Casual
As more of a Star Wars fan than a Trekkie, I think I can safely say that I am in the demographic toward which J.J. Abrahams and crew were aiming this reboot of the wildly popular Star Trek franchise. I'm not here to discuss conflicts or similarities between this film and the rest of the canon, but I will tell you that 'Star Trek' is exactly what the filmmakers set it out to be: a more action-packed version of the Enterprise with updated cast and special effects. In truth, that's what all of the Star Trek movies have been, as well as a continuation of said canon. Abraham's 'Star Trek', however, fills a niche that the others don't: that of the casual Trekkie.
Casual Trekkies will appreciate how each of the characters are introduced into the plot, as well as a sufficient amount of exposition on each about their roles in the original series, even if the writing is somewhat choppy. There couldn't be a better deliverer of said exposition than Leonard Nemoy, who played Spock in the original...(more)
As more of a Star Wars fan than a Trekkie, I think I can safely say that I am in the demographic toward which J.J. Abrahams and crew were aiming this reboot of the wildly popular Star Trek franchise. I'm not here to discuss conflicts or similarities between this film and the rest of the canon, but I will tell you that 'Star Trek' is exactly what the filmmakers set it out to be: a more action-packed version of the Enterprise with updated cast and special effects. In truth, that's what all of the Star Trek movies have been, as well as a continuation of said canon. Abraham's 'Star Trek', however, fills a niche that the others don't: that of the casual Trekkie.
Casual Trekkies will appreciate how each of the characters are introduced into the plot, as well as a sufficient amount of exposition on each about their roles in the original series, even if the writing is somewhat choppy. There couldn't be a better deliverer of said exposition than Leonard Nemoy, who played Spock in the original television series.
Canon aside, 'Star Trek' shows all the signs of a J.J. Abrahams movie: extravagant special effects, loud explosions (even in space!), and more lens flares than there probably should be in space. While I would normally, as a respectable film enthusiast, shun any and all made by Abrahams, I can't help thinking what all of his cliches actually do to the film. To me, it seeks to get rid of the one roadblock separating casual Trekkies and die-hards: the lack of action. Sure, the series had some action, if you're content with shaking camera, blaring alarms, and sparks from instrument panels. Abrahams kicks it up a notch, adding massive space battles, sweeping establishing shots of ships, and less focus on the Enterprise bridge. I feel that this draws in the more casual action-moviegoers and introduces them to the Star Trek canon, if only to research it further.
Overall, 'Star Trek' is an excellent reboot of a timeless series, liberal with the action, a smidgeon of romance, and plenty of humor to even out the otherwise grim and suspenseful mood of the plot.
Live long and prosper. (less)
Set into an Alternate Timeline, J.J. Abrams's film reincarnated the characters of Jim Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov and the whole USS Enterprise and did not disappoint the fans. I wasn't a fan of Star Trek until I saw this movie and my life completely turned upside-down because of it.
Highly recommended.
Great
I've never seen the TV-shows so this was low on my list. But I finally got to it and was very plesant surprised.
Great action and a fine storyline. The second is on my list now :-)
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Chris Pine | James T. Kirk |
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Zachary Quinto | Spock |
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Eric Bana | Nero |
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Anton Yelchin | Pavel Chekov |
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Simon Pegg | Scotty |
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Karl Urban | Leonard 'Bones' McCoy |
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Zoe Saldana | Nyota Uhura |
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John Cho | Hikaru Sulu |
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Bruce Greenwood | Christopher Pike |
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Leonard Nimoy | Old Spock |
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Winona Ryder | Amanda Grayson |
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Ben Cross | Sarek |
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Greg Ellis | Chief Engineer Olson |
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Chris Hemsworth | George Samuel Kirk, Sr. |
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Jennifer Morrison | Winona Kirk |
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Scottie Thompson | Nero's Wife |
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Paul McGillion | Barracks Officer |
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Lucia Rijker | Romulan Communications Officer |
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Rachel Nichols | Galia |
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Faran Tahir | Captain Robau |
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Clifton Collins Jr. | Ayel |
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Jimmy Bennett | Young James T. Kirk |
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Greg Grunberg | Stepdad (voice) |
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Lisa Vidal | Barracks Officer |
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Jacob Kogan | Young Spock |
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Simon Pegg | Montgomery Scott |
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Diora Baird | The Wrong Orion |
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Rachel Nichols | Gaila |
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Tyler Perry | Admiral Richard Barnett |
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Majel Barrett | Starfleet Computer |
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Wil Wheaton | A Romulan |
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Akiva Goldsman | Vulcan Council Member |
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Kelvin Yu | Medical Technician |
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Jason Brooks | Romulan Helmsman |
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Freda Foh Shen | Kelvin Helmsman |
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Jeffrey Byron | Test Administrator |
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Reggie Lee | Test Administrator |
