Enjoyable SciFi but a bit distracting for Trek fans.

Rating: 8/10 (9 May 2009)

To begin with, as a standalone SciFi action-adventure movie, it will be great fun. This probably even more true for non Trek fans who are not well versed Trek lore or the so-called "Trek Universe." The effects were outstanding and most of the leads did goods jobs bringing iconic characters back to life. Karl Urban did particularly well as bones.
The problem with this movie is with the lack of continuity with the 40 plus years of Trek lore that preceded it. There are simply too many things that will have Trek fans going "huh?" Abrams and the writers seem to be trying to explain these away with an alternative time line but it just doesn't work. There are too many to ignore or dismiss. even in that context of an alternate time line many of the more glaring continuity issues don't make sense.
I'm not one of those Trek zealots or purists, nor do I generally sit there while watching a movie looking for gaffs. In fact, my usual response to such criticisms is, "It's a movie, get over it." However, in this case if you mess with the continuity as often as they did in this movie it becomes a distraction to the viewer, as it did for me in this case. Which is why I gave it an 8 instead of a 9 or 10.
The continuity issue aside, I recommend that anyone who enjoys SciFi or just a good action filled flick go see this on the big screen. It's worth the 11 bucks.