Having to pick one of three Blockbusters to see at the time. I'd read mixed reviews of Transformers 2, and some even less favourable ones for Terminator 4. I opted for the safe bet of JJ Abrahm's reboot of Star Trek. Not being a fan of Star Trek, I was purely pinning this on JJ's reputation after the success of Cloverfield. Was it the right choice?
Setting up the back story for the film and for the two main characters, Kirk & Spock. We are taken through a slideshow of events to bring us up to the present (the movie present). Entwined with the tragedy of Kirk's family and the destiny of Spock's homeworld: the fun begins.
There's space, explosions, time-travel and all sorts of science-fiction going on amidst the most important factor of all: the drama. Pine is great as a young Kirk, pushing his luck and gambling his way through life and proving success through trials and tribulations with his unorthodox methods. Spock by the never doubted and excellent Quinto brings a fine performance of the mongrel Human/Vulcan character.
The plot is dense enough without being over the top or difficult to follow, giving enough breathing space which allows these characters to be thrown in to the blender as it were. They grapple and fight and get to know one another, ultimately proving one formidable bunch of misfits. You really get to know and empathise with them during the films duration giving depth where Hollywood Sci-Fi is so typically shallow and theme park ride.
The slate has been wiped clean and has begun again with a fine piece of Sci-Fi cinema. Ignore the old Star Trek; this is a reboot. In this case is no bad thing as it takes elements of the old and injects them with new invention and creativity. By the end of it I wanted to see more, and couldn't believe the experience was over. At 125 minutes it is as long as it needs to be and gives much promise to the now inevitable sequel.
Very highly recommended if you like Sci-Fi!
