The New Star Trek is a Highlight Reel

Rating: 9/10 (8 May 2009)

Seeing the new Star Trek film at its opening in my local theater last night has given release to the nearly two years of tension felt since the announcement that the next film would reboot The Original Series.
It's a tough job; the Original Series, of all the franchises, had the tough job of competing in prime time TV in the pre-cable days of the Big Three Networks in the late 1960's. As such, it fought for audience share against cowboy, cop shows and splashy entertainment specials during its nearly three years on NBC. Trek fans of the modern era, who weren't around when Trek bloomed and faded away back then, often can't understand the steadfast attachment of the Original Trek fans to the series. I always consider it to be in a pristine bubble, where It Was What It Was, regardless of how today's fan, William Shatner or Leonard Nimoy feel about it today. It was often well-written with the craft of that day's trusted network writers, with sprinkles of brilliance from the top sci fi writers of the day; it was a trustable sci fi show, with the fun of the cop and cowboy show all rolled in as well.
This show, and Kubrick's 2001, were the two seachange moments of visual sci fi in that late 60's era, so give them their due.
To the NEW Trek: AWESOME action film. I found it a relief that the first act of the movie throws the whole universe in flux and vibrantly gives license for the substantial revision of the entire Trek universe.
My only complaint is a nagging subtle sense that the plot was crafted using highlights of the previous Trek moneymakers: villain seeking vengeance, time travel ex machinas, and the overall sense of "let's make a fun space kids movie" that crept in all the way back in ST II Wrath of Khan and really didn't leave until the TNG films.
Awesome production design, awesome effects, great fit and finish!! Fun!