Review: Star Trek

Star Trek…  Directed by J.J. Abrams, written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, and Leonard Nimoy.

The Trek is back.  Big opening weekend, great buzz.  What a fun movie…

Is it the timing? Almost 40 years(!) after the original series, 20 afte the Next Generation, with few enough successful big screen space adventures of late.  Battlestar Galactica and to some extent Star Wars, have shown you can keep going back to the sci-fi franchise, even when the original cast has moved on.  Is it the team? J.J. Abrams has had some success with ensemble pieces; the writers obviously know and revere the original material but have also taken to heart lessons learned from other recent reboots.   Is it the casting? If you’re a Trek fan, you had to be a little nervous when the actors were all named.  Zach Quinto?  Shaun of the Dead?  And who’s this Chris Pine dude?  Yeah, I sort of wish John Cho could match George Takei’s melodious baritone as Sulu, but if that’s all I have to complain about…

Some spoliers after the bump.

Trek Day

The new Star Trek is finally upon us.  Easily the most anticipated movie in some time around here, we’ll be out to the local cineplex with Vulcan ears and phasers in tow.

Do we some concerns?  Sure…  Despite our policy of avoiding buzz and potential spoilerage on movies  we’re interested in seeing, it’s hard to keep away from everything.  Here are a few:

• J.J. Abrams self-professed lack of Trek-lore knowledge –  Does this equal a fresh take without being bogged down by the mythos, or does he step in it?  Will whatever story they came up with satisfy the hardcore fans?
• Kirk as the jerk – Captain Kirk is one of the great sci-fi adventure characters, period.  One reason is self-confidence that can cross into arrogance.  From the trailers I’m concerned this version of young Kirk remains likable and doesn’t turn into a cocky caricature.
• Alternate Universe – Heard a rumor this movie and version of Star Trek history actually takes place in some kind of alternate universe.  Ostensibly to keep from angering the purists and to leave an opening for a possible new franchise of films.  How do they swing that?

Concerns aside, can’t wait to get out there and this movie.  It’s great to see the old Enterprise again, and all those characters who’ve become a part of our popular culture.  Check back soon for the official Beemsville movie review.

DJ Spock and the New Cast

DJ Spock in the house…

Also saw the trailer for the 2009 Star Trek movie this weekend and thought I would share the love.  You don’t actually see the actors portraying young Kirk, Spock, Bones, etc., in that trailer, but check out the one on the website.  If that doesn’t get your Trekkie blood pumping, you need to return your membership card.  Two words: F@&#ing awesome…  I do believe this movie is #1 Beemsville’s most eagerly anticipated for 2009.

But what about that cast? Some familiar faces and names, as well as a few folks most of us haven’t really heard of. I suspect we’ll see more stills of young Kirk and the crew as release date (5/8/09 ) draws near, but for now here are a few photo montages to set the mood…

He’s Dead, Jim

Another morbid Monday morning ? Maybe…

A stark reminder of the fleeting nature of life on the Final Frontier?  Definitely.

We challenge you to watch this clip only once.  You just can’t.  Try to resist the compulsion to hit the ‘replay’ button.  It’s futile.

In related news, J. J. Abrams’ Trek is in post-production and they have a pseudo-teaser-trailer up on the official website.