Star Trek (2009)

Even the trailers make it clear that Chris Pine as a young and supremely confident Captain Kirk likes to fight and fly without a safety net. J.J. Abrams' reboot of the Star Trek franchise truly pulls out all the stops to "boldly go where no one has gone before" as it explores James Tiberius Kirk's traumatic birth, rebellious youth, and iconoclastic path from Star Fleet Academy to immediate field promotion as captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. This is not your father's Star Trek (Original Series)! While well-rooted in the characters, idiosyncrasies, and touchstones any lifelong fan would expect in such an ur-Trek movie, this super-reboot is completely fresh and filled to the brim with space debris and adrenaline. First we witness Kirk's birth in the midst of a decisive battle that will set the course for his life. Next we see how a young Kirk develops a knack for clawing his way back from the edge of a precipice -- a skill that will serve him well in battles to come. Later he picks up a Star Fleet gauntlet that holds the greater challenge and blazes a path to become the youngest Star Fleet captain ever. The action is pretty much nonstop and should thrill extreme-sports fans and Trekkies. Eric Bana plays a Romulan rebel who is intent on repeating history -- something to do with sins of the fathers or revenge or insanity or jealousy, who knows? Maybe it's just me but he's never convincingly angry or dangerous. I mean, just look at his tattooed male-pattern-baldness and try not to chuckle. The casting is generally good though esp. with Chris Pine as Kirk and Karl Urban as Bones. (He channels DeForest Kelley well and we learn the origin of his nickname and also perhaps his attitude as a frustrated romantic.) John Cho as the freshman helmsman Ikaru Sulu gets to have his swashbuckling way and we briefly get introduced to Simon Pegg as Scotty, the triumphant uberengineer. Bonus points: Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura is hotter and smarter than ever (and has a thing for one of the crew.) We even have Chekhov, Sarek, Amanda Grayson, and Christopher Pike -- but where's Janice Rand with her blonde beehive? Though less brash than Kirk, Zachary Quinto as freshman officer Spock is the best character in the movie. Leonard Nimoy even has an excellent cameo. It goes without saying that this Star Trek movie is better than the TV classic series and the first six movies for action and special effects but also for characterization and comedy if not always drama. Every Trek fan needs to see it but also any sci-fi or action fan. If you like the new Transformers or Battlestar Galactica then fly at warp speed to see this movie. 4.5 stars.