My Review
Unlike my regular reviews I will talk about some plot points - Spoilers Ahead
You may wonder why I am reviewing an older film that all of you have already seen. Many times on TV re-runs as well as when it first same out. The reason why is that after seeing it numerous time in the past I wanted to take a fresh look at it.
When it first came out I was blown away by the opening sequence and quickly dismissed the time travel aspect as a gimmick, but after all they years my thoughts have changed somewhat.
I remember crying in the theater during the opening sequence. I watched the movie by myself just a few minutes ago and I was sobbing during the opening sequence. In the theater it took me a bit to figure out what was going on, but watching it now knowing, from the first frame, that Captain George Kirk was going to die was heart breaking. The music from the first seconds of the Paramount logo coming on, the crescendo as it cut from the Bad Robot to the first show of the USS Kelvin was perfect. I love how J.J. Abrams changes the angle of the camera with side tilts, and does quick cuts. The first shot of when the female crew member gets sucked out into the silence of space was amazing. The introduction of Nero was perfect with him not saying a word, then screaming as he kills the Captain.
Then there is Chris Hemsworth in his brief performance as George Kirk was perfect as he sends his wife off as he stays behind. Then the most perfect scene ever as the images are of war, pain, sorrow, with only the sounds of the sound track, some muffled sounds of the ship, until the baby cries, and James Tiberius Kirk is born. The final "I love you" then silence. As the scene fades to black the music changes to the new Star Trek theme song.
This was the best opening sequence of any Star Trek movie ever, and in my top ten of any movie opening scene ever.
The next scenes begin with "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys and we are introduced to the young James Kirk, and young Spock. These sequences show with perfection the youth of Kirk, and Spock, and in a few short minutes, shows us what made them what they are. Kirk's rebelliousness and anger, and Spock's love for his mother, are shown with perfection.
These two sequences which make up only the first 20 minutes or so of the 2 hour film make the entire film.
The main body of the film dropped off a bit in that it turned into a space action drama. However, the interaction of the main characters and the relationships between them makes the viewing experience. I could have watch another hour of them just talking among themselves and getting to know each other.
I could watch the interactions of the characters over and over. Kirk's banter with Uhura. Spock dealing with his feelings for Uhura. Kirk and Spock getting to know each other. Bones finding his place in space where he does not want to be. Scottie having a grand ole time. Sulu turning into a bad ass. Chekov's excited demeanor as he tries to man the teleporter.
The time travel, and paradox, still bothers me a little, but less so now than when I first saw the movie. It was a clever way to create an alternate universe where new Star Trek stories could be told with the old characters.
The last thing that sent chills up my spine was Leonard Nimoy's reading of "Space the final frontier."
Star Trek (2009) is now my favorite of the Star Trek films barely edging "The Wrath of Khan." This cast is perfect. I love everyone of them. (I can hear cries of sacrilege already)
Let me know what is your favorite Star Trek movie.
Rating - A (Worth the price of the ticket and a Bluray)
Cast
- Chris Pine as James T. Kirk
- Zachary Quinto as Spock
- Eric Bana as Captain Nero
- Leonard Nimoy as Spock Prime
- Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura
- Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
- Simon Pegg as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
- John Cho as Hikaru Sulu
- Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov
Movie Review Services
IMDb 8/10 Rotten Tomatoes 94% Metacritic 82%
