Review – STAR TREK
First I should probably say this. I’ve never watched an episode of Star Trek. In any of its forms. And I’ve seen a few of later films (with Picard), but none of the Kirk ones. I’m not anti-Trek (or anti the geeky reputation it has), but it never really appealed to me and even if it did; I’m a completist. I’d have to see from the very first episode ever broadcast to the dying days of ‘Enterprise’ (see, I know the names) and everything in between. And who has the time (and money) for that? Especially when you’re debating whether to start The Sopranos or The Wire or The West Wing again from the start.
Anyway, enough of that. Suffice to say, I’m not a trekker/trekkie. So I approached this with as much objectivity as anyone. And yet the history/mythology of the franchise still proved to be undeniable in its effect on viewing this new film.
The film gets off to a wonderful start with George Kirk having to sacrifice himself to save the USS Kelvin from a Romulan attck (after having been Captain for 12 minutes) as he hears the first cries of his newborn son over a comms system. It’s moving, stirring stuff and if the presence of Dr Cameron from “House” as Momma Kirk is distracting (hell, why not get Hugh Laurie to deliver the baby?), it’s a minor quibble. This strong opening continues when showing us the respective growing pains of Kirk and Spock; the former a rebel with a chip on his shoulder and the latter an outcast, provoked and bullied into showing his ‘weak’ human emotions by classmates.
One bar fight for Kirk later and we’re off to the academy. Zachary Quinto has received most of the praise coming the film’s way for his portayal of Spock (and he’s good, no question), but Chris Pine is the true revelation of the film and an unqualified success. He has the hardest job in the film, the advantage/disadvantage (?) of not looking like William Shatner and some qualities to convey that aren’t exactly likeable. He’s cocky to the point of arrogance, hot-headed and bullish, a cheat, a burden on his friends and somewhat slimy in his pursuit of Uhura (or any female creature – you’ll see), but Pine really makes you root for him. He’s a walking charisma bomb here and he’s got the cool that made Han Solo a hero to millions. This should be the making of him.
Quinto is good as the genius Spock, but is undermined by;
1) Winona Ryder as his mother looks like his slightly older sister – bad idea. And another distracting piece of casting.
2) An underplayed (to the point of being unnecessary) romance with Uhura. Was this in the original? Will real trekkers hate this as much as I did? I’ll find out from my two trekker friends in due course, I’m sure.
3) Leonard Nimoy. I can fully understand why they wanted to cast him. The time-travel plot works fine and having him is a respectful tip of the hat to the originals, but for my money it just doesn’t work. For all the talk of how much Quinto looks like Spock…well, he sure don’t when the two are put next to each other in the movie. And Nimoy talking to Chris Pine and Simon Pegg as though they are HIS friends from long ago. No no no, it takes you out of the story completely and your mind is all on Shatner and the rest of the originals – surely the last thing JJ Abrams wanted.
However, as I’ve said above, the time travel plot, where Spock (Nimoy) comes back and changes things, does work. I like the idea of Nero (Eric Bana) chasing Spock through time and space to get revenge and it allows the film-makers to say that this is a ‘new’ reality, a parallel reality to the Trek that has gone before. This may prove useful in future instalments.
As for the other cast members, Karl Urban is probably given the most to work with. His Dr McCoy is gruff, dependable and just sarcastic enough. Uhura, Chekhov and Sulu are mainly there to tick the box of having them (although has a moment to shine in the best setpiece – the parachute jump), but hopefully bigger contributions will come in the sequels. The major misfire is Simon Pegg as Scotty. The sub-plot, which finds him marooned on an out-post in exile, removes him from the group dynamic (he enters the film very late) and he’s played too much as light relief. Again, in the sequel (which must surely come), he’ll be part of the crew from the beginning and this should offer him the opportunity for more depth.
Eric Bana has kind of flown under the radar as being an important part of this film and this may be due to him being unrecognisable in the role. I think he makes a perfectly decent villain, especially as one who believes he is doing the right thing (or at least, that he has a valid reason for what he is doing) and his scream of “Fire everything!” was a highlight for me.
A quick mention also, for Bruce Greenwood, a favourite of mine ever since his portrayal of JFK in “Thirteen Days”. His Captain Pike is a great role model for our young heroes to look upto; a father figure that Kirk badly needs at the beginning of the film.
So, overall a decent film and a very good blockbuster. The real praise must go to JJ Abrams for creating a vision of Trek that can be enjoyed by obsessive fans, little kids and someone like me, all at the same time. After his stupendous “Mission Impossible 3”, he’s two-for-two directing-wise and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
