Saturday, May 16, 2009

Movie Review: Star Trek

Guess what I did tonight? I went and saw the new Star Trek movie and it was, in a word, fantastic! But more about that in a sec...

I find it a little weird that I am such a big Star Trek fan. Okay, not a big enough fan to go to conventions or dress up as characters (though I do admit to going to Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton...Very Cool). I was too young to watch the first Star Trek when it was originally on in the 60's, though I've seen all of the episodes in reruns over the last forty years. But what really hooked me was The Next Generation. That was MY Star Trek, I was totally hooked on it with my roommate in college and when I met my husband I converted him, too. And I loved Janeway in Voyager. Never a fan of Deep Space Nine really, maybe someday I'll try to watch them in order on DVD and like them better. I enjoyed the most recent television incarnation of Enterprise, too, but wasn't as dedicated a watcher as I was with TNG and Voyager. I've seen all the movies, too, of course.

Now my favorite sci-fi is the new (relatively, started about four years ago) Doctor Who. I never saw this staple of the BBC before the new series started but now I am as big a fan of the Doctor as I am of Star Trek.

The really strange thing is that I don't really read sci-fi much, I don't really like it. Isn't that weird? I love historical fiction, fantasy, even contemporary fiction, but I hardly ever pick up any science fiction at all. Maybe I'm afraid that if I tried it I would be sucked in immediately. I hardly need another genre, I don't have enough time to read as it is! I do want to try out Terry Pratchett, though. That Discworld series looks seriously cool.

So, back to the movie. I was sceptical, along with half the world, of how true this new movie could possibly be to the spirit of this series. Happily, my fears proved to be unfounded. Within the first ten minutes, I was in tears. (Believe me when I say that has never happened before. Tears at the end sometimes, but in the first ten minutes? Nope.) And it just got better from there. That single event sets off a brilliant twist that buys the world of Star Trek a whole new future. Has this device been used before? Absolutely, but never to such wonderful effect.

The actors also deserve high praise, they have done an amazing job translating the little mannerisms of the earlier players while still making the roles their own. Doctor McCoy's speech cadences are strikingly close to the original, Spock's arched eyebrow is perfect. And Kirk somehow develops that signature swagger during the course of the film. Set them up against a sinister group of rogue Romulans and there's nothing more a fan could want.

My verdict?

Live long and prosper.

7 comments:

Amy said...

Oh my gosh. I have seriously been thinking lately about how I love fantasy and sci-fi in film and television form but not so much in books! It seriously bugs me, like, it's my preferred genre for film and tv but I won't actively seek it out to read. I wonder why????

Anyway, I loved the movie! :)

bermudaonion said...

My husband went to see Star Trek and really enjoyed it. He was ready to see it again the next day.

LuAnn said...

I've not been a big reader of sci-fi, either, but I did like Voyager and The Next Generation. We went to the theater and saw The Soloist and they showed the previews for Star Trek. I thought it looked really good, so I'm glad you wrote a review! Thanks.

DonKelly said...

Just saw Trek myself this evening. Started checking around for blog reviews. Found yours.
I liked it too. As you The Next Gen was my Trek. My wife and I watched it and re-watched it. I know of the 60's Trek saw it often enough as a kid in reruns.
The new movie is a fine nod to old and a nice start to the new.

As for Pratchet.. try him..it's a great read. As is Douglas Adams Hitchhikers series.
I read all sorts fo genres now. Was a total sci fi fantasy geek when younger. Expanded into other stuff as I've gotten older.

Literate Housewife said...

I saw this movie over the weekend and loved it, too! I say that Star Trek isn't just for geeks anymore. Captain Kirk is a hottie and I loved Eric Bana as Nero. Very, very enjoyable.

Literary Feline said...

It was like that with me too in regards to Dr. Who. My husband's been a big fan of the various series all along, but it wasn't until the Eccelson and Tennant that I really started paying attention. I can't get enough of the show now.

And Star Trek--the movie was wonderful, wasn't it?

I don't read much in the way of sci-fi, but what I have read of it, I've enjoyed. I keep meaning to read more. I do love sci-fi movies and TV shows.

My deviation tends to lie with romantic comedies. I love them in film version but not so much in book format. At least not most of the time.

Unknown said...

I really, really want to see this movie, now if only I can talk the hubs into going with me.

Dottie :)


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About Me

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New Hampshire, United States
Bibliophile, Anglophile, Traveller... I have been an avid reader all of my life, since I took the Dr. Seuss Dictionary away from my Mom when I was less than a year old because I wanted to read it myself. In college, where I earned my degree in English Literature, I was often asked "What are you going to do with it?" Now I finally have the answer to that question!!! Being employed as a Flight Attendant for twenty years has given me a lot of life experience and, better still, a lot of time to read. I love to travel for fun, too.