Film Review

~ Star Trek ~

As a shinny new U.S.S Enterprise sits in the Starfleet docking station and new recruits make their way up through the academy, Director J.J Abrams has the unenviable task of bringing the Star Trek story back to the big screen in this years first true summer blockbuster.

It must have been a daunting task with so many people to please. With the die hard Trekkie fans, the sci-fi loving general public as well as the ever hopeful studios keeping their fingers crossed that this will be as well received as Spiderman 2 or possibly even have the success of the Dark Knight.

Right from the opening sequence the special effects are set to stunning as we focus on the Enterprise crew coming together to fend off a revenge driven Romulan force, there’s no doubt in what’s to follow – A kick ass battle.

Under the main plot the story is driven forward by the pivotal relationship found between Kirk & Spock, from the off they are at a constant battle with one another. The mental and sometimes physical games of tug-of-war continue until the pair learn to tolerate one another and eventually form a strong bond.

Chris Pine takes on the role of Kirk and brings a loud mouthed, fists first attitude which is well balance against his light hearted cockiness. It’s in Heroes Zachary Quinto’ perfect portrayal of Spock where the most meaty role can be found, watching him come to terms with his human/Vulcan heritage while at the same time battling with his emotional struggles he’s easily the most interesting of the two.

All the other familiar characters get a decent look in too, Bones, Sulu, Uhura and Anton Yelchin shines bright as thickly accented Chekov, with Simon Pegg bringing humorous relief in a well calibrated Scotty.

It must have been a huge challenge for the new cast who are essentially establishing already well established characters to bring any real heft to the roles and it can sometimes make them feel a little flat - all brawn and no brains. Luckily any flaws are only very minor and once they find their own feet and are known in their own right they will no doubt bring more emotional weight to the parts.

J.J Abrams brings a fast paced exciting and visually stunning restart to the Star Trek world, hardly taking his foot off the accelerator until the truncated final act. Hints of the first Star Wars films can be felt throughout and what we end up with is a promising start to a very pleasing return.

****