The Hero Emerges in "Star Trek"

Rating: 10/10 (10 May 2009)

On planet Vulcan while preparing for the defining moment in young Spock's life, his mother Lady Amanda (loving Winona Ryder) tells her son (Zachary Quinto), "Oh Spock, you will always have a proud mother." That was Director J.J. Abrams's defining moment for me. His "Star Trek" is about the hero emerging from the love and legacy of family. Writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman create a classic story of the hero and destiny, with humor and great passion. They also have a reverence for what has come before, and the signature phrases of familiar iconic characters. Abrams, Orci, and Kurtzman may have altered the mythology for the better.
Orci and Kurtzman reinvent "Star Trek" as their own. The result is amazing storytelling. In the opening of "Star Trek", they choose to illustrate the childhood and young adulthood of James T. Kirk and Spock before they entered Starfleet Academy. Child Spock (good Jacob Kogan) awaits the taunts of his fellow students regarding his half human, half Vulcan pedigree. However, when one Vulcan kid basically calls his mother a whore, Spock beats the crap out of that student. Note that in the Vulcan Way: emotion is acknowledged and controlled by choosing logic. Picking up Spock from the "principal's office" his father Sarek (austere Ben Cross) implores his son, "You will always be a child of two worlds, and fully capable of deciding your own destiny. The question you face is: Which path will you choose?" After holding his own against 4 Starfleet cadets, Captain Christopher Pike (strong and commanding Bruce Greenwood) tells Jim Kirk (Chris Pine), "Your father was Captain of a starship for 12 minutes. He saved 800 lives, including your Mother's, and yours. I dare you to do better." Pike is straight with rebel Kirk. He has all makings of greatness, so when is he going to knock it off, and step up? "Star Trek" resonates in its story of the hero emerging.
The last element comes later with appearance of "old" Spock (great Leonard Nimoy), who plays an integral role in this narrative mythology. Here Nimoy provides gravitas as he advises Kirk (Pine) to reach out to his younger Spock (Quinto). Funny and ironically Pine points out to old Spock, "We don't like each other. You hate me!" Spock reminds Kirk that they both need a "defining friend". The hero is defined by his friend or rival. In this case his rival is Romulan Nero (darkly powerful Eric Bana), who apparently is from a future time frame, here to exact his revenge for the loss of a loved one. Bana is brilliant in illuminating Nero's intentions, but never enrolling us in his cause.
With the back drop filled, the relational dynamic is ready for warp drive as familiar characters enter the Academy and begin their careers. Karl Urban nails Dr. Leonard McCoy in persona and spirit. He even utters, "I'm a doctor, not a physicist!" Zoe Saldana is stunningly beautiful and amazing as Nyota Uhura, future communications officer. She is strong, and provides a surprising pivotal love interest. John Cho and Anton Yelchin are good as Hikaru Sulu and Anton Chekov, each have done their homework. Simon Pegg fortunately appears nearly half way through the movie as engineer Scotty. Pegg is wonderful, and provides the movie's more whimsical moments. He even says, "I can't give her anymore, Captain!"
Predictably, Nero's reign of terror calls the cadets to emergency action. The suspended cadet Kirk and Commander Spock serve with Captain Pike on the Starship Enterprise. The Enterprise looks great and the CGI effects are slick. Fortunately, Abrams focuses on character and plot. The space battles are impressive, but are secondary to the battle of wills of Kirk and Spock. At a narrative arc Spock commands Kirk, "I will not allow you to lecture me!" Kirk replies, "Then why don't you stop me?" Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto give star defining performances and define "Star Trek". Pine emerges as the handsome and rugged leading man, who has a light touch and surprising power. He owns Jim Kirk's brashness and raw courage, and is never caricature. Quinto is simply amazing as Spock. Not only does he look like a younger Spock, he provides a restrained edge and compassion. Quinto boldly captures a character struggling to hide his innate humanity.
Under J.J. Abrams's guidance and Orci and Kurtzman's amazing storytelling, "Star Trek" is one of the best movies of the year. "Star Trek" is the touching story of heroes, love, and family. "Star Trek" gets it right.