Recharging a Classic

Title: Star Trek
Format: Netflix
Category: Science fiction/Action adventure
Rating: A+

A remake that didn't suck?! How shocking!

Description (from MSN): Mission: Impossible III director and Alias creator J.J. Abrams resurrects the classic science fiction franchise created by Gene Roddenberry with this feature film that embraces the rich history of the influential television and film series while also exploring some uncharted territory. Heroes star Zachary Quinto assumes the role of the Federation Starfleet lieutenant and Vulcan made famous in the original series by Leonard Nimoy (who also appears in an older incarnation of his original role), Spock, with Anton Yelchin stepping into the role of USS Enterprise navigator Pavel Chekov, Zoe Saldana assuming the role of communications officer Uhura, Simon Pegg keeping the ship in top shape as chief engineer Montgomery Scott (aka "Scotty"), and Eric Bana tormenting the benevolent space explorers as the villainous Nero. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle co-star John Cho also boards the Enterprise as Hikaru Sulu, with Chris Pine and Karl Urban assuming the legendary roles of Captain Kirk and Leonard "Bones" McCoy, respectively.

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I'll admit I was a little worried when I heard that they were making a new Star Trek movie with all new actors. Then, I was a little more worried when I heard it was supposed to be a prequel. And then I was really concerned when I heard it was going to be taking its own spin on the original series' crew. What a relief to discover that they not only stuck with the original characters' personalities, they also figured out a way to appease the die-hard Trekkies' fears of ruining their beloved saga. And they did it with just two words-- alternate universe.

By stating that the crew had now found themselves in an alternate universe, the director allowed the original crew to have completely new adventures without it interfering with the original story. After all, the original Spock doesn't lose his memories when he arrives in this alternate past. This of course means sequels galore for J.J. Abrams.

Besides being very true to the Enterprise's crew, this movie was action-packed, exciting, and funny, with just a touch of romance. My favorite scenes involve either Scotty being... well, Scotty, or the scenes where McCoy and Kirk interact. They fire one-liners and play off each other perfectly.

Perhaps the only things I have to complain about, and they're not enough to detract from my A+ rating, are the romance between Spock and Uhura, and the very rude, crude language used by Kirk in the beginning of the movie. Fortunately, Kirk cleans up his language, and the weird romance is just touched on, rather than dwelled on. Despite these two things, my Trekkie heart fell in love with this movie, and I greatly look forward to the sequel. A+