James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine) must do all that he can to live up to the legend of his father, George (Chris Hemsworth). Now with new friends and foes standing before him, he, with the team of the Enterprise, must save the world from certain destruction at the hands of Romulan leader Nero (Eric Bana). Star Trek (2009) is a new, more modern look into the world of Kirk, Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the rest of the team.
J.J. Abrams is a name that has existed in nerd circles for years, with him playing significant roles in things like Star Wars, Lost, and, of course, Star Trek. Having never seen Star Trek (2009), the things I knew him for most prominently were Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, films that were incredibly nostalgic, but missed the mark in a series of ways. I was skeptical going into Star Trek (2009), and, as a newly-named Trekkie, I hoped that this film wouldn’t tarnish my feelings for the franchise.
Director Abrams does not disappoint here, as the world of Star Trek shines as brilliantly as ever, with new iterations of old characters and beautiful glimpses into new worlds (at least worlds that I was unfamiliar with–which doesn’t necessarily say much). Aesthetically, it was likely that Star Trek (2009) would enthrall viewers, presenting them with incredible visuals. From the Enterprise to the vast landscapes of the many worlds in which we visit throughout the course of the film, Abrams and his team bring something visually captivating to life from beginning to end. I was immersed in this world from the start, and the visuals never faltered.
Again, I was immersed in this world from the start, but the visuals weren't the only piece of the puzzle that made this so–as the score is a force, one that helps to propel Star Trek (2009) forward at a brilliant and emotional pace. Before a word of dialogue is spoken, before we even know where we are, viewers are pulled into Star Trek (2009) with ferocity as the booming score begins. My heart began to race, my thoughts began to run wild, and I felt a burst of emotion that I wasn’t yet able to understand. All of this from the opening seconds of the film, and every second of this score delivered more emotion, more power–and Star Trek (2009) thrives, in big part, as a result of the brilliant score constructed by Michael Giacchino.
Both the visuals and the score do their job in pulling viewers in close, but there’s something about Star Trek (2009) that was different to me. The emotional relevance of all that takes place throughout this film is far more direct and accessible than what I’ve seen in previous films. While part of that comes as a result of Star Trek (2009) being a film that can exist on its own, it’s even more so a result of the relationships developed through the script and the acting. The emotional prowess developed by Abrams, Writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, and the series of actors is truly impeccable, and it had me hyper focused on this film from beginning to end. Even though I had an idea of what happened to most characters by the end of the film, the stakes felt higher than before, like there was actual risk in all that occurred throughout Star Trek (2009).
My one gripe about the film is the same issue that I’ve had with numerous other films of the past decade or so–and that’s the comedy. Comedy is often necessary, something to cut through the tension of a dramatic film, something to remind viewers that the characters we are seeing on screen are human and relatable–but Star Trek (2009) sometimes takes it too far. There are instances in which Kirk is far too silly, beyond what seems reasonable even for a younger version of the character–and in these moments, some level of validity is stolen from the production.
Star Trek (2009) has effectively reinvigorated something in me, something that has heightened my feelings about Star Trek as a franchise. It’s a truly brilliant film, one that is sure to ruffle a feather or two along the way for those life-long Trekkers, but one that is meant to usher in a new generation of Star Trek fans, and is more than effective in doing so. Star Trek (2009) is just about everything that I could have hoped for and more–preparing me to dive even deeper into a world that has spanned nearly six decades.
Directed by J.J. Abrams.
Written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman.
Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Leonard Nimoy, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Ben Cross, Winona Ryder, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Morrison, Rachel Nichols, Faran Tahir, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
