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Star Trek (2009)

Director: JJ Abrams

Time Out rating

Average user rating

92 reviews

Synopsis

The original crew of the USS Enterprise battle Romulans from the future in the eleventh Star Trek film. J.J. Abrams (Lost, Cloverfield) directs and we follow James T. Kirk from his first day enrolling at the Starfleet Academy.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Cheerfully bucking the trend for dark, miserablist blockbusters, ‘Lost’ creator JJ Abrams has updated the ‘Star Trek’ franchise for the twenty-first century without resorting to political allegory, moral wrangling or the sadistic violence that characterised similar reinventions like ‘The Dark Knight’. It’s true that an entire planet gets blown up, but the characters swiftly recover on their way to another round of phaser-firing, evasive-manouevring, quip-trading action.

The script details the early years of captain-to-be James T Kirk (Chris Pine) and his taciturn Vulcan sidekick Spock (Zachary Quinto) and is deceptively clever: it works both as affectionate fanboy nostalgia and as a neophyte’s introduction to the ‘Trek’-verse. By employing a time-distorting narrative, complete with mind-mangling multi-dimensional techspeak, Abrams and his writers allow themselves to refit this fictional future completely, keeping the good stuff (beaming up, warp drives, that inimitable ship design) while jettisoning most of the increasingly convoluted mythology.

It doesn’t all work: Eric Bana’s Romulan villain feels too familiar, just another plasticine-headed psychopath with a grudge against the universe. The climax, too, is undercooked: ten minutes of noisy ship-to-ship combat with very little emotional investment.

But these are minor complaints when stacked against Abrams’s many successes. The flawless design wittily updates the ’60s series’ sleek art deco interiors and throws in a few Lycra miniskirts for good measure. The cast are equally strong: Quinto brings wry charm to an otherwise calculating character, while Pine powers through his performance in bullish, if not quite Shatner-esque fashion. The only sore thumb is Karl Urban’s McCoy, whose ‘Damn it, Jim!’ impersonation feels a little too close to pastiche.

The overall impression is one of unbridled enthusiasm on the part of the film’s makers, both for its predecessors and for the brave new universe Abrams and his crew are exploring. Perhaps the best summary of the film comes from Captain Kirk himself, dying on the side of a distant interstellar rock many decades later: ‘It was… fun.’

Author: Tom Huddleston 2009-05-05 10:59:58

Time Out London Issue 2020, May 7-13, 2009

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User reviews of this film

Patti said...

Posted on Jun 10 2009 04:59 I totally agree with Equssa . . awesome fix for old time trekkies answered those old ponderables. Loved the vet scene with rowdy Jim. I almost stood up and cheered!
Other than that I loved it.

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steven matthews said...

Posted on Jun 09 2009 12:11 are you out of your vulcan mind this movie was amazing and i aint a trekkie 10/10

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Glen said...

Posted on Jun 09 2009 10:02 A brave film, the storyline was brilliant. This re-boot is just what star trek needed, Wasn't a big fan of the original series, have never really watched them, but I will be sure to give them a look in now, as i'm sure many other neo trek fans will. It was funny, action packed, full of great characters and was the most entertaining film of the year so far. Most summer films blow up stuff brilliantly, but most of them seem to do it with no story and rubbish dialogue. J.J Abrams will turn into one of the finest film makers of our generation.

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Fred said...

Posted on Jun 08 2009 19:40 I've never seen a whole star trek episode in my life but I was still convinced by my friends enthusiasm to go and see this film. Unfortunately it was not my cup of tea. If you think that a few star ship battles, some people fighting on platforms high above the ground, a generous helping of explosions and a few witty comments is enough to make a good film this is the film for you. If you like me want to be surprised and amazed by story and dialogue I'm afraid it's not.

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Rory said...

Posted on Jun 07 2009 16:53 Wow!!!!! The special effects are brilliant so is the story line its star trek in a new image got to see best film 10 out of 10

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rick said...

