Blinded by the light

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2009)

I'm a lifelong Trek fan in all of its incarnations. Loved the movie. Great story. Great laughs. Truly exciting and invigorating. Amazing fun ride.
Just one beef with the execution of the movie: Is it just me or was there some crazy unbridled CG lighting geek working on the movie that was totally in love with blinding lens flares, light sources, and reflections? Yes, CG dudes and dudettes, these lighting effects are beautiful, impressive, and bring realism to a largely CG movie. But at some point they just become ridiculous and distracting. The scenery is so complex, beautiful, and intriguing that I wanted to pay more attention to it, but I found it difficult with 2, 3, 4 or more glinting, flickering, flashing, or otherwise scene-obscuring lighting effects per shot causing me to squint or close my eyes or have my attention drawn out of the scene. Honestly, by the end of the movie I found myself rolling my eyes and chuckling every time the movie trotted out one more kitschy distracting lighting effect. Oh, there's the sun in my eyes again... Come on. Really?
OK, so, in the grand scheme of things, a very minor technical criticism. Annoying but not unforgivable. On the whole the movie is an amazing achievement and excellent start to a new Star Trek era. Live long and prosper...and wear your sunglasses kiddies!