I Finally Saw Star Trek XI

Name: Star Trek XI
Director: J.J. Abrams
Producer: Paramount Pictures
Release Date: Summer 2009

Description: For Father's Day, my wife managed to get the two of us out of the house and alone for the first time in over 3 years. So of course, we spent all of it staring at a movie screen, but it was STAR TREK and man it was fun!

I remember when my parents took me to see Star Trek the Motion Picture. I was so happy to be seeing a Star Trek show in the theatre. It was fantastic for the first 10 minutes, then it slowed down a bit and I had lost a lot of interest by the middle of the movie. This latest film was like remembering those first 10 minutes all over again, only it lasted for the whole show.

J. J. Abrams has given us a re imagining of the Star Trek universe, with characters being familiar, but different at the same time. Abram's and the seven actors responsible for portraying the crew did a fantastic job. I have no complaints, but rather, I'd just like to say what I liked about them the most. My favorite was Karl Urban, who did an excellent job of capturing the cantankerous Doctor McCoy. Urban's McCoy's seemed much less the southern gentlemen compared to the Deforest, but the script may simply not have had opportunity for that aspect of the simple country doctor. Zoe Saldana's Uhura is a sensual, passionate, and down to earth woman with a sharp sense of humor. Her open affection for her fellow shipmates was genuine and refreshing. John Cho was a confident, happy go lucky Sulu who is best described as a pleasantly goofy action hero. He didn't have nearly as many lines as the rest of the cast, but he got one of the best fight scenes in the film. Anton Yelchin's Chekov was portrayed with an eager enthusiasm that kept very close to the original character. His youthful optimism was well placed in some very tense scenes. Simon Pegg made me smile as he said his very cliche Scottie lines from the transporter and engine rooms. Pegg didn't hold back and really gave it all she's got captain. Now, let's see, who does that leave? Oh yeah, Kirk and Spock. Let me just say that I was not only satisfied with them both, but they went beyond expectations. The new dimension of conflict between the two characters in the time span provided was a believable means of bringing them close without making it feel forced or stiff. Chris Pine is confident, has good timing, and brought his own humor along with a hammy portrayal of the William Shatner Kirk I know and love. He is just as rebelious as Shatner's Kirk, but lacks a strong a sense of purpose which will allow him to grow as a character for future stories. Zachary Quinto had a believable mix of intensity and even keeled mannerisms I expected Spock to have. That being said, the added emotional bond he outwardly shows his crew when appropriate was a nice change. I always saw Leonard Nimoy's Spock as the Vulcan with a chip on his shoulder wanting to prove how Vulan he was. Quinto's Spock seems to be on a journey of self discovery and more willing to question his Vulcan and Human cultures equally. Quinto therefore provides a very polished and confident character that balances Pine's rebellious Kirk.

After saying how much I liked about this new movie cast, I'd like to say that the original cast of characters from the TV show as well as directors and writers, deserve a huge credit to the efforts of this film. The template they provided is what this new film crew has worked so hard to follow and build on with affection and strong reverence that is well deserved. Thank you.

-Star Trek XI
-Star Trek
-Star Trek XI Toys