Star Trek

Usually when the term “reboot” or “re-imagined” is applied to a new entry in a franchise, I tend to wince a bit. It usually means that whoever owns the property is simply slapping a new coat of paint on it the color of “whatever-will-get-those-with-money-to-pay-up-and-watch-this-old-stuff-again”. There might actually be some good ideas and concepts in the re-make, but it usually pales in comparison the the vision of the original. Or it just sucks hard.

I say this so you can understand the weight of when I say that J.J. Abrams reboot of Star Trek is pretty much the gold standard of how to reboot an old and cherished property.

This movie rocks. It’s a very well done, fast and funny action movie. The story not steeped in the series usual heavy allegory and metaphor. But this doesn’t make it light fluff either, since the depth and heart of the film comes from the origins of the main characters and relationships. This choice and mix of material manages the highly tricky feat of being able to appeal to both the Trekkie and the non-Trekkie.

While the humor does nod to the show’s various conventions and some famous lines and phrases, it never stoops to parody. This film manages to be even funnier than Trek IV!

The acting and cast are dead on for everyone with a special nod to Chris Pine, who pulls off the amazing acting feat of channeling James T. Kirk without invoking William Shatner. Zachary Qunito not only looks the part of Spock completely, but deftly conveys the character’s struggle of logical versus emotional quite vividly. This really carries to all the main cast, who take these classic characters and make them their own.

I could really go on, but the point is: see it! Without question: see it. TheJoe and I saw this in IMAX and not only do I feel it was worth seeing in that format, I would see it again in the theater. See it.