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Anna Katarina | Vulcan Council Member |
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Margot Farley | College Council Stenographer |
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Jeff Chase | Cadet Alien |
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Douglas Tait | Long Face Bar Alien |
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Mark Bramhall | Vulcan Elder |
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Sala Baker | Drill Tower Romulan |
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Darlena Tejeiro | Flight Officer |
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Tony Elias | Officer Pitts |
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Amanda Foreman | Hannity |
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Deep Roy | Keenser |
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Michael Berry Jr. | Romulan Tactical Officer |
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Oz Perkins | Enterprise Communiations Officer |
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Tim Griffin | Kelvin Engineer |
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Gene Roddenberry | Author |
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Bill Todman Jr. | Executive Producer |
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J.J. Abrams | Director |
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Alex Kurtzman | Screenplay |
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Roberto Orci | Screenplay |
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Damon Lindelof | Producer |
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Bryan Burk | Executive Producer |
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Jeffrey Chernov | Executive Producer |
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Edward Milstein | Executive Producer |
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Paul Schwake | Executive Producer |
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David Witz | Producer |
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J.J. Abrams | Production |
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Gene Roddenberry | Story Contributor |
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Mary Jo Markey | Editing |
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Maryann Brandon | Editing |
"The future begins"
In 2233, the Federation starship USS Kelvin is investigating a "lightning storm" in space. A Romulan ship, Narada, emerges from the storm and attacks the Kelvin. Narada's first officer, Ayel, demands that the Kelvin's Captain Robau come aboard to negotiate a truce. Once aboard, Robau is questioned about an "Ambassador Spock", whom he professes not to know, and the current stardate. Narada's commander, Nero, kills him, and continues his attack on the Kelvin. George Kirk, the Kelvin's first officer, orders the ship's personnel, including his pregnant wife Winona, to evacuate the ship while he pilots the Kelvin on a collision course with the Narada. At the cost of his life, Kirk ensures Winona's survival, and she gives birth to their son, James T. Kirk.In 2250, on the planet Vulcan, a young Spock is invited to join the Vulcan Science Academy. Discovering that the Academy views his human mother Amanda Grayson as a "disadvantage", he decides to join Starfleet instead. On Earth, Kirk becomes a reckless but intelligent young adult. In 2255, after a bar fight with Starfleet cadets accompanying Nyota Uhura, Kirk meets Captain Christopher Pike. He encourages Kirk to enlist in Starfleet Academy, where he meets and befriends the cynical doctor Leonard McCoy.Three years later, Commander Spock accuses Cadet Kirk of cheating during his Kobayashi Maru simulation. Kirk believes cheating was okay because of the fact the simulation was literally unbeatable. The disciplinary hearing is interrupted by a distress signal from Vulcan. With the primary fleet out of range, the cadets are mobilized. McCoy and Kirk board Pike's ship, the Enterprise. Realizing that the "lightning storm" observed by Vulcan is similar to the one that occurred at the time of his birth, Kirk convinces Pike the distress signal is a trap.Enterprise arrives at Vulcan to find the fleet destroyed and the Narada drilling into Vulcan's core. Narada attacks the Enterprise and Pike surrenders, giving Spock command and promoting Kirk to first officer. Kirk, Hikaru Sulu, and Chief Engineer Olson perform a space jump onto the drilling platform. Olson is killed but Kirk and Sulu disable it. However, Nero launches "red matter" into the core, creating an artificial black hole that destroys the planet. Spock rescues the Vulcan high council and his father Sarek, though his mother dies.As the Narada heads toward Earth, Nero tortures Pike to gain access to Earth's defenses, and Kirk is stranded on Delta Vega after attempting mutiny. Kirk encounters an older Spock, who explains that he and Nero are from 129 years into the future, when Romulus was threatened by a volatile supernova. Spock's attempt to use "red matter" to create a black hole and consume the supernova failed, and Nero's family perished along with Romulus. Narada and Spock's vessel were caught in the black hole, sending them back in time. Nero stranded Spock on Delta Vega to watch Vulcan's destruction as revenge for failing to save Romulus.Reaching a Starfleet outpost, Kirk and Spock Prime meet Montgomery Scott. With the elder Spock's help, Kirk and Scott beam onto the Enterprise. Following the elder Spock's advice, Kirk provokes Spock into attacking him, leading Spock to relinquish command due to being emotionally compromised. After talking with Sarek, Spock decides to help Kirk. While Enterprise hides itself under the gas clouds of Titan, Kirk and Spock beam aboard the Narada; Kirk rescues Pike while Spock uses the elder Spock's ship to destroy the drill. Spock leads the Narada away from Earth and sets his ship to collide with Nero's ship. Enterprise arrives and beams Kirk, Pike, and Spock aboard. The older Spock's ship and the Narada collide igniting the "red matter" and consuming the Narada in a black hole.On Earth, Kirk is promoted to the rank of Captain in command of the Enterprise, while Pike is promoted to Rear Admiral. Spock encounters his older self. Having selected a planet for the surviving Vulcans to colonize, the older Spock persuades his younger self to continue serving Starfleet, encouraging him to do what feels right, instead of what is logical. Spock remains in Starfleet and becomes first officer under Kirk's command. Enterprise goes to warp as the elder Spock narrates the "where no-one has gone before" monologue.
Theatrical : 2009-05-08 : United States of America
Theatrical : 2009-04-06 : United States of America
DVD : 2009-11-17