Fri, Mar 29, 4:23 AM CDT

"Star Trek" Karaoke<br /> Movie Review

Jun 01, 2009 at 12:21 am by Store Staff


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Copyright © Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

Let me start this review by stating that I am, and have been for as long as I can remember, a huge Star Trek junkie. Not a diehard Trekkie, in the dressing up and going to convention sort of way, but an avid fan just the same. When someone mentions “The Trouble with Tribbles,” like other Star Trek enthusiasts, I instantly flash back to a Starship overflowing with a mass of rapidly reproductive furry, little creatures.

Several years ago, I even had the great privilege to interview an aging James (Scotty) Doohan. He was a flamboyant icon, not unlike the character that he played in the early television season; sporting a grumpy exterior that covered a soft-hearted center.

After watching the movie’s trailers I was optimistically impressed, while at the same time apprehensive, at the prospect of viewing the prequel to the original and much beloved Star Trek series.

The Plot

In the newest Star Trek movie, Director J.J. Abrams, with the help of screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, explore the early careers of the Starfleet crew of the USS Enterprise. There is also a brief glimpse into the back stories of a youthful James Thiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto).

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Director J.J. Abrams (center) discusses a scene with actors John Cho (left, as Sulu), Anton Yelchin (center left, as Chekov), Zachary Quinto (center right, as Spock), and Chris Pine (far right, as James T. Kirk) Photo credit: Zade Rosenthal Copyright © Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

The Movie’s Motivation

Exploring the circumstances of how the original Starfleet crew came together as members of the USS Enterprise.

The Villain

Romulan, Captain Nero, of the strangely configured “spacecraft” Narada, travels back in time, 154 years. He is intent to seek revenge on the Starfleet Federation for the murder upon his family and the destruction of his home-world, with the hopes of turning back the hands of time.

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Eric Bana as Nero Copyright © Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

The Objective

The good guys (fledgling Starfleet crew: alternately commanded by a young Mr. Spock and an inexperienced Captain Kirk), stop the bad guys (Romulans, commanded by Captain Nero) from causing global destruction.

The Cast

The casting was so spot-on, that it at times appeared to be a Star Trek karaoke performance. Morphing into their roles of the old characters, the new cast members not only took on the appearance and mannerisms of the original cast, but also their voice inflections and facial expressions…often spewing the expected familiar dialog.

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© Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

Spock: Live long, and prosper.

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy: Damnit man! I'm a doctor, not a physicist!

Leonard 'Bones' McCoy: Are you out of your Vulcan mind?

Scotty: I'm giving her all she's got, Captain!

Unfortunately, the “novelty” of seeing the old cast come to life as younger versions of the original, morphed into irritation, as one scene after another gave way to “Star Trek” inner-circle moments.

Big Bang or Fizzle

Proving to be one of the more original aspects of the movie, the epic adventure begins with a bang, as James Thiberius Kirk (the soon to be infamous captain of the Starship Enterprise) makes his way into the world. The story explores the chaotic events surrounding the birth of James T. Kirk, and briefly explores his turbulent early years. It also touches on the confused and unhappy childhood of half-Vulcan/half-human Spock.

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© Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

The pacing of the action was both fast and repetitious. For example, in nearly every action scene, Kirk is hanging precariously by his fingertips from a variety of ledges. I am sure this was a metaphor for something, but after the fourth scene portraying the same action with a different background … Kirk’s “just hang in there” antics began to wear thin.

CGI

As always ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) worked their CGI magic on the film. Yet, one of the unsung heroes of the new Star Trek movie was not even listed in the cast credits—Autodesk Maya!

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© Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

The software was a major player in creating the futuristic world, and the recreation of the Starship Enterprise. The measurements for the movie’s CGI spaceship replica were based off of the full size model of the USS Enterprise (which is currently on display in the Smithsonian Museum).

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© Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

Though the computerized special effects were impressive, the movie still seemed lacking in the special effects department. There was nothing new, and surely nothing more spectacular than featured within the current string of blockbuster action movies (or previous Star Trek movies for that matter). None of the action scenes held a “wow-factor” response from the audience, which I fear, like myself, have become rather jaded…after awhile all the spaceship explosions resembled one another.

Go or No Go

The other aspects of the film that were somewhat disappointing were the plot holes, which were more akin to black holes that sucked some of the life out of the story. The suspension of disbelief was stretched to the breaking point, crossing over to the land of irrational logic, or to quote Mr. Spock, “It was illogical.”

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© Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

Even flawed, the newest addition to the Star Trek movie franchise was a fun adventure. The cast, although at times appearing to be caricatures of the original crew, gave creditable performances.

The movie was well worth the price of a movie ticket, and worthy of the voyage to escape with old friends (wearing new faces), for a two hour exploration of the imagination. I also suggest that you go, if only to see Leonard Nimoy reprise his role as Spock Prime.

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© Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved

I leave you with Spock Prime’s immortal ending monologue: Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life-forms and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before.

Official Star Trek Site
PG-13 | 2 hr 6 mins
Paramount Pictures
Director: Director J.J. Abrams
Screenwriters: Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci

Cast
James Thiberius Kirk: Chris Pine
Spock: Zachary Quinto
Spock Prime: Leonard Nimoy
Bones: Karl Urban
Uhura: Zoe Saldana
Montgomery Scott: Simon Pegg
Sulu: John Cho
Nero: Eric Bana


All supporting images © Paramount Pictures All Rights Reserved Supporting images cannot be copied, printed, or reproduced in any manner without written permission from Paramount Pictures


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June 1, 2009

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