Star Trek
All is well in Fatwayne’s universe – Star Trek is back! And boy, it’s back in a big way! I saw it today in the IMAX format and was totally blown away! I did, however, leave the theater with a slight headache – man was it loud!
I have been a fan of Star Trek since its days on TV and have seen every movie. One of my favorite memories of the television days was when Capt. Kirk (William Shatner) was taken over by a female entity. It was a joy to watch the macho Kirk sashay around like his fingernails had just been polished! Can anyone help me with the name of that episode?
This prequel introduces us to the the early days before Kirk joined Starfleet. We are allowed to peek into his young life and experience his first meetings with the likes of Spock, “Bones” McCoy, Uhura, Scotty and Chekov. We even learn the details of how Kirk managed to defeat the Kobayashi Maru which was a test that was impossible to defeat and had been designed by Spock himself. I tell you it was like a visit with old friends and one heck of a good time!
The plot concerns itself with a deranged Romulan, Nero (played by Eric Bana) who is out for revenge after his planet is destroyed. He blames Spock for this tragedy. Though, through no fault of his own, Spock was not successful in saving Romulas but Nero is blinded by his hatred for Spock and the Federation. He takes his ship, Narada, back through time in an attempt to exact his revenge on Spock, Starfleet and the Federation. He has a huge drilling apparatus that drills to a planet’s core and then he inserts “red matter” which reduces it to a black hole. I know, but it sounded feasible during the movie! He travels back through time after Spock’s attempt to neutralize the supernova that destroyed Romulas is successful but untimely. A black hole is created and this is how Nero and Spock both travel back into time.
During all of this action, we see Kirk rise to command the Enterprise and eventually have a final showdown with Nero. We also see Spock become the first officer, and we witness how Sulu, Uhura, Scotty and Chekov all earn their respective positions. Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy stands out with familiar quotes such as “dammit man, I’m a doctor not a physicist”!
So you may be asking yourself, are these youngsters believable in their attempt to portray sci fi legends? My answer is a resounding YES! Chris Pine is a likable heir to portray James Tiberious Kirk. Zachary Quinto is a dead ringer for a young Leonard Nimoy and almost as enjoyable to watch. Simon Pegg as Scotty is a hoot and is full of kinetic energy. All of the other feature characters do a creditable job in their roles.
I am certain that the success of this movie will spur sequels and it will be a pleasure to watch these youngsters as they mature in their roles. If the films to come are anywhere near as enjoyable as this on was, we will be watching Star Trek for many years to come!
As usual, quotes are at http://www.tvmoviequotes.com/startrek2009.htm
Rated – PG13 -
Fatwayne’s rating – 
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Wayne, we must have passed each other in the lobby. I too thought this prequel was very enjoyable, well written, lots of action, well cast. I will also agree on the point of volume. The usual unbearably loud sound associated with the previews (loudest to date: the new Harry Potter and Transformers) was only slightly lowered for the feature. So much so, that my neighbor and I stuffed peices of paper napkin in our ears just to make it less painful. Nevertheless, I found myself on the edge of my seat battling Klingons with Kirk and Sulu and running from the horrible snow monster!
Diane, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the movie also. One point though, they were battling Romulans. Don’t you remember that Nero hated Spock because Spock was not successful in saving his home planet, Romulas? He wanted Spock to witness the destruction of his own planet, Vulcan, in order to satisfy his thirst for revenge. Sorry we missed each other at the movie!
Klingons, Romulons, sorry!
Hey, Klingons, Romulons, Borg and lizardmen – who can keep track!?
Wayne, I found the answer to your question, the Star Trek episode you are referring to is called “Turnabout Intruder” in which a very miffed old flame of Kirk – Dr. Janice Lester shrewdly exacts her revenge against him.
I have always loved Captain Kirk and Star Trek so it makes me very happy to learn that this movie is good. I would rush home from school to catch the show in syndication. My mother would tease me about my extreme reaction to missing it. It became an integral part of my childhood. Also, oddly enough there were many life lessons conveyed in the episodes that have stayed with me through time, i.e. never leave tribbles near a grain storage site.
Jamie
Thanks Jamie! Yeah, Dr. Janice sure did put the “hurt” on our boy, Kirk! I can’t remember if Kirk was transferred into Dr. Janice’s body. That would be equally entertaining! Do you remember if Janice (Kirk) scratched her ass?! Sorry, but the image just popped into my mind. Thanks for answering my question.
You’re welcome. According to imdb.com, Janice is supposedly dying from radiation poisoning and she transfers her consciousness into Kirk’s body and vice versa. However there’s one slight obstacle for Kirk because no one believes Janice when she insists that she is really Kirk! So Janice’s clever next move is to conduct a court martial with the intent of executing all of her opposition – Spock, McCoy, Scotty and Kirk (now in Janice’s body. Ouch! You know what has no fury like a woman scorned!!
Duke Nukem Forever(Never or whatever) looks kinda lame who cares if it comes out. I don’t know why http://jacehall.tv did a segment on it.
You know everyone has his/her own opinion. This movie was far from lame (in my humble opinion). If you don’t think you will like it – stay home. The problem is you will be missing a heck of a good time!
I finally watched the Star Trek DVD and absolutely LOVED it. And this comes from a longtime fan of Star Trek in most of its incarnations. I’m just terribly sorry I missed it in the theater. Can’t wait to see the next movie!! Chris Pine is perfect as Kirk and oh so handsome!! Indeed, I loved all of the casting choices, especially Bones. He always makes me laugh. Loved how he kept giving Kirk shots. Watching the new Star Trek was like seeing much loved friends again after a long absence, even though the cast is different.
Jamie, it’s about time! Ha! Ha! I too liked Bones and the way he “bugged” Kirk. It seems that our good captain had to put up with a lifetime of his harassment! It certainly did feel like a get together with old friends even if they looked much younger than I do!!
Glad you liked it and glad you took the time to comment.