Just another action movie, not the Star Trek I know and love

Rating: 6/10 (6 July 2013)

I consider myself a bit of a trekkie. Not one that speaks Klingon or Vulcan, but one who loves the show (original and new generation), and has watched most of the movies. In fact, only this morning I watched an episode of new generation to accompany my breakfast. And I was thrilled to finally find the time to watch this movie later in the day, especially since it's garnered such favourable reviews. Turns out, of the two, I immensely preferred today's show to today's movie.
In ascending order, here are my reasons:
3. Spock's portrayal as being the constant nag, who is constantly ignored by kid Kirk. Whatever happened to the great chemistry shared between these characters, and Spock being Kirk's most trusted aide. Sure the movie shows that they're willing to risk all for each other, but it completely fails to show why. Spock for me comes across as more of a machine, with no real wisdom, and his triumph over Khan is only achieved after receiving much needed advice from his older, better and future self. And when he does show emotion after Kirk's death, its a bit too much, especially when he goes ballistic (aka Kirklike) on Khan. And Kirk, instead of having grown and matured since the 1st movie, seems to have regressed into a bar fighter. The Kirk I know might have broken all rules to save his best friend, but he wouldn't lie about it later.
2. Why the reinvention of an old Star Trek movie? There is so much new ground that can be explored. Is Hollywood so completely out of ideas? And when you re-do key scenes (of course I'm referring to the radiation room death), its sweet in a way because its a little tribute to the original. But you know what, given this is a Star Trek movie, you don't need to provide tributes in this form. The fact that you're making a Star Trek movie, with the same characters as Gene Rodenberry's creation, is enough of a tribute. Simple fact is, if I wanted to watch Wrath of Khan, I'd go to NetFlix. But when I go to the movie cinema to watch a new Star Trek movie, I'd like to see a new Star Trek movie.
1. Star Trek isn't just about action set in space. Nor is it just about humans betraying and killing other humans. Star Trek is about cultural and scientific exploration. The fact that the sole premise of this movie is just about a manhunt (even Wrath of Khan had the important side story about the Genesis project), and war mongering between the federation and the Klingon empire makes this feel not like a Star Trek movie, but just any other summer action blockbuster. Which isn't what I at least wanted.
So all in all....if you just want an entertaining action movie, go see this movie. But if you're looking for an original story, and a Star Trek movie, you'll be better off looking elsewhere