Paramount Pictures
www.startrekmovie.com
I was always more of a Star Trek: The Next Generation viewer growing up, which was probably more to do with the era, being a child of the 1980’s, yet I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see the new Star Trek film, which features the original Star Trek characters, portrayed by a new cast.
This eleventh film based on the franchise takes us back to the beginning and introduces each character from the start, before they enter the Enterprise. It begins with the death of George Kirk and the birth of his son, James T.Kirk. Always being a bit of a rebel and his counterpart Spock more of an educational wizard, it is hard to see the two of them working alongside each other. They say opposites attract and these two are certainly opposites yet there is a friendship built by the end.
It is difficult to put into words how incredibly mesmerising this film is, especially when viewed from a high quality IMAX screen. From the explosive opening to the incredible closing credits you are always left on the edge of your seat with the fast moving images. On such a screen however, the magnitude of such events are three fold. Between the Enterprise being attacked, fighting scenes and explosions, you can never get bored and through IMAX technology it almost feels as through you are beamed on board the star ship.
A film with such energy is a powerful enough tool to hypnotise an audience. But what makes this more enthralling was the little sense of comedy that is wrapped among the action and sci-fi. From insults – “green blooded goblin” and anger – “are you out of your Vulcan mind” to Simon Pegg’s laughable character and Kirk’s sickness symptoms. Spock’s complete lack of humour gene and his inability to comprehend sarcasm and metaphors among other things is also laughable. It is the comedy’s lack of impact on the actual character that makes it stand out. They make us laugh with lines, expressions and actions without leaving the sci-fi trail, like cracking jokes with out realising it. This shows much creativity on not only writer’s behalf, but also the direction of JJ Abrams.
The cast have much courage to reprise such well-known and adored characters. Chris Pine as Kirk is everything a young captain in the making shouldn’t be; irresponsible and a chance taker, yet a character you want watch. Zachary Quinto recently caused a storm in Heroes. As Spock he is able to mould a character with a complete lack of understanding, a blank face and no emotion, while being one of the most intelligent characters present. Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as Spock in a time travelling twist of fate and it is a magnificent welcome. It is as though his presence gives the film his approval.
This is probably the most exciting, motivating and engaging Star Trek film I’ve see. Its fast paced nature is the manifestation of an ingenious mind and with the statement below making a welcome conclusion, Star Trek will be one of the most exciting, memorable and fascinating films you’ll see this year.
“Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the star ship Enterprise. Its ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life-forms and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before”
Michelle Moore