Abrams Boldly Goes Where Roddenberry’s Already Been – And Does a Pretty Damn Good Job

I finally saw Star Trek, and I liked it. It was entertaining, visually arresting, and I thought Zachary Quinto did an excellent job portraying my favorite Star Trek character, Spock. And though I have a few quibbles with Abram's version, I think that the film worked surprisingly well.

It all starts with - surprise! - a space ship in trouble, and a resourceful crew that includes Kirk’s father. After a band of time-warping Romulans capture the captain of the Kelvin, George Kirk is left at the helm, and manages to save hundreds of lives – including the lives of his son and wife – before losing his own. Because of this event, we know (well, the old Trekkies anyway) that events have changed. In the original series Kirk's father didn't die. Hello parrallel universe!

A couple of years pass, and we see Kirk as a child, driving a convertible down an Iowan road at high speed. Apparently the Beastie Boys are popular in the 24^th century, because we hear them blasting on the soundtrack as a cyborg policeman chases him. This scene is kind of redundant, but it does set up the character’s traits as reckless and impulsive. And besides, the part where Kirk’s car flies off the cliff is just awesome.

I really liked seeing Spock as a child. Of course, I’ve seen Spock as a child before, but there was a lot more howling and less talking (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.) It was interesting seeing him interact with other Vulcan children his age – and showing a weakness when it came to his human mother.

The scene where Kirk tries to pick up Uhura in a seedy Iowan bar was a bit out of character in my opinion. Sure, Shatner’s Kirk was a womanizer – but he played the role with such charm and oozing self-confidence that it seemed that the intergalactic babes were drawn to him like a moth to a flame. I doubt he’d have had to use any of the cheap pickup lines that Abram’s Kirk spouted out like some middle aged sleaze (current Shatner could have pulled that one off with aplomb. See Denny Crane in Boston Legal.)

But, as in the original series, the focus of the plot is never really on Kirk and his many conquests, but the relationship between him and Spock. It’s interesting to see how this relationship begins – though we can’t really say that it’s the way the relationship really began.

After all, this is a different universe. In the original version James T. Kirk grew up with a father. In this universe (altered by the Romulan’s time travel) he is without a father – and thus his character development can be seen as unique to this universe. Perhaps without a strong father figure in his life, he’d be more prone to cheap pickups? Cheating on the entrance exams to the Federation Academy? It’s entirely possible.

And that’s what is both genius and unsettling about this remake. Abrams has written over the history of this crew, changing the events that shape their beginnings. From this point on their story could go anywhere, without having to stay true to the original.

I hope that he uses this opportunity (if there is another film made) to add in some more compelling female characters. The actress who played Uhura was great – but she did little more than trot around in her short skirt and make googly eyes at Spock (which, um…I am so confused about by the way!) Don’t get me wrong, I’m way more of a Spock gal than a Kirk gal, so I get the attraction, but it could have been explained a little better. Maybe a flashback? Basically I’m confused how the altered universe could have led to that – considering that Spock’s destiny had not yet been altered. That happened when his mother was killed in this film (she was never killed in the original series – and was featured in a couple of the movies.) I also thought Winona Ryder was a strange choice to play Spock’s mother. Why not just get an actress of the proper age?

UPDATE: I went back and watched the first couple of episodes of the original series (not including the pilot, The Cage) and there are indeed hints that point to a possible Spock/Uhura relationship/infatuation. How could I have forgotten that?! Here's a scene from Charlie X where Uhura sings about Spock:

Simon Pegg was lovable as Scotty, which isn’t too surprising. He brought a nice element of comic relief. I also thought that Sulu and Bones were portrayed well. I was a little iffy on Checkov. The voice was spot-on, but as far as looks I didn’t see any resemblance to Walter Koenig.

The action scenes were amazing, and the visuals stunning. I loved the cameo by Leonard Nimoy, and the fact that they played the original music in the titles.

I’m curious about future movies, and which characters we will be seeing again. I’m hoping for Khan. Although I don’t think there are many actors in Hollywood who’ve got the man boobs for the job.

Khaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnn!!!!

Overall, despite a few flaws, I thought this film was very enjoyable. If you want to be entertained, then you shall be. If you are looking for something deeply philosophical, then you might be disappointed.