Re-launching "Star Trek"

Rating: 10/10 (18 June 2009)

After the debacle of "Mission: Impossible III," J.J. Abrams has redeemed himself as a filmmaker with the new reboot of the "Star Trek" franchise. Yes, I was prepared to hate this prequel, but it is a solid piece of entertainment with a look-alike cast, terrific special effects, warp speed momentum, and fantastic villain in Eric Bana. Happily, Leonard Nimoy's role is more than just a cameo. Most older "Trek" fans of my age will enjoy this sci-fi adventure opus and the maiden voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise is memorable as well as the back stories on the regular "Star Trek" characters. The film works not only as a prequel but also as a tribute to the venerable series.
Abrams and his scenarists open this epic with a bang-up sci-fi battle that coincides with the birth of Jim Kirk as his father George evacuates them off the doomed Starship U.S.S. Kelvin. They provide glimpses of the lives of Spock growing up on Vulcan and suffering the torment of Vulcan who treat him with nothing less than contempt. Meanwhile, James T. Kirk grows up to become a renegade, a daredevil. As an unruly kid, he steals his step-fathers vintage Corvette and drives it off a cliff when a motorcycle cop tries to pull him over. Clinging the edge of a cliff and trying to hoist himself up to safety becomes a way of life for Kirk. The next time we see him he tries to get fresh with a bar room of Star Fleet Academy types and they stomp him butt into the ground. Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood of "Thirteen Days") intervenes and tries to persuade Kirk to join Star Fleet Academy because he has the grades and he could get a command in three years.
Spock grows up and refuses an opportunity to serve Vulcan. Instead, he opts to become an officer in the Federation, something that seriously upsets the Vulcans who have tried to overlook his half-breed quality. Spock's father (Ben Cross) married an Earth woman while he was ambassador to Earth and Spock was a product of that union.
The alternate reality plot is something else. Nero plans to destroy Earth as well as other Federation planets because his planet where his wife lived was destroyed. It's a really complicated plot. Nero commands a gigantic ship that resembles briars.
There is a lot of action, suspense, and humor.