Star Trek

Although I have general familiarty with Star Trek and the Star Trek characters, I've never watched any of the Star Trek movies or seen a complete episode of any of the TV series (including the original). I'm a Star Wars fan, so let's get that out of the way.

I did find Star Trek to be a very entertaining prequel. Screenwriters Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman and director J.J. Abrams should be commended for producing a film that's got action, humour (not just jokes), provides backstory to the characters, and is just a good sci-fi space/war film (despite the flimsy plot and weak villain.

I really enjoyed Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto as James T. Kirk and Spock. The way those characters were written (atagonists, who will ultimately become best of friends) and performed reveals both chemistry and complexity. Kirk's emotional baggage (his father died in battle on the day he was born) is revealed in his youth as womanizing recklessness and a cocksure attitude that hides his intelligence and desire to succeed in Star Fleet. Spock's baggage comes from being a half-breed (his father is Vulcan, his mother human) who was bullied by Vulcan children in school, and he, in adulthood struggles to suppress emotion.

The other crew members are enjoyable and this is one blockbuster film where I actually want to see a sequel--providing, of course, it's up to the same standards. Seeing the characters develop and grow, and the inter-relations between the characters (Uhura and Spock are romantically involved, for example), should prove interesting. But they really need to do more with the plot and create a more complex, interesting and powerful villain. And some internal conflict (ie. within the core group) would be good, too.

Star Trek: live long and prosper! Official website. (8.5/10)