Great movie, whether you're a fan or not.

Rating: 9/10 (20 May 2009)

I've never been interested in anything "Star Trek" in my life. I don't know why but it just didn't jive with me or it may be because I've been familiar with Star Wars that I didn't even bother to take notice. However, with this new film by Lost/Alias creator JJ Abrams, I'm beginning to take the series, the whole mythology into consideration.
Having not been familiar with Star Trek, apart from name only, my overall impression of this film is simply incredible. It proves that you don't really have to be a fan to appreciate this film and JJ and co did a marvelous job of reinvigorating the iconic characters, settings, and that sleek and stylish as hell mother of all space vessels, the iconic and pop-culturally flavored/revered USS Enterprise. No other fictional spaceship that I know of can match the sheer inventiveness and awesomeness of this stellar craft(even more so than the Millennium Falcon and X-Wing). Plus, it also pays to have the quintessential of film; well-developed characters and plot with sharp direction and pacing of balance, something this film has a great abundance of with a side dish of morality, ethics, and bold heroism, especially from the emotionally restrained Spock (played brilliantly by Zachary Quinto). And surprise surprise, it's even cerebral on many levels!! The others do a great job as well, but I for one connected a lot more with Spock. But it was a treat to see Lenord Nimoy as the original Spock which will make fans gush with with joy. That's one of the nice things about film, seeing old friends from years back.
It's true there are some scenes in the movies reminiscent of the "Star Wars" prequels but they never drag the film down at all but rather serve the film really well unlike the prequels which were layered upon layered with action scenes that were there just for the sake of it. Not so here. The film has a nice balance of action and story, just the way a film of this caliber should be.
Great film, great cast, great action, great story; overall great film for the old and new generation that does a great job of acquainting newcomers to the franchise (myself included). One of the best sci-fi space epics of the year.