Did JJ Abrams ever watch the show?

Rating: 2/10 (24 May 2009)

I went into this movie, maybe expecting to much. The new Kirk was not likable like Shatner was. One of TOS episodes "Shore Leave" has Kirk meeting people from his academy days such as Finnigan and the former love of his life, Ruth. Kirk explained to Spock he was "positively grim" as a student at Star Fleet. Definitely not the character in the movie. Other points made in TOS, referencing a young Ensign Kirk and his brother Sam were completely ignored. Also, the Kobiyashi Maru exercise,in the Wrath of Khan, it was explained the Kirk received a commendation for his original thinking. The list of differences between TOS TV show and movies goes on and on.
However, the highlights were the new Spock and McCoy. Well done portrayals and you can see the actors did their homework.
As someone that watched TOS when it was originally on TV and have been a big fan for 40 years, I was very unimpressed. But, I can see how this movie would appeal to younger viewers, but not people like myself that love TOS and watched it growing up and again in syndication. Was it a good movie? Perhaps. But, the Kirk character was changed to much to suit me. I went into watching this movie with very high expectations and felt left down when it was over.