The Collegian

Issue date: 5/12/09 Section: Detour

Media Credit: Photo courtesy of www.reelmovienews.com

If you did not see Star Trek on its opening weekend, then you better beam down to your local cinema. Warp Speed, please.

J.J Abrams (Lost, Fringe) directs a great cast with an equally great script to science fiction perfection. Although I am not a "Trekkie"and (I have seen maybe a handful of episodes but none of the films), I believe that Star Trek represents what any successful sci-fi movie should have. Star Trek's high points, the good acting, a script filled with humor, and masterful special effects.

Star Trek's opening scene starts out in the midst of a firefight. We later find out that this was a fight between Nero, the villain, and the father of James T. Kirk. The next part of the film portrays the growth from child into adulthood of James Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto). The two end up meeting in a Starfleet training base, where the rebel Kirk cheats on a test that Spock created. This meeting escalates into a rivalry between the two. But when Nero reappears, hell bent on destroying the Vulcan planet, the two must join forces in order to combat a common enemy.

The plot is filled with enough twists and turns to keep the critic interested, but is still straightforward enough to keep even casual watchers in the loop. The time travel concept was introduced easily, without wasting too much screen time trying to explain it. Kirk is the rebel of the story, he grew up without much of a family and enlists in Starfleet after fighting some cadets in a bar. Spock is the complete opposite. He is half Vulcan and half human, and almost never shows emotions. He turns down the Vulcan academy to enlist in Starfleet. He is more experienced and knowledgeable than Kirk. Both characters serve as a foil for the traits of the other. Other standout performances include that of John Cho as Hikaru Sulu, Simon Pegg as Scotty, and Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov all provide comic relief and add nice touches the script. Plus Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, returns to his old role, but as future Spock.

The special effects are also incredibly well done, everything from the U.S.S. Enterprise to the sound of phasers set to stun were believable and seamless. Cool little touches, such as the occasionally bright light shining from behind an actor, really boosted the film up and kept the action scenes from being stock sci-fi footage.

Star Trek incorporates a perfect script, great acting, and flawless special effects into a sci-fi masterpiece. As Spock and Kirk develop their bromance, the audience is able to develop connections with the storyline and characters involved. With a film like this, I sincerely hope that the series will continue to "Live Long and Prosper." Grade: A

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