Dammit Jim!

Rating: 7/10 (10 May 2009)

Greetings again from the darkness. Full disclosure: I am not a Trekie and I have a personal rule - any film with Bruce Greenwood sucks. So imagine my pleasant surprise when I actually enjoyed JJ Abrams newest reincarnation of the franchise AND Mr. Greenwood plays a pivotal role! No doubt serious Star Trek fans will be disappointed in the content. Sci-fi details play a minuscule role in this wide-eyed, special effects feast. This film is closer to being "Spider-man" than it is to being a science fiction lesson. As a matter of fact, the black hole creations are a bit humorous to even a science dope like me. Still for two hours you can't take your eyes off the screen ... except when the idiot behind you keeps kicking your seat.
Casting is stellar and really helps the film work. Chris Pine (so excellent in Bottle Shock as the goofy son) and Zachary Quinto (Heroes) are terrific as Jim Kirk and Spock, the early years. We see the early head-butting and foundation for the friendship. An unrecognizable Eric Bana plays bad guy Nero and Karl Urban is very good as the serious Bones McCoy. Beautiful Zoe Saldana seems to overact a bit as Uhura and Simon Pegg livens up the film, even though he seems misplaced, as Scotty.
Don't miss Winona Ryder as Spock's mom, Jennifer Morrison (House) as Kirk's mom in intergalactic labor and ultra-rich Tyler Perry as the Admiral in charge of the hearing for a cheating Jim Kirk. All nice touches by TV guru, Abrams. Still, by far the most fun, is Leonard Nimoy's time on screen. He brings a majestic presence and a touch of class and history to his role. Very cool.
Music is fine, but you have to wait for the end credits to hear the original theme song (written by creator Gene Roddenberry). JJ Abrams has delivered a very watchable and exciting chapter to the Star Trek franchise ... not a simple thing to do in light of some of the past attempts.