A feast for the eyes in almost every way...

Rating: 9/10 (10 June 2009)

My knowledge of Stark Trek goes as far back as the 1980 film release "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". So, having not seen the original television series in the 60s, I did not know what J.J. Abrams was going to pull off. So far, from the work he has done, I've been impressed. With an open-mind, I went to see the film.
For starters, I will call it a feast for the eyes. The CGI is outstanding, and the photography plasters the scenes throughout the film beautifully. The works of the production, set, costume, and make-up design are exquisite. I evenly thoroughly enjoyed Michael Giacchino's epic score. In addition, J.J. Abram's use of hand-held camera and unique camera angles add to creativity of the film.
The cast, to a huge surprise, meshed into their roles perfectly. I'll be honest, I've never heard of most of the actors in the film before, but each of them is close to flawless. I will mention though that Zoe Saldana as Uharu was a disappointment. She has a great figure, but her acting is paper thin and rather annoying. Not giving too much of the plot away, it was a bigger let down that Kirk does not get the girl.
This maybe considered a good twist since it is typical in most modern-day films that the good guy gets the girl and rides off in the sunset with her, but I think the scriptwriters' choice of romance in the film was a mistake.
There are other things in the film that I found rather jarring, such as some of the character traits introduced in both Kirk and Spock. In the 1980s films, William Shatner stood as a guy who always won a fought, well, in this Star Trek, Kirk may throw the first punch in a brawl, but he then gets close to being dead many, many times in which some external force ends up saving him. As with Spock, well, I'll just say that I never imagined him as being such a jerk, but then again, the scriptwriters eventually make the two characters develop a respect for one another.
The remainder of the story was fine for such a big sci-fi epic. It's nothing Oscar worthy, but it stands as being creative, holding my interest from start to finish. Overall, Star Trek is a wonderful film that has brought back hope into the Star Trek franchise. If they make a second one, which I think the filmmakers will, I'll definitely be attending at a theater nearby.
My rating: ***1/2 out of ****
Don't wait for DVD, see it on the big screen!