Star Trek Review

Seriously, how good is the latest Star Trek?

Allow me to put it in perspective this reviewer's state of mind with this film.  I am a hardcore classic Trek fan.  That's not to say that I have seen every single episode, know every movie by heart, or even seen the animated series.  Far from it.  In fact, I've seen a few of the episodes, I have seen all the Classic Trek movies, but don't know them by heart, and I've seen very few of the animated series.  That's not to say that I am a Star Trek fan.  In fact, I am a huge fan.  In fact, one would say I would be called a Trekkie, if not for the fact that I don't wear the pointed ears or the Starfleet uniform in  real life.   Hell, I don't even own a Star Trek action figure.  (My wife owns the classic Trek Barbies though, but that's another story...)

Imagine my shock and wonderful surprise when I saw the trailer for Star Trek.  I was not expecting to go as absolutely insane over this movie as I did based on the trailer alone.  This is Star Wars caliber excitement for me people.  I am a hardcore Star Wars fan.  More so than Trek.   Don't get me wrong, I don't mean the original trilogy, I mean the prequels.  And yes, I am aware of the fact that it took them eleven movies to accomplish that but I believe in quality over quantity and while Wrath of Khan  is much beloved in the hearts of fans,  (mine included) it was a different kind of good.   

This has changed...

J.J. Abrams has brought us a Trek that I can finally say, kicks the ass of Star Wars.  Yeah, I said it.  In fact, Abrams has brought us a Trek that for the first time that I have gone to see a Trek movie in the theater (and I have been doing this since Wrath of Kahn), that is not only accessible to both fans and non fans, not only effectively reboots the franchise in such a way that it does not leave the non fans isolated and wondering if they missed something by not being familiar with the original series, makes enough winks and nods to us old Trekkies to remind us of just who these wonderful characters are, and also delivers a truly visceral, and visual experience that you would never get with a Star Trek movie.  This is the Star Trek that we have all been waiting for.

The cast is absolutely fantastic and they bring to life the characters that we have known and loved from the original show to life in a way that almost makes us forget about the iconic originals.  I say almost as this is an alternate take on these people.  To explain more, would be spoiling so I will not say anything more about that.

 Chris Pine as James T. Kirk delivers a performance that does not attempt to copy William Shatner.  That said, he brings Kirk to life with an intensity, humor and charm that still makes his rendition feel like Kirk.  Pine does this very effectively.  Zoe Saldana brings a raw sexiness to Uhura that I was not expecting.  She also is an excellent actress as she has quite a few very emotional moments with a certain character that bring her talent to the forefront.  Simon Pegg as Scotty is wonderful.  The accent, the quirkiness, the famous line of the ship giving all she's got, Pegg is absolutely a delight to see on screen.  John Cho as Sulu is excellent.  He copies George Takei's voice almost perfectly and yes, we do get to see Sulu swordfight in this movie and that fight is awesome.  Anton Yelchin as Chekov has some very funny moments because of the accent.  His character works and even gets a moment to shine which is something that the original Chekov did not get all that much.  Zachary Quinto as Spock is incredible.  He brings a quiet intensity to the role, yet does not underplay much of what Leonard Nimoy brought to the original character.  Quinto is the performance to watch.  His casting in the role was what made me really take notice as he is fantastic in the NBC show Heroes.  His casting in Trek is no exception.  Quinto is a fantastic actor and it shows in this movie. 

I am forgetting to mention my favorite performance in the movie by far.  That would be Karl Urban as McCoy.  Urban brings the role to life in a way I would have never expected.  He was cranky, he was moody, and absolutely hysterical. Urban's McCoy is simply wonderful and for me at least, the standout performance in the movie. 

Michael Giacchino's music score is something that is iconic in the sense that it used some of Alexander Courage's old music from the classic series, yet injects the movie with his own original, incredibly stirring score.  Giacchino is no stranger to great music in movies, with his work in "The Incredibles" being a prime example.  His music in this movie brings a new theme that does not try to copy Jerry Goldsmith's work in the previous Trek films.  Giacchino's score is absolutely fantastic.

I am going to refrain from talking about the story, the villain and the big cameo from the old series for this movie as there are the inevitable millions of reviews that will talk about all these things.  But understand this, Star Trek is the real deal.  This is the best movie of the summer so far.  It deserves, nay, screams for an audience to cheer, laugh, and even cry to its every frame.  J.J. Abrams has delivered us a movie that does not disappoint in any way, shape, or form.  In short, go see Star Trek.  You will be glad you did.