"Out-numbered, out-gunned", a starship crew decide "to boldly go" and "choose the danger"!

Rating: Null/10 (14 May 2013)

Generations of earthlings have been brought up following the exploits of the crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701). Star Trek (2009) was set in the early days of the Starfleet Kobayashi Maru training exercise. That J J Abrams film was set in an alternate reality and this new film is too, as it follows on from the earlier film. Thus this is different from the original TV series. Much is familiar but it is also slightly different. J J Abrams said that he wanted to make a film that appealed to old fans as well as those new to the story. Therefore this reviewer would advise older viewers to set aside the older reality and throw themselves into this new one. As the good Doctor would say "It's life Jim, but not as we know it!".
For some older viewers, the new actors fitted in well to the 2009 film. The single exception being Chris Pine. Growing up with William Shatner as "the overgrown schoolboy charging around the universe", Pine did not seem to fit. The Shatner incarnation of Captain James T Kirk really seemed to be like an overgrown schoolboy. He had charm, wit and a twinkle in his eye. The Pine reincarnation was a sullen bruiser with no charm. This reviewer was of that position after seeing the 2009 film. However this new film suggests that view was too harsh. Here Pine is starting to become charming. What must be remembered is that these are the early days of Kirk. It takes time for the rebellious, surly and nervous cadet to mature into the Captain at ease with his command. The young man is already a bit of a ladies-man and can comfortably handle rough-house, the rest will come with time. That is only logical.
So Pine is good, as are the rest of the crew of the Enterprise. British actor Simon Pegg plays a Scottish engineer, and Benedict Cumberbatch, another Brit., also has a big part. The crew-members all had little scenes that developed their characters. There are interesting relationships between them. All, but one, were very human. Even the one, showed a human side.
The Bridge of the Enterprise is very modern-looking. The Engine-room is breathtakingly different from the previous incarnations of an older time. Uniforms tend to stick to the traditional colour-code, however there is a much different look to the uniforms, at first surprising, then interesting.
The film title is obscure and thankfully the cinema trailer is misleading and doesn't give away the plot.
The film is a fast action SF story. There are chases and shootouts between spaceships as well as humans. There is also some exciting hand-to-hand combat and humour. All the usual ingredients of a Star Trek movie are in this film. However although there are some interesting plot-twists, as a whole, the plot is poor. Thus the film will probably be found more interesting by new viewers of Star Trek, however older viewers may enjoy the tweaks.
Having said that, for all those cinema-goers looking for an action movie, for SF fans, and for Star Trek fans, all are recommended "to boldly go". However do not go too boldly at the end of the film, as the last film shots and the music, at the end credits, are both well worth waiting for.
Warp factor: 9.