Universe-ending Paradoxes Would Ensue Should He Break His Promise: Star Trek (2009)

I rarely watch films in regards to directors' previous attachments with television.  However, given my particular affinity for LOST, I find myself drawn to the work of J.J. Abrams.  I was, however, severely concerned with him choosing to take on the project of making a new Star Trek film based directly off the original serious.  Fortunately, my concerns were quickly dismissed as Abrams with his penchant for CGI-laden action, intense orchestral music and unabashed overacting delivers everything one could ask for in a new vision of a nearly 50 year old show.  It is precisely what a scif-fi film should be, over-the-top, but careful to place critical commentary on society along the way.

I am not versed in the world of Star Trek and will not attempt to repeat the plot as it relates to the franchises entirety.  I can, however, safely say that the film focuses on the experiences of the original members of Enterprise which included Kirk, Spock, Bones and Scotty as well as others, each being recreated by some of today's most well established actors...and a few lesser-knowns as well.  It is a movie that does not rely heavily on plot twists (surprising for an Abrams piece) yet paces itself to keep the viewer attentive.  The use of CGI to create black holes, exploding ships and various aliens in magical and promotes a notion that if CGI is used it should be done with care, and not as some half-assed attempt to make something sparkle or a creature move...(think Twilight or the last Lord of the Rings film).  Finally, the film involves a cameo by Leonard Nemoy, which is a great use of the still living actor as homage to the original, sadly the great William Shatner apparently could not make it away from Travelocity commercials to reprise his role.

The film is perhaps so good because despite being released in 2009 it still manages to keep the Cold War mentality of its original.  The movie's characters and plot focus on fears of uncertainty and change as shown through promotion of logic over emotion and even the issue of undisputed authority and its unyielding power in the face of bureaucracy.  The film also keeps the diversity of the original show, choosing to add even more ethnic groups to the film, as well as calling up Tyler Perry to play the role of the commanding officer for the entirety of Star Fleet.  The move , like its predecessor, demands change in the face of continued fear of foreign power and looks to cross-species/cultural unity as a harbinger of peace.  The film exists as a call for change that happens to be brilliantly disguised as a damn good popcorn movie.

Watch the movie in a theater-like setting.  Get a HD copy and bring some friends, you will be rooting along with the crew of the Enterprise as they were no "one" has gone before.