Star Trek (2009)

Director: J.J. Abrams
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Anton Yelchen, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Winona Ryder
Certificate: 12
Genre: Sci Fi
Awards: Best Make-up

For years the Star Trek franchise was circling the drain. Mainstream audiences had all but forgotten it. Then came the brand new spanking reboot that re-glorified it.  Star Trek is not technically a remake or a reboot. It is in fact an alternative timeline set in course by the death of Kirk's father (a pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth). This gives the writers an almost free-reign over the franchise. They can now tell any story they want.

As this is the first film in the alternative timeline, it is basically the origin story. James T. Kirk (Pine) is recruited into Star fleet and meets his crew to be. I really don't know enough about the original series to tell if any of the characters are terribly different to their original forms, however I don't think there is anything major that fans are angry about.

Some people say that Eric Bana's Nero is a rubbish villain as he is forgettable and is more plot device than actual character, but that is what the film needs. Nobody is interested in a show stealing villain in the origin story. It's the main characters you want to see. Save your Jokers and Gollums for the sequel.

I can't really say much more about the story without giving it away. I can merely say that fans of the originals will be surprised while newbies will be entertained.

****Good