Excellent Star Trek Film - Easily Comparable to Wrath of Khan

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2009)

I am a huge fan of Star Trek and I would recommend this movie highly to fans and non-fans alike. Ironically I did not grow up as a fan but instead discovered the Original Series and the Next Generation at the end of high school and in college about six years ago. I was intrigued by how both series dealt with profound ethical and philosophical questions in an entertaining, albeit lovably cheesy, fashion. That being said I like the Original Series the best and am fascinated by JJ Abrams new vision for the series.
The performances are spot on and all of the actors (especially Chris Pine, Zach Quinto, and Karl Urban) pay tribute to their characters without overdoing it. Eric Bana is wonderful as Nero, a nemesis that hearkens back to the genius and ferocity of Ricardo Montalban's Khan Noonien Singh. The special effects are also worth a mention as they serve to engross you completely in the Star Trek experience. I was on the edge of my seat for much of the movie, marveling at the incredible action.
I can praise the movie until I get carpal tunnel, but I think it is important to address some aspects of this film, mainly the continuity and science. First off, speaking as a person who values scientific accuracy in movies, this movie is not scientifically accurate. The black hole nonsense I can excuse, but the "red matter" aspect is ridiculous. Just take it for what it is though and you will have fun. Another aspect of this film that is especially interesting is that it is not necessarily a prequel since, through the course of the movie, history is changed, and thus, so is the future. Time travel plays a huge role in this film and just because it takes place some years before the Original Series doesn't mean it is a prequel to the events. The time travel is in fact a very interesting and mind boggling plot element that is pulled off nicely even if all of the puzzle pieces don't fit together exactly (i.e. Nero is waiting in Vulcan space for twenty-odd years and no one finds him until Starfleet goes to Vulcan). Thus, history is altered in a pretty significant way. But these deviations from the Original Series are more fun and thought-provoking than they are annoying.
That being said, GO OUT AND SEE THIS FILM! you will love it! I promise!