Where No One Has Gone Before

Star Trek. (95% Tomatometer; IMDB)
Two simple words that in a film title exude years (and YEARS!) of meaning. Almost exactly 40 years ago (June 3, 1969) the original TV series went off the air after 80 episodes. It was almost lost to the mists of time until it went into rerun syndication and then Star Wars changed the look of movies and sci-fi forever.

Now, after many movie and TV sequels someone had the bright idea to reboot the franchise for the 21st Century. J. J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) was brought in as director and the result is nothing short of a complete resurrection.

This movie rocks!

• It has a plot (though containing some scientific holes, but in sci-fi that's acceptable).
• It has action. The beginning sets the stage and doesn't let us.
• It has characters. Yes, we know them when they are older, since this is a prequel, but we see a young version of what we already know. It was like looking at old home movies of that old uncle when he was youngster. And Spock- as a young, way-too-logical Commander- is a joy to watch.
• It has actors who can act. Sorry William Shatner but your Captain Kirk just lost to a hard- and hot-headed young Kirk just a few days shy of being a completely lost juvenile delinquent.

I was never a big Trekkie. I enjoyed whatever episodes of the show I watched, but the original series coincided with far more important things in my life- my first three years in college, the Vietnam War, running the college radio station, and, lest we forget- parties. All the characters are certainly embedded in my cultural awareness. But this movie is for non-Trekkies (like my wife who also loved the film) as a good summer blockbuster.

Don't forget the popcorn, sit back and enjoy the ride of the summer with a truly high-quality movie about fun and friendship. Don't read too much into it although friendship and diversity are there (and was that a hint at waterboarding with Captain Pike?) See it on the big screen and hve fun!!!