Star Trek

I wish that Abrams had directed the Star Wars prequels. Those films needed non geekboys or at the very least a non George Lucas. This film succeeded in every way in which those movies failed. Abrams didn't feel tied to having to live up to every little detail of the Star Trek minutiae. Instead, he took the legend, kept the major details but wasn't ruled by them. Lucas was too caught up in his own mind to create movies that were watchable.

There were truly thrilling sequences in this movie - especially the ones that took place on other worlds - that ice planet in particular was great. I also liked how one of the many climatic scenes was reminiscent, setting wise, of the I Am Your Father scene between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back. The fight scene on top of the Romulan ship was also great.

The movie was not perfect though. As much as I liked seeing Leonard Nimoy, the whole two Spocks thing was a bit much for me. Plus, there were moments that dragged a bit - especially the endless spaceship battle scenes.

However, I did like the whole Spock Jungle Fever plot line. And that dude from Heroes who I don't like much on that show was very good as Spock. Bones is great. Simon Pegg as Scotty is fun. Kirk is entertaining as an arrogant reckless horndog.

All in all, this was a fun rebirth for a stagnant franchise. Hell, I hadn't even seen any Star Trek movies or shows since that one about saving the whales back in the mid '80's. I hope the next one has more exploring new worlds and less of the spaceship battle scenes.

Warning: Some people might consider this a spoiler but those people are silly.

How thrilling was the very end with the famous lines that begin each episode? I'm not even a huge Star Trek guy but it got me. It really really did.

Directed by J.J. Abrams
2009
Court St. 12