“Star Trek” reboots the entire Trek franchise, with a completely new cast, keeping all the action-adventure that has always been present in the movies and television programs. It is the eleventh movie in the film series that began in 1979, and a prequel to the original television series that ran on NBC (1966-1969). The storyline has some main characters engaging in time travel, creating an alternate timeline and plot. This film’s little detour does not conflict with established “Star Trek” dogma; apparently Trekkie fans were satisfied as the movie was a big hit at the box office.
Producer-director J. J. Abrams (“Cloverfield” 2008) maintained a fast pace throughout the entire picture, giving “Star Trek” a contemporary feel. Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman did an excellent job on the finely crafted screenplay.
Abrams & Paramount showed great wisdom in casting each of the primary characters. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are excellent as James T. Kirk and Spock, capturing the essence of the two as young people. Others included Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard McCoy, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Simon Pegg as Montgomery Scott, John Cho as Hikaru Sulu, and Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov.
Leonard Nimoy returns as the original Spock, courtesy of time travel. Unfortunately, an appearance for William Shatner as Kirk could not be arranged, reportedly due to disagreements between producers and Shatner on the nature of the part. Co-stars include Eric Bana as the villain Nero, Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike, Ben Cross and Winona Ryder as Spock’s parents, Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Morrison as Kirk’s parents, Tyler Perry as the head of Starfleet Academy, Jacob Kogan as young Spock, and Majel Barrett, the First Lady of Star Trek, as the voice of the Enterprise computer. This was to be her final film appearance, completed before her passing in December of 2008.
“Star Trek” was an out-of-this-world hit in theatrical release for J. J. Abrams, Bad Robot Productions, Spyglass Entertainment, and Paramount Pictures. More films would follow: “Star Trek into Darkness” (2013), “Star Trek Beyond” (2016), and “Star Trek 4” at a date yet to be determined.
Star Trek (2009)
cinema
My Review
“Star Trek” reboots the entire Trek franchise, with a completely new cast, keeping all the action-adventure that has always been present in the movies and television programs. It is the eleventh movie in the film series that began in 1979, and a prequel to the original television series that ran on NBC (1966-1969). The storyline has some main characters engaging in time travel, creating an alternate timeline and plot. This film’s little detour does not conflict with established “Star Trek” dogma; apparently Trekkie fans were satisfied as the movie was a big hit at the box office.
Producer-director J. J. Abrams (“Cloverfield” 2008) maintained a fast pace throughout the entire picture, giving “Star Trek” a contemporary feel. Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman did an excellent job on the finely crafted screenplay.
Abrams & Paramount showed great wisdom in casting each of the primary characters. Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are excellent as James T. Kirk and Spock, capturing the essence of the two as young people. Others included Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard McCoy, Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura, Simon Pegg as Montgomery Scott, John Cho as Hikaru Sulu, and Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov.
Leonard Nimoy returns as the original Spock, courtesy of time travel. Unfortunately, an appearance for William Shatner as Kirk could not be arranged, reportedly due to disagreements between producers and Shatner on the nature of the part. Co-stars include Eric Bana as the villain Nero, Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike, Ben Cross and Winona Ryder as Spock’s parents, Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Morrison as Kirk’s parents, Tyler Perry as the head of Starfleet Academy, Jacob Kogan as young Spock, and Majel Barrett, the First Lady of Star Trek, as the voice of the Enterprise computer. This was to be her final film appearance, completed before her passing in December of 2008.
“Star Trek” was an out-of-this-world hit in theatrical release for J. J. Abrams, Bad Robot Productions, Spyglass Entertainment, and Paramount Pictures. More films would follow: “Star Trek into Darkness” (2013), “Star Trek Beyond” (2016), and “Star Trek 4” at a date yet to be determined.