A Superb Reinvention of the Series

Rating: 9/10 (18 May 2009)

Director JJ Abrams is not the obvious choice to make a success of this film. Steeped in the episodic nature of TV serial "Lost" and with "Cloverfield" a divisive project, handing $150m dollars to him was a risk. But the risk has paid off triumphantly.He has produced an exciting reinvention of the original to set the scene for how it all began.
For aficionados, the characters are faithfully represented, yet with the twist that their younger persona's can be explored. Thus a young rebellious, hot headed Kirk is brilliantly played out by Chris Pine,and the "sex on legs" Uhuru is sassily strutted by Zoe Saldana.It is easy to forget that her part was the first mainstream, principal female black character seen on American TV.
Improbably, the Studios paid as much attention to the plot as to the special effects. Consequently we are given a visual feast as a backdrop for a coherent, believable well executed story. Divulging too much plot may spoil things for the uninitiated, suffice to say it has a pleasant surprise and Star trek traditions are maintained.Unusually there are also a few " laugh out loud" jokes.
A treat for old fans, and wholly digestible for the uninitiated, a sequel at least is both guaranteed, and deserved.