Review of Star Trek (2009) by Shayan S — 20 Jul 2016

So in preparation for the upcoming 3rd installment into the rebooted Star Trek series: Star Trek Beyond, it only make sense that I re-watch the film that many people considered to bring this franchise "awesome again" by seeing Star Trek.

Now I should mention that I wasn't by no means a hardcore fan of the series back then. In fact, back then I had little to no knowledge of the series as a whole. So watching this premiere in cinemas back in the day, I more of less enjoyed it.

And yes I know of the "controversy" this film sparked by resetting the Star Trek timeline and changing it from a thinking mans sci-fi into a action blockbuster (some hardcore fans adding that it had little to no respect to Gene Roddenberry's show).

And after recently finishing up the original show and getting the chance to re-watch this, do I mind these timeline changes? I actually don't. In fact, I thought was the right course of action to take.

Basically in my humble opinion, the recent TV series was dying off and the movies with the TNG crew were getting stale and shallow for a lot of novices and fans a like. And sure while I think this film should of brought some of the science elements from the show back, i'm GLAD that many non-cynical hardcore fans and novices seemed to enjoy this exciting reboot that, again in my opinion, respects the original enough to not erase the original timeline.

And luckily, so did i. Again sure while some issues do arise such as: JJ Abrams 2 trademarks (which luckily he's finished with the first one now) with obsessive lens flares that make a lot of scenes hard to watch and a rapid pace that doesn't allow the movie to slow down for a bit, hollywood cliches that I really wished for 2009 would be avoided, and a very thinly written scrip by my favorite terrible duo of writers: Alex Kurtzman & Robert Orci (who might I add wrote Transformers 2 & The Amazing Spiderman 2.

...yeah, that's sad.) I can say these issues don't HEAVILY hold the film. Because other than that, we have ourselves a entertaining and above all else a well directed reboot to the classic Star Trek series that benefits from: A VERY energetic and well acted cast, impressive cinematography, a well made new theme song that uses 'A New Hope' style of repetition in it's soundtrack, fantastic action and special effects both from it's practical sets and CGI action, impressive camerawork from JJ, and a fun and exciting tone.

So overall, I didn't hate this film. Better yet I enjoyed it pretty well for paying homage and setting up a new universe for these fantastic actors and franchise (even if the sequel would end up..

..well pretty much rectifying that.).