Thursday, May 7, 2009

Star Trek [2009]

Genre - Science Fiction/Fantasy/Action-Adventure
Year Released - 2009
Running Time - 120 minutes
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi & action violence and brief sexual content
Directed by J. J. Abrams (who also directed Mission Impossible III - he is also the creator of the Alias, Lost, and Fringe television series)
Written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman (both of whom have also written several episodes of Alias, Fringe, Hercules, and Xena - as well as Mission Impossible III, The Island, The Legend of Zorro, and Transformers 1& 2)
*Based on characters created by Gene Roddenberry

Cast Includes:
Chris Pine as James T. Kirk (Smokin Aces and The Princess Diaries 2)
Zachary Quinto as Spock (Sylar from Heroes - he was also in the 3rd season of 24)
Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (he played Caesar in Xena - he is also in The Lord of the Rings films, The Chronicles of Riddick, Ghost Ship, The Bourne Supremacy, Doom, and Pathfinder)
Simon Pegg as Scotty (Shaun of the Dead and Hott Fuzz)
John Cho as Sulu (Harold from the Harold & Kumar films - he is also in the American Pie films)
Anton Yelchin as Chekov (Charlie Bartlett - he is also going to be in the upcoming Terminator: Salvation)
Zoe Saldana as Uhura (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dirty Deeds, and Guess Who - she is also going to be in the upcoming Avatar)


Other Cast Members Include:
Leonard Nimoy as Spock 'Prime'
Winona Ryder as Spock's mother
Ben Cross as Sarek, Spock's father
Bruce Greenwood as Captain Christopher Pike
and Eric Bana as the Romulan nemesis Nero


Rating: 5 Skulls


Plot Summary:
Captain Kirk and his trusted team on the starship USS Enterprise boldly go where no man has gone before in this 11th installment of Gene Rodenberry's sci-fi franchise that follows the early days of the intergalactic adventurers.


Review:
As a fan of Star Trek, I have anxiously been awaiting this film [remember, it was originally supposed to come out in December, of last year] 

In my head, this film is extremely important to the franchise - if this film were to bomb [which it won't - trust me] the franchise would be in serious jeapordy. 

Well, I am very happy to report that this film is outstanding! 
For me, personally, it is now my favorite of the 11 films, [yeah, I said it!] thus far, replacing Wrath of Khan. In fact, I cannot wait to see it again! I think that Roddenberry would be proud!

The film starts off with the USS Kelvin being attacked by a Romulan vessel and the birth of one, James Tiberius Kirk - after the susequent destruction of the Kelvin, the film jumps to where we meet Kirk as a young boy - the same goes for Spock, and you can pretty much guess the rest, except for the fact that everything we thought we knew, we really don't, as J. J. Abrams and crew have changed some things around [for the better, I must say!]

Here's the trailer:


As for the crew of the USS Enterprise - I thought everyone did a superb job! 

Even if you have never been a fan of the original series, I think that you will enjoy this film
[the relationship between Kirk & Spock was great, and I loved Bones, and I thought that Scotty was absolutely hysterical!]


Definitely give this one a shot, preferably in the theatre!

Jason

17 comments:

Andrew Simon said...

Just got home from the film - and, as you said, it was OUTSTANDING!!! This is, without a doubt, the best film to come out in 2009 thus far, and I think it'll be difficult to beat. Everything about this production is, in my opinion, PERFECT.

Fans and non-fans will find SOMETHING to love about this prequel/sequel from J.J. Abrams & Co., whether it be Simon Pegg (HOT FUZZ) or the visual effects (which are so PRETTY!!!). Me, I also dug Michael Giacchino's riveting score. I must own CD.

Great write-up, sir!

Unknown said...

Sounds great! I've never been big on Trek (I'm a Star Wars GEEK) but, I've been closely following this because I like JJ Abrams.. and all the teasers/trailers have got me excited. You just cemented the deal, I need to see this:P

Unknown said...

I'm not a fan of Star Trek in any way shape or form, but I actually want to see this. I think that says something about the J. J. Abrams because I'm not even a fan of Lost--the trailer just looks very cool and I guess if this is going to be my first Star Trek film it's good it starts from the beginning.

Wings1295 said...

Haven't been too excited about this one. Never a big fan of the original series, more a "Next Gen" guy. However, with all the raves I am hearing, I might just have to give it a go. :)

wiec? said...

while i appreciate Trek i'm not Trek's biggest fan myself. i was thinking of giving this one a try though.

"better than Kahn?"

that's a bold statement Jason. holding you to that one.

the sneering (homo-phobic) snob said...

jason, when i was a kid i was always much more "lost in space" than i was "star trek" but after reading your reveiw i am really looking forward to seeing this latest movie.

Ryan Harvey said...

Well, I won't put it better than Wrath of Khan, but I damn well enjoyed the film. The plot's a mess and filled with coincidence, but it didn't matter at all: moves fast, the character are great, and it all just feels so good! It's great to be able to love "Trek" in the theaters again—been too long.

Karl Urban rules!

thebonebreaker said...

Andrew, glad that you agree!
Yes, the visual effects were spectacular, and there were some amazing shots as well!


Mike, I love Star Wars, however if I were to choose, my allegiance would have to go to Star Trek.
As a child, I wasn't allowed to watch too much television, however my father would sometimes allow me to watch the re-runs of the Original series, and I immediately fell in love with Star Trek [though The Next Generation is probably my favorite of the series]
Let me know, after you have seen it!


Rev, I too have yet to see Lost [though I have been told on numerous occasions that I will like it - in fact, I own Season 1, I just have not got around to watching it yet]
As a non-fan, you definitely need to let me know your opinion, after you have watched it!


Wings, I love both the Original & Next Generation - I also enjoyed Deep Space Nine, though Voyager and Enterprise were just okay for me [not really a big fan of Berman]
Definitely give this one a shot - I think that you will enjoy it!


wiec, Oh man, holding me to a statement - I love, love Khan, however I will say it again, this one is better [in my opinion!] :-)


Snob, come back and let me know your thoughts afterwards!


Ryan, I agree - Karl Urban rocks in this flick! [he by far nailed his character perfectly] and yes, it is good to love Trek again on the big screen - it had been too long, though only two more years till the next one! :-)

J

Bobby said...

Better than WRATH OF KHAN? KHAN's a hard act to top. Being a Trek fan I was pretty psyched to see this movie. Now I want to go see it right fucking now! I will on Sunday though. Glad you loved it. Great review.

thebonebreaker said...

Bobby,

Be sure to drop back by and let me know what you thought of the movie!

J

Unknown said...

Saw it. It was unbelievable!!! The casting was so perfect its insane, the dudes who played Kirk and Spock is some of the best casting I have ever seen. I barely recognized Simon Pegg with dark hair, I love that dude, he's hilarious.

Hmm... I may have to pick up a few Trek flicks now...

thebonebreaker said...

Awesome ~ Glad to hear that you enjoyed the flick as much as I did Mike!

Thanks for the report back! :-)

J

Bobby said...

J,

Almost forgot to tell you. I loved STAR TREK! Excellent movie.

And again, great review!

thebonebreaker said...

Glad to hear it Bobby and thank you!

So, did you think it was better than Khan? :-)

J

the sneering (homo-phobic) snob said...

i`d give this movie 3 and a half skulls out of 5, it was good but i just kept getting the feeling that i`d seen it all before, especially when leonard nimoy turned up, for me that was a major stumbling block.

Phantom of Pulp said...

Great review round-up , Jason. Agree with you on STAR TREK.

thebonebreaker said...

Snob - I can understand your viewpoint.

Phantom - Thanks!