Posted on Jun 07 2009 14:52 I found the film to be of a very high caliber, but i must stress that if you found watching films like the matrix etc hard to follow then this one may not be for you. I thought the cast was particularly convinsing, especially the role of spock! I was never the kind of person who thought star trek could be a cool thing, in fact you might say i held it in contempt and labelled it (geeky) but i have to admit that with the sheer brilliance of the script along with the mind blowing special effects gave it a five out of five. Total escape, look away for ten seconds and you will find yourself struggling to find the plot though. Not that i would think you would want to look away. A REAL FIVE STAR FILM! THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR BY MILES!!!!

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Belle aged 16 said...

Posted on Jun 06 2009 17:42 This film, despite not being anything to my taste, is a fab film. I am really not a Trekker, and I can't stand 'super hero' movies, and a lot of bits that were significant to familiars, like the real Spock being in it, didn't mean anything to me...so I suggest you get a bit of background reading/watching before you go if you're not already a fan. However, as a film, it is very good, enjoyable, and has some funny moments.
Enjoy!

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darren said...

Posted on Jun 06 2009 11:09 The idea sounds great, Star Trek the early years however the story was too flat, the villan one dimentional the time story a cop out. Sorry but I found the whole film a let down. Even the special effects were too fast moving and confusing.I liked the Corvette Sting Ray mind you hence the one star.

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Erin said...

Posted on Jun 03 2009 14:13 So far, I've seen this film 8 times and plan to see it into the double figures before it finishes (I assume next week). Brillian film, loved it and I am a die hard Trekkie, even though TNG, DS9 and Voyager are my era, I love TOS just as much and this film blew me away!!! (Hence the many times I've watched it.
Karl Urban as McCoy was my favourite of the crew, I just loved his "God dammit man, I'm a doctor not a physicist!" bit, wonderful!!! Main character review I disagree with is Nero, I adored Nero (Eric Bana for the win!) not just because he's damn sexy, but because I really sympathised with him. If you want more Nero backstory, read Star Trek Countdown, I'm sure it can almost be classed as canon....
Once again, it is an awesome film. I took my boyfriend to see it and believe me, he really doesn't like Star Trek and he enjoyed it... he still wont watch the series though! It is certainly a film for Trekkies and non-Trekkies everywhere.
Only one sad point... Romulus has no future!!! *cries* I just love the Romulans!
Live Long and Prosper.

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hayley said...

Posted on Jun 02 2009 22:33 its great, i went with my husband and loved it, and very sexy actors lol

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Maria said...

Posted on May 30 2009 00:55 I went to see this film with Trekkies and was a bit worried that I wouldn't understand it or like it much. But I thought the film was so great, I'm now working my way through the Next Generation series! The film stays loyal to the spirit of the characters, and although I'm sure a few references went over my head, I still enjoyed it massively!

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batman said...

Posted on May 29 2009 22:23 this is my favourite movie ever. i'm going to see it again tomorrow.

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Jon said...

Posted on May 29 2009 08:38 Anyone that cannot make the leap required to enjoy this movie has failed to grasp the point. Star Trek was visually mindblowing when it began, and thank god for Eric Abrams as he has invited a whole generation of would be trekkies to come and join the fun and wonder.
All you "aficionados" out there should stop trying pigeonhole this film with it's predecessors. This is as bold a move as the franchise needed, it doff's it's cap to it's family and then boldly goes.....
Fabulous film, my hot dog was left to go cold, my chocolates were left unopened. Top quality SciFi, daft plot, high spec effects, ham acting (Simon Pegg in particular), and Uhuru is gorgeous. can't wait for the next one.

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Equssa said...

Posted on May 29 2009 01:59 Wow, this was like old home week, getting to see my great old Star Trek heroes again. Amazing that the casting company was able to find so many youthful look/act alikes. A lot of missing info I had always pondered about the original characters was fleshed out by real artists! And the BEST best part of all? They didn't try to hammer home some political or enviromental stand like saving the Siberian Piss ant. I just loved it! A great movie that I'd go see again. Will definitely buy the DVD when available.

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Bob & Helen Reid said...

Posted on May 29 2009 00:50 Star Trek was great - I hope they make is a series. Excellant job on the characters - would go and see it again - great job

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