Amazing - A Good Star Trek Movie

Rating: 8/10 (10 May 2009)

For me, the Star Trek movie series ended after "Wrath Of Khan". That was the last movie that resembled the original Star Trek series in feel and look. The other Star Trek movies did not even qualify as entertaining as stand alone movies, much less as part of a franchise. Zoe Saldana did not even come close to Nichelle Nichols as Uhura. She did not have the same sultry presence or any presence at all and her passion for Spock just seemed to be there because it was in the script. Simon Pegg, whom I like for his other movies, was a poor Scotty and was probably cast because he has such a huge following. He did a poor Scottish accent to boot. Zachary Quinto, for me, took some getting used to as the young Spock. He worked as a substandard look-alike (too soft), but lacked the intensity and intelligence that Leonard Nimoy brings to the role even at 78 years old. I constantly had to remind myself that this guy was supposed to be Spock. Chris Pine nails the young Kirk and was better (sorry Bill) than William Shatner was in fulfilling the original Tiberius. All accolades go to Karl Urban, however, for his portrayal of the younger Doctor McCoy, Dead-On and as funny as hell. Anton Yelchin was an over-the-top and heavily accented Pavel Chekov who really kick-started my imagining of these separate people as a team and crew. His very heavy accent and quizzical looks make him one of the strongest characters (behind Bones). While Eric Bana as Nero is no Khan, he is menacing enough in his mining ship - (if this is what the mining ships of the future look like I would hate to see what the fully armed battleships look like (shudder))- to give the older Spock and his counterpart crew a run for their money while creating a tense atmosphere.
Despite my above criticism I thought this movie was great and recommend it highly. I am amazed that after so many flops they finally got it right! Enjoy.