STAR TREK

STAR TREK (Paramount Pictures)
Directed by J.J. Abrams

For some crazy reason, I truly thought this day would never come. Call it ignorance, but after the last stint of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE, ironically in May 2005, I felt this cult series would never be reborn, whether that was in film or on TV. But, as some will note, this series was left for dead after its initial run in 1966, only to be picked back up for re-runs that became more popular than when the show first aired. That’s impressive and quite the tale to tell, as many “Trekkies” still like to do, but whether it was reborn then or now, this series somehow never goes away. No matter how bad or cheesy it gets, there will always be someone who wants to reinvent the magic. So, when Paramount contacted director J.J. Abrams and Co. to help come up with new ideas for the franchise, the news couldn’t have hit the media outlets any quicker. Some rejoiced and some rejected this news, but yours truly silently took note, knowing J.J. Abrams didn’t casually sign on for anything. Aimed to create a film that would reach a wider audience, they went to work and by late 2007, filming had begun for what Abrams said would be an entertaining and fresh version of STAR TREK. Well, the famed director couldn’t have been more right, as this film takes you where this series has never gone before, igniting a new following that shakes the core of what many fans have known and loved about the franchise for so long.

Instead of recycling some older storyline that has frankly already been done, J.J. Abrams and his writers decided to go in a different direction, opting to sort of start over with how a young James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) became the iconic figures we know today. After first meeting at the Starfleet Academy, the two are chosen by Captain Pike (Bruce Greenwood) to take flight with the Starship Enterprise for what was supposed to be a relatively routine mission. Only hours into the voyage, Enterprise encountered Narada, a relentless ship led by Captain Nero (Eric Bana) out to destroy all living planets. After trapping the Enterprise and destroying its fleet, Nero orders Captain Pike to surrender, leaving Spock in command and Kirk as first officer. While Nero interrogates Pike for the codes to find Earth, Spock and Kirk get into a slight altercation, resulting in Kirk’s exit to Delta Vega where he ironically runs into an older version of his nemesis. After relaying the future for Kirk through a crafty mind meld, the old ambassador insists Kirk must become Captain of the Enterprise to help save what will one day be all his to command. Of course doing so, would be no easy task, as Kirk first had to beam back onto the Enterprise, before cleverly seizing control away from Spock. The next thing you knew, the new captain and former captain were on Narada, rescuing Pike and devising a much bigger plan to end this Romulan threat once and for all, leading to a conclusion that will have you on the edge of your seat.

For many, the cast in STAR TREK isn’t one you will recognize too easily, but thats actually a good thing. Director J.J. Abrams wanted that, choosing to breathe new life into the franchise with some fresh blood, all the while staying true to the core of what makes STAR TREK one of the most well known series of all time. And leading his cast was Chris Pine, maybe the best decision Abrams could have made, as this guy was all over the place as a young Captain Kirk. Not only was he true to the history of the character, he showed what a fresh face can do for a series that was left for dead. In fact, the entire cast here showed that with the right script penned by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman; anything can be reborn. Equaling Pine every step of the way was Zachary Quinto (TV’s HEROES), who played a very convincing Spock. The two stood toe to toe as the combining force behind this film making sure their story was told; just the way Abrams intended it. But it wasn’t just Pine and Quinto who made this story go. Every piece to this cast fit into the right place, like a master jigsaw puzzle that only Abrams knew the formation to. Pieces like Bruce Greenwood (Capt. Pike), Karl Urban (Dr. Leonard 'Bones' McCoy), John Cho (Hikaru Sulu) and Zoe Saldana (Nyota Uhura), who all seemed to be the perfect fit for the role they were given aboard the infamous ship. And then the standouts like Simon Pegg as Scotty, who was hilarious at times while Eric Bana turned in of the best villains I have seen in awhile, as Nero. But, maybe the true gift to this cast was the cameo by one of the original series superstars, Leonard Nimoy, who commanded each line given to him, showing he still has a little something in that famed mind of his.

I think all those doubters of director J.J. Abrams on whether he could pull this film off or not, are now his biggest fans as he truly did we he set out to do. Not only did he create a new STAR TREK following, regenerating a series that was lost in a black hole; but he made sure he had something for the long-time fans too, plugging in very subtle 'TREK' mythology and humor that made this series loved for so long. And the best part is, this film is all new, as the story in itself covers a timeline no one has ever seen, but all secretly wanted. So, to be able to tread those kinds of waters; hoping to make the traditional fans happy while also bringing on a whole new core of fan like myself, who never gave one second to the older versions, no matter the format, is impressive. To me, that’s the key to the job Abrams did here, as to make a fan out of someone like me, is no small feat. I can’t begin to tell you how stupid I thought this series was growing up, so credit Abrams for that, as I’m positive I’m not the only new fan craving to see more of what I just saw. But, it wasn’t just in the way Abrams put it all together; he truly is one hell of a director and he made sure each and every moment to this story was fresh and one you would want to experience again. Whether that was during the breathtaking visuals through space or on board the Enterprise, it all just seemed so seamless. No rough edges to this film, which is strange, given all its predecessor’s history, so maybe if there’s one thing to take away from a technical perspective, it’s that this film looked and felt almost perfect.

For a cult series like STAR TREK, no one really knows why it became so big some 40 plus years ago and trust me, I still wonder despite my feelings on this new prequel. But, somewhere in the middle of all those classic TV shows and film lies a core of characters worth going back to explain, which is precisely what director J.J. Abrams wanted to do, unleashing his own version for a series he was only a casual fan of growing up. That might be surprising to some, but for me is the perfect anecdote to what I believe will be the jump-start to something great for a franchise that has already lived through this feeling once. So, call it second-coming or rebirth, but I just call it what it is; which is one thrilling and entertaining ride to experience each step of the way.

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