DVD: Star Trek
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi action and violence and brief sexual content.
Boldly going where so many have gone before -- but with a brand new cast and a bold new attitude -- J.J. Abrams respectfully reboots a tired old franchise and makes it fun again.
The Story
James T Kirk (Chris Pine) is born on the day his father dies in an attack by a massive Romulan mining ship from the distant future. Nero (Eric Bana), the tattoo-faced captain of that ship, is looking for the future version of Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). After destroying Kirk's dad's starship, Nero and his crew learn they'll have to wait about 25 years for Spock (Zachary Quinto) to show up from the same future they just left. Meanwhile, Kirk grows up on earth as an angry, fatherless risk-taker until being talked into enrolling in Starfleet Academy by Captain Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood). At the Academy, Kirk shines and rebels, meeting for the first time Dr. Bones McCoy (Karl Urban), communications expert Uhura (Zoe Saldana), and a complicated half-human, half-Vulcan science officer named Spock. Thrown together as Captain Pike's newbie crew on the maiden voyage of the Starship Enterprise, the cadets quickly earn their strips when called into action in response to a disaster on Vulcan. That disaster turns out to be the wrath of Nero, attempting to seek his revenge (for some mysterious future event) on both current and future Spock -- and the whole Vulcan race. When Captain Pike goes on a personal mission to stop Nero, Spock is left in charge of the Enterprise. Kirk must figure out how to get the stubborn Vulcan to follow his plan to stop Nero from destroying the Federation. He finds help from some surprising sources.
The Verdict
What we thought of the film on its own terms What Works: "Star Trek" is the most fun I've had watching a movie this year. Some would have called Abram's task in recreating the original characters from new actors a no-win situation: It's either going to be a lesser rehash of familiar territory or a jazzed up satire that would tick off longtime fans. But the creator of "Lost" found the golden plot ticket to avoid both those ditches: time travel. By dropping a timeline-altering event into the universe on the day Kirk is born, Abrams and his writers can both recreate everything that works in the Trek 'verse but also generate a new reality where "anything can happen" (because history has been changed). And that's exactly what they do, to surprising and satisfying results. It helps that they find the triple balance between respectfully referencing "Star Trek" past, nearly non-stop (and cool!) action sequences, and building the story on the strong personalities of the cadets. It's just fun to see these now well-known characters interacting with each other in fresh, new ways. The cast worked for me. No one will replace the Shatner, but Pine makes a fine young Kirk. Quinto is perfect as a still maturing Spock. And none of them really crosses the line into parodying the actor whose shoes they're filling (except for maybe Karl Urban as Bones). What Doesn't Work: Well, you can tell that I liked it. I honestly don't know how it will play, though, for people less familiar or interested in the source material. And not everything connects. The villain's reasons for blaming Spock and the Federation seem a little thin once you understand why he's so angry. And the writers throw in some terribly convenient moments to keep the story moving (e.g., Kirk's too-coincidental meet-up with future Spock). There's also a sense that Abrams and co. are piling on the references to "Famous Moments in Trek History." At times, it distracts from the story they're telling right now. Content: The rating comes mostly from action violence, which includes some blood and onscreen deaths, as well as an enormous off-screen body count. Also, Kirk is building his rep as a womanizer; we see him in bed shirtless with a green lady and see a couple of women in their underwear. God's name is used for swearing, along with a few milder profanities.
Worldview
How the film's take on life compares to a biblical perspective Historically, Gene Rodenberry's "Star Trek" franchise of TV shows, movies, and books is famous for its anti-religious, humanistic, hyper-evolutionary worldview. Rodenberry, who died in 1991, intentionally built that worldview into all of his sci-fi storytelling, occasionally with the enthusiasm of an evangelist. Abrams and his team have little comment on any of that in this reboot. In fact, the film avoids much in the way of overarching messages or metaphors about anything, other than what comes out of the choices made by Kirk and Spock and Nero about what kind of men they will be. Nero will not let go of his drive to avenge the deaths of his family or to somehow change his own history. He defines himself by his need to try to make things right on his own terms, no matter who he hurts in the process. On the other hand, Captain Pike challenges Kirk to put away his bitterness about the death of his father and try to do something as noble as his dad did with his own life. Kirk never loses his arrogance, but he does accept the challenge as a call to leadership in a worthwhile cause. Spock wrestles with finding the balance between his hard-to-control human emotions and placing his highest priority on Vulcan-style logic. He refuses to fully reject either "side" of his nature, no matter where that leads him. He is always and ever questioning how his unique set of strengths and weaknesses should define him, to what calling he should commit his gifts and personality characteristics. I like that idea of choosing to be who you truly are in pursuit of something bigger than yourself. It's one of the grand themes that energizes Christianity. We are convinced that God put each of us together (see Psalm 39), that He instilled in us personality and allowed specific experiences to shape our nature, that He gives us unique talents and spiritual gifts. But we also believe that our identity is marred by our own selfishness and sin. Like Nero, to be "ourselves" only in pursuit of our own agenda leads to destruction and a wasted life. But to give up our own small-minded path, to lay down our lives to serve as a uniquely-created player in God's plan for the universe -- that's a calling worth every ounce of our energy. In fact, that's the secret to finding the only life that truly matters. (Check out Matthew 10:37-39 to hear Jesus say it better.)
Questions
1. Have you watched much "Star Trek" in you life? Were you looking forward to this movie? 1. Are you a fan of other creations of J.J. Abrams and his teams, like "Lost," "Alias," "Mission Impossible III," etc.? 1. Did the film live up to the hype? Did anything about it surprise you? 1. Which of the characters do you most identify with, if any? 1. How would you define your unique set of personality traits, talents, and spiritual gifts? What agenda are you planning to commit them to? Why? 1. Let's start the pool now: How many "Star Trek" sequels should we expect out of this new cast?
