An extraordinary film

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2009)

Star Trek is an impressive, extremely entertaining film that will delight trekkers, more casual fans (like this reviewer) and people new to the franchise alike. For me, the effect was the same as when I saw Star Wars as a boy more than 30 years ago. The keys are in the writing and the characterisation, some decent acting (particularly from Quinto and an extraordinarily well-preserved Nimoy) and a confident, joyous direction that shows Abrams was really having fun. And when the director is enjoying himself this much, so shall we. The story is tight, (mostly) holds together, there's a good villain and the script is believable. There are some delightful scenes and asides that really make this film, most notably (for me) the shimmering backdrops of 23rd-century Iowa (complete with gargantuan, unexplained buildings rising from the prairies), the believability of the interior of the spacecraft and nice touches like a Vulcan schoolroom. There are plenty of references and homages too that sci-fi fans will have fun with. Kirk gets (briefly) marooned on an ice-planet, shades of Empire Strikes back, and the inevitable multi-species cocktail bar near to the spaceport - both standard, and fun, sci-fi tropes. There are 'Lost'-like references too - the rather Dharma-like research station in which Scotty works, and of course the clever use of time travel as a coherent plot device rather than just a gimmick. Even the small things delight: the grubby bits of the Enterprise, the low-tech plastic industrial curtains, the Corvette and Kirk's motorbike. Good writing, good direction and good acting. Who needs special effects? But these are here, in abundance, as well. I wouldn't be surprised if this wins Oscars. A sequel? Make it so.