didn't really have any particular interest in seeing this new movie. The idea of an angst ridden, teenage Captain Kirk sounded silly to me. Plus, the amount of reboots that Hollywood is shoveling out these days is getting a little out of hand. However, I was asked to go see it and I thought, why not? Might be fun. Well, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Exclamation Point! There was hardly a thing about it I didn't like. I greatly enjoyed the cast and the dynamics they brought to each of the characters. The ensemble is what makes this movie fun. Again, I never saw the original show so I was unfamiliar with many of the characters that I gathered were being portrayed in their premature forms. Example, I have heard of Scotty, but I don't have a clue hardly as to who he is. Whether or not Simon Pegg bared any resemblance to his predecessor, I don't know, but I loved him in this movie. Partially, cause I'm also a Simon Pegg fan, but nevertheless.
The actor who surprised me the most was Chris Pine as James T. Kirk. For some reason, I expected not to like him very much. Again, just looking at the trailer and seeing this young dude attempt to fill Shatner's shoes just sounded like a no go to me. And while I still think he bares little if any resemblance to Shatner, he's actually a good actor. He commits to it and has fun in the role. Part of my enjoyment also comes from the writing and directing. It is well done. There are so many action films these days littered with bad dialogue, and while this film does have bits that are a tad silly, it's done cleverly and it helps when you have good actors.
What I think surprised me the most was the reboot approach to this film. Again, there are so many reboots nowadays, between Batman Begins, Casino Royale, and a million others. This movie takes an entirely different approach. In fact, it's technically not even a reboot, it is another sequel. And the funny thing is, this isn't even revealed till half way through the movie. I was thinking that I was watching something that was entirely new and had thrown everything from before entirely out the window. And then, my perspective was completely flipped over and came crashing down on it's own head. This occurred when Leonard Nemoy came on screen, reprising his most iconic role as the lovable Mr. Spock.
The revelation of this film's continuity occurs when we learn that Spock has gone back in time and disrupted the space time continuum. There is a little Back to the Future in there somewhere I think. Anyway, the destiny of young Kirk and Spock has been altered. I just find this approach interesting. It is a reboot, but it isn't at the same time. Instead they've literally gone back in time and started over. At first, the idea sounds absolutely ridiculous, but this is Star Trek after all, where traveling through space and time is as ordinary as...well, I don't know, but it's common. So, the idea actually works, and works well, and if it warrants a part for Mr. Nemoy, than why the hell not? "Live long and prosper" used to sound kinda dorky to me, but when old Spock says this to young Kirk, it was both fitting and meaningful. Or just, awesome.
For my money, Star Trek (2009) gets a 5 out of 5.