We have all known the franchise Star Trek as a long running series spanning across atleast two generations (43 long years) and we have all known JJ Abrams (director) through smash hit addictions like ALIAS and LOST. So here he comes again re imagining and bringing to life a mega special effects extravaganza with all the capabilities of present day animation. So whats the result? Well, some exotic display of space frontiers, star ships, morphed creatures and state-of-the-art video game like yield.But along with all this jamboree, poor non-Star Trek lovers like me was sucked into the confounding world of Vulcans and Earthlings and took as many as first 30 mins just to figure out the backgrounds attached to the characters. Coming to the plot - This is claimed to be not so vintage Star Trek - To begin, we go back to the day of James T. Kirk's birth in deep space while escaping in a capsule out of a wasted ship, when his father makes a noble sacrifice to save the lives of others, including that of his to be born son . The next time we see young Jim — in an energetic Spielberg-influenced sequence (one of the best moments of the film(— he's a bratty Iowa boy of about 11, stealing a car called a vintage car on fossil fuel (we are talking about 2050s i guess). Flash forward another decade and Kirk (Chris Pine) is a townie. He's still a brat, but also brawny and possessing a William Shatner-esque swagger (My favorite swagger by the way - Boston Legal - also Ex- Star Trek Kirk). Then there is rest of the classy cast of Spock (Zachary Quinto)and other members with whom the series lovers will identify. Rest of the story - When you go and see the movie.
Mind you , this is not the first attempt of Star Trek on Big Screen but 11th. Last one was about seven years ago. Not that people dont tell me it has a fresh look and feel ought to be present in an ambitious summer blockbuster.
Ups:
- Grand FX and pure Star Trek space adrenaline - The graphics are nothing short of a spectacle as they must be for a movie reaching across universe and galaxies - Even in characterisation - Kirk and Spock are played wonderfully and cast with precision :)
- Though it takes a while for a newbie to get hang of the storyline, but once you do there is enough there to keep you hooked - eg. chemistry between Kirk and Spock is well developed
Downs:
- Believe it or not - JJ falls into his own trap of doing too many series and at the point of climax it looks more like a silly tele series than a grandeur movie ending. A bit kiddish to say the least but can be ignored
- Though I appreciate the effort in adaptation but for non-star trek watchers like us - the storyline could be a little simplified rather than waiting for first 30 mins to aid our comprehensions.
All in all, a refreshing sight to see a blockbuster come through this summer after miserable Wolverine (yet to hit India) and Angels & Demons et al.
Watchable PG 13 family movie with or without encyclopedic knowledge of all things Trekkian may sputter ! :)
2 reactions to this review!:
you are right about the television series part. television-level climax!
for me the movie didn't do at all :(
Yes, for me too the movie dint work much - Though my co-watcher differed staunchly. Lol. Anyway, it was more of a rage due to its franchise than anything else.
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